Improved Expression of Recombinant Human Factor IX by Co-expression of GGCX,VKOR and Furin

Recombinant human FIX concentrates (rhFIX) are essential in the treatment and prevention of bleeding in the bleeding disorder haemophilia B. However, due to the complex nature of FIX production yields are low which leads to high treatment costs. Here we report the production of rhFIX with substantially higher yield by co-expressing human FIX with GGCX (γ-glutamyl carboxylase), VKOR (vitamin K epoxide reductase) and furin (paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Our results show that controlled co-expression of GGCX with FIX is critical to obtain high rhFIX titre, and, that co-expression of VKOR further increased the yield of active rhFIX. Furin co-expression improved processing of the leader peptide of rhFIX but had a minor effect on yield of active rhFIX. The optimal expression level of GGCX was surprisingly low and required unusual engineering of expression vector elements. For VKOR and furin the control of expression was less critical and could be achieved by standard vector element. Using our expression vectors an rhFIX-producing clone with an expression level of up to 30 mg/L of active rhFIX was obtained. In addition an efficient single step purification method was developed to obtain pure and active rhFIX with up to 94 % yield.     

Approaches for recombinant human factor IX production in serum-free suspension cultures

Objective

To establish a serum-free suspension process for production of recombinant human factor IX (rhFIX) based on the human cell line HEK 293T by evaluating two approaches: (1) serum-free suspension adaptation of previously genetic modified cells (293T-FIX); and (2) genetic modification of cells already adapted to such conditions (293T/SF-FIX).

Results

After 10 months, 293T-FIX cells had become adapted to FreeStyle 293 serum-free medium (SFM) in Erlenmeyer flasks. After 48 and 72 h of culture, 2.1 µg rhFIX/ml and 3.3 µg rhFIX/ml were produced, respectively. However, no biological activity was detected. In the second approach, wild-type 293T cells were adapted to the same SFM (adaptation process took only 2 months) and then genetically modified for rhFIX production. After 48 h of culture, rhFIX reached 1.5 µg/ml with a biological activity of 0.2 IU/ml, while after 72 h, the production was 2.4 µg/ml with a biological activity of 0.3 IU/ml.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate that the best approach to establish an rhFIX production process in suspension SFM involves the genetic modification of cells already adapted to the final conditions. This approach is time saving and may better ensure the quality of the produced protein.

     

Production of Recombinant Human Factor VIII in Different Cell Lines and the Effect of Human XBP1 Co-Expression

Recombinant factor VIII is one of the most complex mammalian proteins and a biotechnology venture required for the treatment of hemophilia A. The complexity of the protein, post-translational modifications and limitations of expression elements make the production of active recombinant FVIII a challenge. Here we report the production of biologically active Factor VIII in two different cell lines, CHO and HepG2, by transient transfection. Two expression vectors based on the CMV promoter were used: one harboring CMV Intron A (InA) and the other without it. To bypass difficulties in secretion, we also studied the influence of co-expression of the human splice isoform of the XBP1 gene. We report the production of recombinant FVIII possessing bioengineered FVIII heavy and light chains, linked by a minimal B domain. In our study, HepG2, a human hepatocyte cell line, expressed Factor VIII ten-fold more than a CHO cell line, and in HepG2 cells, the expression of XBP1 improved Factor VIII activity. For CHO cells, expression was improved by the presence of InA, but no further improvement was noted with XBP1 co-expression. These data suggest that the minimal B domain rFVIII preserves Factor VIII biological activity and that different expression elements can be used to improve its production.     

Encapsulated human primary myoblasts deliver functional hFIX in hemophilic mice

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia B is a bleeding disorder caused by defective factor IX (FIX), currently treated by regular infusions of plasma-derived or recombinant FIX. We propose a gene therapy strategy based on the implantation of cells secreting FIX enclosed in alginate microcapsules as a highly desirable alternative treatment. We have reported sustained delivery of human factor IX (hFIX) in immunocompetent mice implanted with encapsulated primary mouse myoblasts engineered to secrete hFIX. As a step towards the treatment of human patients, in this study we report the implantation of encapsulated human primary myoblasts secreting hFIX in hemophilia B mice. METHODS: Human primary myoblasts were transfected with plasmids pKL4M-hFIX, pLNM-betaIXL, pMFG-hFIX, and transduced with retrovirus MFG-hFIX. Two human primary myoblast clones secreting approximately 1 microg hFIX/10(6) cells/day were enclosed in biocompatible alginate microcapsules and implanted intraperitoneally into SCID and hemophilic mice. RESULTS: Circulating hFIX (peak of approximately 120 ng/ml) was detected in hemophilia B mice on day 1 after implantation. Human FIX delivery was transient, however, becoming undetectable on day 14. Concurrently, anti-hFIX antibodies were detected. At the same time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was reduced from 94 s before treatment to 78-80 s. Tail bleeding time decreased from 15 min to 1.5-7 min after treatment, some mice being normalised. These findings indicate that the delivered hFIX is biologically active. Similarly treated NOD/SCID mice had circulating hFIX levels of 170 ng/ml on day 1 that remained detectable for 1 month, albeit at low levels. Cell viability of microcapsules retrieved on day 60 was below 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that encapsulated human primary myoblasts secrete functional hFIX. Furthermore, implantation of encapsulated human primary myoblasts can partially correct the phenotype of hemophilia B mice, supporting the feasibility of this gene therapy approach for hemophilia B. However, the long-term viability of the encapsulated human myoblasts must first be improved.     

Chemical Chaperones Improve Protein Secretion and Rescue Mutant Factor VIII in Mice with Hemophilia A

Inefficient intracellular protein trafficking is a critical issue in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and in recombinant protein production. Here we investigated the trafficking of factor VIII (FVIII), which is affected in the coagulation disorder hemophilia A. We hypothesized that chemical chaperones may be useful to enhance folding and processing of FVIII in recombinant protein production, and as a therapeutic approach in patients with impaired FVIII secretion. A tagged B-domain-deleted version of human FVIII was expressed in cultured Chinese Hamster Ovary cells to mimic the industrial production of this important protein. Of several chemical chaperones tested, the addition of betaine resulted in increased secretion of FVIII, by increasing solubility of intracellular FVIII aggregates and improving transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi. Similar results were obtained in experiments monitoring recombinant full-length FVIII. Oral betaine administration also increased FVIII and factor IX (FIX) plasma levels in FVIII or FIX knockout mice following gene transfer. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo applications of betaine were also able to rescue a trafficking-defective FVIII mutant (FVIIIQ305P). We conclude that chemical chaperones such as betaine might represent a useful treatment concept for hemophilia and other diseases caused by deficient intracellular protein trafficking.     

Definition of the transcription initiation site of human plasminogen gene in liver and non hepatic cell lines

We have mapped the cap site of the human plasminogen mRNA by primer extension and PCR techniques and found that it is located at position -161 relative to the first ATG, 97 bases upstream to the 5' end of the previously isolated cDNA clone. Seven human hepatic and non hepatic cell lines and fresh liver cells were tested for human plasminogen mRNA expression: the liver and the liver derived HepG2 cell line represent the major site of plasminogen RNA synthesis while the other cell lines (Hep3B, HeLa, IMR, 293 CaCo and SW626) show much lower levels.     

基因转移治疗血友病B的动物试验和安全性探讨

本文报道了皮肤成纤维细胞基因治疗血友病Ｂ的新西兰大白兔试验及安全性检测。转有人凝血因子ＩＸｃＤＮＡ的兔皮肤成纤维细胞包埋于胶原基质中,然后进行不同方式的自体或同种异体移植,移植兔血浆中人ＩＸ因子蛋白有高水平的表达且持续稳定,腹腔移植有ＲＳＦ－ｐＣＭＶＩＸ转化细胞的兔血浆中人ＩＸ因子表达水平达１００ｎｇ／ｍｌ．持续５个月以上,腹腔移植有ＲＳＦ－ｐＣＭＶＩＸｌ转化细胞的兔血中人ＩＸ因子表达水平达２９５     

Optimized production of high-titer recombinant adeno-associated virus in roller bottles

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are used for in vivo gene transfer in a number of preclinical models of genetic diseases (including large-animal models) and are currently being tested in clinical trials for treatment of hemophilia B and cystic fibrosis. Protocols for production of AAV vectors in a helper virus-free system are available and are based on transient transfection of HEK-293 cells with multiple plasmids. Scale-up of vector production has been labor intensive and inefficient because of a lack of larger culture vessels suitable for growth of adherent cells, large-scale transfection, and vector production. Here we report efficient production of AAV vector in roller bottles, which represents a 10-fold scale-up from the conventional flask or plate method. Optimized production yielded greater than 10(13) vector genomes per bottle and was as cost effective as published protocols using plates. Successful vector production by this method was dependent on optimization of transfection by calcium phosphate precipitation, of monitoring of cell growth (by measurement of glucose consumption), of cell culture conditions, and CO2/air exchange with the culture vessel.     

Characterization of recombinant human factor IX expressed in transgenic mice and in derived trans-immortalized hepatic cell lines.

Transgenic mice were generated in which 5 kb of the 5' flanking promoter region of the human Factor IX (FIX) gene fused to various FIX constructs (gene, minigene and cDNA) were stably integrated in the germ line. Several transgenic mouse lines expressed high circulating levels of active and correctly processed recombinant human FIX. The presence of at least one FIX intron had a positive effect on the expression. The FIX transgenes were expressed in a tissue-specific manner in the liver of transgenic mice. By crossing transgenic mice synthesizing FIX with others prone to develop hepatoma, progeny which co-express the transgenes in hepatocytes were obtained. Hepatoma-derived cell lines were shown to have a differentiated phenotype and secrete active human FIX for many generations.     

慢病毒载体介导RAB27A基因过表达对人HepG2肝癌细胞增殖的影响

目的：构建RAB27A基因慢病毒表达载体,并研究RAB27A 对人HepG2肝癌细胞增殖能力的影响。方法：以pEGFP-C1-RAB27A质粒为模板,PCR扩增出融合绿色荧光蛋白的RAB27A基因全长,酶切后插入穿梭载体pENTR/U6,再应用Gateway技术,基因重组到表达载体pHAGE-EF1α-puro-DEST上,构建得到重组慢病毒表达载体pHAGE-GFP-RAB27A-puro。测序鉴定序列正确后,将其与包装质粒psPAX2和包膜质粒pMD2.G共转HEK-293T细胞进行慢病毒包装。收集并浓缩培养上清以获得慢病毒颗粒感染HepG2细胞。荧光显微镜下观察HEK-293T细胞和慢病毒感染HepG2细胞绿色荧光强度;Western blot检测稳定感染HepG2细胞株RAB27A 蛋白表达水平;CCK8和平皿克隆形成实验检测稳定过表达RAB27A的HepG2细胞增殖活力的变化;流式细胞术检测稳定过表达RAB27A的HepG2细胞周期分布情况。结果：经双酶切及测序结果证实重组慢病毒表达载体构建正确;浓缩后病毒滴度较高;重组慢病毒感染HepG2细胞后,细胞外源RAB27A的蛋白表达水平显著上调,HepG2细胞的增殖活力和克隆形成能力受到明显抑制（P<0.01）,S期细胞分布比例明显降低（P<0.01）。结论： RAB27A 基因重组慢病毒表达载体构建成功,外源过表达RAB27A 基因可显著抑制HepG2细胞增殖能力。RAB27A在肝细胞癌发生发展和迁移中扮演了重要角色。     

HepG2/mdr1稳定细胞系的建立及特性研究

将已构建好的含有人多药耐药（multidrug resistance, MDR）全长基因的真核表达质粒pCI-neo-mdr1,应用脂质体导入人肝癌HepG2细胞,应用G418筛选出人肝癌多药耐药细胞株HepG2/mdr1。通过对HepG2/mdr1细胞形态学的观察和生物学特性的研究,成功地建立了高效、稳定的HepG2/mdr1细胞系;为深入研究肝癌的MDR及其逆转提供了理想的细胞模型,并为探索建立肝癌MDR细胞株提供新的方法和思路,同时为研究肝癌细胞胰岛素抵抗与MDR的关系提供了模型细胞。 将已构建好的含有人多药耐药（multidrug resistance, MDR）全长基因的真核表达质粒pCI-neo-mdr1,应用脂质体导入人肝癌HepG2细胞,应用G418筛选出人肝癌多药耐药细胞株HepG2/mdr1。通过对HepG2/mdr1细胞形态学的观察和生物学特性的研究,成功地建立了高效、稳定的HepG2/mdr1细胞系;为深入研究肝癌的MDR及其逆转提供了理想的细胞模型,并为探索建立肝癌MDR细胞株提供新的方法和思路,同时为研究肝癌细胞胰岛素抵抗与MDR的关系提供了模型细胞。     

A study of gene transfer and expression of human clotting factor IX in hemophilia B mice mediated by mini-adenoviral vector

Vector Gti'IX containing human clotting factor IX cDNA with intron 1 (hFIX mini-gene or Fi'IX) driven by CMV promoter was constructed based on the mini-adenoviral vector GT2073 (mini-Ad vector) with all viral protein coding sequences deleted. Mini-Ad packaging cell 293Cre4 was first transduced with Gti'IX, and then was transfected with helper-adenovirus AdLC8, thus mini-Ad virions AdGTi'IX were obtained. At the same time, previous normal adenoviral vector pAdSPi'IX containing viral genome and hFIX mini-gene was constructed, and then previous adenovirus (pre-Ad) AdSPi'IX was obtained as control. The ratio of helper-adenovirus among purified virons AdGTi'IX was less than 0.8%. 3T3 cells were transfected with AdGTi'IX and AdSPi'IX at a MOI of 50 per cell and ELISA result showed that transient expression level in vitro was 1.4±0.2 μg /106@24 h and 1.6±0.3 μg/106@24 h respectively. Each hemophilia B (FIX knock-out) mouse received celiac injection of 1×1010pfu AdGTi'IX or AdSPi'IX. The highest expression level of hFIX in mouse plasma was 590 ng/mL and 690 ng/mL respectively, and the expression time lasted for 16 weeks and 9 weeks respectively. The bleeding time reduced from over 30 min to 7.5 min, and 5-min blood lost reduced from 430 μL to 60 μL. The results of anti-Ad IgG assays indicated that immune response triggered by AdGTi'IX was obviously weaker than that triggered by AdSPi'IX. These results indicated that, compared with previous adenovirus (pre-Ad), the mini-Ad vector system prolonged the expression time of hFIX and reduced immune response, thus offering a promising result for further pre-clinical study.     

Establishment of a human somatic hybrid cell line for recombinant protein production

Cell fusion techniques were used to derive mammalian host cell lines suitable for large-scale production of therapeutic proteins. Although the 293S cell line, of human embryonic kidney origin, is an excellent host cell for mammalian gene expression, these cells have a tendency to form large and tight aggregates in suspension cultures and bioreactors. To solve the problem of aggregation, 293S cells were fused to a human suspension cell line, 2B8 (a Burkitt's lymphoma derivative), using polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG-treated 293S and 2B8 cells were selected in a medium supplemented with hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine and G418 (1 mg/ml) to eliminate nonfused cells. These hybrid clones, designated as HKB (hybrid of kidney and B cells), are negative for endogenous immunoglobulin expression. Most clones are readily adaptable to serum-free suspension culture under shaking conditions without forming large and tight aggregates. One clone, HKB11, was shown to support high-level expression of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4], ICAM-1 and rFVIII in a side-by-side comparison with 293 and Chinese hamster ovary cells. The above-described characteristics of HKB cells indicate that HKB11 is a favorable cell host for the production of human therapeutic proteins.     

Hepatocyte-targeting gene delivery using a lipoplex composed of galactose-modified aromatic lipid synthesized with click chemistry

Highly efficient drug carriers targeting hepatocyte is needed for treatment for liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and virus infections. Galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine is known to be recognized and incorporated into the cells through asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) that is exclusively expressed on hepatocyte and hepatoma. In this study, we synthesized a galactose-modified lipid with aromatic ring with click chemistry. To make a complex with DNA, termed ‘lipoplex’, we prepared a binary micelle composed of cationic lipid; dioleoyltrimethylammoniumpropane (DOTAP) and galactose-modified lipid (D/Gal). We prepared lipoplex from plasmid DNA (pDNA) and D/Gal and examined the cell specificity and transfection efficiency. The lipoplex was able to interact with ASGPR immobilized on gold substrate in the quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor cell. The lipoplex induced high gene expression to HepG2 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, but not to A549 cells, a human alveolar adenocarcinoma cell line. The treatment with asialofetuin, which is a ligand for ASGPR and would work as a competitive inhibitor, before addition of the lipoplexes decreased the expression to HepG2 cells. These results indicate that D/Gal lipoplex was incorporated into HepG2 cells preferentially through ASGPR and the uptake was caused by galactose specific receptor. This delivery system to hepatocytes may overcome the problems for gene therapy and be used for treatment of hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis.     

凝血因子IX基因剔除小鼠的遗传及血液学指标检测

目的　鉴定凝血因子IX基因剔除小鼠。方法　采用PCR扩增检测小鼠的DNA样品以及采用一期法检定小鼠血浆FIX活性和血浆凝血酶原时间 (plasmaprothrombintime ,PT)、白陶土部分凝血活酶时间 (Kaolinpartialthromboplastintime ,KPTT)值。结果　小鼠PCR检测为阳性 ,FIX活性 <5 %。结论　凝血因子IX基因剔除小鼠能稳定遗传 ,鉴定结果提示该小鼠符合人血友病B相应临床症状。     

Stable expression and integrated hepatitis B virus genome in a human hepatoma cell line

HepG2.2.15 cell is a widely used cell model for studying HBV (hepatitis B virus) in vitro. In these cells, the HBV genome is integrated in several sites of HepG2 cellular DNA. These multiple copies may have some influence on the cellular processes. We constructed a new plasmid, pSEH-Flag-HBV, and transfected it into HepG2 cells, and then screened it with hygromycin. We then used ELISA, PCR, and RT-PCR to detect the expression of HBV in these cell lines. A cell line that stably expressed hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was established. Using Southern blotting analysis, we found that the HBV genome was integrated as a single copy in the cellular DNA. This cell line will be a useful alternative model for HBV studies.