Patent Application
20140017201
The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Aug. 16, 2013 is named PAT055109-US-NP_SL.txt and is 253,289 bytes in size.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of inherited degenerations of the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) of the retina leading to visual loss and blindness. Mutations in any of a wide variety of genes can cause RP, including genes encoding proteins that are involved in phototransduction (the process by which the energy of a photon of light is converted in the photoreceptor cell outer segment into a neuronal signal), the visual cycle (production and recycling of vitamin A in the retina), photoreceptor structure, and transcription factors (Phelan and Bok, 2000).
RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy is a rare form of RP caused by mutations in the retinaldehyde binding protein 1 (RLBP1) gene on chromosome 15. Mutations in this gene cause absence of or dysfunction of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP), a protein that is important in the visual cycle (He et al 2009). CRALBP is expressed in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller cells, ciliary epithelium, iris, cornea, pineal gland and a subset of oligodendrocytes of the optic nerve and brain (Saari et al 1997). CRALBP accepts 11-cis-retinol from the isomerase RPE65 and acts as a carrier of this substrate for 11-cis-retinol dehydrogenase (RDH5) to convert the substrate into 11-cis-retinal. The rate of chromophore regeneration is severely reduced in the absence of functional CRALBP (Travis et al 2007). The function of CRALBP outside the RPE is not well understood, but it has been suggested that CRALBP in the Müller cells supports a cone-specific visual pathway that permits cone cells to quickly adapt to a wide range of light intensities (Wang and Kefalov 2011).
RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy is characterized by early severe night blindness and slow dark adaptation, followed by progressive loss of visual acuity, visual fields and color vision leading to legal blindness typically around middle adulthood. The fundus appearance is characterized by yellow or white spots in the retina. The reduction in visual acuity and visual field significantly impacts patients' quality of life (Burstedt and Mönestam, 2010).
The most common RLBP1 mutations leading to RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy are recessive mutations, designated R234W and M226K (Golovleva I and Burstedt M 2012). RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy caused by 1 or both of these recessive missense mutations is also known as Bothnia Dystrophy. Several other loss-of-function mutations in the RLBP1 gene have been reported to lead to RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy. For example, splice-junction mutations in RLBP1 cause rod-cone dystrophy in Newfoundland. Currently there is no treatment available for RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy (Eichers et al 2002).
The present invention is based in part on the discovery that expression of RLBP1 from recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) having a combination of selected promoter, AAV genome and capsid serotype provides a potent and efficacious treatment for RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy.
The present invention relates generally to recombinant viral vectors and methods of using recombinant viral vectors to express proteins in the retina of subjects suffering from retinal diseases and blindness.
The present invention relates to viral vectors that are capable of delivering a heterologous gene to the retina. The present invention also relates to viral vectors that are capable of directing a heterologous gene to RPE and Müller cells of the retina. The present invention further relates to viral vectors that are recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV). In certain embodiments the rAAV viral vector may be selected from among any AAV serotype known in the art, including, without limitation, AAV1-AAV12. In certain embodiments, the rAAV vector capsid is an AAV2 serotype. In certain other embodiments, the rAAV vector capsid is an AAV8 serotype.
The invention relates, in part, to viral vectors carrying a single stranded vector genome. In the single stranded viral vector, the vector genome can include a 5′ ITR, a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence, and a 3′ ITR. The recombinant nucleic acid sequence of the vector genome can also include a promoter as described herein. In one aspect, the promoter is an RLBP1 (long) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 10), in another aspect the promoter is an RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3). In certain specific aspects of the invention, the vector genome comprises, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, nucleic acid sequences selected from: a) SEQ ID NO: 2, 10, 5, 6, 8, and 9; b) SEQ ID NO: 2, 11, 5, 6, 8, 14, 9; c) SEQ ID NO: 2, 22, 5, 6, 8, 23, and 9; and d) SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 23, and 9.
The invention also relates, in part, to viral vectors carrying a self-complementary genome. The self-complementary vector genome can include, from 5′ to 3′, a 5′ ITR, a first recombinant nucleotide sequence, a non-resolvable ITR (e.g.: ΔITR), a second recombinant nucleotide sequence, and a 3′ ITR, wherein the first and second recombinant nucleotide sequences are self-complementary. The second recombinant nucleotide sequence comprises in the 5′ to 3′ direction, a promoter, an RLBP1 coding sequence and an SV40 polyA sequence. The promoter can be an RLBP1 promoter and, further, can be the RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3). In certain aspects of the invention, the second recombinant nucleotide sequence comprises nucleic acid sequences in the 5′ to 3′ direction of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 and the first recombinant nucleotide sequence comprises sequences that are self-complementary to, or the reverse complement of, the second recombinant sequence, for example, SEQ ID NOs: 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66. The invention also relates to a viral vector comprising a self-complementary vector genome wherein the genome comprises, nucleic acid sequences in the 5′ to 3′ direction of: SEQ ID NOs: 36, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9. The self-complementary vector genome described above can be packaged in an AAV capsid that is selected from any AAV serotype known in the art, including but not limited to AAV1-12. In one aspect, the self-complementary genome is packaged in an AAV8 capsid. In another aspect, the self-complementary genome is packaged in an AAV2 capsid.
The present invention also relates to a viral vector capable of directing expression of a heterologous gene to RPE and Müller cells of the retina. It is contemplated that the viral vector capsid is an AAV2 or an AAV8 serotype capsid and that the viral vector comprises a vector genome, wherein the heterologous gene is operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter. It is further contemplated that the RLBP1 promoter is the RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3) or the RLBP1 (long) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 10). In another aspect of the invention it is contemplated that the heterologous gene to be expressed in RPE and Müller cells is an RLBP1 coding sequence having for example, the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.
The present invention also relates to a viral vector capable of directing expression of a heterologous gene to RPE and Müller cells of the retina, wherein the viral vector capsid is an AAV8 serotype capsid and that the viral vector comprises a self-complementary vector genome wherein a heterologous gene is operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter. It is further contemplated that the RLBP1 promoter is the RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3). In another aspect of the invention it is contemplated that the heterologous gene to be expressed in RPE and Müller cells is an RLBP1 coding sequence having for example, the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.
The invention also relates to a composition comprising a viral vector described herein, as well as viral vector compositions in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Specifically, the invention further relates to compositions comprising the viral vectors as described in Table 4. The invention still further relates to compositions comprising viral vectors that can be generated using the plasmids described in Table 2, in conjunction with rAAV production methods known in the art and described herein. The compositions described herein are useful for treating a subject having RLBP1 associated retinal dystrophy and/or improving the rate of dark adaption in a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy.
The present invention also relates to nucleic acids that can be used, with the rAAV production methods known in the art and described herein, for the generation of the viral vectors described herein. The invention relates to nucleic acids comprising a gene cassette, wherein the gene cassette comprises, in the 5′ to 3′ direction: (i) a 5′ ITR or a non-resolvable ITR, (ii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence, and (iii) a 3′ ITR. It is contemplated that the nucleic acid may comprise a gene cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55. It is contemplated that the nucleic acids of the invention may be plasmids. It is further contemplated that the nucleic acid may be a plasmid comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 50.
In certain specific aspects of the invention, the nucleic acid can comprise a gene cassette comprising sequences in the 5′ to 3′ direction that are selected from: a) a) SEQ ID NO: 2, 10, 5, 6, 8, and 9, b) SEQ ID NO: 2, 11, 5, 6, 8, 14 and 9, c) SEQ ID NO: 2, 22, 5, 6, 8, 23 and 9, d) SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 23 and 9, or e) SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9.
The invention also relates to nucleic acids comprising a gene cassette, wherein the gene cassette comprises, in the 5′ to 3′ direction: (i) a 5′ ITR, (ii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a promoter operably linked to reporter gene, and (iii) a 3′ ITR. It is contemplated that the nucleic acid may comprise a gene cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 59 and 60. It is further contemplated that nucleic acid may be a plasmid comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 31, 32, 34 and 35.
The invention also relates to methods of treating a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof, a composition comprising a viral vector as described herein.
The invention also relates to a method of improving the rate of dark adaption in a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof, a composition comprising a viral vector as described herein.
The invention still further relates to a method of directing expression of an RLBP1 coding sequence in RPE and Müller cells in the retina of a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, wherein the method comprises the step of contacting the retina of the subject, with a viral vector comprising an AAV8 or AAV2 serotype capsid and a vector genome comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter, such as, for example, the RLBP1(short) (SEQ ID NO: 3) or RLBP1(long) (SEQ ID NO: 10) promoters as described herein.
The invention still further relates to a method of delivering an RLBP1 coding sequence in RPE and Müller cells in the retina of a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, wherein the method comprises the step of contacting the retina of the subject, with a viral vector comprising an AAV8 or AAV2 serotype capsid and a vector genome comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter, such as, for example, the RLBP1(short) (SEQ ID NO: 3) or RLBP1(long) (SEQ ID NO: 10) promoters as described herein.
The invention also includes a viral vector as described in Table 1, or 4, as well as a plasmid described in Table 2.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.
The term “capsid” refers to the protein coat of the virus or viral vector. The term “AAV capsid” refers to the protein coat of the adeno-associated virus (AAV), which is composed of a total of 60 subunits; each subunit is an amino acid sequence, which can be viral protein 1(VP1), VP2 or VP3 (Muzyczka N and Berns K I 2001).
The term “gene cassette” refers to a manipulatable fragment of DNA carrying, and capable of expressing, one or more genes, or coding sequences, of interest between one or more sets of restriction sites. A gene cassette can be transferred from one DNA sequence (often in a plasmid vector) to another by ‘cutting’ the fragment out using restriction enzymes and ligating it back into a new context, for example into a new plasmid backbone.
The term “heterologous gene” or “heterologous nucleotide sequence” will typically refer to a gene or nucleotide sequence that is not naturally-occurring in the virus. Alternatively, a heterologous gene or nucleotide sequence may refer to a viral sequence that is placed into a non-naturally occurring environment (e.g.: by association with a promoter with which it is not naturally associated in the virus).
The terms “ITR” or “inverted terminal repeat” refer to the stretch of nucleic acid sequences that exist in Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV) and/or recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors (rAAV) that can form a T-shaped palindromic structure, that is required for completing AAV lytic and latent life cycles (Muzyczka N and Berns K I 2001). The term “non-resolvable ITR” refers to a modified ITR such that the resolution by the Rep protein is reduced. A non-resolvable ITR can be an ITR sequence without the terminal resolution site (TRS) which leads to low or no resolution of the non-resolvable ITR and would yield 90-95% of self-complementary AAV vectors (McCarty et al 2003). A specific example of a non-resolvable ITR is “ΔITR”, having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.
The term “operably linked” refers to a functional relationship between two or more polynucleotide (e.g., DNA) segments. Typically, the term refers to the functional relationship of a transcriptional regulatory sequence to a sequence to be transcribed. For example, a promoter or enhancer sequence is operably linked to a coding sequence if it stimulates or modulates the transcription of the coding sequence in an appropriate host cell or other expression system. Generally, promoter transcriptional regulatory sequences that are operably linked to a transcribable sequence are contiguous to the transcribable sequence, i.e., they are cis-acting. However, some transcriptional regulatory sequences, such as enhancers, need not be physically contiguous or located in close proximity to the coding sequences whose transcription they enhance.
The term “promoter” refers to a sequence that regulates transcription of an operably-linked gene, or nucleotide sequence encoding a protein, etc. Promoters provide the sequence sufficient to direct transcription, as well as, the recognition sites for RNA polymerase and other transcription factors required for efficient transcription and can direct cell specific expression. In addition to the sequence sufficient to direct transcription, a promoter sequence of the invention can also include sequences of other regulatory elements that are involved in modulating transcription (e.g.: enhancers, kozak sequences and introns). Examples of promoters known in the art and useful in the viral vectors described herein, include the CMV promoter, CBA promoter, smCBA promoter and those promoters derived from an immunoglobulin gene, SV40, or other tissue specific genes (e.g: RLBP1, RPE, VMD2). Specific promoters may also include those described in Table 1, for example, the “RLBP1 (short)” promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3), the “RLBP1 (long)” promoter (SEQ ID NO: 10), RPE65 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 11), VMD2 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 12), and the CMV enhancer+CBA promoter (SEQ ID NO: 22). In addition, standard techniques are known in the art for creating functional promoters by mixing and matching known regulatory elements. “Truncated promoters” may also be generated from promoter fragments or by mix and matching fragments of known regulatory elements; for example the smCBA promoter is a truncated form of the CBA promoter.
The term “RLBP1” refers to the “Retinaldehyde Binding Protein 1”. The human RLBP1 gene is found on chromosome 15 and has the nucleic acid coding sequence as set out in Table 1: SEQ ID NO: 6. The “RLBP1 gene product” is also known as, “cellular retinaldehyde binding protein” or “CRALBP” and is the protein encoded by the RLBP1 gene. The human RLBP1 gene product (hCRALBP) has the amino acid sequence as set out in Table 1: SEQ ID NO: 7. Examples of RLBP1 coding sequences and RLBP1 gene products from other species can be found in Table 1 (e.g.: SEQ ID NOs: 37-48). The term “RLBP1 coding sequence” or “RLBP1 GENE CDS” or “RLBP1 CDS” refers to the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the RLBP1 gene product. One of skill in the art would understand that an RLBP1 coding sequence may include any nucleic acid sequence that encodes an RLBP1 gene product. The RLBP1 coding sequence may or may not include intervening regulatory elements (e.g.: introns, enhancers, or other non-coding sequences).
The term “subject” includes human and non-human animals. Non-human animals include all vertebrates (e.g.: mammals and non-mammals) such as, non-human primates (e.g.: cynomolgus monkey), mice, rats, sheep, dogs, cows, chickens, amphibians, and reptiles. Except when noted, the terms “patient” or “subject” are used herein interchangeably.
As used herein, the term “treating” or “treatment” of any disease or disorder (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa, RBLP1-associated retinal dystrophy) refers, to ameliorating the disease or disorder such as by slowing or arresting or reducing the development of the disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms thereof. “Treating” or “treatment” can also refer to alleviating or ameliorating at least one physical parameter including those which may not be discernible by the patient. “Treating” or “treatment” can also refer to modulating the disease or disorder, either physically, (e.g., stabilization of a discernible symptom), physiologically, (e.g., stabilization of a physical parameter), or both. More specifically, “treatment” of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy means any action that results in the improvement or preservation of visual function and/or regional anatomy in a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy. “Preventing or “prevention” as used herein, refers to preventing or delaying the onset or development or progression of the disease or disorder. “Prevention” as it relates to RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy means any action that prevents or slows a worsening in visual function, retinal anatomy, and/or an RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy disease parameter, as described below, in a patient with RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy and at risk for said worsening. Methods for assessing treatment and/or prevention of disease are known in the art and described herein below.
The term “virus vector” or “viral vector” is intended to refer to a non-wild-type recombinant viral particle (e.g.: a parvovirus, etc.) that functions as a gene delivery vehicle and which comprises a recombinant viral genome packaged within a viral (e.g.: AAV) capsid. A specific type of virus vector may be a “recombinant adeno-associated virus vector”, or “rAAV vector”. The recombinant viral genome packaged in the a viral vector is also referred to herein as the “vector genome”.
The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of viral vectors that express a heterologous gene in RPE and Müller cells of the retina. The invention also relates both to single stranded and self-complementary viral vectors with a heterologous gene expressing the RLBP1 gene product (CRALBP).
Accordingly, the present invention provides recombinant viral vectors that direct expression of the RLBP1 coding sequence to the retina, viral vector compositions, plasmids useful for generating the viral vectors, methods of delivering an RLBP1 coding sequence to the retina, methods of expressing an RLBP1 coding sequence in RPE and Müller cells of the retina, and methods of use of such viral vectors.
Except as otherwise indicated, standard methods known to those skilled in the art may be used for the construction of recombinant parvovirus and rAAV vectors, using recombinant plasmids carrying a viral gene cassette, packaging plasmids expressing the parvovirus rep and/or cap sequences, as well as transiently and stably transfected packaging cells. Such techniques are known to those skilled in the art. (e.g.: SAMBROOK et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL 2nd Ed. (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989); Choi V W et al. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (2007)).
The present invention is related to viral vectors that direct expression of a heterologous gene to the retina. In certain aspects of the invention, expression is directed to RPE and Müller cells of the retina. A variety of viral vectors known in the art may be adapted by one of skill in the art for use in the present invention, for example, recombinant adeno-associated viruses, recombinant adenoviruses, recombinant retroviruses, recombinant poxviruses, recombinant baculoviruses, etc.
In particular, it is contemplated that the viral vector of the invention may be a recombinant adeno-associated (rAAV) vector. AAVs are small, single-stranded DNA viruses which require helper virus to facilitate efficient replication (Muzyczka N and Berns K I 2001). The viral vector comprises a vector genome and a protein capsid. The viral vector capsid may be supplied from any of the AAV serotypes known in the art, including presently identified human and non-human AAV serotypes and AAV serotypes yet to be identified (See: Choi V W et al 2005, Schmidt et al 2008). Virus capsids may be mixed and matched with other vector components to form a hybrid viral vector, for example the ITRs and capsid of the viral vector may come from different AAV serotypes. In one aspect, the ITRs can be from an AAV2 serotype while the capsid is from, for example, an AAV2 or AAV8 serotype. In addition, one of skill in the art would recognize that the vector capsid may also be a mosaic capsid (e.g.: a capsid composed of a mixture of capsid proteins from different serotypes), or even a chimeric capsid (e.g.: a capsid protein containing a foreign or unrelated protein sequence for generating markers and/or altering tissue tropism). It is contemplated that the viral vector of the invention may comprise an AAV2 capsid. It is further contemplated that the invention may comprise an AAV8 capsid.
The invention relates, in part, to viral vectors wherein the vector genome is single stranded. In certain aspects, the invention is related to a single stranded vector genome comprising, in the 5′ to 3′ direction: (i) a 5′ ITR, (ii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence, and (iii) a 3′ ITR. In certain aspects of the invention the recombinant nucleotide sequence comprises in the 5′ to 3′ direction: (i) a promoter, (ii) an RLBP1 coding sequence, and (iii) an SV40 polyA sequence. In certain aspects, the promoter may be an RLBP1 (short) promoter, an RLBP1 (long) promoter, or a truncated promoter of RLBP1. In particular, the invention relates to a single stranded vector genome comprising a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising in the 5′ to 3′ direction: an RLBP1 (long) promoter (SEQ ID NO:10), an RLBP1 coding sequence, and an SV40 polyA sequence. In addition, the invention also relates to a single stranded vector genome comprising a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising in the 5′ to 3′ direction: an RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3), an RLBP1 coding sequence, and an SV40 polyA sequence. Certain aspects of the invention further relate to a single stranded vector genome comprising a recombinant nucleotide sequence packaged in an AAV2 or AAV8 capsid.
In certain aspects of the invention the viral vector comprises an AAV2 capsid (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 18) and a vector genome comprising in the 5′ to 3 direction nucleotide sequences selected from the following: a) SEQ ID NO: 2, 10, 5, 6, 8, and 9; b) SEQ ID NO: 2, 11, 5, 6, 8, 14, 9; c) SEQ ID NO: 2, 22, 5, 6, 8, 23, and 9; and d) SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 23, and 9. In certain aspects the AAV2 capsid comprises capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, 68, and 69, respectively. In certain other aspects the AAV2 capsid may comprise subcombinations of capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and/or VP3.
In certain aspects of the invention the viral vector comprises an AAV8 capsid (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 20) and a vector genome comprising in the 5′ to 3′ direction nucleotide sequences selected from the following: a) SEQ ID NO: 2, 10, 5, 6, 8, and 9; b) SEQ ID NO: 2, 11, 5, 6, 8, 14, 9; c) SEQ ID NO: 2, 22, 5, 6, 8, 23, and 9; and d) SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 23, and 9. In certain aspects the AAV8 capsid comprises capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, 70, and 71. In certain other aspects the AAV8 capsid may comprise subcombinations of capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and/or VP3.
The viral vector can also be an AAV vector comprising a self-complementary genome. Self-complementary rAAV vectors have been previously described in the art (U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,583 and McCarty 2008) and may be adapted for use in the present invention. A self-complementary genome comprises a 5′ ITR and a 3′ ITR (i.e.: resolvable ITR or wild-type ITR) at either end of the genome and a non-resolvable ITR (e.g.: ΔITR, as described herein) interposed between the 5′ and 3′ ITRs. Each portion of the genome (i.e. between each resolvable ITR and non-resolvable ITR) comprises a recombinant nucleotide sequence, wherein each half (i.e.: the first recombinant nucleotide sequence and the second recombinant nucleotide sequence) is complementary to the other, or self-complementary. In other words, the self-complementary vector genome is essentially an inverted repeat with the two halves joined by the non-resolvable ITR. In certain aspects the invention is related to a self-complementary vector genome comprising, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, (i) a 5′ ITR, (ii) a first recombinant nucleotide sequence, (iii) a non-resolvable ITR, (iv) a second recombinant nucleotide sequence, and (v) a 3′ ITR. In a certain aspect of the invention the second recombinant nucleotide sequence of the vector genome comprises, an RLBP1 promoter, an RLBP1 coding sequence, and an SV40 polyA sequence and the first recombinant nucleotide sequence is self-complementary to the second nucleotide sequence. In certain specific aspects the RLBP1 promoter has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In certain aspects of the invention, the second recombinant nucleotide sequence comprises nucleic acid sequences in the 5′ to 3′ direction of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 and the first recombinant nucleotide sequence comprises sequences that are self-complementary to, or the reverse complement of, the second recombinant sequence, for example, SEQ ID NOs: 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66. It is also contemplated that the viral vector of the invention may comprise a self-complementary genome wherein the first recombinant nucleotide sequence of the vector genome comprises, an RLBP1 promoter, an RLBP1 coding sequence, and an SV40 polyA sequence and the second recombinant nucleotide sequence is self-complementary to the first recombinant nucleotide sequence.
In certain aspects of the invention the self-complementary viral vector comprises an AAV2 capsid (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 18) and a vector genome comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising sequences in the 5′ to 3′ direction SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 62, SEQ ID NO: 63, SEQ ID NO: 64, SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, and SEQ ID NO: 9. In certain aspects the AAV2 capsid comprises capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, 68, and 69, respectively. In certain other aspects the AAV2 capsid may comprise subcombinations of capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and/or VP3.
In certain aspects of the invention the self-complementary viral vector comprises an AAV8 capsid (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 20) and a vector genome comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising sequences in the 5′ to 3′ direction SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 62, SEQ ID NO: 63, SEQ ID NO: 64, SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, and SEQ ID NO: 9. In certain aspects the AAV8 capsid comprises capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, 70, and 71. In certain other aspects the AAV8 capsid may comprise subcombinations of capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and/or VP3.
Thus, the invention also relates to viral vectors as described herein, comprising a truncated promoter of RLBP1.
The invention further relates to a viral vector that directs expression of a heterologous gene to RPE and Müller cells of the retina, wherein the viral vector comprises an AAV8 capsid and a vector genome comprising an RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO:3) operably linked to a heterologous gene. In certain aspects of the invention, the vector genome is a self-complementary genome.
The invention also relates to methods of expressing RLBP1 in RPE cells and Müller cells of the retina. In certain aspects of the invention the method comprises contacting the retinal cells with a viral vector comprising an AAV capsid and a vector genome comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter, which may be an RLBP1 (short) promoter (SEQ ID NO:3). In certain aspects of the invention the AAV capsid is AAV2. In certain other aspects, the AAV capsid is AAV8. In other aspects of the invention the method comprises contacting the retinal cells with a viral vector comprising an AAV capsid and a vector genome comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter, which may be an RLBP1 (long) promoter (SEQ ID NO: 10). In certain aspects of the invention the AAV capsid is AAV2. In certain other aspects, the AAV capsid is AAV8.
Methods for generating viral vectors are well known in the art and would allow for the skilled artisan to generate the viral vectors of the invention (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,583), including the viral vectors described in Table 4, using the plasmids described in Table 2 and the Examples.
In general, methods of producing rAAV vectors are applicable to producing the viral vectors of the invention; the primary difference between the methods is the structure of the genetic elements to be packaged. To produce a viral vector according to the present invention, sequences of the genetic elements and plasmids as described in table 2 can be used to produce the encapsidated viral genome.
The genetic elements as described in table 2 are in the context of a circular plasmid, but one of skill in the art will appreciated that a DNA substrate may be provided in any form known in the art, including but not limited to a plasmid, naked DNA vector, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) or a viral vector (e.g., adenovirus, herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, AAV, baculoviral, retroviral vectors, and the like). Alternatively, the genetic elements in table 2 necessary to produce the viral vectors described herein may be stably incorporated into the genome of a packaging cell.
The viral vector particles according to the invention may be produced by any method known in the art, e.g., by introducing the sequences to be replicated and packaged into a permissive or packaging cell, as those terms are understood in the art (e.g., a “permissive” cell can be infected or transduced by the virus; a “packaging” cell is a stably transformed cell providing helper functions).
In one embodiment, a method is provided for producing an RLBP1 viral vector, wherein the method comprises providing to a cell permissive for parvovirus replication: (a) a nucleotide sequence containing the genetic elements for producing a vector genome of the invention (as described in detail below and in table 2); (b) nucleotide sequences sufficient for replication of the vector genome sequence in (a) to produce a vector genome; (c) nucleotide sequences sufficient to package the vector genome into a parvovirus capsid, under conditions sufficient for virus vectors comprising the vector genome encapsidated within the parvovirus capsid to be produced in the cell. Preferably, the parvovirus replication and/or capsid coding sequences are AAV sequences.
Any method of introducing the nucleotide sequence carrying the gene cassettes described below into a cellular host for replication and packaging may be employed, including but not limited to, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, microinjection, cationic or anionic liposomes, and liposomes in combination with a nuclear localization signal.
Viral vectors described herein may be produced using methods known in the art, such as, for example, triple transfection or baculovirus mediated virus production. Any suitable permissive or packaging cell known in the art may be employed to produce the vectors. Mammalian cells are preferred. Also preferred are trans-complementing packaging cell lines that provide functions deleted from a replication-defective helper virus, e.g., 293 cells or other E1a trans-complementing cells. Also preferred are mammalian cells or cell lines that are defective for DNA repair as known in the art, as these cell lines will be impaired in their ability to correct the mutations introduced into the plasmids described herein.
The gene cassette may contain some or all of the parvovirus (e.g., AAV) cap and rep genes. Preferably, however, some or all of the cap and rep functions are provided in trans by introducing a packaging vector(s) encoding the capsid and/or Rep proteins into the cell. Most preferably, the gene cassette does not encode the capsid or Rep proteins. Alternatively, a packaging cell line is used that is stably transformed to express the cap and/or rep genes (see, e.g., Gao et al., (1998) Human Gene Therapy 9:2353; Inoue et al., (1998) J. Virol. 72:7024; U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,484; WO 98/27207; U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,785; WO 96/17947).
In addition, helper virus functions are preferably provided for the virus vector to propagate new virus particles. Both adenovirus and herpes simplex virus may serve as helper viruses for AAV. See, e.g., BERNARD N. FIELDS et al., VIROLOGY, volume 2, chapter 69 (3d ed., Lippincott-Raven Publishers). Exemplary helper viruses include, but are not limited to, Herpes simplex (HSV) varicella zoster, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) and the duration of the infection will depend on the type of virus used and the packaging cell line employed. Any suitable helper vector may be employed. Preferably, the helper vector is a plasmid, for example, as described by Xiao et al., (1998) J. Virology 72:2224. The vector can be introduced into the packaging cell by any suitable method known in the art, as described above.
Vector stocks free of contaminating helper virus may be obtained by any method known in the art. For example, recombinant single stranded or self complementary virus and helper virus may be readily differentiated based on size. The viruses may also be separated away from helper virus based on affinity for a heparin substrate (Zolotukhin et al. (1999) Gene Therapy 6:973). Preferably, deleted replication-defective helper viruses are used so that any contaminating helper virus is not replication competent. As a further alternative, an adenovirus helper lacking late gene expression may be employed, as only adenovirus early gene expression is required to mediate packaging of the duplexed virus. Adenovirus mutants defective for late gene expression are known in the art (e.g., ts100K and ts149 adenovirus mutants).
One method for providing helper functions employs a non-infectious adenovirus miniplasmid that carries all of the helper genes required for efficient AAV production (Ferrari et al., (1997) Nature Med. 3:1295; Xiao et al., (1998) J. Virology 72:2224). The rAAV titers obtained with adenovirus miniplasmids are forty-fold higher than those obtained with conventional methods of wild-type adenovirus infection (Xiao et al., (1998) J. Virology 72:2224). This approach obviates the need to perform co-transfections with adenovirus (Holscher et al., (1994), J. Virology 68:7169; Clark et al., (1995) Hum. Gene Ther. 6:1329; Trempe and Yang, (1993), in, Fifth Parvovirus Workshop, Crystal River, Fla.).
Other methods of producing rAAV stocks have been described, including but not limited to, methods that split the rep and cap genes onto separate expression cassettes to prevent the generation of replication-competent AAV (see, e.g., Allen et al., (1997) J. Virol. 71:6816), methods employing packaging cell lines (see, e.g., Gao et al., (1998) Human Gene Therapy 9:2353; Inoue et al., (1998) J. Virol. 72:7024; U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,484; WO 98/27207; U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,785; WO 96/17947), and other helper virus free systems (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,335 to Colosi).
Herpesvirus may also be used as a helper virus in AAV packaging methods. Hybrid herpesviruses encoding the AAV Rep protein(s) may advantageously facilitate for more scalable AAV vector production schemes. A hybrid herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) vector expressing the AAV-2 rep and cap genes has been described (Conway et al., (1999) Gene Therapy 6:986 and WO 00/17377).
In summary, the gene cassette to be replicated and packaged, parvovirus cap genes, appropriate parvovirus rep genes, and (preferably) helper functions are provided to a cell (e.g., a permissive or packaging cell) to produce rAAV particles carrying the vector genome. The combined expression of the rep and cap genes encoded by the gene cassette and/or the packaging vector(s) and/or the stably transformed packaging cell results in the production of a viral vector particle in which a viral vector capsid packages a viral vector genome according to the invention. The single stranded or self-complementary viral vectors are allowed to assemble within the cell, and may then be recovered by any method known by those of skill in the art and described in the examples. For example, viral vectors may be purified by standard CsCl centrifugation methods (Grieger J C et al 2006) or by various methods of column chromatography known to the skilled artisan (see: Lock M et al (2010), Smith R H et al (2009) and Vadenberghe L H et al (2010)).
The reagents and methods disclosed herein may be employed to produce high-titer stocks of the inventive viral vectors, preferably at essentially wild-type titers. It is also preferred that the parvovirus stock has a titer of at least about 105 transducing units (tu)/ml, more preferably at least about 106 to/ml, more preferably at least about 107 to/ml, yet more preferably at least about 108 to/ml, yet more preferably at least about 109 to/ml, still yet more preferably at least about 1010 to/ml, still more preferably at least about 10″ to/ml, or more.
Further, the RLBP1 viral vectors of the invention, may have an improved transducing unit/particle ratio over conventional AAV vectors. Preferably, the tu/particle ratio is less than about 1:50, less than about 1:20, less than about 1:15, less than about 1:10, less than about 1:8, less than about 1:7, less than about 1:6, less than about 1:5, less than about 1:4, or lower. Typically, the tu/particle ratio will be greater than about 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 or 1:4.
The invention also relates to nucleic acids useful for the generation of viral vectors. In certain aspects of the invention, the nucleic acids useful for the generation of viral vectors may be in the form of plasmids. Plasmids useful for the generation of viral vectors, also referred to as a viral vector plasmid, may contain a gene cassette. At a minimum, a gene cassette of a viral vector plasmid contains: a heterologous gene and its regulatory elements (e.g.: promoter, enhancer, and/or introns, etc.), and 5′ and 3′ AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs).
The composition of the heterologous gene and its regulatory elements will depend upon the use to which the resulting vector will be put. For example, one type of heterologous gene sequence includes a reporter sequence, which upon expression produces a detectable signal. Such reporter sequences include, without limitation, DNA sequences encoding β-lactamase, β-galactosidase (LacZ), alkaline phosphatase, thymidine kinase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), luciferase, membrane bound proteins including, for example, CD2, CD4, CD8, the influenza hemagglutinin protein, and others well known in the art, to which high affinity antibodies directed thereto exist or can be produced by conventional means, and fusion proteins comprising a membrane bound protein appropriately fused to an antigen tag domain from, among others, hemagglutinin or Myc. For example, where the reporter sequence is the LacZ gene, the presence of the vector carrying the signal is detected by assays for beta-galactosidase activity. Where the reporter sequence is green fluorescent protein or luciferase, the vector carrying the signal may be measured visually by color or light production in a luminometer.
The heterologous gene sequences, when associated with regulatory elements which drive their expression, provide signals detectable by conventional means, including enzymatic, radiographic, colorimetric, fluorescence or other spectrographic assays, fluorescent activating cell sorting assays and immunological assays, including enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunohistochemistry.
The heterologous gene may also be a non-marker sequence encoding a product which is useful in biology and medicine, such as proteins, peptides, RNA, enzymes, dominant negative mutants, or catalytic RNAs. Desirable RNA molecules include tRNA, dsRNA, ribosomal RNA, catalytic RNAs, siRNA, small hairpin RNA, trans-splicing RNA, and antisense RNAs. One example of a useful RNA sequence is a sequence which inhibits or extinguishes expression of a targeted nucleic acid sequence in the treated animal.
The heterologous gene may also be used to correct or ameliorate gene deficiencies, which may include deficiencies in which normal genes are expressed at less than normal levels or deficiencies in which the functional gene product is not expressed. It is contemplated in the present invention that the heterologous gene sequence may be an RLBP1 coding sequence. Examples of RLBP1 coding sequences are provided in Table 1: SEQ ID NOs: 6, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45 or 47.
In addition to the heterologous gene, the gene cassette may include regulatory elements operably linked to the heterologous gene. These regulatory elements may include appropriate transcription initiation, termination, promoter and enhancer sequences, efficient RNA processing signals such as splicing and polyadenylation (polyA) signals; sequences that stabilize cytoplasmic mRNA; sequences that enhance translation efficiency; sequences that enhance protein stability; and when desired, sequences that enhance secretion of the encoded product. A great number of regulatory sequences, including promoters which are native, constitutive, inducible and/or tissue-specific, are known in the art and may be utilized. Regulatory element sequences of the invention include those described in Table 1, for example SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 22.
The gene cassette may include an RLBP1 promoter with a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or 10 operably linked to a heterologous gene. In particular, the RLBP1 short promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3) is operably linked to an RLBP1 coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 6, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45 or 47). Alternatively, the RLBP1 long promoter (SEQ ID NO: 10) is operably linked to an RLBP1 coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 6, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45 or 47).
It is contemplated that the ITRs of AAV serotype 2 may be used (e.g.: SEQ ID NO: 2, 9, 16, 17, 36). However, ITRs from other suitable serotypes may be selected from among any AAV serotype known in the art, as described herein. These ITRs or other AAV components may be readily isolated using techniques available to those of skill in the art from any AAV serotype known, or yet to be identified serotypes, for example, the AAV sequences may be obtained through synthetic or other suitable means by reference to published sequences such as are available in the literature or in databases such as, e.g., GenBank, PubMed, or the like. Alternatively, such AAV components may also be isolated or obtained from academic, commercial, or public sources (e.g., the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.).
It is contemplated that in certain aspects of the invention, one ITR of the gene cassette may be a modified ITR, or non-resolvable ITR, sequence without the terminal resolution site (TRS). During replication of a gene cassette comprising a non-resolvable ITR, the inability of Rep protein to resolve the non-resolvable ITRs will result in a dimeric inverted repeat sequence (i.e.: self-complementary) with a non-resolvable ITR (e.g.: ΔITR) in the middle and a wild-type ITR at each end. The resulting sequence is a self-complementary viral genome sequence such that the genome is capable of forming a hairpin structure upon release from the capsid (see also: U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,583 and McCarty (2008)) A non-resolvable ITR may be produced by any method known in the art. For example, insertion into the ITR will displace the TRS and result in a non-resolvable ITR. Preferably, the insertion is in the region of the TRS site. Alternatively, the ITR may be rendered non-resolvable by deletion of the TRS site, a specific example includes ΔITR (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The invention relates to nucleic acids that comprise a gene cassette comprising in the 5′ to 3′ direction nucleic acid sequences selected from the following: a) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 10, 5, 6, 8, and 9; b) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11, 5, 6, 8, 14 and 9; c) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 22, 5, 6, 8, 23 and 9; d) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 23 and 9; e) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 10, 5, 24, 8, and 9; f) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11, 24, 8, 14, and 9; and g) SEQ ID NOs: 2, 12, 24, 8, 14, and 9. In certain aspects the nucleic acid comprising the gene cassette may be a plasmid. In particular, the sequence of the plasmid may have a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35.
The invention also relates to nucleic acids that comprise a gene cassette comprising in the 5′ to 3′ direction nucleic acid sequences selected from the following: a) SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9; and b) SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 24, 8 and 9. In certain aspects the nucleic acid comprising the gene cassette may be a plasmid. In particular, the sequence of the plasmid may have a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 26, 31 and 50.
Methods for incorporating the elements in Table 2 are well known in the art and would allow for the skilled artisan to generate the nucleic acids and plasmids of the invention using the methods outlined in Table 3 and the Examples.
The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the viral vectors of the invention formulated together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions can additionally contain one or more other therapeutic agents that are suitable for treating or preventing, for example, RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, and/or retinal pigmentosa (RP). Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers enhance or stabilize the composition, or can be used to facilitate preparation of the composition. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include solvents, surfactants, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible.
A pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered by a variety of methods known in the art. The route and/or mode of administration vary depending upon the desired results. It is preferred that administration be subretinal. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier should be suitable for subretinal, intravitreal, intravenous, sub-cutaneous or topical administration.
The composition should be sterile and fluid. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by use of coating such as lecithin, by maintenance of required particle size in the case of dispersion and by use of surfactants. In many cases, it is preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol, and sodium chloride in the composition.
Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be prepared in accordance with methods well known and routinely practiced in the art. See, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Mack Publishing Co., 20th ed., 2000; and Sustained and Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems, J. R. Robinson, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1978. Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably manufactured under GMP conditions. Typically, a therapeutically effective dose or efficacious dose of the viral vector is employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. The viral vectors may be formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms by conventional methods known to those of skill in the art. Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the optimum desired response (e.g., a therapeutic response). For example, a single bolus may be administered, several divided doses may be administered over time or the dose may be proportionally reduced or increased as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation. It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subjects to be treated; each unit contains a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier.
Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient which is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the patient. The selected dosage level depends upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors including the activity of the particular compositions of the present invention employed, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the particular compound being employed, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with the particular compositions employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors.
A physician or veterinarian can start doses of the viral vectors of the invention employed in the pharmaceutical composition at levels lower than that required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effect is achieved. In general, effective doses of the compositions of the present invention, for the treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy as described herein vary depending upon many different factors, including means of administration, target site, physiological state of the patient, whether the patient is human or an animal, other medications administered, and whether treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic. Treatment dosages need to be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy. For subretinal administration with a viral vector, the dosage may range from 1×108 vector genomes (vg)/eye to 1×1012 vg/eye. For example the dosage may be, 1×108 vg/eye, 2.5×108 vg/eye, 5×108 vg/eye, 7.5×108 vg/eye, 1×109 vg/eye, 2.5×109 vg/eye, 5×109 vg/eye, 7.5×109 vg/eye, 1×1010 vg/eye, 2.5×1010 vg/eye, 5×1010 vg/eye, 7.5×1010 vg/eye, 1×1011 vg/eye, 2.5×1011 vg/eye, 5×1011 vg/eye, 7.5×1011 vg/eye, 1×1012 vg/eye.
The viral vectors described herein are mainly used as one time doses per eye, with the possibility of repeat dosing to treat regions of the retina that are not covered in the previous dosing. The dosage of administration may vary depending on whether the treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic.
The various features and embodiments of the present invention, referred to in individual sections and embodiments above apply, as appropriate, to other sections and embodiments, mutatis mutandis. Consequently features specified in one section or embodiment may be combined with features specified in other sections or embodiments, as appropriate.
Viral vectors as described herein, can be used at a therapeutically useful concentration for the treatment of eye related diseases, by administering to a subject in need thereof, an effective amount of the viral vectors of the invention. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of treating RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a viral vector comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence.
The present invention provides a viral vector comprising an RLBP1 coding sequence for use in treating RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy in a subject.
Table A: RLBP1 Mutations and Associated Phenotypes of RLBP1-Associated Retinal Dystrophy.
Disease phenotypes of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy include: Autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (AARP), Bothnia dystrophy (BD), Newfoundland rod-cone dystrophy (NFRCD), Retinitis punctata albescens (RPA) and Fundus albipunctatus (FA).
Use of recombinant AAV has been shown to be feasible and safe for the treatment of retinal disease (See, e.g., Bainbridge et al. 2008, Houswirth et al 2008, Maguire et al 2008). The viral vectors of the invention can be used, inter alia, to treat and prevent progression of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy and improve vision loss. Viral vectors of the invention can also be used in patients where other retinal dystrophy is caused by other loss of function mutations in the RLBP1 gene, for example, Autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa, Retinitis punctata albescens and Fundus albipunctatus.
The present invention is also relates to a method of expressing an RLBP1 coding sequence in RPE and Müller cells of the retina, by administering viral vectors of the invention to a subject in need thereof. The present invention also relates to viral vectors of the invention for use in expressing an RLBP1 coding sequence in RPE and/or Müller cells of the retina of the subject in need thereof. The invention also contemplates a method of delivering an RLBP1 coding sequence to the retina, specifically to RPE and/or Müller cells in the retina, of a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy. It is contemplated that the an RLBP1 coding sequence is delivered to the subject in need thereof by contacting the retina,
RPE and/or Müller cells of the subject with a viral vector as described herein. Alternatively, an RLBP1 coding sequence is delivered to a subject by administering to the subject a viral vector as described herein.
The present invention further includes methods of expressing an RLBP1 coding sequence in RPE and/or Müller cells in the retina of a subject having RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, by contacting the retina of the subject with viral vectors of the invention. In certain aspects RPE and/or Müller cells of the retina of the subject are contacted with viral vectors of the invention.
It is further contemplated that the viral vectors used in the methods described herein comprise an AAV2 or AAV8 capsid, and the vector genome comprises an RLBP1 coding sequence operably linked to an RLBP1 promoter with a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 3 or 10. It is further contemplated that the vector genome can be self-complementary.
In one aspect the viral vectors described herein can be administered subretinally or intravitreally using methods known to those of skill in the art.
Treatment and/or prevention of ocular disease such as RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be determined by an ophthalmologist or health care professional using clinically relevant measurements of visual function and/or retinal anatomy. Treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy means any action (e.g., administration of a viral vector described herein) contemplated to improve or preserve visual function and/or retinal anatomy. In addition, prevention as it relates to RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy means any action (e.g., administration of a viral vector described herein) that prevents or slows a worsening in visual function, retinal anatomy, and/or RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy disease phenotype, as defined herein, in a patient at risk for said worsening.
Visual function may include, for example, visual acuity, visual acuity with low illumination, visual field, central visual field, peripheral vision, contrast sensitivity, dark adaptation, photostress recovery, color discrimination, reading speed, dependence on assistive devices (e.g., large typeface, magnifying devices, telescopes), facial recognition, proficiency at operating a motor vehicle, ability to perform one or more activities of daily living, and/or patient-reported satisfaction related to visual function. Thus, treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), specifically RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy, can be said to occur where a subject has an at least 10% decrease or lack of a 10% or more increase in time to a pre-specified degree of dark adaptation. In addition, treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be said to occur where a subject exhibits early severe night blindness and slow dark adaptation in young age, followed by progressive loss of visual acuity, visual fields and color vision, leading to legal blindness, determined by a qualified health care professional (i.e., ophthalmologist) (Burstedt and Mönestam, 2010).
Exemplary measures of visual function include Snellen visual acuity, ETDRS visual acuity, low-luminance visual acuity, Amsler grid, Goldmann visual field, standard automated perimetry, microperimetry, Pelli-Robson charts, SKILL card, Ishihara color plates, Farnsworth D15 or D100 color test, standard electroretinography, multifocal electroretinography, validated tests for reading speed, facial recognition, driving simulations, and patient reported satisfaction. Thus, treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be said to be achieved upon a gain of or failure to lose 2 or more lines (or 10 letters) of vision on an ETDRS scale. In addition, treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be said to occur where a subject exhibits at least a 10% increase or lack of 10% decrease in reading speed (words per minute). In addition, treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be said to occur where a subject exhibits at least a 20% increase or lack of a 20% decrease in the proportion of correctly identified plates on an Ishihara test or correctly sequenced disks on a Farnsworth test. Thus, treatment of, for example, RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be determined by, for example, improvement of rate of dark adaptation, or an improvement in, or slowing of the rate of, visual acuity loss.
Undesirable aspects of retinal anatomy that may be treated or prevented include, for example, retinal atrophy, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, narrowing of retinal vessels, pigmentary clumping, retinal yellow/white spots, subretinal fluid.
Exemplary means of assessing retinal anatomy include fundoscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), spectral domain optical coherence tomography, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, confocal microscopy, adaptive optics, fundus autofluorescence, biopsy, necropsy, and immunohistochemistry. Thus, RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy can be said to be treated in a subject as determined by, for example, a reduction in the rate of development of retinal atrophy.
Subjects to be treated with therapeutic agents of the present invention can also be administered other therapeutic agents or devices with known efficacy for treating retinal dystrophy such as vitamin and mineral preparations, low-vision aids, guide dogs, or other devices known to assist patients with low vision.
Currently there are no other approved therapeutic agents for the treatment of RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy. As other new therapies emerge, the two can be administered sequentially in either order or simultaneously as clinically indicated.
The following examples are provided to further illustrate the invention but not to limit its scope. Other variants of the invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed by the appended claims.
The nucleic acid sequences of the individual plasmid elements are described in Table 1. The sequences were either synthesized or purchased commercially. Table 2 describes the elements that exist in each plasmid that was constructed. Standard molecular biology cloning techniques were used in generating the plasmids as described in Table 3. The plasmid backbone pAAV-MCS (Stratagene®) with Ampicillin resistance or pUC57 with Kanamycin resistance was used as the backbone and starting material. The individual sequence elements were cloned in at restriction enzyme sites or using blunt end cloning.
Because the antibiotic resistance gene cassette contained in the plasmid backbone does not play a role in the production of the AAV vectors, one of skill in the art could use alternate plasmid backbones and/or antibiotic resistance gene cassettes and yield the same viral vectors. We have demonstrated that functionally equivalent NVS2 vectors can be generated using plasmids with different backbones. For example, plasmid sequences SEQ ID NO: 26 and SEQ ID NO: 50 produce functionally equivalent NVS2 vectors.
1.2. Triple Plasmid Transfection to Produce rAAV Vectors:
Recombinant AAV (rAAV) viral vectors were generated by triple transfection methods. Methods for triple transfection are known in the art (Ferrari F K et al 1997). Briefly, AAV-ITR-containing plasmids (described in Table 2), AAV-RepCap containing plasmid (carrying Rep2 and Cap2 or Cap8) and Adeno-helper plasmid (carrying genes that assist in completing AAV replication cycle) were co-transfected into 293 cells. Cells were cultured for 4 days. At the end of the culture period the cells were lysed and the vectors in the culture supernatant and in the cell lysate were purified by a standard CsCl gradient centrifugation method (method modified based on Grieger J C et al 2006). The purified viral vectors are described in Table 4.
Alternatively, GMP-like rAAV vectors were generated by the cell transfection and culture methods described above. The harvested cell culture material was then processed by column chromatography based on methods described by Lock M et al (2010), Smith R H et al (2009) and Vadenberghe L H et al (2010).
As described previously (Samulski et al, 1983; Muzyczka et al, 1984), mutations within the terminal repeat sequences of AAV plasmids are well tolerated in generating functional AAV vectors. Even plasmids with one of the two ITRs deleted, the AAV sequences could be rescued, replicated, and infectious virions be produced, as long as the existing ITR in the construct contains the full AAV ITR sequence (Samulski et al, 1983; Muzyczka et al, 1984). Therefore, even though SEQ. ID. NO. 2 is used as the 5′ ITR sequence of all single-stranded AAV vectors described in this document, it is expected that any 5′ITR sequence that carries the terminal resolution site (i.e.: SEQ. ID. NOS. 2, 16 and 17) would produce vectors with the same functionality.
MACACA MULATTA
MACACA MULATTA
BOS TAURUS
BOS TAURUS
CANIS LUPUS
FAMILIARIS
CANIS LUPUS
FAMILIARIS
RATTUS
NORVEGICUS
RATTUS
NORVEGICUS
MUS MUSCULUS
MUS MUSCULUS
GALLUS GALLUS
GALLUS GALLUS
2.1 Subretinal Injection of rAAV Vectors in Mice
Subretinal injection of an rAAV vector can achieve efficient transduction of RPE and other retinal cells because subretinal injection induces a bleb of concentrated virus in intimate contact with RPE cells and the neural retina. In addition, the subretinal space has a relatively high degree of immunoprivilege and typically very little evidence of inflammation is seen in the vicinity of the injection site. Thus, subretinal injection was a preferred route for delivery of rAAV vectors in mouse retina. However, other routes of delivery may be used, for example, intravitreal injection.
Leica M844 F40 Ophthalmic Surgical Microscope
1% cyclopentolate: Bausch & Lomb Cat#965911
2.5%-10% phenylephrine: Altaire Pharmaceuticals Cat#05626
0.5% Proparacaine: Bausch & Lomb Cat#NDC 54799-500-12
10 μl Hamilton syringe: VWR Cat#89184-476
33G blunt-ended needle: Hamilton Cat#7803-05
Fluorescein sodium salt: Sigma Cat#F6377
Test Articles Used in this Example:
scAAV8-pRLBP1(short)-eGFP viral vector 1×109 vg/eye
AAV8-pRLBP1(long)-eGFP viral vector 1×109 vg/eye
AAV8-pRPE-eGFP viral vector 1×109 vg/eye
AAV8-VMD2-eGFP viral vector 1×109 vg/eye
The subretinal injection was performed either in both eyes or unilaterally in the right eye. All procedures were performed under aseptic conditions, using sterile reagents, syringes and appropriate personal protection equipment.
To study the rAAV vector-induced gene transduction and cell-type specifics in the mouse retina, the eGFP expression in retinal cross sections and RPE/retina flatmounts were examined. One approach used to identify the eGFP expressing cell types was to co-label eGFP positive cells with retinal cell markers by immunocytochemistry staining in cryosections.
The mouse eyeball was removed and placed in 4% PFA (paraformaldehyde) for 2 hours at 25° C. and then in PBS buffer for 1-3 days in 4° C. till dissection. The cornea, lens and vitreous were removed from the eye ball and the retinal and RPE/choroid was flatmounted with Vectashield mounting medium on to the slide. The GFP expression in flatmount was captured by Zeiss Imaging system and quantified using AxioVision Software. After imaging, the slides with retinal flatmounts were placed in 0.25% triton buffer at 25° C. for 30 min and then the retinal flatmounts were removed from the slides. The eGFP positive areas of the retina flatmounts were cut and embedded in OCT and then cryosectioned. The immunocytochemistry staining using retinal cell markers was applied in the cryosections. The images were captured by Zeiss LSM 510 confocal microscope and ZEN version of the Zeiss software.
These results demonstrate that the combination of promoter, AAV genome conformation and AAV capsid sequence can lead to different transduction properties in specific cell types, to achieve the desired effect. Expression of the RLBP1 gene product in RPE and Müller cells of the retina, represents the desired on-target cell type expression. RLBP1 short promoter packaged in a self-complementary genome in conjunction with an AAV8 serotype capsid induces gene expression in RPE and Müller cells in the neural retina without off-target cell expression.
The RLBP1-long promoter packaged in a single-stranded genome in conjunction with an AAV8 serotype capsid induces gene expression in RPE and Müller cells, which are on-target cell types, and also in photoreceptors, which is an off-target cell type.
The RPE65 and VMD2 promoter packaged in a single-stranded genome in conjunction with an AAV8 serotype capsid induces gene expression in RPE cells but also in photoreceptors, which is an off-target cell type.
The expression levels and tissue specificity of an rAAV-transduced transgene will vary depending on the vector serotype, the vector genome, the tissue-specific promoter used and the dose injected. A goal of gene replacement therapy is to achieve a level of expression that is sufficient to compensate for the missing endogenous gene expression while not over expressing the gene to toxic levels.
An assay has been developed to measure the vector-mediated expression of human RLBP1 mRNA relative to the endogenous levels of mouse RLBP1 mRNA following subretinal injections of various AAV vectors at different doses in wild-type mice. This assay utilized Taqman® Gene Expression Assays containing primers and probes for specifically detecting human or mouse RLBP1 cDNA. Prior to performing the experiment the Taqman® Gene Expression Assays were tested for species specificity using plasmid DNA containing either human or mouse RLBP1 cDNA sequences. In brief, Taqman® reagents were used to co-amplify either mouse or human RLBP1 cDNA with mouse GAPDH cDNA as an endogenous control. The levels of the mouse or human RLBP1 were normalized to the internal GAPDH control and then these normalized levels were compared with one another.
At the termination of the in vivo experiment neural retina was dissected out of the eyes, placed in a 2 ml microcentrifuge tube and flash frozen on dry ice. The remaining eye cup (minus retina and lens) was frozen in a separate tube. Samples were stored at −80° C. until RNA isolation. Total RNA was extracted using a Qiagen RNeasy micro kit with DNase treatment. For tissue homogenization and lysis, a Qiagen TissueLyzer was used. In particular, a 5 mm stainless-steel bead was added to each tissue-containing tube while on dry ice. Samples were transferred to room temperature and 350 μl of buffer RLT containing 1% beta-mercaptoethanol was added. Samples were processed on the TissueLyzer with a shaking frequency of 30 Hz for two 2 minute cycles. The standard Qiagen RNeasy micro kit protocol for RNA extraction with DNase treatment was then followed with one minor modification. Prior to elution the RNA column was allowed to air dry for >10 minutes to ensure elimination of residual ethanol. Total RNA was stored at −80° C. until ready for cDNA synthesis.
Total RNA concentration was determined using a Nanodrop spectrophotometer. Each sample was adjusted to a final concentration of 50 ng/μl. cDNA was generated using the Applied Biosystems High Capacity cDNA reverse transcriptase kit. A master mix of reagents from the High Capacity cDNA RT kit was prepared such that each 10 μl contained 2 μl of 10× High Capacity RT buffer, 0.8 μl of 25× dNTPs (100 mM), 2 μl of Reverse Transcriptase random primers, 0.4 μl of RNase inhibitor, 1 μl of Multiscribe Reverse transcriptase and 3.8 μl of RNAse-free water. 10 μl of the 50 ng/μl stock of each total RNA was dispensed into a well of a 96-well PCR amplification plate and then 10 μl of the RT master mix was added to each well. The plate was placed in a Bio-Rad thermal cycler and operated using the following parameters: 25° C. for 10 min, 37° C. for 120 min., 85° C. for 5 min then hold at 4 degrees until terminate program. cDNA was stored at −20° C. prior to Relative quantitative PCR reaction set-up.
The cDNA concentration was adjusted to a final concentration of 20 ng/μl by adding 5 μl of RNAse-free water to each well of the cDNA reaction (this is based on the initial total RNA concentration and assuming 100% conversion to cDNA). For each cDNA sample set up two different multiplex qPCR reactions; one using the mouse RLBP1 Taqman Expression Assay probes with the mouse GAPDH endogenous control, and the other using the human RLBP1 Taqman Expression Assay probes with the mouse GAPDH endogenous control. Each of these two reactions were performed in duplicate for each sample. For each sample, 5 μl of the 20 ng/μl cDNA sample was dispensed into a well of a 385-well plate. Two separate master mixes were prepared, one for the mouse RLBP1 Taqman assay and one for the human RLBP1 assay such that each 15 μl of mixture contained 10 μl of 2× TaqMan®Universal PCR Master Mix, 1 μl of 20× TaqMan® Gene Expression Assay for either mouse or human RLBP1, 1 μl of 20× Applied Biosystems® Mouse GAPD (GAPDH) Endogenous Control, and 3 μl of RNAse-free water. 15 μl of the appropriate master mix was dispensed into the well containing the cDNA. The plate was placed in an ABI 7900HT Real Time PCR machine and run using the relative quantitation program with the following parameters: an initial incubation at 50° C. for 2 min then 40 cycles of the following two steps, 15 sec. at 95° C. and 1 min. at 60° C.
The relative quantitation plate results were imported into a RQ study document using the ABI RQ Manager 1.2. The data were analyzed using the automatic threshold setting to generate average and average ΔCt which is the difference in Ct readings of the RLBP1 cDNA (mouse or human) minus the Ct of the internal endogenous GAPDH. The data were exported into Microsoft Excel and used to calculate the ΔΔCt value by subtracting the mouse RLBP1 ΔCt value from the human RLBP1 ΔCt for each sample. The relative expression was calculated using the calculation 2−ΔΔCt this expresses the relative expression of human RLBP1 as a fold change of the mouse endogenous RLBP1 expression. To portray the results as expression of human RLBP1 as a percent of the mouse endogenous expression the relative expression value was multiplied by 100.
Results: mRNA Expression.
These surprising results demonstrated that the specific combination of promoter, AAV genome conformation, and AAV capsid sequence can lead to different transduction properties in different cell types in the retina. In general, all tested vectors successfully lead to vector-mediated human RLBP1 mRNA expression. More specifically, NVS2 is the most potent vector in expressing human RLBP1 mRNA in the RPE cells (in the posterior eyecup) and in the neural retina in both doses tested (1×109 and 1×108 vg/eye), while NVS4 and NVS6 lead to detectable vector-mediated human RLBP1 mRNA expression at the dose of 1×109 vg/eye, and only in the RPE at the dose of 1×108 vg/eye. NVS8 and NVS10 lead to detectable mRNA expression in the RPE and neural retina at the dose of 1×109 vg/eye but almost at the detection limit at the dose of 1×108 vg/eye.
One approach for assessing treatments that modify the visual cycle is to quantify the recovery of visual function in the dark following a bright light exposure (i.e. dark adaptation). Dark adaptation after extensive light exposure is driven largely by the ability of the eye to regenerate photopigment via the visual cycle. Modifications to the visual cycle achieved through treatment will therefore lead to a change in the kinetics of dark adaptation.
An assay has been developed to monitor the recovery of visual function in mice that is based on quantifying dark adaptation using an electroretinogram (ERG). The ERG-based assay typically proceeds over two days with an initial baseline and subsequent follow-up measurement to assess recovery after exposure to light that bleaches a fraction of the photopigment (photobleach). This procedure developed for testing the invention first determines the maximum electrical response of each eye 5 ms after a flash of light during the a-wave portion of the ERG trace. The test subsequently compares the 5 ms a-wave amplitude 4 hours after a photobleach to assess the fraction of maximum amplitude recovered in that time. If the visual cycle is functioning normally, the ERG amplitude will approach baseline values in 4 hours. A delayed visual cycle will result in lower recovery of photopigment with a corresponding reduction in ERG a-wave amplitude recovery after photobleach.
Mice are placed in the dark overnight for approximately 20 hours before baseline ERGs are recorded. Immediately preceding recording, eyes are dilated with 1-2 drops of 1% cyclopentolate and 1-2 drops of 2.5% phenylephrine. 1-2 drops of 0.5% proparacaine (a topical anesthetic) are also applied. Mice are then anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of a cocktail of ketamine and xylazine (100-150 mg/kg and 5-10 mg/kg, respectively). Three electrodes are then placed to enable recording an ERG from one eye per mouse. The active electrode on the eye is a gold loop contact lens, the reference is a nasopharyngeal electrode placed in the mouth and the ground is a subdermal platinum needle electrode placed on the back just behind the head. Eyes are kept moist and electrical contact is maintained through continuous application of hydrating drops with a syringe pump (300 μl/hour). ERG amplitude is recorded by averaging the electrical response to three white flashes (2.7 log scotopic candela second per square meter) delivered by the xenon lamp in the ganzfeld dome. A-wave amplitude reported is the voltage measured 5 ms after the xenon flash as assessed using software analysis routines developed for this purpose (Mathworks, Matlab).
Dark adaptation is assessed by quantifying the ERG a-wave amplitude 4 hours after a photobleach. These experiments typically occur 48 hours after baseline determination. Mice are first housed in the dark overnight just as with the baseline measurements so that ERG recordings occur approximately 20 hours later. Eyes are dilated with 1-2 drops of 2.5% phenylephrine and 1-2 drops of 1% cyclopentolate immediately preceding photobleach. A sequence of 16 flashes of light (3.7 log scotopic candela second per square meter) is then delivered to the eye resulting in a photopigment bleach. Mice are placed back in the dark for 4 hours to recover visual function. ERGs are then recorded utilizing the same protocol used for the baseline determination. The recovery of visual function for each eye is defined as:
Using the ERG-based dark adaptation assay described above, the improvement of dark adaptation efficiency is tested in RLBP1 knockout (KO) mice where therapeutic vectors are introduced subretinally. Since the subretinal injection involves the displacement of neural retina from the RPE, it is crucial to determine if the neural retina is reattached to the RPE to avoid false negative results for the test articles in the ERG assay. One week after subretinal injection of viral vectors into mouse eyes, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is performed to visualize the condition of the retina. Eyes with unresolved retinal detachment were excluded from ERG measurement.
At each time point, mice were dark adapted overnight (>12 hours) and the ERG a-wave amplitude from each eye was established as the maximum dark adapted response to light (100%). The fully dark adapted eyes were then exposed to a series of bright flashes (as described in previous section) and a-wave amplitude was quantified 4 hours later. The term “percentage of normal” is defined as the percentage of the second a-wave recovery measurement with respect to the value obtained from the maximum a-wave recovery measurement.
Positive efficacy, or efficacious effect, is defined as the difference between test measurement and negative (naïve) control being statistically significant at a given time point post-injection.
Test Articles Used in this Example Includes:
Viral vector NVS2 exhibits higher maximum recovery than equivalent doses of the other vectors tested. Additionally, the NVS2 vector-mediated efficacy appears to be indistinguishable when prepared using CsCl or column chromatography purification.
The results demonstrated that self-complementary AAV8-pRLBP1(short)-eGFP vector, the reporter gene surrogate version of the therapeutic vector NVS2, leads to RPE and Müller cell type specific expression with no detectable off-target expression, where the therapeutic vector NVS2 leads to at least 350 days of visual function recovery measured by a-wave recovery in RLBP1 mice at doses ranging from 3×107 to 1×109 vg/eye. This specific gene cassette when packaged in a single-stranded genome and packaged with the same serotype capsid 8 exhibits significantly lower level of gene expression in mice, as demonstrated by the measurement of mRNA expression level. The same self-complementary genome as NVS2 and packaged in AAV2 capsid, which is NVS1, demonstrated efficacious a-wave recovery (i.e.: an increased rate of dark adaption) at the dose of 3×108 vg/eye for at least 350 days. This result suggests that NVS2 is a more potent viral vector than NVS1, which is likely due to the more efficient infection of AAV8 capsid than AAV2 capsid to the target cell types.
The results also demonstrated that AAV8-pRLBP1(long)-eGFP vector, the reporter gene surrogate version of the therapeutic vector NVS4, leads to RPE and Müller cell expression but also to photoreceptors. The therapeutic vector NVS4 leads to at least 204 days of efficacy at doses ranging from 3×108 to 1×109 vg/eye. The same genome in NVS4 but packaged in AAV 2 capsid, which is NVS3, leads to efficacious a-wave recovery at the dose of 3×109 but not at lower dose tested (3×108 vg/eye). The results demonstrated that AAV8-pRPE65-eGFP vector, the reporter gene surrogate version of the therapeutic vector NVS6, leads to RPE cell type expression with extensive photoreceptor off-target expression. When therapeutic vector NVS5, which carries the same genome as NVS6 but packaged into AAV2 capsid, is tested in RLBP1 KO mouse efficacy model, the results demonstrated that NVS5 endures positive a-wave recovery efficacy at the dose of 3×109 vg/eye but not at lower dose tested (3×108 vg/eye).
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/642,630 filed May 4, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/776,167 filed Mar. 11, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61776167 | Mar 2013 | US | |
| 61642630 | May 2012 | US |
