Ubiquitination of both adeno-associated virus type 2 and 5 capsid proteins affects the transduction efficiency of recombinant vectors

In the presence of complementing adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2) Rep proteins, AAV-2 genomes can be pseudotyped with the AAV-5 capsid to assemble infectious virions. Using this pseudotyping strategy, the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in AAV-5 and AAV-2 capsid-mediated infections was compared. A recombinant AAV-2 (rAAV-2) proviral luciferase construct was packaged into both AAV-2 and AAV-5 capsid particles, and transduction efficiencies in a number of cell lines were compared. Using luciferase expression as the end point, we demonstrated that coadministration of the viruses with proteasome inhibitors not only increased the transduction efficiency of rAAV-2, as previously reported, but also augmented rAAV-5-mediated gene transfer. Increased transgene expression was independent of viral genome stability, since there was no significant difference in the amounts of internalized viral DNA in the presence or absence of proteasome inhibitors. Western blot assays of immunoprecipitated viral capsid proteins from infected HeLa cell lysates and in vitro reconstitution experiments revealed evidence for ubiquitin conjugation of both AAV-2 and AAV-5 capsids. Interestingly, heat-denatured virus particles were preferential substrates for in vitro ubiquitination, suggesting that endosomal processing of the viral capsid proteins is a prelude to ubiquitination. Furthermore, ubiquitination may be a signal for processing of the capsid at the time of virion disassembly. These studies suggest that the previously reported influences of the ubiquitin-proteasome system on rAAV-2 transduction are also active for rAAV-5 and provide a clearer mechanistic framework for understanding the functional significance of ubiquitination.     

Conjugate-based targeting of recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 vectors by using avidin-linked ligands

The development of targeted vectors, capable of tissue-specific transduction, remains one of the important aspects of vector modification for gene therapy applications. Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV-2)-based vectors are nonpathogenic, have relatively low immunogenicity, and are capable of long-term transgene expression. AAV-2 vectors bind primarily to heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), a receptor that is present in many tissues and cell types. Because of the widespread expression of HSPG on many tissues, targeted transduction in vivo appears to be limited with AAV-2 vectors. Thus, development of strategies to achieve transductional targeting will have a profound benefit in the future application of these vectors. We report here a novel conjugate-based targeting method to enhance tissue-specific transduction of AAV-2-based vectors. The present report utilized a high-affinity biotin-avidin interaction as a molecular bridge to cross-link purified targeting ligands, produced genetically as fusion proteins to core-streptavidin, in a prokaryotic expression system. Conjugation of the bispecific targeting protein to the vector was achieved by biotinylating purified rAAV-2 without abolishing the capsid structure, internalization, and subsequent transgene expression. The tropism-modified vectors, targeted via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or fibroblast growth factor 1alpha receptor (FGFR1alpha), resulted in a significant increase in transduction efficiency of EGFR-positive SKOV3.ip1 cells and FGFR1alpha-positive M07e cells, respectively. Further optimization of this method of targeting should enhance the potential of AAV-2 vectors in ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy and may form the basis for developing targeting methods for other AAV serotype capsids.     

Liver transduction with recombinant adeno-associated virus is primarily restricted by capsid serotype not vector genotype

We and others have recently reported highly efficient liver gene transfer with adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV-8) pseudotypes, i.e., AAV-2 genomes packaged into AAV-8 capsids. Here we studied whether liver transduction could be further enhanced by using viral DNA packaging sequences (inverted terminal repeats [ITRs]) derived from AAV genotypes other than 2. To this end, we generated two sets of vector constructs carrying expression cassettes embedding a gfp gene or the human factor IX (hfIX) gene flanked by ITRs from AAV genotypes 1 through 6. Initial in vitro analyses of gfp vector DNA replication, encapsidation, and cell transduction revealed a surprisingly high degree of interchangeability among the six genotypes. For subsequent in vivo studies, we cross-packaged the six hfIX variants into AAV-8 and infused mice via the portal vein with doses of 5 x 10(10) to 1.8 x 10(12) particles. Notably, all vectors expressed comparably high plasma hFIX levels within a dose cohort over the following 6 months, concurrent with the finding of equivalent vector DNA copy numbers per cell. Partial hepatectomies resulted in approximately 80% drops of hFIX levels and vector DNA copy numbers in all groups, indicating genotype-independent persistence of predominantly episomal vector DNA. Southern blot analyses of total liver DNA in fact confirmed the presence of identical and mostly nonintegrated molecular vector forms for all genotypes. We conclude that, unlike serotypes, AAV genotypes are not critical for efficient hepatocyte transduction and can be freely substituted. This corroborates our current model for AAV vector persistence in the liver and provides useful information for the future design and application of recombinant AAV.     

Cell-type-specific characteristics modulate the transduction efficiency of adeno-associated virus type 2 and restrain infection of endothelial cells

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are promising vectors for various gene therapy applications due to their long-lasting transgene expression and wide spectrum of target cells. Recently, however, it has become apparent that there are considerable differences in the efficiencies of transduction of different cell types by AAVs. Here, we analyzed the efficiencies of transduction and the transport mechanisms of AAV type 2 (AAV-2) in different cell types, emphasizing endothelial cells. Expression analyses in both cultured cells and the rabbit carotid artery assay showed a remarkably low level of endothelial cell transduction in comparison to the highly permissive cell types. The study of the endosomal pathways of AAV-2 with fluorescently labeled virus showed clear targeting of the Golgi area in permissive cell lines, but this phenomenon was absent in the endothelial cell line EAhy-926. On the other hand, the response to the block of endosomal acidification by bafilomycin A1 also showed differences among the permissive cell types. We also analyzed the effect of proteasome inhibitors on endothelial cells, but their impact on the primary cells and in vivo was not significant. On the contrary, analysis of the expression pattern of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), the primary receptors of AAV-2, revealed massive deposits of HSPG in the extracellular matrix of endothelial cells. The matrix-associated receptors may therefore compete for virus binding and reduce transduction in endothelial cells. Accordingly, in endothelial cells detached from their matrix, AAV-2 transduction was significantly increased. Altogether, these results point to a more complex cell-type-specific mode of transduction of AAV-2 than previously appreciated.     

Cloning and characterization of a bovine adeno-associated virus

To better understand the relationship between primate adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and those of other mammals, we have cloned and sequenced the genome of an AAV found as a contaminant in two isolates of bovine adenovirus that was reported to be serologically distinct from primate AAVs. The bovine AAV (BAAV) genome has 4,693 bp, and its organization is similar to that of other AAV isolates. The left-hand open reading frame (ORF) and both inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) have the highest homology with the rep ORF and ITRs of AAV serotype 5 (AAV-5) (89 and 96%, respectively). However, the right-hand ORF was only 55% identical to the AAV-5 capsid ORF; it had the highest homology with the capsid ORF of AAV-4 (76%). By comparing the BAAV cap sequence with a model of an AAV-4 capsid, we mapped the regions of BAAV VP1 that are divergent from AAV-4. These regions are located on the outside of the capsid and are partially located in exposed loops. BAAV was not neutralized by antisera raised against recombinant AAV-2, AAV-4, or AAV-5, and it demonstrated a unique cell tropism profile in four human cancer cell lines, suggesting that BAAV might have transduction activity distinct from that of other isolates. A murine model of salivary gland gene transfer was used to evaluate the in vivo performance of recombinant BAAV. Recombinant BAAV-mediated gene transfer was 11 times more efficient than that with AAV-2. Overall, these data suggest that vectors based on BAAV could be useful for gene transfer applications.     

Enhancement of Muscle Gene Delivery with Pseudotyped Adeno-Associated Virus Type 5 Correlates with Myoblast Differentiation

Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based muscle gene therapy has achieved tremendous success in numerous animal models of human diseases. Recent clinical trials with this vector have also demonstrated great promise. However, to achieve therapeutic benefit in patients, large inocula of virus will likely be necessary to establish the required level of transgene expression. For these reasons, efforts aimed at increasing the efficacy of AAV-mediated gene delivery to muscle have the potential for improving the safety and therapeutic benefit in clinical trials. In the present study, we compared the efficiency of gene delivery to mouse muscle cells for recombinant AAV type 2 (rAAV-2) and rAAV-2cap5 (AAV-2 genomes pseudo-packaged into AAV-5 capsids). Despite similar levels of transduction by these two vectors in undifferentiated myoblasts, pseudotyped rAAV-2cap5 demonstrated dramatically enhanced transduction in differentiated myocytes in vitro (>500-fold) and in skeletal muscle in vivo (>200-fold) compared to rAAV-2. Serotype-specific differences in transduction efficiency did not directly correlate with viral binding to muscle cells but rather appeared to involve endocytic or intracellular barriers to infection. Furthermore, application of this pseudotyped virus in a mouse model of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy also demonstrated significantly improved transduction efficiency. These findings should have a significant impact on improving rAAV-mediated gene therapy in muscle.     

Viral serotype and the transgene sequence influence overlapping adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene transfer in skeletal muscle

BACKGROUND: The overlapping approach was developed recently to expand the adeno-associated viral (AAV) packaging capacity. In this approach, a gene is split into two partially overlapping fragments and separately packaged into an upstream and a downstream vector, respectively. Transgene expression is achieved in co-infected cells after homologous recombination. Despite the promising proof-of-principle results in the lung, the efficiency has been very disappointing in skeletal muscle. Here we examined two potential rate-limiting factors including AAV serotype and the transgene sequence. METHODS: To study serotype effect, we delivered AAV-2, -5 and -6 overlapping vectors (5 x 10(8) vg particles of the upstream and the downstream vectors, respectively) and 5 x 10(8) vg particles of the intact gene vector to the tibialis anterior muscles of 7-week-old C57Bl/6 mice, respectively. To determine the effect of transgene sequence, we compared LacZ and alkaline phosphatase (AP) overlapping vectors. Transduction efficiency was quantified 6 weeks later by scoring the percentage of transgene-positive myofibers. RESULTS: AAV-2 overlapping vectors barely resulted in detectable transduction. Transduction efficiency was significantly improved in AAV-5 and AAV-6. The highest level was achieved in AAV-6 that reached 42% and 96% of that of the intact gene vector for the LacZ gene and the AP gene, respectively. Surprisingly, AAV-6 overlapping vector resulted in higher transduction than did AAV-2 and AAV-5 intact gene vectors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that AAV serotype and the transgene sequence play critical roles in the overlapping approach. AAV-6 holds great promise for overlapping vector-mediated muscle gene therapy.     

Improved hepatic gene transfer by using an adeno-associated virus serotype 5 vector

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have been shown to direct stable gene transfer and expression in hepatocytes, which makes them attractive tools for treatment of inherited disorders such as hemophilia B. While substantial levels of coagulation factor IX (F.IX) have been achieved using AAV serotype 2 vectors, use of a serotype 5 vector further improves transduction efficiency and levels of F.IX transgene expression by 3- to 10-fold. In addition, the AAV-5 vector transduces a higher proportion of hepatocytes ( approximately 15%). The subpopulations of hepatocytes transduced with either vector widely overlap, with the AAV-5 vector transducing additional hepatocytes and showing a wider area of transgene expression throughout the liver parenchyma.     

基于对虾白斑综合症病毒极早期启动子的新型杆状病毒表达载体的构建与分析

摘要：【目的】构建携带有受杆状病毒多角体启动子控制的疱疹性口腔炎病毒糖蛋白(vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein, VSV G)和受白斑综合症病毒极早期基因(immediately-early gene 1,ie1)启动子控制的绿色荧光蛋白(enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP)两个表达阅读框的新型重组病毒vAc-G-EGFP,分析其在无脊椎动物和脊椎动物细胞系中表达报道基因的能力。【方法】 利用Bac-To-Bac 系统构建重组杆状病毒,利用病毒感染或转导实验介导报道基因在待测细胞系中的表达,用荧光显微镜和免疫印迹技术分析报道基因在待测细胞系中的实时表达情况。 【结果】成功构建了分别含VSV G 和 ie1启动子两个阅读框的重组杆状病毒vAc-G-EGFP,发现vAc-G-EGFP可以在无脊椎和脊椎动物细胞系中有效表达报道基因EGFP,免疫印迹实验显示,在不同时间点EGFP于这两类细胞中的表达存在差异。【结论】 基于白斑综合症病毒ie1启动子并携带有VSV G表达框的单一杆状病毒载体可以实现同时在不同种类细胞系中有效表达外源基因。本文构建的新型杆状病毒表达载体有希望普遍应用于基础和应用生物学研究。     

Adeno-associated virus type 2-mediated transfer of ecotropic retrovirus receptor cDNA allows ecotropic retroviral transduction of established and primary human cells.

The cellular receptors that mediate binding and internalization of retroviruses have recently been identified. The concentration and accessibility of these receptors are critical determinants in accomplishing successful gene transfer with retrovirus-based vectors. Murine retroviruses containing ecotropic glycoproteins do not infect human cells since human cells do not express the receptor that binds the ecotropic glycoproteins. To enable human cells to become permissive for ecotropic retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, we have developed a recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV) vector containing ecotropic retroviral receptor (ecoR) cDNA under the control of the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter (vRSVp-ecoR). Established human cell lines, such as HeLa and KB, known to be nonpermissive for murine ecotropic retroviruses, became permissive for infection by a retroviral vector containing a bacterial gene for resistance to neomycin (RV-Neo(r)), with a transduction efficiency of up to 47%, following transduction with vRSVp-ecoR, as determined by the development of colonies that were resistant to the drug G418, a neomycin analog. No G418-resistant colonies were present in cultures infected with either vRSVp-ecoR or RV-Neo(r) alone. Southern and Northern blot analyses revealed stable integration and long-term expression, respectively, of the transduced murine ecoR gene in clonal isolates of HeLa and KB cells. Similarly, ecotropic retrovirus-mediated Neo(r) transduction of primary human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells from normal bone marrow was also documented, but only following infection with vRSVp-ecoR. The retroviral transduction efficiency was approximately 7% without prestimulation and approximately 14% with prestimulation of CD34+ cells with cytokines, as determined by hematopoietic clonogenic assays. No G418-resistant progenitor cell colonies were present in cultures infected with either vRSVp-ecoR or RV-Neo(r) alone. These results suggest that sequential transduction of primary human cells with two different viral vectors may overcome limitations encountered with a single vector. Thus, the combined use of AAV- and retrovirus-based vectors may have important clinical implications for ex vivo and in vivo human gene therapy.     

Packaging cell lines for simian foamy virus type 1 vectors

Foamy viruses are nonpathogenic retroviruses that offer several unique opportunities for gene transfer in various cell types from different species. We have previously demonstrated the utility of simian foamy virus type 1 (SFV-1) as a vector system by transient expression assay (M. Wu et al., J. Virol. 72:3451-3454, 1998). In this report, we describe the first stable packaging cell lines for foamy virus vectors based on SFV-1. We developed two packaging cell lines in which the helper DNA is placed under the control of either a constitutive cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early gene or inducible tetracycline promoter for expression. Although the constitutive packaging expressing cell line had a higher copy number of packaging DNA, the inducible packaging cell line produced four times more vector particles. This result suggested that the structural gene products in the constitutively expressing packaging cell line were expressed at a level that is not toxic to the cells, and thus vector production was reduced. The SFV-1 vector in the presence of vesicular stomatitis virus envelope protein G (VSV-G) produced an insignificant level of transduction, indicating that foamy viruses could not be pseudotyped with VSV-G to generate high-titer vectors. The availability of stable packaging cell lines represents a step toward the use of an SFV-1 vector delivery system that will allow scaled-up production of vector stocks for gene therapy.     

Novel caprine adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid (AAV-Go.1) is closely related to the primate AAV-5 and has unique tropism and neutralization properties

Preexisting humoral immunity to adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors may limit their clinical utility in gene delivery. We describe a novel caprine AAV (AAV-Go.1) capsid with unique biological properties. AAV-Go.1 capsid was cloned from goat-derived adenovirus preparations. Surprisingly, AAV-Go.1 capsid was 94% identical to the human AAV-5, with differences predicted to be largely on the surface and on or under the spike-like protrusions. In an in vitro neutralization assay using human immunoglobulin G (IgG) (intravenous immune globulin [IVIG]), AAV-Go.1 had higher resistance than AAV-5 (100-fold) and resistance similar to that of AAV-4 or AAV-8. In an in vivo model, SCID mice were pretreated with IVIG to generate normal human IgG plasma levels prior to the administration of AAV human factor IX vectors. Protein expression after intramuscular administration of AAV-Go.1 was unaffected in IVIG-pretreated mice, while it was reduced 5- and 10-fold after administration of AAV-1 and AAV-8, respectively. In contrast, protein expression after intravenous administration of AAV-Go.1 was reduced 7.1-fold, similar to the 3.8-fold reduction observed after AAV-8 administration in IVIG-pretreated mice, and protein expression was essentially extinguished after AAV-2 administration in mice pretreated with much less IVIG (15-fold). AAV-Go.1 vectors also demonstrated a marked tropism for lung when administered intravenously in SCID mice. The pulmonary tropism and high neutralization resistance to human preexisting antibodies suggest novel therapeutic uses for AAV-Go.1 vectors, including targeting diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Nonprimate sources of AAVs may be useful to identify additional capsids with distinct tropisms and high resistance to neutralization by human preexisting antibodies.     

近红外荧光蛋白标记乳腺癌细胞外泌体的构建及鉴定

外泌体(Exosomes)是一种大小为30~100 nm的细胞外膜囊泡,与细胞的生物学功能及细胞间的信号传递有着密切的关系,尤其在癌症的诊断及治疗等领域发挥重要作用。为将外泌体更好地应用于乳腺癌肿瘤传递机制的研究,本文首先通过分子克隆手段将近红外荧光蛋白iRFP682基因和外泌体标记蛋白CD63基因克隆到含腺相关病毒(Adeno-associated virus,AAV)末端倒置重复序列(Inverted repeat terminal,ITR)的质粒载体上,构建融合表达近红外荧光蛋白和CD63蛋白的重组真核表达载体。然后再与辅助质粒共转染AAV-293细胞,包装重组腺相关病毒、纯化测量滴度后用于感染乳腺癌细胞,最后通过荧光筛选出稳定表达近红外荧光蛋白的乳腺癌细胞株。通过对乳腺癌稳定株的分离、纯化及鉴定,最终得到一个新型生物标记物：iRFP682标记的乳腺癌细胞来源的外泌体,为后续研究外泌体在乳腺癌肿瘤微环境中的分布及信号传递提供保障。     

Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 replication and packaging is entirely supported by a herpes simplex virus type 1 amplicon expressing Rep and Cap.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 (rAAV) vectors have recently been shown to have great utility as gene transfer agents both in vitro and in vivo. One of the problems associated with the use of rAAV vectors has been the difficulty of large-scale vector production. Low-efficiency plasmid transfection of the rAAV vector and complementing AAV type 2 (AAV-2) functions (rep and cap) followed by superinfection with adenovirus has been the standard approach to rAAV production. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the ability of a recombinant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon expressing AAV-2 Rep and Cap to support replication and packaging of rAAV vectors. HSV-1 amplicon vectors were constructed which contain the AAV-2 rep and cap genes under control of their native promoters (p5, p19, and p40). An HSV-1 amplicon vector, HSV-RC/KOS or HSV-RC/d27, was generated by supplying helper functions with either wild-type HSV-1 (KOS strain) or the ICP27-deleted mutant of HSV-1, d27-1, respectively. Replication of the amplicon stocks is not inhibited by the presence of AAV-2 Rep proteins, which highlights important differences between HSV-1 and adenovirus replication and the mechanism of providing helper function for productive AAV infection. Coinfection of rAAV and HSV-RC/KOS resulted in the replication and amplification of rAAV genomes. Similarly, rescue and replication of rAAV genomes occurred when rAAV vector plasmids were transfected into cells followed by HSV-RC/KOS infection and when two rAAV proviral cell lines were infected with HSV-RC/KOS or HSV-RC/d27. Production of infectious rAAV by rescue from two rAAV proviral cell lines has also been achieved with HSV-RC/KOS and HSV-RC/d27. The particle titer of rAAV produced with HSV-RC/d27 is equal to that achieved by supplying rep and cap by transfection followed by adenovirus superinfection. Importantly, no detectable wild-type AAV-2 is generated with this approach. These results demonstrate that an HSV-1 amplicon expressing the AAV-2 genes rep and cap along with HSV-1 helper functions supports the replication and packaging of rAAV vectors in a scaleable process.     

Adenovirus type 5 viral particles pseudotyped with mutagenized fiber proteins show diminished infectivity of coxsackie B-adenovirus receptor-bearing cells

A major limitation of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-based gene therapy, the inability to target therapeutic genes to selected cell types, is attributable to the natural tropism of the virus for the widely expressed coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) protein. Modifications of the Ad5 fiber knob domain have been shown to alter the tropism of the virus. We have developed a novel system to rapidly evaluate the function of modified fiber proteins in their most relevant context, the adenoviral capsid. This transient transfection/infection system combines transfection of cells with plasmids that express high levels of the modified fiber protein and infection with Ad5.beta gal.Delta F, an E1-, E3-, and fiber-deleted adenoviral vector encoding beta-galactosidase. We have used this system to test the adenoviral transduction efficiency mediated by a panel of fiber protein mutants that were proposed to influence CAR interaction. A series of amino acid modifications were incorporated via mutagenesis into the fiber expression plasmid, and the resulting fiber proteins were subsequently incorporated onto adenoviral particles. Mutations located in the fiber knob AB and CD loops demonstrated the greatest reduction in fiber-mediated gene transfer in HeLa cells. We also observed effects on transduction efficiency with mutations in the FG loop, indicating that the binding site may extend to the adjacent monomer in the fiber trimer and in the HI loop. These studies support the concept that modification of the fiber knob domain to diminish or ablate CAR interaction should result in a detargeted adenoviral vector that can be combined simultaneously with novel ligands for the development of a systemically administered, targeted adenoviral vector.     

A High-Capacity, Capsid-Modified Hybrid Adenovirus/Adeno-Associated Virus Vector for Stable Transduction of Human Hematopoietic Cells

To achieve stable gene transfer into human hematopoietic cells, we constructed a new vector, DeltaAd5/35.AAV. This vector has a chimeric capsid containing adenovirus type 35 fibers, which conferred efficient infection of human hematopoietic cells. The DeltaAd5/35.AAV vector genome is deleted for all viral genes, allowing for infection without virus-associated toxicity. To generate high-capacity DeltaAd5/35.AAV vectors, we employed a new technique based on recombination between two first-generation adenovirus vectors. The resultant vector genome contained an 11.6-kb expression cassette including the human gamma-globin gene and the HS2 and HS3 elements of the beta-globin locus control region. The expression cassette was flanked by adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). Infection with DeltaAd5/35.AAV allowed for stable transgene expression in a hematopoietic cell line after integration into the host genome through the AAV ITR(s). This new vector exhibits advantages over existing integrating vectors, including an increased insert capacity and tropism for hematopoietic cells. It has the potential for stable ex vivo transduction of hematopoietic stem cells in order to treat sickle cell disease.     

Analysis of the interaction between adeno-associated virus and heparan sulfate using atomic force microscopy

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been widely used as a viral vector to deliver genes to animal and human tissues in gene therapy studies. Both AAV-2 and AAV-3 use cell surface heparan sulfate (HS), a highly sulfated polysaccharide, as a receptor to establish infections. In this study, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the interaction of HS and AAV. A silicon chip functionalized with HS was used as a substrate for binding AAV for AFM analysis. To validate our approach, we found that the binding of AAV-2 to the HS surface was effectively competed by soluble HS, suggesting that the binding of AAV-2 to the functionalized surface was specific. In addition, we examined the binding of various AAV serotypes, including AAV-1, AAV-2, AAV-3, and AAV-5, to the HS surface. As expected, only AAV-2 and AAV-3 bound, whereas AAV-1 and AAV-5 did not. This observation was consistent with the previous conclusion that AAV-1 and AAV-5 do not use HS as a receptor for infection. In conclusion, we developed a novel approach to investigate the interaction of AAV virus with its polysaccharide-based receptor at the level of a single viral particle. Given that HSs serve as receptor for numerous viruses, this approach has the potential to become a generalized method for studying interactions between the viral particle and HS, as well as other virus-cell interactions, and potentially serve as a platform for screening antiviral therapies.     

Comparative transduction efficiencies of human and nonhuman adenoviral vectors in human, murine, bovine, and porcine cells in culture

Clinical usefulness of human Ad serotype 5 (HAd5) based vectors is limited primarily because of preexisting Ad immunity and lack of targeting to specific cell types. Alternative vectors based on less prevalent HAd serotypes as well as nonhuman adenoviruses such as porcine Ad serotype 3 (PAd3) and bovine Ad serotype 3 (BAd3) are being developed to overcome these shortcomings. Using virus neutralization assay, we examined whether preexisting Ad immunity in humans would cross-neutralize PAd3 or BAd3. To further evaluate the potential of PAd3 and BAd3 vectors as gene delivery vehicles, we compared their transduction efficiencies in a panel of human, murine, bovine, and porcine cell lines to those obtained with a HAd5 vector. Transduction by the HAd5 vector in the majority of human cell lines correlated with the expression levels of coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR), the primary HAd5 receptor; while transduction by PAd3 and BAd3 vectors was CAR-independent. The results suggest that PAd3 and BAd3 vectors are promising gene delivery vehicles for human gene therapy as well as for recombinant vaccines for human and animal use.     

Expression of PiT1 and PiT2 retroviral receptors and transduction efficiency of tumor cells

Recombinant retroviral vectors are still the most common gene delivery vehicles for gene therapy purposes, especially for construction of genetically modified tumor vaccines (GMTV). However, these vehicles are characterized by relatively low titre and in the case of many tumor cell lines, low transduction efficiency. We constructed bicistronic retroviral vector pseudotypes of amphotropic murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) and gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as a rapid and easily detectable reporter gene. Transduction of five different human melanoma and four renal carcinoma cell lines by these two virus pseudotypes revealed differences in transduction efficiency, which wase markedly lower for the renal carcinoma cell lines. Stimulation of retroviral receptor expression (PiT1 and PiT2) by phosphate depletion induced a limited increase of receptor mRNA levels, but did not improve the gene transfer efficiency. In contrast, simultaneous transduction with both vector pseudotypes markedly increased the transduction efficiency, compared to GaLV or A-MuLV alone. The same effect could be achieved by several repeated exposures of target cells to fresh vector preparation. Overexpression of GaLV receptor (PiT1) in target cells significantly increased the transduction rate and enabled retrovirus mediated gene transfer into the cells which normally are not transducible by GaLV pseudotypes. We demonstrated that, using different transduction strategies, the relatively inefficient, widely used retroviral vector systems could be significantly improved.