Sendai virus vectors as an emerging negative-strand RNA viral vector system

The power to manipulate the genome of negative-strand RNA viruses, including the insertion of additional non-viral genes, has led to the development of a new class of viral vectors for gene transfer approaches. The murine parainfluenza virus type I, or Sendai virus (SeV), has emerged as a prototype virus of this vector group, being employed in numerous in vitro as well as animal studies over the last few years. Extraordinary features of SeV are the remarkably brief contact time that is necessary for cellular uptake, a strong but adjustable expression of foreign genes, efficient infection in the respiratory tract despite a mucus layer, transduction of target cells being independent of the cell cycle, and an exclusively cytoplasmic replication cycle without any risk of chromosomal integration. In this review we describe the current knowledge of Sendai virus vector (SeVV) development as well as the results of first-generation vector applications under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. So far, Sendai virus vectors have been identified to be a highly efficient transduction tool for a broad range of different tissues and applications. Future directions in vector design and development are discussed.     

The paramyxovirus, Sendai virus, V protein encodes a luxury function required for viral pathogenesis.

The Sendai virus (SeV) V protein is characterized by the unique cysteine-rich domain in its carboxy-terminal half which is fused to the amino-terminal half of the P protein, but its function has remained enigmatic. The V protein-directing mRNA is generated by a remarkable process known as mRNA editing involving the pseudotemplated addition of a single G residue at a specific septinucleotide locus in the P gene, whereas the unedited exact copy encodes the P protein. Here, we introduced two nucleotide changes in the septinucleotide motif (UUUUCCC to UUCUUCC) in a full-length SeV cDNA and were able to recover a virus from the cDNA, which was devoid of mRNA editing and hence unable to synthesize the V protein. Compared with the parental wild-type virus with regard to gene expression, replication and cytopathogenicity in various cell lines in vitro, the V(-) virus was found to be either potentiated or comparable but never attenuated. The V(-) virus, however, showed markedly attenuated in vivo replication capacity in and pathogenicity for mice. Thus, though categorized as a nonessential gene product, SeV V protein encodes a luxury function required for in vivo pathogenicity.     

Naked Sendai virus vector lacking all of the envelope-related genes: reduced cytopathogenicity and immunogenicity

BACKGROUND: Sendai virus (SeV) is a new class of cytoplasmic RNA vector that is free from genotoxicity that infects and multiplies in most mammalian cells, and directs high-level transgene expression. We improved the vector by deleting all of the envelope-related genes from the SeV genome and thus reducing its immunogenicity. METHODS: The matrix (M), fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes-deleted SeV vector (SeV/DeltaMDeltaFDeltaHN) was recovered in a newly established packaging cell line. Then, the generated SeV/DeltaMDeltaFDeltaHN vector was characterised by comparing with single gene-deleted type SeV vectors. RESULTS: This SeV/DeltaMDeltaFDeltaHN vector carrying the green fluorescent protein gene in place of the envelope-related genes could be propagated to a titer of more than 10(8) cell infectious units/ml. This vector showed an efficient transduction capability in vitro and in vivo, and the cytopathic effect and induction of neutralizing antibody in vivo were greatly reduced compared with those of single gene-deleted type SeV vectors. No activity of neutralizing antibody or anti-HN antibody was seen when SeV/DeltaMDeltaFDeltaHN was transduced ex vivo. Additional introduction of amino acid mutations that had been identified from SeV strains causing persistent infections was also effective for the reduction of cytopathic effects. CONCLUSIONS: The deletion of genes from the SeV genome and the additional mutation are very effective for reducing both the immunogenic and cytopathic reactions to the SeV vector. These modifications are expected to improve the safety and broaden the range of clinical applications of this new class of cytoplasmic RNA vector.     

Recombinant Sendai virus vectors deleted in both the matrix and the fusion genes: efficient gene transfer with preferable properties

BACKGROUND: Sendai virus (SeV) is a new type of cytoplasmic RNA vector, which infects and replicates in most mammalian cells, directs high-level expression of the genes on its genome and is free from genotoxicity. In order to improve this vector, both the matrix (M) and fusion (F) genes were deleted from its genome. METHODS: For the recovery of the M and F genes-deleted SeV (SeV/DeltaMDeltaF), the packaging cell line was established by using a Cre/loxP induction system. SeV/DeltaMDeltaF was characterized and compared with wild-type and F or M gene-deleted SeV vectors in terms of transduction ability, particle formation, transmissible property and cytotoxicity. RESULTS: SeV/DeltaMDeltaF was propagated in high titers from the packaging cell line. When this vector was administered into the lateral ventricle and the respiratory tissue, many of the ependymal and epithelial cells were transduced, respectively, as in the case of wild-type SeV. F gene-deletion made the SeV vector non-transmissible, and M gene-deletion worked well to inhibit formation of the particles from infected cells. Simultaneous deletions of these two genes in the same genome resulted in combining both advantages. That is, both virus maturation into particles and transmissible property were almost completely abolished in cells infected with SeV/DeltaMDeltaF. Further, the cytopathic effect of SeV/DeltaMDeltaF was significantly attenuated rather than that of wild type in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: SeV/DeltaMDeltaF is an advanced type of cytoplasmic RNA vector, which retains efficient gene transfer, gains non-transmissible properties and loses particle formation with less cytopathic effect.     

Conditional expression of foreign genes by temperature-sensitive mutants of vaccinia virus

To assess the utility of two temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant vaccinia viruses as vectors for the conditional in vitro expression of recombinant foreign genes, we have studied the kinetics of expression of foreign genes incorporated into these viruses. At nonpermissive temperature, 40 degrees C, these viruses were defective either in DNA synthesis or in virus assembly. Foreign gene expression was affected by the nature of the ts lesion and by the nature of the vaccinia promoter positioned upstream from the foreign gene. With both vector viruses, a foreign gene controlled by the p7.5 early-late promoter was expressed at both 33 degrees and 40 degrees C. With the DNA synthesis-defective vector virus, foreign gene expression controlled by the p11 DNA synthesis-dependent late promoter was inhibited at 40 degrees C, but could be turned on by shift to 33 degrees C. This ts expression system provides an alternative to use of drugs that inhibit DNA synthesis as a means for experimental manipulation of gene expression. Both vector viruses can be used with existing vaccinia virus expression technology.     

Knockout serum replacement (KSR) has a suppressive effect on Sendai virus-mediated transduction of cynomolgus ES cells

Sendai virus (SeV) vectors can introduce foreign genes efficiently and stably into primate embryonic stem (ES) cells. For the application of these cells, the control of transgene expression is important. Cynomolgus ES cells transduced with a SeV vector expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene were propagated in Knockout serum replacement (KSR)-supplemented medium, used widely for the serum-free culture of ES cells, and growth and transgene expression were evaluated. The SeV vector-mediated GFP expression was suppressed in the KSR-supplemented medium, although it was stable in regular fetal bovine serum (FBS)-supplemented medium. Propagation in the KSR-supplemented medium eventually resulted in a complete suppression of GFP expression and eradication of the SeV genome. The inhibitory effect of KSR on the transduction was attributable to the positive selection of untransduced ES cells in addition to the removal of the SeV vector from transduced cells. KSR also reduced the efficiency of the transduction. SeV vector-mediated transgene expression in ES cells was suppressed in the KSR-supplemented medium. Although the suppression is limited in specified cells such as ES cells, these findings will help elucidate how to control transgene expression.     

Sendai virus vector: vector development and its application to health care and biotechnology

Sendai virus (SeV) is an enveloped virus with a nonsegmented negative-strand RNA genome and a member of the paramyxovirus family. We have developed SeV vector which has shown a high efficiently of gene transfer and expression of foreign genes to a wide range of dividing and non-dividing mammalian cells and tissues. One of the characteristics of the vector is that the genome is located exclusively in the cytoplasm of infected cells and does not go through a DNA phase; thus there is no concern about unwanted integration of foreign sequences into chromosomal DNA. Therefore, this new class of "cytoplasmic RNA vector", an RNA vector with cytoplasmic expression, is expected to be a safer and more efficient viral vector than existing vectors for application to human therapy in various fields including gene therapy and vaccination. In this review, I describe development of Sendai virus vector, its application in the field of biotechnology and clinical application aiming to treat for a large number of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases and neurologic disorders.     

Generation of recombinant parapoxviruses: non-essential genes suitable for insertion and expression of foreign genes

Orf virus (OV) is an epitheliotropic poxvirus and belongs to the genus Parapoxvirus (PPV). PPV, especially OV, is regarded as a promising candidate for an expression vector. Among available live vaccines only strain D1701 represents a highly attenuated OV strain with clearly reduced pathogenicity. Therefore, we started to identify potentially non-essential genes or regions of D1701, which might be suitable for insertion and expression of foreign genes. The present contribution reviews some of the progress using the vegf-e (homologue of the mammalian vascular endothelial growth factor) gene locus for the generation of recombinant D1701. The vegf-e gene of D1701 is dispensable for virus growth in vitro and in vivo, and represents a major virulence determinant of OV. It is shown that foreign genes can be inserted and functionally expressed in the vegf-e locus, also leading to the induction of a specific immune response in the non-permissive host. Furthermore, it is reported that adaptation to VERO cells led to the deletion of three further regions of the OV D1701 genome, which seems to be combined with additional virus attenuation in sheep. Molecular analysis of this OV D1701 variant allows the identification of new, potentially non-essential sites in the viral genome.     

表达鸡新城疫病毒F、HN基因和传染性喉气管炎病毒gB基因的重组鸡痘病毒的构建及其特性研究

利用同源重组将新城疫病毒(NDV)的F和HN基因、传染性喉气管炎病毒(ILTV)的gB基因以及报告基因LacZ插入鸡痘病毒(FPV)的017株的复制非必需区,其中NDV的F、HN基因、ILTV的gB基因以及报告基因LacZ是在早晚期启动子LP2EP2的控制下,大肠杆菌报告基因LacZ在晚期启动子P11的控制下。经过10轮蓝斑纯化获得了包含了NDV的F和HN基因、ILTV的gB基因以及报告基因LacZ的重组鸡痘病毒,称为rFPV-F/HN/gB/LacZ。经PCR方法证明rFPV-F/HN/gB/LacZ基因组中含有NDV的F基因、HN基因和ILTVgB基因;间接免疫荧光试验和Western-blot试验表明NDV的F、HN蛋白和ILTVgB蛋白在rFPV-F/HN/gB/LacZ感染的CEF细胞中获得表达。与亲本毒相比,重组病毒在病毒的复制和致鸡胚成纤维细胞的病变方面无显著不同。这证明了在鸡痘病毒载体的一个复制非必需区可以同时插入多个禽类病原的多个外源基因,为制备多价基因工程疫苗奠定了基础。     

High mutation rate of a spleen necrosis virus-based retrovirus vector.

Spleen necrosis virus (SNV) is an avian retrovirus that efficiently infects some mammalian cells (e.g., dog and rat cells). We constructed an SNV-based vector, which contains less than 1 kilobase (kb) of the retrovirus sequence, and a number of derivatives containing selectable markers. We obtained high-titer virus stocks, over 10(6) transforming units per ml, with a vector whose genomic RNA consists of 1,850 bases (full-length SNV RNA is 7.7 kb). We also studied two vectors that both carry two genes which should be expressed from a single promoter, one gene from unspliced mRNA and the other gene from spliced mRNA. In one vector, both genes were efficiently expressed as expected. However, in the other vector, expression of the gene 3' to the splice acceptor was inhibited. When we selected for expression of the 3' gene is this latter case, we found that the resistant cells contained mutant proviruses in which the 3' gene could be expressed. Furthermore, we found that mutations were generated during a single round of virus replication (provirus to provirus) at a rate of approximately 0.5% mutations per cycle.     

A new oncolytic adenoviral vector carrying dual tumour suppressor genes shows potent anti-tumour effect

Cancer Targeting Gene-Viro-Therapy (CTGVT) is a promising cancer therapeutical strategy that strengthens the anti-tumour effect of oncolytic virus by expressing inserted foreign anti-tumour genes. In this work, we constructed a novel adenoviral vector controlled by the tumour-specific survivin promoter on the basis of the ZD55 vector, which is an E1B55KD gene deleted vector we previously constructed. Compared with the original ZD55 vector, this new adenoviral vector (ZD55SP/E1A) showed much better ability of replication and reporter gene expression. We then combined anti-tumour gene interleukine-24 (IL-24) with an RNA polymerase III-dependent U6 promoter driving short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that targets M-phase phosphoprotein 1 (MPHOSPH1, a newly identified oncogene) by inserting the IL-24 and the shRNA of MPHOSPH1 (shMPP1) expression cassettes into the new ZD55SP/E1A vector. Our results demonstrated excellent anti-tumour effect of ZD55SP/E1A-IL-24-shMPP1 in vitro on multiple cancer cell lines such as lung cancer, liver cancer and ovarian caner. At high multiplicity-of-infection (MOI), ZD55SP/E1A-IL-24-shMPP1 triggered post-mitotic apoptosis in cancer cells by inducing prolonged mitotic arrest; while at low MOI, senescence was induced. More importantly, ZD55SP/E1A-IL-24-shMPP1 also showed excellent anti-tumour effects in vivo on SW620 xenograft nude mice. In conclusion, our strategy of constructing an IL-24 and shMPP1 dual gene expressing oncolytic adenoviral vector, which is regulated by the survivin promoter and E1B55KD deletion, could be a promising method of cancer gene therapy.     

Efficient gene transfer to airway epithelium using recombinant Sendai virus

Clinical studies of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest that the key problem is the efficiency of gene transfer to the airway epithelium. The availability of relevant vector receptors, the transient contact time between vector and epithelium, and the barrier function of airway mucus contribute significantly to this problem. We have recently developed recombinant Sendai virus (SeV) as a new gene transfer agent. Here we show that SeV produces efficient transfection throughout the respiratory tract of both mice and ferrets in vivo, as well as in freshly obtained human nasal epithelial cells in vitro. Gene transfer efficiency was several log orders greater than with cationic liposomes or adenovirus. Even very brief contact time was sufficient to produce this effect, and levels of expression were not significantly reduced by airway mucus. Our investigations suggest that SeV may provide a useful new vector for airway gene transfer.     

CMV与T7启动子对仙台病毒微小基因组拯救效率的比较

构建一种以分泌型荧光素酶基因(Gluc)作为报告基因的仙台病毒BB1株微小基因组质粒,比较了CMV启动子与T7启动子对仙台病毒微小基因组的拯救效率。首先设计并合成锤头状核酶序列,仙台病毒trailer、L基因非编码区、N基因非编码区和leader序列以及丁型肝炎病毒核酶序列,插入含有CMV和T7双启动子的质粒pVAX1中,获得仙台微小基因组的通用型载体pVAX-miniSeV。将Gluc基因插入pVAX-miniSeV中,分别获得正向插入的仙台病毒微小基因组载体pVAX-miniSeV-Gluc(+)和反向插入的pVAX-miniSeV-Gluc(-)。用pVAX-miniSeV-Gluc(+)转染BHK21细胞能在上清中检测到高水平的Gluc活性,表明其中的CMV启动子具有正常转录功能。将pVAX-miniSeVGluc(-)和仙台病毒N、P、L蛋白表达质粒共转染BSR T7/5细胞(稳定表达T7RNA聚合酶的BHK-21细胞)检测到Gluc的高效表达,表明pVAX-miniSeV-Gluc(-)能够被有效拯救;但在BHK-21细胞中却未检测到Gluc的有效表达,提示该载体中的CMV启动子对仙台病毒微小基因组的拯救效率可能没有明显作用。为了进一步了解CMV与T7启动子各自对于仙台病毒微小基因组拯救的作用,本研究又构建了单独含有CMV或T7启动子的仙台病毒微小基因组载体pCMV-miniSeV-Gluc(-)和pT7-miniSeV-Gluc(-)。将这两种载体和仙台病毒N、P、L蛋白表达质粒分别共转染BSR T7/5细胞,结果pT7-miniSeV-Gluc(-)共转染组检测到了Gluc的高效表达,而pCMV-miniSeV-Gluc(-)共转染组未检测到,证实了通用型载体pVAX-miniSeV中仅T7启动子对仙台病毒微小基因组的拯救起了关键作用,而CMV启动子作用不明显。本研究成功构建了一种通用型双启动子仙台病毒微小基因组载体pVAX-miniSeV,并证明了T7启动子系统对仙台病毒微小基因组拯救的关键作用。本研究为下一步构建仙台病毒全基因感染性克隆打下了基础。     

Construction and characterization of recombinant fowlpox virus co-expressing F and HN genes of newcastle disease virus and gB gene of infectious larygnotracheitis virus

The Fusion (F) and Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) genes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and the glycoprotein B (gB) gene of infectious laryngothracheitis virus (ILTV) as well as a LacZ reporter gene were all inserted into a nonessential gene of fowlpox virus (FPV) 017 strain by homologous recombination. The NDV and ILTV genes were each under the control of a fowlpox virus immediate early/late promoter (LP2EP2), whereas the LacZ reporter gene expression cassette was regulated by a P11 late promoter. A recombinant FPV harboring the F, HN and gB genes as well as the LacZ gene, designated as rFPV-F/HN/gB/LacZ, was obtained after ten cycles of blue plaque purification. The presence of the NDV and ILTV genes was confirmed by PCR. The expression of the recombinant proteins in rFPV-F/HN/gB/LacZ was characterized by Western blot (F and gB proteins) and indirect immunofluorescence tests (F, HN and gB proteins). The results demonstrated that all four foreign proteins, which were encoded within a 10-kb gene fragment, could be expressed authentically and efficiently. Compared with the parental virus, rFPV-F/HN/gB/LacZ showed no obvious difference with respect to virus replication and cytopathogenic effects in the cell culture of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). Overall, this study suggests that FPV can be a useful live virus vector for the expression of multiforeign genes against multiple avian pathogens.     

Wheat dwarf virus vectors replicate and express foreign genes in cells of monocotyledonous plants.

Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) is a geminivirus that infects monocotyledonous plants. To exploit the potential of WDV as a replicative gene vector, we developed a transient replication and expression system based on the transfection of protoplasts derived from Triticum monococcum suspension culture cells. Cloned genomic copies of various WDV isolates as well as mutants constructed in vitro were introduced into the protoplasts and assayed for their ability to replicate. As a result, regions of the WDV genome necessary or dispensable for the viral DNA replication could be defined. In addition, the gene encoding the viral capsid protein was replaced by three different bacterial marker genes, neomycin phosphotransferase, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, and beta-galactosidase. The beta-galactosidase gene doubled the size of the WDV genome. The replication of the recombinant WDV genomes and the expression of these genes were monitored in suspension culture cells of T. monococcum. The potential of replicative expression vectors based on the WDV genome is discussed.     

新型重组AAV5/5载体及包装系统

本研究组建了一种可用于规模化生产的以重组单纯疱疹病毒为辅助病毒的AAV5/5载体包装系统。首先,将5型腺相关病毒 (AAV5) 的rep和cap基因插入I型单纯疱疹病毒 (HSV-1) 基因组非必需基因UL2中,获得重组病毒rHSV1-rep5cap5。其次,构建一种携带AAV5 ITR的通用型载体质粒pAAV5neo,将报告基因EGFP插入pAAV5neo中,得到pAAV5neo-EGFP质粒。将pAAV5neo-EGFP质粒导入BHK-21细胞,用G418选择培养,挑选出表达EGFP并在重组病毒rHSV1-rep5cap5感染下能高效产生rAAV5/5-EGFP的单克隆载体细胞株C020。用rHSV1-rep5cap5感染C020细胞制备rAAV5/5-EGFP,用“氯仿处理-聚乙二醇/氯化钠-氯仿抽提”方法粗纯化rAAV5/5-EGFP。用100 kDa分子量截流超滤方法进一步纯化和浓缩,获得高纯度的rAAV5-EGFP。SDS-PAGE电泳分析可见3条特征性外壳蛋白带。电镜分析显示病毒颗粒以实心颗粒为主。用rAAV5/5-EGFP病毒按1×105 vg/cell感染体外培养的HEK293细胞,可见30％细胞呈现绿色荧光。本研究提出了一种高效AAV5/5载体生产系统和纯化方法,为重组AAV5载体的进一步应用提供了基础。