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WO2007022403A2 - Therapie genique oculaire utilisant la transfection mediee par avalanche - Google Patents

Therapie genique oculaire utilisant la transfection mediee par avalanche Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007022403A2
WO2007022403A2 PCT/US2006/032249 US2006032249W WO2007022403A2 WO 2007022403 A2 WO2007022403 A2 WO 2007022403A2 US 2006032249 W US2006032249 W US 2006032249W WO 2007022403 A2 WO2007022403 A2 WO 2007022403A2
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Prior art keywords
set forth
cells
tissue
nucleic acid
gene
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WO2007022403A3 (fr
Inventor
Thomas W. Chalberg, Jr.
Mark Blumenkranz
Daniel V. Palanker
Alexander Vankov
Philip Huie, Jr
Michael F. Marmor
Michele P. Calos
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Leland Stanford Junior University
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Leland Stanford Junior University
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Priority to CA002620294A priority Critical patent/CA2620294A1/fr
Priority to EP06801803A priority patent/EP1924698A4/fr
Priority to AU2006279395A priority patent/AU2006279395A1/en
Priority to JP2008527156A priority patent/JP2009507780A/ja
Publication of WO2007022403A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007022403A2/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2007022403A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007022403A3/fr
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/87—Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P27/00—Drugs for disorders of the senses
    • A61P27/02—Ophthalmic agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P27/00—Drugs for disorders of the senses
    • A61P27/02—Ophthalmic agents
    • A61P27/06—Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/81—Protease inhibitors
    • C07K14/8107—Endopeptidase (E.C. 3.4.21-99) inhibitors
    • C07K14/811—Serine protease (E.C. 3.4.21) inhibitors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to medicine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of treating ocular diseases with gene therapy using avalanche-mediated transfection to genetically modify cells or tissue.
  • BACKGROUND There are many ocular diseases that affect vision. Diseases of the conjunctiva and cornea, cataracts, uveal diseases, retinal diseases, loss of central acuity and visual field abnormalities and diseases of Bruch's membrane are a few examples.
  • Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in the aged population. In the less common but more severe "wet" form of age-related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization leads to progressive disease and vision loss.
  • Viral vectors such as retroviruses and adenoviruses, enable high expression of the introduced DNA but have safety concerns.
  • Non- viral methods such as liposomes, have low host immunogenicity but tend to suffer from inefficient DNA delivery to cells. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for new methods of introducing DNA into cells and tissues for the purpose of gene therapy.
  • the present invention provides a method of treating an ocular disease in a subject.
  • a nucleic acid is introduced into cells or a tissue.
  • the nucleic acid is introduced by electron avalanche-mediated transfection.
  • a high electric field induces a vapor bubble and plasma discharge between an electrode and the surrounding medium.
  • the formation of a vapor bubble generates mechanical stress.
  • Plasma discharge through the ionized vapor in the bubble enables connectivity between the electrode and the surrounding medium, so that the mechanical stress and electric field are applied simultaneously, which results in permeabilization of the cells or tissue.
  • This permeabilization in turn allows the nucleic acid to enter the cell or tissue.
  • Cells or tissue containing the nucleic acid are then transplanted into an ocular region of the subject.
  • Cells and tissue according to the present invention are preferably autologous (i.e. from the subject), or allogeneic (i.e. from an individual of the same species).
  • the cells may be primary cells or cell lines.
  • Preferred primary cells are conjunctival fibroblasts,_scleral cells, or epithelial cells.
  • Preferred cell lines are fibroblast cell lines or muscle cell lines.
  • Preferred tissues are conjunctival tissue and scleral tissue.
  • the cells or tissue may be cultured prior to transplantation. Alternatively, or in addition, the cells or tissue may be placed in a cage, such as a polymeric cage, or a scaffold or matrix to support the growth of the cells.
  • the nucleic acid is DNA.
  • the DNA may encode, for example, a therapeutic protein or an RNAi cassette, such as a short-hairpin RNA (shRNA).
  • the DNA may be used for modifying an endogenous gene.
  • the DNA may be an oligonucleotide used for gene repair, or may be used for homologous recombination with an endogenous gene, for the purpose of modifying the gene. Modifications include, for example, modifying expression levels of the gene and/or replacing a mutant gene with a wild-type copy of the gene.
  • the nucleic acid is part of a plasmid.
  • the plasmid may, in addition to a therapeutic gene, contain a marker gene.
  • the plasmid may contain integration elements, such as a phiC31 attB site or inverted repeats recognized by transposases such as Sleeping Beauty.
  • integration elements such as a phiC31 attB site or inverted repeats recognized by transposases such as Sleeping Beauty.
  • a source of phiC31 integrase or a transposase would also be provided.
  • Genetically-modified cells or tissue may be transplanted into any ocular region of the subject.
  • Preferred regions are the choroid, vitreous humor, retinal pigment epithelium, near the macula, and behind the sclera.
  • the ocular region may be epiretinal to the macula, subretinal to the macula, or intra-retinal to the macula.
  • the ocular region is preferably a region of the vitreous humor near the pars plana.
  • Any ocular disease may be treated according to the present invention.
  • examples include, but are not limited to, age-related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, retinal degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal dystrophies.
  • any subject may be treated according to the present invention.
  • Preferred subjects are humans and non- human mammals.
  • FIG. 1 shows the avalanche method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows the use of the avalanche method according to the present invention with wire electrodes.
  • FIGS. 3-6 show examples of electrode geometries suitable for practicing the avalanche method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 shows an example of a plasmid construct suitable for gene therapy of an ocular disease according to the present invention.
  • the plasmid contains a nucleotide sequence encoding for pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and a nucleotide sequence encoding for enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, the two sequences linked by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) coding sequence.
  • PEDF pigment epithelium-derived factor
  • eGFP enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • FIG. 8 shows ocular regions suitable for transplantation according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 9-10 show examples of electron avalanche-mediated transfection according to the present invention.
  • the present invention provides an ex vivo gene therapy method based on a novel method of introducing DNA into cells called the avalanche method.
  • a mechanical stress wave synchronized with a pulse of electric current can be produced and applied to cells or tissue, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. IA-C shows three stages that occur when a high voltage is applied to an electrode 110 covered by insulation 120.
  • Electrode 110 is situated in tissue culture well 130, with conductive liquid medium 132, cells 134, and nucleic acid 136. (although cells are pictured in this figure, tissue could also be used).
  • Ionized vapor 160 also known as plasma, forms a kind of virtual electrode with electric field 170.
  • the formation of the vapor bubble, and its subsequent collapse, causes a propagating shock wave through the medium, exposing the cells or tissue to mechanical stress 180.
  • the combination of the shock wave and the electric field leads to permeabilization of cells 132, such that nucleic acid 136 may enter cells 132 (FIG. ID).
  • this technique electron avalanche- mediated transfection, or, for simplicity, the avalanche method.
  • FIG. 1 shows when the electrode produces a relatively uniform electric field.
  • electrodes with a very uneven electric field may be used, so that the vapor cavity formed at the apex does not cover the whole surface of the electrode with a lower electric field. This way the electric current to the medium will not be completely disconnected.
  • One example of an electrode geometry with a non-uniform electric field is a cylindrical probe, such as a wire, with a sharp end.
  • FIG. 2A shows an image of a wire electrode 210 producing a plasma discharge 220. As can be seen from FIG. 2A, the plasma discharge is clearly visible. It is also clearly audible.
  • FIG. 2B shows current 230 and voltage 240 versus time when a voltage is applied to a wire probe.
  • the wire probe was 50 ⁇ m in diameter and electrical pulses of up to 600 V were used to produce an electric field at the tip of the wire of about 30 kV/cm.
  • FIG. 2B shows that when a voltage is applied to such a probe, the initial 20 ⁇ s of the waveform exhibits reduction of the current due to beginning of vaporization. This is followed by stabilization of conductivity following ionization of the vapor cavity.
  • the ionized vapor cavity serves as a transient electrode, which can greatly exceed the size of the probe, as shown in FIG. 2A.
  • the distribution of the electric field becomes much more uniform than the one generated initially on the small wire electrode, thus leading to more uniform electroporation of the target cells or tissue.
  • FIG. 2C shows, for different diameters of electrodes, the field strength (kV/mm) along the length of electrode 230 covered by insulator 240.
  • the electrode diameter indicated by the solid line 250 is 10 ⁇ m
  • the dotted line 260 is 25 ⁇ m
  • the dashed line 270 is 50 ⁇ m.
  • 600 V was applied to the electrode.
  • FIG. 2C shows that for a cylindrical electrode with a sharp tip, there is a rapid decrease in electric field as one moves farther away from the tip of the electrode.
  • the strength of the electric field at the apex of the electrode can be varied by changing the electrode diameter.
  • FIG. 3 shows a version of a probe in which active electrodes 310 are plated on a substrate 320.
  • FIG. 3A shows a top view and FIG. 3B shows a side view of the probe.
  • substrate 320 is surrounded by return electrode 330.
  • the pattern of active electrodes 310 on substrate 320 forms the necessary proportion between electric field 340 and mechanical stress wave 350 due to plasma discharge 352.
  • the probe in FIG. 3 has a singularity of the electric field 340 at the edges 312 of active electrodes 310. Singularities serve as ignition points for plasma discharge 352 and generation of mechanical stress wave 350.
  • plasma occupies the whole volume of the vapor cavity.
  • FIG. 3 the electric field at the edges of the thin electrode is much higher than in front of its flat part so vaporization and ionization will occur (or start) primarily there.
  • This implementation is simple and inexpensive, but it does not provide the flexibility to control mechanical and electric pulse parameters separately.
  • FIG. 4 A is a top view
  • FIG. 4B is a side view
  • two types of active electrodes, 410 and 412 are patterned on substrate 420, with return electrode 430 surrounding substrate 420. Electrodes 412 may be driven to generate an electric field 440, while electrodes 410 may be driven to generate plasma 452 and mechanical stress wave 450.
  • Electrodes 412 may be driven to generate an electric field 440
  • electrodes 410 may be driven to generate plasma 452 and mechanical stress wave 450.
  • Pulsma 454 also generates an accompanying electric field, not shown).
  • Separate control of the amplitude of stress wave and electric field might be desirable for optimization of permeabilization. Generating them on the same electrode will make these values mutually dependent, while generation on two separate electrodes may provide independent control of these phenomena.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of a transfection device suitable for molecular delivery of nucleic acid to adherent cells or tissue according to the present invention.
  • cells 510 are growing on an adherent surface 520 placed in a nonporous substrate 530, such as a tissue culture plate.
  • Adherent surface 520 may be, for example, a tissue culture insert made of porous material such as polycarbonate. Cells could also be grown directly on nonporous substrate 530.
  • a gelatinous matrix and/or feeder layer may also be present (not shown).
  • a probe 540 with pillar electrodes 542, return electrode 544, and connection 546 to a voltage source (not shown) is brought into a solution 550 containing nucleic acid 560.
  • Pillar electrodes 542 are positioned a finite distance from cells 510, e.g. about 1 mm. This finite distance is preferably in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 2 cm. In the embodiment shown, the return electrode 544 extends beyond pillar electrodes 542 a distance equal to this finite distance such that the finite distance is defined when the return electrode 544 is touching adherent surface 520. However, this distance could be defined by any substance. In addition, pillar electrodes 542 are preferably about 0.5 mm to about 2 cm apart.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of a transfection device suitable for molecular delivery of nucleic acid to cells or tissue in solution according to the present invention.
  • cells or tissue 610 are suspended in solution 620 with nucleic acids 630 in cuvette 640.
  • Cuvette 640 contains return electrode 642, pillar electrodes 644, and connection 646 to a voltage source (not shown).
  • pillar electrodes 644 are preferably between about 0.5 mm and about 2 cm apart to provide adequate coverage of the solution volume. In this arrangement, the pillar electrodes could be simultaneously or alternately active.
  • the electric field on the electrode surface should be sufficient for rapid vaporization of the liquid medium.
  • the electric field should be high enough to induce ionization of the vapor. In this way, both a mechanical stress wave and an electric field can be synchronized, with maximal intensity at the surface of the electrode.
  • the plasma discharge must be controlled in order to maximize transfection efficiency and minimize cell death.
  • applied voltages are preferably in the range of about 1 V to about 10 kV, more preferably between about
  • Pulse duration is preferably in the range of about 1 ns to about 100 ms, more preferably between about 100 ns and about 1 ms. Either monophasic or biphasic pulses are suitable for the purposes of the present invention. However, biphasic pulses are preferred as they lead to less gas formation, nerve and muscle response, and electrode erosion. Any number of pulses may be used according to the present invention. The number of pulses is preferably between about 1 and 100, more preferably between about 1 and 50. When multiple pulses are used, the frequency of pulses should be in the range of about 0.1 Hz to about 1 kHz. Preferably, the frequency is less than about 1 kHz to prevent heat accumulation.
  • Cells and Tissues Any cell or tissue may be suitable for practicing the invention. Examples include primary cells, primary tissues, and cell lines. Preferred cells include conjunctival fibroblasts, epithelial cells and scleral cells. Preferred tissues include conjunctival tissue and scleral tissue. Preferred cell lines include fibroblast cell lines and muscle cell lines. The cells and tissue are preferably autologous or allogeneic.
  • the method of the present invention involves obtaining tissue from a subject having or at risk of developing an undesirable eye condition.
  • the condition can range from a minor or nuisance condition, such as dry eye, to a more serious disease with possible vision loss, such as age-related macular degeneration.
  • tissue from the patent is harvested in an invasive, minimally invasive, or non-invasive procedure, the degree of invasiveness dictated, in part, by the tissue to be harvested.
  • Candidate tissues are preferably those capable of transfection and production of a protein, and that are capable of survival in the transplanted environment.
  • tissue is harvested from the eye and it is contemplated that any tissue in the eye may be harvested in any feasible manner.
  • conjunctival fibroblasts can be excised from the eye by, for example, anesthetizing the conjunctiva with a topical agent such as propraracaine, cleansing and preparing the area with betadine or another cidal agent, and then taking a snip biopsy with a pair of toothed forceps and Wescott scissors. Subconjunctival anesthesia may be preferred by some surgeons or patients. The excised conjunctiva or other tissue is removed and then transfected either in the operating room or in an adjacent area then reimplanted in the appropriate location in the same session.
  • a topical agent such as propraracaine
  • tissue can be maintained under sterile conditions, taken to a sterile facility where transfection and subsequent subculture and testing can be performed, and reimplantation of the tissue performed one to three weeks later.
  • a similar procedure can be performed on the sclera, except it may be preferred to use subconjunctival rather than topical anesthesia.
  • tissue substrates such as iris pigment epithelium may be substituted for conjunctiva or sclera.
  • a tissue sample of any size or dimension can be removed, typically a tissue sample of approximately one cubic millimeter of tissue or less is obtained. After removal of the tissue, the site can sutured or treated as needed.
  • the tissue is harvested from a donor, rather than the patient.
  • donor tissue would be isolated and transfected as described above for autologous transplantation. It may be transplanted after transfection in the same session, or, alternatively the tissue can be maintained under sterile conditions, taken to a sterile facility where transfection and subsequent subculture and testing can be performed, and reimplantation of the tissue performed one to three weeks later.
  • donor tissue may be tested to determine suitability of transplantation, for example for viral or other pathogens or immunocompatibility with recipient.
  • Nucleic Acids Harvested cells or tissues, cell lines made from these cells or tissues, or standard cell lines are genetically modified according to the present invention with a nucleic acid as described above.
  • the nucleic acid may encode, for example, a therapeutic protein or an RNAi cassette, such as a shRNA.
  • the nucleic acid may be used to repair or replace an endogenous gene, for example DNA used for homologous recombination, or an oligonucleotide used for gene repair. Modifications include, for example, modifying expression levels of the gene and/or replacing a mutant gene with a wild-type copy of the gene.
  • the nucleic acid may be DNA or RNA, but is preferably DNA.
  • the nucleic acid is a DNA construct, in particular a cDNA or synthetic DNA, and can be further modified to improve transcription and/or translation in the host cell, or to reduce or minimize gene silencing.
  • the nucleic acid construct may comprise, operably linked, a promoter region, a nucleotide, and optionally, a termination signal.
  • this construct is part of a plasmid.
  • the cells or tissue are stably transfected so that the transplanted cells or tissue may act, for example, as a bio-factory to produce a therapeutic protein for a long period of time.
  • nucleic acid sequences can be introduced into the cells or tissue, including multiple copies of the same nucleic acid sequence and/or multiple copies of differing nucleic acid sequences encoding for different therapeutic or marker proteins.
  • each nucleic acid sequence is present on a separate polynucleotide construct, plasmid, or vector.
  • both nucleic acid sequences are present on one polynucleotide construct, plasmid, or vector, with each sequence under the control of a separate promoter.
  • both nucleic acid sequences are present on one polynucleotide construct, plasmid, or vector, with the polynucleotide structured so that it is bicistronic and where both nucleic acid sequences are under the control of a single promoter.
  • each sequence can be under the control of a separate promoter or can be under the control of a single promoter.
  • a second nucleic acid sequence encoding, for example, a second therapeutic protein or a marker is included in the construct. Expression of this gene may be constitutive; in the case of a selectable marker this may be useful for selecting successfully transfected cells or for selecting cells or transfected populations of cells that are producing particularly high levels or optimal therapeutic levels of the protein.
  • a selectable marker may be used to provide a means for enriching for transfected cells or positively selecting for those cells which have been transfected, before reintroducing the cells into the patient, as will be described below.
  • Markers may include selectable drug resistance genes, metabolic enzyme genes, fluorescent proteins, bioluminescent proteins, or any other markers known in the art.
  • Exemplary fluorescent proteins include, but are not limited to: green fluorescent protein, cyan fluorescent protein, yellow fluorescent protein, DsRed fluorescent protein, AsRed fluorescent protein, HcRed fluorescent protein, and maxFP-green protein.
  • a marker gene is included in the vector construct, it will be appreciated that the marker can be used to quantify the amount of fluorescence after transfection and/or before transplantation and/or after transplantation.
  • Quantitative determination of fluorescence can be undertaken after transfection but before transplanting the tissue using, for example, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, in order to quantify the expression of fluorescence markers ex vivo.
  • FACS fluorescence-activated cell sorting
  • monitoring of the extent of fluorescence, as a measure of production of the therapeutic protein can be done by examining the patient with a fluorescent ophthalmoscope or a surgical microscope equipped for fluorescence imaging, and can be documented with a CCD camera.
  • the marker gene can be used to indicate levels of transgene expression and can be monitored by a non-invasive or a minimally invasive procedure.
  • marker gene expression decreases, another tissue implant can be inserted into the patient to increase the level of therapeutic protein.
  • a marker gene By using a marker gene, diminished expression of the therapeutic protein can be recognized early, rather than waiting until decreased levels of the therapeutic gene lead to disease progression. It will be evident that for many gene therapy applications, selection for expression of a marker gene may not be possible or necessary. Also, it is possible that for in vivo applications, vectors without any internal promoters may be preferable. Single transcription unit vectors, which may be bi-cistronic or poly-cistronic, coding for one or two or more therapeutic genes, may be designed.
  • IRES internal ribosome entry site
  • picornaviral RNA e.g. from picornaviral RNA
  • Retroviruses incorporating IRES sequences are known in the art, for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,665,567. Briefly, in bicistronic or multicistronic vectors, the individual reading frames of the gene segments encoding the proteins lie on the transcription unit (expression unit). Expression of each cistron is effected using a single promoter, in conjunction with a specific nucleic acid sequence, typically untranslated regions of individual picorna viruses, e.g.
  • IRES internal ribosomal entry site
  • the cells or tissue can be transfected with a plasmid having one promoter that drives the expression of a first therapeutic protein, such as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), and of a selectable marker, such as a fluorescent protein like enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under control of a cytomegalovirus
  • a first therapeutic protein such as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF)
  • PEDF pigment epithelium-derived factor
  • eGFP enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • CMV CMV promoter
  • the CMV promoter is positioned at the 5' end of the construct. Downstream of the 3' end of the CMV promoter is the PEDF nucleotide sequence that encodes for PEDF protein.
  • IRES site In the 3' direction of PEDF is an IRES site, which is designed to allow translation of multiple genes on an mKNA transcript. Following the IRES site in the 3' direction is the eGFP coding sequence. The IRES will allow translation of eGFP as well as translation of PEDF.
  • the promoter region of the construct can be chosen from among all promoter regions that are functional in mammalian cells, in particular human cells.
  • the promoter can be a strong or weak promoter, a constitutive or a regulated/inducible promoter, a ubiquitous or selective promoter.
  • the promoter can be of different origin such as cellular, viral, artificial, and the like.
  • Particular types of promoters are house-keeping promoters, i.e., promoters from cellular genes expressed in mammalian tissues or cells, or viral promoters (CMV, LTR, SV40, etc.).
  • the promoter region can be modified artificially to include enhancer element(s), inducibility element(s) and the like.
  • the promoter, secretion and termination region sequences can be selected and adapted by the skilled artisan based on the polypeptide, the pathology, the vector used, etc.
  • the nucleic acid construct can be inserted into various kinds of vectors such as plasmids, episomes, artificial chromosomes and the like.
  • the nucleic acid construct can optionally include a secretion signal, positioned between the promoter and coding regions, which allows, or facilitates, the secretion of the polypeptide outside of the cells.
  • the secretion signal may be homologous with respect to the polypeptide ⁇ i.e., from the same gene) or heterologous thereto ⁇ i.e., from any other gene encoding a secreted polypeptide, in particular a mammalian gene, or artificial).
  • Examples of secretion signals include the signal peptide of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pre pro nerve growth sequence (NGS), and the like.
  • VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor
  • NGS pre pro nerve growth sequence
  • One approach involves a circular vector carrying a recombination site and the polynucleotide sequence encoding for the therapeutic protein, shRNA, etc., and the transfection is accompanied by introduction of a recombinase that facilitates recombination between the vector's recombination site and a second recombination site in the genome of the cell being transfected.
  • Constructs carrying a recombination site such as a phiC31 attB site, are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,632,672, which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • nucleic acid constructs are comprised of the phiC31 integrase system (described in U.S. patents 6,632,672 and 6,808,925, which are incorporated by reference herein) to achieve site-specific integration into a target genome of interest.
  • Bacteriophage phi- C31 integtrase recognizes pseudo-recombination sites present in eukaryotic cells.
  • phiC31 integrase and a vector carrying a phiC31 wild-type recombination site are placed into the cell.
  • the wild-type recombination sequence aligns itself with a sequence in the eukaryotic cell genome and the phiC31 integrase facilitates a recombination that results in integration of a heterologous gene into the eukaryotic genome.
  • any attB site, any attP site, or any pseudo att site is present on any nucleotide sequence used to introduce genetic material into the genome of the harvested or cultured cells.
  • the method of integrating a polynucleotide sequence into a genome of a cell comprises introducing into the cell (i) a circular targeting construct, comprising a first recombination site and a polynucleotide sequence of interest, and (ii) a phiC31 integrase, native or modified, wherein the genome of the cell comprises a second recombination site (i.e. a pseudo att site) native to the human genome. Recombination between the first and second recombination sites is facilitated by the site-specific integrase.
  • the therapeutic gene and the attB sequence are preferably introduced into the target cell as circular plasmid DNA.
  • the integrase may be introduced into the target cell (i) as DNA encoding the integrase on a second plasmid, (ii) mRNA encoding the integrase, or (iii) in polypeptide form.
  • phiC31 Once phiC31 is introduced into the cell, the cell is maintained under conditions that allow recombination between the first and second recombination sites and the recombination is mediated by the phiC31 integrase. The result of the recombination is site-specific integration of the polynucleotide sequence of interest in the genome of the cell.
  • a plasmid is constructed having a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter that drives the expression of a therapeutic protein, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), and as a marker, enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP).
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • PEDF pigment epithelium-derived factor
  • eGFP enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • IRES In the 3' direction of the PEDF nucleotide sequence is an IRES site, followed in the 3' direction by the eGFP coding sequence.
  • the IRES allows translation of eGFP as well as translation of PEDF.
  • the plasmid which also includes an attB nucleic acid sequence, is detailed in Example 1 and the plasmid sequence is identified herein as SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • Transfection of a wide variety of genes encoding for therapeutic proteins is contemplated, and preferred candidate genes include genes that encode for diffusible proteins that act extracellularly to have a therapeutic effect.
  • preferred candidate genes include genes that encode for diffusible proteins that act extracellularly to have a therapeutic effect.
  • a nucleic acid sequence coding for a protein with anti-angiogenic activity or with neurotrophic activity is transfected into human cells.
  • Exemplary proteins include, but are not limited to, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), truncated soluble VEGF receptor sFlt-1, truncated soluble VEGF receptor sFlk-1, VEGFR-I, VEGFR-2, angiostatin, endostatin, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 3 (TIMP-3), ExTek, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), alpha fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), beta fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and any protein having activity on or within the compliment factor H pathway.
  • Preferred biologically active polypeptides exhibit neurotrophic and/or anti-angiogenic activity.
  • the most preferred biologically active polypeptides are autogenic and thus do not invoke an immune response in the subject or are known in the art not to invoke an immune response.
  • human cells are genetically modified to contain a recombinant nucleic acid construct that directs the cells to produce the therapeutic protein encoded by the recombinant nucleic acid.
  • the cells can be immediately transplanted into the subject or can be cultured in vitro for a period of time.
  • mammalian cells modified with a vector containing at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a therapeutic protein and another nucleic acid sequence coding for a marker gene are prepared for transplantation.
  • a selection step can be performed in order to isolate the cells that effectively contain the recombinant nucleic acid construct and express the polypeptide.
  • the selection step will depend in part on the marker gene and can involve measuring fluorescence, screening for antibiotic resistance, or the like.
  • Cells expressing the marker gene are selected for transplantation.
  • the treatment method is performed on a subject over more than one visit to the medical provider.
  • the tissue is harvested.
  • the tissue cells are transfected and cultured in vitro, during which time the level of expression can be monitored and stably-transfected cells from the tissue selected, by, for example, quantifying expression of a marker or of the desired protein by methods noted above for measuring marker expression, for transplantation.
  • the subject returns to the medical provider for a second visit during which the transfected tissue is transplanted.
  • tissue can be obtained, transfected, and transplanted during a single patient visit to a medical provider.
  • the level of expression of a marker or the desired therapeutic protein can be monitored in vivo, by methods mentioned above, such as ophthalmoscope or a surgical microscope.
  • one or more nucleotide sequences coding for a therapeutic protein and one nucleotide sequence coding for a marker gene are present in the same polynucleotide vector construct.
  • the marker gene is coupled to the therapeutic gene by an IRES sequence. Quantification of the degree of fluorescence emitted from a cell or group of clonal cells would correlate with the amount of expression of the therapeutic protein, enabling selection of stably transfected cells or monitoring of protein expression after transplantation.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an eye 800 in cross-sectional view, and indicating some of the preferred sites for placing genetically modified cells or tissue into the patient. Identified anatomical features are retina 830, sclera 840, optic nerve 850, cornea 860, pupil 870 and iris 880. Sites in eye 800 preferred for implanting the transfected cells or tissue include the vitreous humor 810, near the pars plana 820, near the posterior retina 832, or sub-sclerally 842. Other sites for implanting tissue, which are not specifically indicated in FIG. 8, include the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and near the macula epi-retinally, sub-retinally, or intra-retinally.
  • RPE retinal pigment epithelium
  • the transfected cells or tissue are implanted into the subject in the absence of an encapsulating member, such as a polymer capsule or a so-called "cage".
  • an encapsulating member such as a polymer capsule or a so-called "cage”.
  • encapsulation of the tissue or cells within a cage is not necessary for immunosuppression.
  • encapsulation could be used to enhance graft survival and/or to reduce possible splintering of cells away from the graft to other sites in the eye.
  • a number of cage designs have been proposed for ophthalmologic use for various purposes, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,500,449 and 6,663,894.
  • the cage would be able to house the tissue or cell transplant and would have pores large enough for proteins to diffuse out, but small enough so that cells could not enter or leave.
  • the cage may contain a matrix or other materials to support cell survival and cell anchoring to prevent cell migration to other sites.
  • Example 1 Construction of a plasmid for transfection
  • SEQ ID NO: 1 includes a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (1-589 bp), a nucleotide sequence encoding for pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF; 590-2131 bp), an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) coding sequence (b2151-2735 bp), and a nucleotide sequence encoding for enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP; bp 2739-3455), an sv40 polyA sequence (3612-3662 bp), a phi C31 attB site
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • PEDF pigment epithelium-derived factor
  • IVS internal ribosome entry site
  • eGFP enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • sv40 polyA sequence 3612-3662 bp
  • vector pIRES-EGFP commercially available from Clontech. Cut the vector with the restriction enzyme Bsal (New England Biolabs) to linearize the vector, make blunt ends (e.g., using DNA Polymerase I, Large (Klenow) Fragment, New England Biolabs), and treat with a phosphatase to remove the phosphate groups (e.g., using calf intestinal phosphatase, New England Biolabs). Ligate this vector to the fragment containing attB when pTA-attB+ is cleaved with Ec ⁇ Bl and then its ends blunted, to fo ⁇ n the plasmid pIRES-EGFP- attB.
  • the second cloning step use PCR amplification with primers designed to amplify the PEDF gene from human cDNA.
  • luciferase marker gene was transfected into conjunctiva tissue.
  • Conjunctival tissue was explanted from adult New Zealand White rabbits and placed in tissue culture dishes. All samples were placed in 1 mL phosphate buffered saline solution with 100 micrograms of plasmid DNA encoding the luciferase gene under a CMV promoter. All samples were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) plus 10% serum and antibiotic/antimicotic for 24 hours after transfection. Samples were then treated with luciferin substrate (150 micrograms luciferin per ml medium) and imaged using the IVIS-200 system (Xenogen Corp.).
  • DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium
  • the conjunctival tissue which contained conjunctival fibroblasts, was transfected using electron- avalanche mediated transfection with a luciferase marker gene.
  • a control sample of tissue was contacted with the luciferase gene in the absence of electron-avalanche mediated transfection. Twenty-four hours after transfection, bioluminescence was measured.
  • the tissue transfected with electron-avalanche mediated transfection emitted 2.2 x 10 5 photons/sec, two orders of magnitude higher than the cells transfected in the absence of the electron- avalanche mediated transfection (4.6 x 10 3 photons/sec). Background emission was measured at 3.7 x lO 3 photons/sec.
  • CAM is a live, readily available, and inexpensive tissue. Its epithelial layer is uniform and has high resistance, making it a good model for epithelial cell layers, such as retinal pigment epithelium.
  • 100 ⁇ g of pNBL2 plasmid DNA encoding the luciferase gene was pipetted onto the CAM, and pulses were applied. Specifically, a 250- ⁇ s, 150-V phase, followed by a 5-ms, 5- V phase in the same polarity was applied. Optimal results were achieved with 50 cycles applied at 1 Hz. The tissue was then cultured and assayed for luciferase bioluminescence. Luciferase expression using this method was about 10 4 photons/s.
  • a 50- ⁇ m wire microelectrode 1 mm in length was used to apply a series of symmetric biphasic pulses, with each phase 250 ⁇ s in duration and 600 V in amplitude.
  • the microelectrode was scanned over a 4-mm 2 area, and approximately 50 pulses were applied.
  • the resultant luciferase expression was about 10 9 photons/s, 10,000-fold higher than levels seen with conventional electroporation.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant de traiter une maladie oculaire chez un sujet. Dans une première étape, un acide nucléique est introduit par transfection par avalanche d'électrons dans des cellules ou un tissu. Grâce à cette technique, un champ électrique élevé peut induire une bulle de plasma et une décharge de plasma entre une électrode et son milieu environnant. La formation d'une bulle de plasma génère une contrainte mécanique. La décharge de plasma réalisée à travers la vapeur ionisée dans la bulle permet une connectivité entre l'électrode et son milieu environnant, de sorte que la contrainte mécanique et le champ électrique sont appliqués simultanément, ce qui entraîne la perméabilisation des cellules ou du tissu. Cette perméabilisation permet à l'acide nucléique de pénétrer dans la cellule ou le tissu. Les cellules ou le tissu contenant l'acide nucléique sont ensuite transplantés dans une région oculaire du sujet.
PCT/US2006/032249 2005-08-15 2006-08-15 Therapie genique oculaire utilisant la transfection mediee par avalanche Ceased WO2007022403A2 (fr)

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CA002620294A CA2620294A1 (fr) 2005-08-15 2006-08-15 Therapie genique oculaire utilisant la transfection mediee par avalanche
EP06801803A EP1924698A4 (fr) 2005-08-15 2006-08-15 Thérapie génique oculaire utilisant la transfection médiée par avalanche
AU2006279395A AU2006279395A1 (en) 2005-08-15 2006-08-15 Ocular gene therapy using avalanche-mediated transfection
JP2008527156A JP2009507780A (ja) 2005-08-15 2006-08-15 電子雪崩法によるトランスフェクションを用いた眼の遺伝子治療

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009062149A1 (fr) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Creighton University Procédés pour conserver les neurones de l'oreille interne
EP1989317A4 (fr) * 2006-02-22 2010-04-28 Univ Leland Stanford Junior Procede et appareil de transfert d'agents medies par avalanche dans des cellules
WO2012086702A1 (fr) * 2010-12-24 2012-06-28 タカラバイオ株式会社 Technique d'introduction de gènes
WO2012106735A2 (fr) 2011-02-01 2012-08-09 Moe Medical Devices Llc Traitement de la peau assisté par plasma
US9226790B2 (en) 2011-02-01 2016-01-05 M.O.E. Medical Devices Llc Plasma-assisted skin treatment
US9351790B2 (en) 2011-09-17 2016-05-31 M.O.E. Medical Devices Llc Electrode geometries and method for applying electric field treatment to parts of the body
EP3199201A1 (fr) * 2011-09-17 2017-08-02 Moe Medical Devices LLC Systeme pour champ electrique et/ou traitement de l'onychomycose assistee par plasma

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6267954B1 (en) * 1999-11-24 2001-07-31 Universite De Paris V Rene-Descartes Intraocular transplantation of encapsulated cells
US20050148530A1 (en) * 2002-02-20 2005-07-07 Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. RNA interference mediated inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of EP1924698A4 *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1989317A4 (fr) * 2006-02-22 2010-04-28 Univ Leland Stanford Junior Procede et appareil de transfert d'agents medies par avalanche dans des cellules
WO2009062149A1 (fr) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Creighton University Procédés pour conserver les neurones de l'oreille interne
WO2012086702A1 (fr) * 2010-12-24 2012-06-28 タカラバイオ株式会社 Technique d'introduction de gènes
WO2012106735A2 (fr) 2011-02-01 2012-08-09 Moe Medical Devices Llc Traitement de la peau assisté par plasma
EP2670477A2 (fr) * 2011-02-01 2013-12-11 Moe Medical Devices LLC Traitement de la peau assisté par plasma
EP2670477A4 (fr) * 2011-02-01 2014-09-24 Moe Medical Devices Llc Traitement de la peau assisté par plasma
US9226790B2 (en) 2011-02-01 2016-01-05 M.O.E. Medical Devices Llc Plasma-assisted skin treatment
US9351790B2 (en) 2011-09-17 2016-05-31 M.O.E. Medical Devices Llc Electrode geometries and method for applying electric field treatment to parts of the body
EP3199201A1 (fr) * 2011-09-17 2017-08-02 Moe Medical Devices LLC Systeme pour champ electrique et/ou traitement de l'onychomycose assistee par plasma

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EP1924698A2 (fr) 2008-05-28
JP2009507780A (ja) 2009-02-26

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