[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2025137554A1 - Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in serotonergic neurons - Google Patents

Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in serotonergic neurons Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2025137554A1
WO2025137554A1 PCT/US2024/061435 US2024061435W WO2025137554A1 WO 2025137554 A1 WO2025137554 A1 WO 2025137554A1 US 2024061435 W US2024061435 W US 2024061435W WO 2025137554 A1 WO2025137554 A1 WO 2025137554A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seq
mgt
ehgt
sequence
coding sequence
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/061435
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yoav BEN-SIMON
Ximena OPITZ-ARAYA
Edward Sebastian LEIN
Bosiljka Tasic
Emma THOMAS
Jonathan Ting
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Allen Institute
Original Assignee
Allen Institute
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Allen Institute filed Critical Allen Institute
Publication of WO2025137554A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025137554A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K48/00—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
    • A61K48/005—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy characterised by an aspect of the 'active' part of the composition delivered, i.e. the nucleic acid delivered
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K48/00—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
    • A61K48/0075—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy characterised by an aspect of the delivery route, e.g. oral, subcutaneous
    • 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
    • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
    • C12N15/85—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for animal cells
    • C12N15/86—Viral vectors
    • 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
    • C12N2750/00—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA ssDNA viruses
    • C12N2750/00011—Details
    • C12N2750/14011—Parvoviridae
    • C12N2750/14111—Dependovirus, e.g. adenoassociated viruses
    • C12N2750/14141—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector
    • C12N2750/14143—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vector
    • 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
    • C12N2830/00—Vector systems having a special element relevant for transcription
    • C12N2830/008—Vector systems having a special element relevant for transcription cell type or tissue specific enhancer/promoter combination

Definitions

  • the current disclosure provides artificial expression constructs that drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted regions of the brain.
  • Targeted regions of the brain include: the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the median raphe nucleus (MRN).
  • DRN dorsal raphe nucleus
  • MRN median raphe nucleus
  • Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize the following enhancers to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted brain regions as follows (enhancer / targeted brain region):
  • the enhancer core includes the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, and SEQ ID NO: 39.
  • these cores are concatenated and have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 copies of the core sequence.
  • a three-copy concatemer of the selected enhancer cores include the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 36, and SEQ ID NO: 38.
  • Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2b_ eHGT 359h to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the DRN.
  • Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the MRN.
  • vectors described herein including vectors: AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915 (also referred to herein as AiP14915), AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and AiP1417.
  • FIGs. 1A-1 C Viral labeling of serotonergic neuron types in adult mouse brain tissue following in vivo retroorbital injection of CN4915 (also referred to herein as AiP14915) serotype PHP.eB at 5.0E+11 viral genome dose.
  • CN4915 also referred to herein as AiP14915
  • serotype PHP.eB at 5.0E+11 viral genome dose.
  • FIG. 2 Sequences supporting the disclosure: MGT E206 (SEQ ID NO: 21 ), MGT E321 (SEQ ID NO: 22), MGT E309 (SEQ ID NO: 23), eHGT 1342m (SEQ ID NO: 24), MGT E314 (SEQ ID NO: 25), 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h (SEQ ID NO: 26), eHGT_359h core (SEQ ID NO: 27), eHGT_1368m (SEQ ID NO: 28), MGT_E326 (SEQ ID NO: 29), MGT_E301 (SEQ ID NO: 30), MGT E304 (SEQ ID NO: 31), MGT_E315 (SEQ ID NO: 32), eHGT_1371 m (SEQ ID NO: 33), eHGT_1373m (SEQ ID NO: 34), eHGT_578h (SEQ ID NO: 35), 3xCore2_eHGT_445h (SEQ ID NO: 21
  • Targeted regions of the brain include: the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the median raphe nucleus (MRN).
  • DRN dorsal raphe nucleus
  • MRN median raphe nucleus
  • inventions of the artificial expression constructs utilize the following enhancers to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted regions of the brain as follows (enhancer / targeted brain region):
  • the artificial enhancer elements include a concatenated core of an enhancer.
  • examples include a core or concatenated core of eHGT_359h, eHGT_445h, and/or MGT E51.
  • These artificial enhancer elements can provide higher levels and more rapid onset of transgene expression compared to a single full length original (native) enhancer.
  • the enhancer core includes the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, and SEQ ID NO: 39.
  • these cores are concatenated and have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 copies of the core sequence.
  • a three-copy concatemer of the selected enhancer cores include the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 36, and SEQ ID NO: 38.
  • Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the DRN.
  • Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the MRN.
  • vectors described herein including vectors: AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AIP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and AiP1417.
  • Artificial Expression Constructs & Vectors for Targeted Expression of Genes in Serotonergic Neurons Within Targeted Brain Regions include (i) an enhancer sequence that leads to targeted expression of a coding sequence in serotonergic neurons within a targeted brain region, (ii) a coding sequence that is expressed, and (iii) a promoter.
  • the artificial expression construct can also include other regulatory elements if necessary or beneficial.
  • an “enhancer” or an “enhancer element” is a cis-acting sequence that increases the level of transcription associated with a promoter and can function in either orientation relative to the promoter and the coding sequence that is to be transcribed and can be located upstream or downstream relative to the promoter or the coding sequence to be transcribed.
  • a targeted central nervous system cell type enhancer (including those specific for a targeted brain region) is an enhancer that is uniquely or predominantly utilized by the targeted central nervous system cell type.
  • a targeted central nervous system cell type enhancer enhances expression of a gene in the targeted central nervous system.
  • a targeted central nervous system cell type enhancer is also a targeted brain region enhancer that enhances expression of a gene in the targeted brain region and in the targeted central nervous system and does not substantially direct expression of genes in other non-targeted cell types, thus having cell type-specific transcriptional activity.
  • a coding sequence operatively linked to an enhancer disclosed herein leads to expression in a targeted cell type and/or targeted brain region, it leads to expression of the administered coding sequence in the intended cell type and/or targeted brain region.
  • a coding sequence When a coding sequence is selectively expressed in selected cells (e.g., serotonergic neurons) and/or selected brain regions (e.g., the dorsal raphe nucleus or the median raphe nucleus), it leads to expression of the administered coding sequence in the intended cell type and/or brain region and is not substantially expressed in other cell types or brain regions, as explained in additional detail below.
  • selected cells e.g., serotonergic neurons
  • selected brain regions e.g., the dorsal raphe nucleus or the median raphe nucleus
  • not substantially expressed in other cell types or brain regions is less than 50% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; less than 40% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; less than 30% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; less than 20% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; or less than 10% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region.
  • a reference cell type refers to non-targeted cells.
  • a reference brain region refers to non-targeted brain regions.
  • the non-targeted cells can be within the same anatomical structure as the targeted cells and/or can project to a common anatomical area.
  • a reference cell type is within an anatomical structure that is adjacent to an anatomical structure that includes the targeted cell type.
  • a reference cell type is a nontargeted cell with a different gene expression profile than the targeted cells.
  • a reference brain region and/or a targeted brain region include targeted and nontargeted cells.
  • a reference cell is a non-targeted cell type within a targeted brain region.
  • a reference cell includes a targeted or nontargeted cell type within a non-targeted brain region.
  • the product of the coding sequence may be expressed at low levels in non-selected cell types and non-selected brain regions, for example at less than 1 % or 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% of the levels at which the product is expressed in selected cell types and selected brain regions.
  • the targeted cell type within the targeted brain region is the only cell type and brain region that expresses the right combination of transcription factors that bind an enhancer disclosed herein to drive gene expression.
  • expression occurs exclusively within the targeted cell type within the targeted brain region.
  • targeted cell types e.g., serotonergic neurons
  • targeted brain regions e.g., DRN or MRN
  • transcriptional profiles such as those described in Ren et al., eLife. 2019, 8: e49424; Huang et al. 2019, eLife. 8:e46464, Tasic et al., 2018, Nature. 563: 72-78, and Hodge et al., Nature. 2019, 573: 61 -68.
  • transcriptional profiles such as those described in Ren et al., eLife. 2019, 8: e49424; Huang et al. 2019, eLife. 8:e46464, Tasic et al., 2018, Nature. 563: 72-78, and Hodge et al., Nature. 2019, 573: 61 -68.
  • Serotonergic neurons are a neuromodulatory cell type located in the midbrain raphe nuclei that produce and release the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin plays a significant role in mood and cognition, among other functions, and in the clinic, serotonin misregulation has been particularly implicated in depression, impulsivity, and anxiety in psychiatric disorders (Ansorge et al., Science. 2004, 306(5697):879-81 ; Michelsen et al., Prog. Brain Res. 2007, 172:233-264).
  • Serotonergic neurons are an important target for intervention in a variety of brain disorders such as major depressive disorders, as well as other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and narcolepsy, among others. Indeed, both dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling are key targets of some of the most widely used antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs (Li et al., Nat. Comm. 2016, 7:10503; Yohn et al., Mol. Brain. 2017, 10(1 ):28). Cai et al. found that selective activation of brainstem serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) influenced pain sensitivity (Cai et aL, 2014, Pain. 10).
  • RVM rostral ventromedial medulla
  • serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus or the median raphe nucleus can be targeted for selective expression of a coding sequence.
  • serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus or the median raphe nucleus can be targeted for selective expression of a coding sequence.
  • a coding sequence is a heterologous coding sequence that encodes an effector element.
  • Heterologous means that the coding sequence is not naturally found in the cell type which includes an artificial expression construct disclosed herein.
  • An effector element is a sequence that is expressed to achieve, and that in fact achieves, an intended effect. Examples of effector elements include reporter genes/proteins and functional genes/proteins.
  • Exemplary reporter genes/proteins include those expressed by Addgene ID#s 83894 (pAAV-hDlx-Flex-dTomato-Fishell_7), 83895 (pAAV-hDlx-Flex-GFP-Fishell_6), 83896 (pAAV- hDlx-GiDREADD-dTomato-Fishell-5), 83898 (pAAV-mDlx-ChR2-mCherry-Fishell-3), 83899 (pAAV-mDlx-GCaMP6f-Fishell-2), 83900 (pAAV-mDlx-GFP-Fishell-1 ), and 89897 (pcDNA3- FLAG-mTET2 (N500)).
  • Exemplary reporter genes particularly can include those which encode an expressible fluorescent protein, or expressible biotin; blue fluorescent proteins (e.g. eBFP, eBFP2, Azurite, mKalamal , GFPuv, Sapphire, T-sapphire); cyan fluorescent proteins (e.g. eCFP, Cerulean, CyPet, AmCyanl, Midoriishi-Cyan, mTurquoise); green fluorescent proteins (e.g.
  • blue fluorescent proteins e.g. eBFP, eBFP2, Azurite, mKalamal , GFPuv, Sapphire, T-sapphire
  • cyan fluorescent proteins e.g. eCFP, Cerulean, CyPet, AmCyanl, Midoriishi-Cyan, mTurquoise
  • green fluorescent proteins e.g.
  • GFP is composed of 238 amino acids (26.9 kDa), originally isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria/ Aequorea aequorea/ Aequorea forskalea that fluoresces green when exposed to blue light.
  • the GFP from A. victoria has a major excitation peak at a wavelength of 395 nm and a minor one at 475 nm. Its emission peak is at 509 nm which is in the lower green portion of the visible spectrum.
  • the GFP from the sea pansy (Renilla reniformis) has a single major excitation peak at 498 nm. Due to the potential for widespread usage and the evolving needs of researchers, many different mutants of GFP have been engineered.
  • the first major improvement was a single point mutation (S65T) reported in 1995 in Nature by Roger Tsien. This mutation dramatically improved the spectral characteristics of GFP, resulting in increased fluorescence, photostability and a shift of the major excitation peak to 488 nm with the peak emission kept at 509 nm.
  • the addition of the 37°C folding efficiency (F64L) point mutant to this scaffold yielded enhanced GFP (EGFP).
  • EGFP has an extinction coefficient (denoted E), also known as its optical cross section of 9.13X1 O’ 21 m 2 /molecule, also quoted as 55,000 L/(mol»cm).
  • E extinction coefficient
  • Superfolder GFP a series of mutations that allow GFP to rapidly fold and mature even when fused to poorly folding peptides, was reported in 2006.
  • the "yellow fluorescent protein” (YFP) is a genetic mutant of green fluorescent protein, derived from Aequorea victoria. Its excitation peak is 514 nm, and its emission peak is 527 nm.
  • Exemplary functional molecules include functioning ion transporters, cellular trafficking proteins, enzymes, transcription factors, neurotransmitters, calcium reporters, channelrhodopsins, guide RNA, nucleases, microRNA, or designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs).
  • Ion transporters are transmembrane proteins that mediate transport of ions across cell membranes. These transporters are pervasive throughout most cell types and important for regulating cellular excitability and homeostasis. Ion transporters participate in numerous cellular processes such as action potentials, synaptic transmission, hormone secretion, and muscle contraction. Many important biological processes in living cells involve the translocation of cations, such as calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+) ions, through such ion channels.
  • ion transporters include voltage gated sodium channels (e.g., SCN1 A), potassium channels (e.g., KCNQ2), and calcium channels (e.g., CACNA1 C)).
  • Exemplary enzymes, transcription factors, receptors, membrane proteins, cellular trafficking proteins, signaling molecules, and neurotransmitters include enzymes such as lactase, lipase, helicase, alpha-glucosidase, and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), amylase; transcription factors such as SP1 , AP-1 , Heat shock factor protein 1 , C/EBP (CCAA-T/enhancer binding protein), and Oct-1 ; receptors such as transforming growth factor receptor beta 1 , platelet- derived growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and interleukin 8 receptor alpha; membrane proteins, cellular trafficking proteins such as clathrin, dynamic, caveolin, Rab-4A, and Rab-1 1A; signaling molecules such as nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor p (TGFp),
  • Vigene Biosciences provides AAV products including AAV8-CAG-GCaMP3 (Cat. No:BS4-CX3AAV8), AAV8-Syn-FLEX-GCaMP6s-WPRE (Cat. No:BS1 -NXSAAV8), AAV8-Syn- FLEX-GCaMP6s-WPRE (Cat. No:BS1 -NXSAAV8), AAV9-CAG-FLEX-GCaMP6m-WPRE (Cat. No:BS2-CXMAAV9), AAV9-Syn-FLEX-jGCaMP7s-WPRE (Cat.
  • calcium reporters include the genetically encoded calcium indicators GECI, NTnC; Myosin light chain kinase, GFP, Calmodulin chimera; Calcium indicator TN-XXL; BRET-based auto-luminescent calcium indicator; and/or Calcium indicator protein OeNL(Ca2+)-18u).
  • functional molecules include modulators of neuronal activity like channelrhodopsins (e.g., channelrhodopsin-1 , channelrhodopsin-2, and variants thereof).
  • channelrhodopsins are a subfamily of retinylidene proteins (rhodopsins) that function as lightgated ion channels.
  • rhodopsins retinylidene proteins
  • ChR1 channelrhodopsin 1
  • ChR2 channelrhodopsin 2
  • VChR1 which is a red-shifted channelrhodopsin variant.
  • VChR1 has lower light sensitivity and poor membrane trafficking and expression.
  • a tag cassette includes His tag (HHHHHH; SEQ ID NO: 1 ), Flag tag (DYKDDDDK; SEQ ID NO: 2), Xpress tag (DLYDDDDK; SEQ ID NO: 3), Avi tag (GLNDIFEAQKIEWHE; SEQ ID NO: 4), Calmodulin tag (KRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL; SEQ ID NO: 5), Polyglutamate tag, HA tag (YPYDVPDYA; SEQ ID NO: 6), Myc tag (EQKLISEEDL; SEQ ID NO: 7), Strep tag (which refers the original STREP® tag (WRHPQFGG; SEQ ID NO: 8), STREP® tag II (WSHPQFEK; SEQ ID NO: 9) (IBA Institut fur Bioanalytik, Germany); see, e.g., LIS 7,981 ,632), Softag 1 (SLAELLNAGLGGS; SEQ ID NO:
  • encode refers to a property of sequences of nucleic acids, such as a vector, a plasmid, a gene, cDNA, mRNA, to serve as templates for synthesis of other molecules such as proteins.
  • Promoters can include general promoters, tissue-specific promoters, cell-specific promoters, and/or promoters specific for the cytoplasm. Promoters may include strong promoters, weak promoters, constitutive expression promoters, and/or inducible promoters. Inducible promoters direct expression in response to certain conditions, signals or cellular events. For example, the promoter may be an inducible promoter that requires a particular ligand, small molecule, transcription factor or hormone protein in order to effect transcription from the promoter.
  • promoters include minBglobin (also referred to as minBG or minBGprom), CMV, minCMV, minCMV* (minCMV* is minCMV with a Sacl restriction site removed), minRho, minRho* (minRho* is minRho with a Sacl restriction site removed), SV40 immediately early promoter, the Hsp68 minimal promoter (proHSP68), and the Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) long- terminal repeat (LTR) promoter.
  • Minimal promoters have no activity to drive gene expression on their own but can be activated to drive gene expression when linked to a proximal enhancer element.
  • expression constructs are provided within vectors.
  • the term vector refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transferring or transporting another nucleic acid molecule, such as an expression construct.
  • the transferred nucleic acid is generally linked to, e.g., inserted into, the vector nucleic acid molecule.
  • a vector may include sequences that direct autonomous replication in a cell or may include sequences that permit integration into host cell DNA.
  • Useful vectors include, for example, plasmids (e.g., DNA plasmids or RNA plasmids), transposons, cosmids, bacterial artificial chromosomes, and viral vectors.
  • Viral vector is widely used to refer to a nucleic acid molecule that includes virus-derived components that facilitate transfer and expression of non-native nucleic acid molecules within a cell.
  • adeno-associated viral vector refers to a viral vector or plasmid containing structural and functional genetic elements, or portions thereof, that are primarily derived from AAV.
  • retroviral vector refers to a viral vector or plasmid containing structural and functional genetic elements, or portions thereof, that are primarily derived from a retrovirus.
  • lentiviral vector' 1 refers to a viral vector or plasmid containing structural and functional genetic elements, or portions thereof, that are primarily derived from a lentivirus, and so on.
  • hybrid vector refers to a vector including structural and/or functional genetic elements from more than one virus type.
  • Adenovirus vectors refer to those constructs containing adenovirus sequences sufficient to (a) support packaging of an artificial expression construct and (b) to express a coding sequence that has been cloned therein in a sense or antisense orientation.
  • a recombinant Adenovirus vector includes a genetically engineered form of an adenovirus. Knowledge of the genetic organization of adenovirus, a 36 kb, linear, double-stranded DNA virus, allows substitution of large pieces of adenoviral DNA with foreign sequences up to 7 kb.
  • adenoviral infection of host cells does not result in chromosomal integration because adenoviral DNA can replicate in an episomal manner without potential genotoxicity. Also, adenoviruses are structurally stable, and no genome rearrangement has been detected after extensive amplification.
  • Adenovirus is particularly suitable for use as a gene transfer vector because of its midsized genome, ease of manipulation, high titer, wide target-cell range, and high infectivity. Both ends of the viral genome contain 100-200 base pair inverted repeats (ITRs), which are cis elements necessary for viral DNA replication and packaging.
  • ITRs inverted repeats
  • the early (E) and late (L) regions of the genome contain different transcription units that are divided by the onset of viral DNA replication.
  • the E1 region (E1A and E1 B) encodes proteins responsible for the regulation of transcription of the viral genome and a few cellular genes.
  • the expression of the E2 region results in the synthesis of the proteins for viral DNA replication.
  • MLP major late promoter
  • TPL 5'-tripartite leader
  • adenovirus type 5 of subgroup C is the preferred starting material in order to obtain a conditional replicationdefective adenovirus vector for use in particular embodiments, since adenovirus type 5 is a human adenovirus about which a great deal of biochemical and genetic information is known, and it has historically been used for most constructions employing adenovirus as a vector.
  • the typical vector is replication defective and will not have an adenovirus E1 region.
  • the position of insertion of the construct within the adenovirus sequences is not critical.
  • the polynucleotide encoding the gene of interest may also be inserted in lieu of a deleted E3 region in E3 replacement vectors or in the E4 region where a helper cell line or helper virus complements the E4 defect.
  • Adeno-Associated Virus is a parvovirus, discovered as a contamination of adenoviral stocks. It is a ubiquitous virus (antibodies are present in 85% of the US human population) that has not been linked to any disease. It is also classified as a dependovirus because its replication is dependent on the presence of a helper virus, such as adenovirus. Various serotypes have been isolated, of which AAV-2 is the best characterized. AAV has a single-stranded linear DNA that is encapsidated into capsid proteins VP1 , VP2 and VP3 to form an icosahedral virion of 20 to 24 nm in diameter.
  • the AAV DNA is 4.7 kilobases long. It contains two open reading frames and is flanked by two ITRs. There are two major genes in the AAV genome: rep and cap. The rep gene codes for proteins responsible for viral replications, whereas cap codes for capsid protein VP1 -3. Each ITR forms a T-shaped hairpin structure. These terminal repeats are the only essential cis components of the AAV for chromosomal integration. Therefore, the AAV can be used as a vector with all viral coding sequences removed and replaced by the cassette of genes for delivery. Three AAV viral promoters have been identified and named p5, p19, and p40, according to their map position. Transcription from p5 and p19 results in production of rep proteins, and transcription from p40 produces the capsid proteins.
  • AAVs stand out for use within the current disclosure because of their superb safety profile and because their capsids and genomes can be tailored to allow expression in targeted cell populations.
  • scAAV refers to a self-complementary AAV.
  • pAAV refers to a plasmid adeno- associated virus.
  • rAAV refers to a recombinant adeno-associated virus.
  • viral vectors may also be employed.
  • vectors derived from viruses such as vaccinia virus, polioviruses and herpes viruses may be employed. They offer several attractive features for various mammalian cells.
  • Retroviruses are a common tool for gene delivery.
  • “Retrovirus” refers to an RNA virus that reverse transcribes its genomic RNA into a linear double-stranded DNA copy and subsequently covalently integrates its genomic DNA into a host genome. Once the virus is integrated into the host genome, it is referred to as a "provirus.”
  • the provirus serves as a template for RNA polymerase II and directs the expression of RNA molecules which encode the structural proteins and enzymes needed to produce new viral particles.
  • Illustrative retroviruses suitable for use in particular embodiments include: Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV), Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MoMSV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (HaMuSV), murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), feline leukemia virus (FLV), spumavirus, Friend murine leukemia virus, Murine Stem Cell Virus (MSCV), Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV), and lentivirus.
  • M-MuLV Moloney murine leukemia virus
  • MoMSV Moloney murine sarcoma virus
  • HaMuSV Harvey murine sarcoma virus
  • MuMTV murine mammary tumor virus
  • GaLV gibbon ape leukemia virus
  • FLV feline leukemia virus
  • RSV Rous Sarcoma Virus
  • HIV refers to a group (or genus) of complex retroviruses.
  • Illustrative lentiviruses include: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus; including HIV type 1 , and HIV type 2); visna-maedi virus (VMV); the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV); equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV); feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); bovine immune deficiency virus (BIV); and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
  • HIV based vector backbones i.e. , HIV cis-acting sequence elements
  • HIV based vector backbones i.e. , HIV cis-acting sequence elements
  • a safety enhancement for the use of some vectors can be provided by replacing the U3 region of the 5' LTR with a promoter to drive transcription of the viral genome during production of viral particles.
  • promoters which can be used for this purpose include, for example, viral simian virus 40 (SV40) (e.g., early or late), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (e.g., immediate early), Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) (thymidine kinase) promoters.
  • SV40 viral simian virus 40
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • MoMLV Moloney murine leukemia virus
  • RSV Rous sarcoma virus
  • HSV herpes simplex virus
  • Typical promoters are able to drive high levels of transcription in a Tat-independent manner.
  • the promoter has additional advantages in controlling the manner in which the viral genome is transcribed.
  • the promoter can be inducible, such that transcription of all or part of the viral genome will occur only when the induction factors are present.
  • Induction factors include one or more chemical compounds or the physiological conditions such as temperature or pH, in which the host cells are cultured.
  • viral vectors include a TAR element.
  • TAR refers to the "trans-activation response” genetic element located in the R region of lentiviral LTRs. This element interacts with the lentiviral trans-activator (tat) genetic element to enhance viral replication. However, this element is not required in embodiments wherein the U3 region of the 5' LTR is replaced by a promoter.
  • the "R region” refers to the region within retroviral LTRs beginning at the start of the capping group (i.e., the start of transcription) and ending immediately prior to the start of the poly(A) tract. The R region is also defined as being flanked by the U3 and U5 regions. The R region plays a role during reverse transcription in permitting the transfer of nascent DNA from one end of the genome to the other.
  • expression of coding sequences in viral vectors is increased by incorporating posttranscriptional regulatory elements, efficient polyadenylation sites, and optionally, transcription termination signals into the vectors.
  • posttranscriptional regulatory elements can increase expression of a coding nucleic acid. Examples include the woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element (WPRE; Zufferey et al., J. Virol., 1999, 73:2886); the posttranscriptional regulatory element present in hepatitis B virus (HPRE) (Smith et al., Nucleic Acids Res.
  • a viral vector further includes one or more insulator elements.
  • Insulators elements may contribute to protecting viral vector-expressed sequences, e.g., effector elements or expressible elements, from integration site effects, which may be mediated by cisacting elements present in genomic DNA and lead to deregulated expression of transferred sequences ⁇ i.e., position effect; see, e.g., Burgess-Beusse et al., PNAS USA, 2002; 99:16433, and Zhan et al., Hum. Genet., 2001 , 109:471).
  • viral transfer vectors include one or more insulator elements at the 3' LTR and upon integration of the provirus into the host genome, the provirus includes the one or more insulators at both the 5' LTR and 3' LTR, by virtue of duplicating the 3' LTR.
  • Suitable insulators for use in particular embodiments include the chicken (3-globin insulator (see Chung et al., Cell. 1993, 74:505; Chung etal., PNAS USA. 1997, 94:575; and Bell et al., Cel. I 1999, 98:387), SP10 insulator (Abhyankar et aL, JBC. 2007, 282:36143), or other small CTCF recognition sequences that function as enhancer blocking insulators (Liu et aL, Nature Biotechnology, 2015, 33:198).
  • suitable expression vector types will be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. These can include commercially available expression vectors designed for general recombinant procedures, for example plasmids that contain one or more reporter genes and regulatory elements required for expression of the reporter gene in cells. Numerous vectors are commercially available, e.g., from Invitrogen, Stratagene, Clontech, etc., and are described in numerous associated guides. In particular embodiments, suitable expression vectors include any plasmid, cosmid or phage construct that is capable of supporting expression of encoded genes in mammalian cell, such as pUC or Bluescript plasmid series.
  • vectors disclosed herein include:
  • Subcomponent sequences within the larger vector sequences can be readily identified by one of ordinary skill in the art and based on the contents of the current disclosure (see FIG. 2). Nucleotides between identifiable and enumerated subcomponents reflect restriction enzyme recognition sites used in assembly (cloning) of the constructs, and in some cases, additional nucleotides do not convey any identifiable function. These segments of complete vector sequences can be adjusted based on use of different cloning strategies and/or vectors. In general, short 6-nucleotide palindromic sequences reflect vector construction artifacts that are not important to vector function.
  • vectors e.g., AAV
  • BBB blood-brain barrier
  • vectors are modified to include capsids that cross the BBB.
  • AAV with viral capsids that cross the blood-brain barrier include AAV9 (Gombash et al., Front Mol Neurosci. 2014; 7:81 ), AAVrh.10 (Yang, et al., Mol Ther. 2014; 22(7): 1299-1309), AAV1 R6, AAV1 R7 (Albright et al., Mol Ther.
  • AAVrh.10 was originally isolated from rhesus macaques and shows low seropositivity in humans when compared with other common serotypes used for gene delivery applications (Selot et aL, Front Pharmacol. 2017; 8: 441) and has been evaluated in clinical trials LYS-SAF302, LYSOGENE, and NCT03612869.
  • AAV1 R6 and AAV1 R7 two variants isolated from a library of chimeric AAV vectors (AAV1 capsid domains swapped into AAVrh.10), retain the ability to cross the BBB and transduce the CNS while showing significantly reduced hepatic and vascular endothelial transduction.
  • AAV-PHP.S (Addgene, Watertown, MA) is a variant of AAV9 generated with the CREATE method that encodes the 7-mer sequence QAVRTSL (SEQ ID NO: 18), transduces neurons in the enteric nervous system, and strongly transduces peripheral sensory afferents entering the spinal cord and brain stem.
  • AAV-PHP.B (Addgene, Watertown, MA) is a variant of AAV9 generated with the CREATE method that encodes the 7-mer sequence TLAVPFK (SEQ ID NO: 19). It transfers genes throughout the CNS with higher efficiency than AAV9 and transduces the majority of astrocytes and neurons across multiple CNS regions.
  • Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine, and the like.
  • inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine, and the like.
  • Carriers of physiologically active components can include solvents, dispersion media, vehicles, coatings, diluents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, buffers, solutions, suspensions, colloids, and the like.
  • the use of such carriers for physiologically active components is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the physiologically active components, it can be used with compositions as described herein.
  • compositions can be formulated for intravenous, intraparenchymal, intraocular, intravitreal, parenteral, subcutaneous, intracerebro-ventricular, intramuscular, intrathecal, intraspinal, intraperitoneal, oral or nasal inhalation, or by direct injection in or application to one or more cells, tissues, or organs.
  • liposomes are generally known to those of skill in the art. Liposomes have been developed with improved serum stability and circulation half-times (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,741 ,516). Further, various methods of liposome and liposome like preparations as potential drug carriers have been described (see, for instance U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,434; 5,552,157; 5,565,213; 5,738,868; and 5,795,587).
  • Nanocapsules can generally entrap compounds in a stable and reproducible way (Quintanar-Guerrero etal., Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 1998, 24(12):1 113- 1 128; Quintanar-Guerrero et al., Pharm Res. 1998, 15(7):1056-1062; Quintanar-Guerrero et al., J. Microencapsul. 1998, 15(1 ):107-119; Douglas et al., Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 1987, 3(3):233-261 ).
  • the carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and/or vegetable oils.
  • polyol e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like
  • suitable mixtures thereof and/or vegetable oils.
  • Proper fluidity may be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion, and/or by the use of surfactants.
  • the prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and/or antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like.
  • Sterile compositions can be prepared by incorporating the physiologically active component in an appropriate amount of a solvent with other optional ingredients (e.g., as enumerated above), followed by filtered sterilization.
  • dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized physiologically active components into a sterile vehicle that contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients (e.g., from those enumerated above).
  • preferred methods of preparation can be vacuum-drying and freeze-drying techniques which yield a powder of the physiologically active components plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-f iltered solution thereof.
  • Oral compositions may be in liquid form, for example, as solutions, syrups or suspensions, or may be presented as a drug product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use.
  • Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives, or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); nonaqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid).
  • suspending agents e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives, or hydrogenated edible fats
  • emulsifying agents e.g., lecithin or acacia
  • nonaqueous vehicles e.g., almond oil, oily esters, or fractionated vegetable oils
  • preservatives e
  • compositions may take the form of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodium starch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). Tablets may be coated by methods well-known in the art.
  • binding agents e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
  • fillers e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, or calcium hydrogen phosphate
  • lubricants e.g., magnesium stearate, talc,
  • Inhalable compositions can be delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.
  • a suitable propellant e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.
  • the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount.
  • Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.
  • Compositions can also include microchip devices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,898), ophthalmic formulations (Bourlais eta!., Prog Retin Eye Res, 1998, 17(1 ):33-58), transdermal matrices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,208) and feedback-controlled delivery (U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,899).
  • compositions can include at least 0.1 % of the physiologically active components or more, although the percentage of the physiologically active components may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between 1 or 2% and 70% or 80% or more or between 0.5-99% of the weight or volume of the total composition.
  • the amount of physiologically active components in each physiologically-useful composition may be prepared in such a way that a suitable dosage will be obtained in any given unit dose of the compound. Factors such as solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, route of administration, product shelf life, as well as other pharmacological considerations will be contemplated by one skilled in the art of preparing such pharmaceutical formulations, and as such, a variety of compositions and dosages may be desirable.
  • compositions for administration to humans, should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, and the general safety and purity standards as required by United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other applicable regulatory agencies in other countries.
  • FDA United States Food and Drug Administration
  • (iii) Cell Lines Including Artificial Expression Constructs The present disclosure includes cells including an artificial expression construct described herein.
  • a cell that has been transformed with an artificial expression construct can be used for many purposes, including in neuroanatomical studies, assessments of functioning and/or non-functioning proteins, and drug screens that assess the regulatory properties of enhancers.
  • the cell is a mammalian cell.
  • the artificial express construct includes an enhancer and/or a vector sequence of MGT_E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 , and the cell line is a human, primate, or murine cell.
  • Cell lines which can be utilized for transgenesis in the present disclosure also include primary cell lines derived from living tissue such as rat or mouse brains and organotypic cell cultures, including brain slices from animals such as rats, mice, non-human primates, or human neurosurgical tissue.
  • the PC12 cell line (available from the American Type Culture Collection, ATCC, Manassas, VA) has been shown to express a number of neuronal marker proteins in response to Neuronal Growth Factor (NGF).
  • NGF Neuronal Growth Factor
  • the PC12 cell line is considered to be a neuronal cell line and is applicable for use with this disclosure.
  • JAR cells are a platelet derived cell-line that express some neuronal genes, such as the serotonin transporter gene, and may be used with embodiments described herein.
  • WO 91/13150 describes a variety of cell lines, including neuronal cell lines, and methods of producing them.
  • WO 97/39117 describes a neuronal cell line and methods of producing such cell lines.
  • the neuronal cell lines disclosed in these patent applications are applicable for use in the present disclosure.
  • neuronal describes something that is of, related to, or includes, neuronal cells.
  • Neuronal cells are defined by the presence of an axon and dendrites.
  • neuronal-specific refers to something that is found, or an activity that occurs, in neuronal cells or cells derived from neuronal cells, but is not found in or occur in, or is not found substantially in or occur substantially in, non-neuronal cells or cells not derived from neuronal cells, for example glial cells such as astrocytes or oligodendrocytes.
  • Methods to differentiate stem cells into neuronal cells include replacing a stem cell culture media with a media including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) heparin, an N2 supplement (e.g., transferrin, insulin, progesterone, putrescine, and selenite), laminin and polyornithine.
  • bFGF basic fibroblast growth factor
  • N2 supplement e.g., transferrin, insulin, progesterone, putrescine, and selenite
  • laminin e.g., transferrin, insulin, progesterone, putrescine, and selenite
  • laminin e.g., laminin and polyornithine.
  • U.S. Publication No. 2012/0329714 describes use of prolactin to increase neural stem cell numbers while U.S. Publication No. 2012/0308530 describes a culture surface with amino groups that promotes neuronal differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
  • the fate of neural stem cells can be controlled by a variety of extracellular factors.
  • Commonly used factors include brain derived growth factor (BDNF; Shetty and Turner, J. Neurobiol. 1998, 35:395- 425); fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; U.S. Pat.
  • BDNF brain derived growth factor
  • bFGF fibroblast growth factor
  • somatostatin e.g., cyclic adenosine monophosphate; epidermal growth factor (EGF); dexamethasone (glucocorticoid hormone); forskolin; GDNF family receptor ligands; potassium; retinoic acid (U.S. Patent No. 6,395,546); tetanus toxin; and transforming growth factor-a and TGF-p (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,851 ,832 and 5,753,506).
  • neurotrophins e.g., cyclic adenosine monophosphate; epidermal growth factor (EGF); dexamethasone (glucocorticoid hormone); forskolin; GDNF family receptor ligands; potassium; retinoic acid (U.S. Patent No. 6,395,546); tetanus toxin; and transforming growth factor-a and TGF-p (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,851 ,
  • yeast one-hybrid systems may also be used to identify compounds that inhibit specific protein/DNA interactions, such as transcription factors for MGT E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT E301 , MGT E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h,
  • Transgenic animals are described below. Cell lines may also be derived from such transgenic animals. For example, primary tissue culture from transgenic mice (e.g., also as described below) can provide cell lines with the artificial expression construct already integrated into the genome (for an example see MacKenzie & Quinn, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1999, 96: 15251-15255).
  • T ransgenic Animals Another aspect of the disclosure includes transgenic animals, the genome of which contains an artificial expression construct including MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h,
  • the genome of a transgenic animal includes AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and/or AIP1417.
  • a transgenic animal when a non-integrating vector is utilized, includes an artificial expression construct including MGT_E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 , and/or AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909,
  • Transgenic animals may be of any nonhuman species, but preferably include nonhuman primates (NHPs), sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and rodents such as guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and ferrets.
  • NHPs nonhuman primates
  • sheep horses
  • cattle pigs
  • goats dogs
  • cats rabbits
  • chickens and rodents
  • rodents such as guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and ferrets.
  • construction of a transgenic animal results in an organism that has an engineered construct present in all cells in the same genomic integration site.
  • cell lines derived from such transgenic animals will be consistent in as much as the engineered construct will be in the same genomic integration site in all cells and hence will suffer the same position effect variegation.
  • introducing genes into cell lines or primary cell cultures can give rise to expression of the construct.
  • a disadvantage of this approach is that the expression of the introduced DNA may be affected by the specific genetic background of the host animal.
  • the artificial expression constructs of this disclosure can be used to genetically modify mouse embryonic stem cells using techniques known in the art.
  • the artificial expression construct is introduced into cultured murine embryonic stem cells.
  • Transformed ES cells are then injected into a blastocyst from a host mother and the host embryo re-implanted into the mother.
  • This results in a chimeric mouse whose tissues are composed of cells derived from both the embryonic stem cells present in the cultured cell line and the embryonic stem cells present in the host embryo.
  • the mice from which the cultured ES cells used for transgenesis are derived are chosen to have a different coat color from the host mouse into whose embryos the transformed cells are to be injected. Chimeric mice will then have a variegated coat color.
  • the germ-line tissue is derived, at least in part, from the genetically modified cells, then the chimeric mice crossed with an appropriate strain can produce offspring that will carry the transgene.
  • sonophoresis e.g., ultrasound, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,016); intraosseous injection (U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,708); microchip devices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,898); ophthalmic formulations (Bourlais et al., Prog Retin Eye Res, 1998, 17(1 ):33-58); transdermal matrices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,208); feedback-controlled delivery (U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,899), and any other delivery method available and/or described elsewhere in the disclosure.
  • compositions including a physiologically active component described herein are administered to a subject to result in a physiological effect.
  • the disclosure includes the use of the artificial expression constructs described herein to modulate expression of a coding sequence which is either partially or wholly encoded in a location downstream to that enhancer in an engineered sequence.
  • Particular embodiments include methods of administering to a subject an artificial expression construct that includes MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 and/or AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and/or AiP1417 as described
  • dosages for any one subject depends upon many factors, including the subject's size, surface area, age, the particular compound to be administered, sex, time and route of administration, general health, and other drugs being administered concurrently. Dosages for the compounds of the disclosure will vary, but, in particular embodiments, a dose could be from 10 5 to 10 100 copies of an artificial expression construct of the disclosure. In particular embodiments, a patient receiving intravenous, intraparenchymal, intraspinal, retro-orbital, or intrathecal administration can be infused with from 10 6 to 10 22 copies of the artificial expression construct.
  • an "effective amount” is the amount of a composition necessary to result in a desired physiological change in the subject. Effective amounts are often administered for research purposes. Effective amounts disclosed herein can cause a statistically-significant effect in an animal model, human study, in vivo, or in vitro assay.
  • compositions The amount of expression constructs and time of administration of such compositions will be within the purview of the skilled artisan having benefit of the present teachings. It is likely, however, that the administration of effective amounts of the disclosed compositions may be achieved by a single administration, such as for example, a single injection of sufficient numbers of infectious particles to provide an effect in the subject. Alternatively, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide multiple, or successive administrations of the artificial expression construct compositions or other genetic constructs, either over a relatively short, or a relatively prolonged period of time, as may be determined by the individual overseeing the administration of such compositions.
  • the number of infectious particles administered to a mammal may be 10 7 , 10 8 , 10 9 , 10 10 , 10 11 , 10 12 , 10 13 , or even higher, infectious particles/ml given either as a single dose or divided into two or more administrations as may be required to achieve an intended effect.
  • infectious particles/ml given either as a single dose or divided into two or more administrations as may be required to achieve an intended effect.
  • compositions disclosed herein either by pipette, retro-orbital injection, subcutaneously, intraocularly, intravitreally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intraparenchymally, intracerebro-ventricularly, intramuscularly, intrathecally, intraspinally, intraperitoneally, by oral or nasal inhalation, or by direct application or injection to one or more cells, tissues, or organs.
  • the methods of administration may also include those modalities as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,158; U.S. Pat. No. 5,641 ,515 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,363.
  • kits or commercial package will also contain instructions regarding use of the included components, for example, in basic research, electrophysiological research, neuroanatomical research, and/or the research and/or treatment of a disorder, disease or condition.
  • An artificial enhancer comprising a core of an eHGT_359h enhancer, an eHGT_445h enhancer, or an MGT_E51 enhancer.
  • a concatenated core including the core of embodiment 1 or 2.
  • An artificial expression construct including (i) an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, MGT_E51 core, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 ; (ii) a promoter; and (iii) a coding sequence.
  • an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCor
  • the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or a designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD).
  • the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or a designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD).
  • non-functional molecule includes a non-functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
  • capsid includes PHP.eB, AAV9, AAVrh.10, AAV-BR1 , AAV-PHP.S, AAV-PHP.B, or AAV-PPS.
  • AAV adeno- associated viral
  • An adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector including at least one coding sequence, wherein the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of a promoter and an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h,
  • AAV adeno-associated viral
  • the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
  • non-functional molecule includes a nonfunctional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Casmolecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
  • a transgenic cell including an artificial expression construct or a vector of any of the preceding embodiments.
  • transgenic cell of embodiment 35 wherein the transgenic cell is a serotonergic neuron.
  • transgenic cell is a dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron or a median raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron.
  • a non-human transgenic animal including an artificial expression construct, a vector, and/or a transgenic cell of any of the preceding embodiments.
  • non-human transgenic animal of embodiment 39 wherein the non-human transgenic animal is a mouse or a non-human primate.
  • An administrable composition including an artificial expression construct, a vector, and/or a transgenic cell of any of the preceding embodiments.
  • kits including an artificial expression construct, a vector, a transgenic cell, a non-human transgenic animal, and/or administrable compositions of any of the preceding embodiments.
  • a method for expressing a coding sequence within a targeted population of serotonergic neurons in vivo or in vitro including providing an administrable composition including an artificial expression construct in a sufficient dosage and for a sufficient time to a sample or subject including the targeted population of serotonergic neurons thereby expressing the gene within the population of serotonergic neurons, wherein the artificial expression construct includes (i) an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, MGT E51 core, or
  • the effector element includes a reporter protein or a functional molecule.
  • the reporter protein includes a fluorescent protein.
  • the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
  • non-functional molecule includes a nonfunctional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
  • the brain slice includes a dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron or a median raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron.
  • injection includes intravenous injection, intraparenchymal injection into brain tissue, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, intra-cisterna magna (ICM) injection, or intrathecal injection.
  • ICV intracerebroventricular
  • ICM intra-cisterna magna
  • An artificial expression construct consisting of or consisting essentially of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEO ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, or SEQ ID NO: 91 ; a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86,
  • amino acid changes in the protein variants disclosed herein are conservative amino acid changes, i.e., substitutions of similarly charged or uncharged amino acids.
  • a conservative amino acid change involves substitution of one of a family of amino acids which are related in their side chains.
  • Naturally occurring amino acids are generally divided into conservative substitution families as follows: Group 1 : Alanine (Ala), Glycine (Gly), Serine (Ser), and Threonine (Thr); Group 2: (acidic): Aspartic acid (Asp), and Glutamic acid (Glu); Group 3: (acidic; also classified as polar, negatively charged residues and their amides): Asparagine (Asn), Glutamine (Gin), Asp, and Glu; Group 4: Gin and Asn; Group 5: (basic; also classified as polar, positively charged residues): Arginine (Arg), Lysine (Lys), and Histidine (His); Group 6 (large aliphatic, nonpolar residues): Isoleucine (lie), Leucine (Leu), Methionine (Met), Valine (Vai) and Cysteine (Cys); Group 7 (uncharged polar): Tyrosine (Tyr), Gly, Asn, Gin, Cys, Ser, and Thr
  • amino acids may be substituted by other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still result in a protein with similar biological activity, i.e., still obtain a biological functionally equivalent protein.
  • substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ⁇ 2 is preferred, those within ⁇ 1 are particularly preferred, and those within ⁇ 0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
  • substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity.
  • an amino acid can be substituted for another having a similar hydrophilicity value and still obtain a biologically equivalent, and in particular, an immunologically equivalent protein.
  • substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ⁇ 2 is preferred, those within ⁇ 1 are particularly preferred, and those within ⁇ 0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
  • amino acid substitutions may be based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like.
  • variants of gene sequences can include codon optimized variants, sequence polymorphisms, splice variants, and/or mutations that do not affect the function of an encoded product to a statistically-signif icant degree.
  • Variants of the protein, nucleic acid, and gene sequences disclosed herein also include sequences with at least 70% sequence identity, 80% sequence identity, 85% sequence, 90% sequence identity, 95% sequence identity, 96% sequence identity, 97% sequence identity, 98% sequence identity, or 99% sequence identity to the protein, nucleic acid, or gene sequences disclosed herein.
  • % sequence identity refers to a relationship between two or more sequences, as determined by comparing the sequences.
  • identity also means the degree of sequence relatedness between protein, nucleic acid, or gene sequences as determined by the match between strings of such sequences.
  • Identity (often referred to as “similarity") can be readily calculated by known methods, including those described in: Computational Molecular Biology (Lesk, A. M., ed.) Oxford University Press, NY (1988); Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects (Smith, D. W., ed.) Academic Press, NY (1994); Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I (Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H.
  • Variants also include nucleic acid molecules that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a sequence disclosed herein and provide the same function as the reference sequence.
  • Exemplary stringent hybridization conditions include an overnight incubation at 42 °C in a solution including 50% formamide, 5XSSC (750 mM NaCI, 75 mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5XDenhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 pg/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the filters in 0.1 XSSC at 50 °C.
  • 5XSSC 750 mM NaCI, 75 mM trisodium citrate
  • 50 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.6
  • 5XDenhardt's solution 10% dextran sulfate
  • 20 pg/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA followed by washing the filters in 0.1 XSSC at 50
  • Changes in the stringency of hybridization and signal detection are primarily accomplished through the manipulation of formamide concentration (lower percentages of formamide result in lowered stringency); salt conditions, or temperature.
  • washes performed following stringent hybridization can be done at higher salt concentrations (e.g., 5XSSC).
  • Variations in the above conditions may be accomplished through the inclusion and/or substitution of alternate blocking reagents used to suppress background in hybridization experiments.
  • Typical blocking reagents include Denhardt's reagent, BLOTTO, heparin, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and commercially available proprietary formulations.
  • the inclusion of specific blocking reagents may require modification of the hybridization conditions described above, due to problems with compatibility.
  • concatenate is broadly used to describe linking together into a chain or series. It is used to describe the linking together of nucleotide or amino acid sequences into a single nucleotide or amino acid sequence, respectively.
  • concatamerize should be interpreted to recite: “concatenate.”
  • each embodiment disclosed herein can comprise, consist essentially of or consist of its particular stated element, step, ingredient or component.
  • the terms “include” or “including” should be interpreted to recite: “comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of.”
  • the transition term “comprise” or “comprises” means has, but is not limited to, and allows for the inclusion of unspecified elements, steps, ingredients, or components, even in major amounts.
  • the transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, ingredient or component not specified.
  • the transition phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of the embodiment to the specified elements, steps, ingredients or components and to those that do not materially affect the embodiment.
  • a material effect would cause a statistically significant reduction in targeted expression in the targeted cell population (e.g., serotonergic neurons) as determined by scRNA-Seq and the following enhancer I targeted brain region pairings:
  • the term “about” has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person skilled in the art when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range, i.e. denoting somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, to within a range of ⁇ 20% of the stated value; ⁇ 19% of the stated value; ⁇ 18% of the stated value; ⁇ 17% of the stated value; ⁇ 16% of the stated value; ⁇ 15% of the stated value; ⁇ 14% of the stated value; ⁇ 13% of the stated value; ⁇ 12% of the stated value; ⁇ 11 % of the stated value; ⁇ 10% of the stated value; ⁇ 9% of the stated value; ⁇ 8% of the stated value; ⁇ 7% of the stated value; ⁇ 6% of the stated value; ⁇ 5% of the stated value; ⁇ 4% of the stated value; ⁇ 3% of the stated value; ⁇ 2% of the stated value; or ⁇ 1% of the stated value.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Plant Pathology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Virology (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in targeted central nervous system cell types are described. The artificial expression constructs can be used to express synthetic genes or modify gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus and/or the median raphe nucleus.

Description

ARTIFICIAL EXPRESSION CONSTRUCTS FOR
MODULATING GENE EXPRESSION IN SEROTONERGIC NEURONS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/614,415 filed on December 22, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
[0002] The Sequence Listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy, and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification. The name of the text file containing the Sequence Listing is A166-6000PCT-Seq.xmL The text file is 135,287 bytes, was created on December 17, 2024, and is being submitted electronically via Patent Center
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The current disclosure provides artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in serotonergic neurons in targeted regions of the brain. The artificial expression constructs can be used to express synthetic genes or modify gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus and/or the median raphe nucleus.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] To fully understand the biology of the brain, different cell types need to be distinguished and defined and, to further study them, artificial expression constructs that can label and perturb them need to be identified. In mouse, recombinase driver lines have been used to great effect to label cell populations that share marker gene expression. However, the creation, maintenance, and use of such lines that label cell types with high specificity can be costly, frequently requiring triple transgenic crosses, which yield a low frequency of experimental animals. Furthermore, those tools require germline transgenic animals and thus are not applicable to humans.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] The current disclosure provides artificial expression constructs that drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted regions of the brain. Targeted regions of the brain include: the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the median raphe nucleus (MRN). [0006] Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize the following enhancers to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted brain regions as follows (enhancer / targeted brain region):
MGT_E206, MGT E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, or eHGT 578h / DRN; and eHGT_445h or MGT_E51 / MRN.
[0007] In particular embodiments, the artificial enhancer elements include a concatenated core of an enhancer. Examples include a core or concatenated core of eHGT_359h, eHGT_445h, and/or MGT E51. These artificial enhancer elements can provide higher levels and more rapid onset of transgene expression compared to a single full length original (native) enhancer.
[0008] In particular embodiments, the enhancer core includes the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, and SEQ ID NO: 39. In particular embodiments, these cores are concatenated and have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 copies of the core sequence. In particular embodiments, a three-copy concatemer of the selected enhancer cores include the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 36, and SEQ ID NO: 38.
[0009] Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2b_ eHGT 359h to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the DRN. Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the MRN.
[0010] Particular embodiments provide artificial expression constructs including the features of vectors described herein including vectors: AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915 (also referred to herein as AiP14915), AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and AiP1417.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] Some of the drawings submitted herein may be better understood in color. Applicant considers the color versions of the drawings as part of the original submission and reserves the right to present color images of the drawings in later proceedings.
[0012] FIGs. 1A-1 C: Viral labeling of serotonergic neuron types in adult mouse brain tissue following in vivo retroorbital injection of CN4915 (also referred to herein as AiP14915) serotype PHP.eB at 5.0E+11 viral genome dose. (1 A) sagittal mouse brain slice showing anti-GFP signal (green) enriched in the brainstem and co-staining with anti-TPH2 (magenta). (1 B) High co-labeling of anti-GFP and anti-TPH2 in neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus confirms high specificity of CN4915 for serotonergic neurons in this region. (1 C) Low co-localization of anti-GFP and anti- TPH2 was observed in the median raphe nucleus region. Abbreviations: OB, olfactory bulb; CTX, cortex; HPF, hippocampal formation; TH, thalamus; CB, cerebellum; MRN, median raphe nucleus; DRN, dorsal raphe nucleus. Scale bars: (1A) 1 mm; (1 C) 250 microns.
[0013] FIG. 2: Sequences supporting the disclosure: MGT E206 (SEQ ID NO: 21 ), MGT E321 (SEQ ID NO: 22), MGT E309 (SEQ ID NO: 23), eHGT 1342m (SEQ ID NO: 24), MGT E314 (SEQ ID NO: 25), 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h (SEQ ID NO: 26), eHGT_359h core (SEQ ID NO: 27), eHGT_1368m (SEQ ID NO: 28), MGT_E326 (SEQ ID NO: 29), MGT_E301 (SEQ ID NO: 30), MGT E304 (SEQ ID NO: 31), MGT_E315 (SEQ ID NO: 32), eHGT_1371 m (SEQ ID NO: 33), eHGT_1373m (SEQ ID NO: 34), eHGT_578h (SEQ ID NO: 35), 3xCore2_eHGT_445h (SEQ ID NO: 36), eHGT_445h core (SEQ ID NO: 37), 3xCore2_MGT_E51 (SEQ ID NO: 38), MGT E51 core (SEQ ID NO: 39), Beta-Globin Minimal Promoter (SEQ ID NO: 40), minCMV Promoter (SEQ ID NO: 41 ), Mutated minCMV Promoter (SEQ ID NO: 42), minRho Promoter (SEQ ID NO: 43), minRho* Promoter (SEQ ID NO: 44), Hsp68 minimal Promoter (SEQ ID NO: 45), SYFP2 (SEQ ID NO: 46), EGFP (SEQ ID NO: 47), Optimized Flp recombinase (SEQ ID NO: 48), Improved Cre recombinase (SEQ ID NO: 49), SP10 insulator (SEQ ID NO: 50), 3xSP10ins (SEQ ID NO: 51 ), 3XFLAG (SEQ ID NO: 52), 10aa (SEQ ID NO: 53), H2B (SEQ ID NO: 54), WPRE3 (SEQ ID NO: 55), WPRE (SEQ ID NO: 56), BGHpA (SEQ ID NO: 57), hGHpA (SEQ ID NO: 58), P2A (SEQ ID NO: 59), T2A (SEQ ID NO: 60), E2A (SEQ ID NO: 61 ), F2A (SEQ ID NO: 62), Exemplary Plasmid Backbone 1 - Left ITR (SEQ ID NO: 63), Exemplary Plasmid Backbone 1 - Right ITR (SEQ ID NO: 64), Exemplary Plasmid Backbone 2 - Left ITR (SEQ ID NO: 65), Exemplary Plasmid Backbone 2 - Right ITR (SEQ ID NO: 66), PHP.eB capsid (SEQ ID NO: 67), AAV9 VP1 capsid protein (SEQ ID NO: 68), tet-Transactivator version 2 (SEQ ID NO: 69), GTPase HRas (SEQ ID NO: 70), Substance P (SEQ ID NO: 71 ), Oxytocin (SEQ ID NO: 72), GCaMP6m (SEQ ID NO: 73), GCaMP6s (SEQ ID NO: 74), GCaMP6f (SEQ ID NO: 75), AiP1539 (SEQ ID NO: 76), AiP1682 (SEQ ID NO: 77), AiP1754 (SEQ ID NO: 78), CN4915 (SEQ ID NO: 79), AiP1943 (SEQ ID NO: 80), CN2780 (SEQ ID NO: 81 ), CN4891 (SEQ ID NO: 82), AiP1687 (SEQ ID NO: 83), AiP1752 (SEQ ID NO: 84), AiP1640 (SEQ ID NO: 85), AiP1647 (SEQ ID NO: 86), CN4922 (SEQ ID NO: 87), CN4893 (SEQ ID NO: 88), CN2417 (SEQ ID NO: 89), CN2909 (SEQ ID NO: 90), and AiP1417 (SEQ ID NO: 91 ). DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] To fully understand the biology of the brain, different cell types need to be distinguished and defined and, to further study them, artificial expression constructs that can label and perturb them need to be identified (Tasic, Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 2018, 50:242-249; Zeng & Sanes, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2017, 18:530-546). In mouse, recombinase driver lines have been used to great effect to label cell populations that share marker gene expression (Daigle et aL, Cell. 2018, 174:465-480. e22; Taniguchi, et aL, Neuron. 2011 , 71 :995— 1013; Gong et aL, J. Neurosci. 2007, 27:9817-9823). However, the creation, maintenance, and use of such lines that label cell types with high specificity can be costly, frequently requiring triple transgenic crosses, which yield a low frequency of experimental animals. Furthermore, those tools require germline transgenic animals and thus are not applicable to humans.
[0015] The current disclosure provides artificial expression constructs that drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted regions of the brain. Targeted regions of the brain include: the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the median raphe nucleus (MRN).
[0016] Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize the following enhancers to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within targeted regions of the brain as follows (enhancer / targeted brain region):
MGT_E206, MGT E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, or eHGT_578h / DRN; and eHGT_445h or MGT_E51 / MRN.
[0017] In particular embodiments, the artificial enhancer elements include a concatenated core of an enhancer. Examples include a core or concatenated core of eHGT_359h, eHGT_445h, and/or MGT E51. These artificial enhancer elements can provide higher levels and more rapid onset of transgene expression compared to a single full length original (native) enhancer.
[0018] In particular embodiments, the enhancer core includes the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, and SEQ ID NO: 39. In particular embodiments, these cores are concatenated and have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 copies of the core sequence. In particular embodiments, a three-copy concatemer of the selected enhancer cores include the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 36, and SEQ ID NO: 38.
[0019] Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the DRN. Particular embodiments of the artificial expression constructs utilize 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 to drive gene expression in serotonergic neurons within the MRN. [0020] Particular embodiments provide artificial expression constructs including the features of vectors described herein including vectors: AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AIP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and AiP1417.
[0021] Aspects of the disclosure are now described with the following additional options and detail: (i) Artificial Expression Constructs & Vectors for Targeted Expression of Genes in Serotonergic Neurons Within Targeted Brain Regions; (ii) Compositions for Administration (iii) Cell Lines Including Artificial Expression Constructs; (iv) Transgenic Animals; (v) Methods of Use; (vi) Kits and Commercial Packages; (vii) Exemplary Embodiments; and (viii) Closing Paragraphs. These headings are provided for organization purposes only and do not limit the scope or interpretation of the disclosure.
[0022] (i) Artificial Expression Constructs & Vectors for Targeted Expression of Genes in Serotonergic Neurons Within Targeted Brain Regions. Artificial expression constructs disclosed herein include (i) an enhancer sequence that leads to targeted expression of a coding sequence in serotonergic neurons within a targeted brain region, (ii) a coding sequence that is expressed, and (iii) a promoter. The artificial expression construct can also include other regulatory elements if necessary or beneficial.
[0023] In particular embodiments, an “enhancer” or an “enhancer element” is a cis-acting sequence that increases the level of transcription associated with a promoter and can function in either orientation relative to the promoter and the coding sequence that is to be transcribed and can be located upstream or downstream relative to the promoter or the coding sequence to be transcribed. There are art-recognized methods and techniques for measuring function(s) of enhancer element sequences. Particular examples of enhancer sequences utilized within artificial expression constructs disclosed herein include MGT_E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 .
[0024] In particular embodiments, a targeted central nervous system cell type enhancer (including those specific for a targeted brain region) is an enhancer that is uniquely or predominantly utilized by the targeted central nervous system cell type. A targeted central nervous system cell type enhancer enhances expression of a gene in the targeted central nervous system. In certain embodiments, a targeted central nervous system cell type enhancer is also a targeted brain region enhancer that enhances expression of a gene in the targeted brain region and in the targeted central nervous system and does not substantially direct expression of genes in other non-targeted cell types, thus having cell type-specific transcriptional activity.
[0025] When a coding sequence operatively linked to an enhancer disclosed herein leads to expression in a targeted cell type and/or targeted brain region, it leads to expression of the administered coding sequence in the intended cell type and/or targeted brain region.
[0026] When a coding sequence is selectively expressed in selected cells (e.g., serotonergic neurons) and/or selected brain regions (e.g., the dorsal raphe nucleus or the median raphe nucleus), it leads to expression of the administered coding sequence in the intended cell type and/or brain region and is not substantially expressed in other cell types or brain regions, as explained in additional detail below. In particular embodiments, not substantially expressed in other cell types or brain regions is less than 50% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; less than 40% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; less than 30% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; less than 20% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region; or less than 10% expression in a reference cell type or reference brain region as compared to a targeted cell type or targeted brain region. In particular embodiments, a reference cell type refers to non-targeted cells. In particular embodiments, a reference brain region refers to non-targeted brain regions. The non-targeted cells can be within the same anatomical structure as the targeted cells and/or can project to a common anatomical area. In particular embodiments, a reference cell type is within an anatomical structure that is adjacent to an anatomical structure that includes the targeted cell type. In particular embodiments, a reference cell type is a nontargeted cell with a different gene expression profile than the targeted cells. In particular embodiments, a reference brain region and/or a targeted brain region include targeted and nontargeted cells. In particular embodiments, a reference cell is a non-targeted cell type within a targeted brain region. In particular embodiments, a reference cell includes a targeted or nontargeted cell type within a non-targeted brain region.
[0027] In particular embodiments, the product of the coding sequence may be expressed at low levels in non-selected cell types and non-selected brain regions, for example at less than 1 % or 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% of the levels at which the product is expressed in selected cell types and selected brain regions. In particular embodiments, the targeted cell type within the targeted brain region is the only cell type and brain region that expresses the right combination of transcription factors that bind an enhancer disclosed herein to drive gene expression. Thus, in particular embodiments, expression occurs exclusively within the targeted cell type within the targeted brain region.
[0028] In particular embodiments, targeted cell types (e.g., serotonergic neurons) within targeted brain regions (e.g., DRN or MRN) can be identified based on transcriptional profiles, such as those described in Ren et al., eLife. 2019, 8: e49424; Huang et al. 2019, eLife. 8:e46464, Tasic et al., 2018, Nature. 563: 72-78, and Hodge et al., Nature. 2019, 573: 61 -68. For reference, the following description of cell types and brain regions as well as their respective distinguishing features is also provided:
[0029] Serotonergic neurons: Serotonergic neurons are a neuromodulatory cell type located in the midbrain raphe nuclei that produce and release the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin plays a significant role in mood and cognition, among other functions, and in the clinic, serotonin misregulation has been particularly implicated in depression, impulsivity, and anxiety in psychiatric disorders (Ansorge et al., Science. 2004, 306(5697):879-81 ; Michelsen et al., Prog. Brain Res. 2007, 172:233-264). Serotonergic neurons are an important target for intervention in a variety of brain disorders such as major depressive disorders, as well as other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and narcolepsy, among others. Indeed, both dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling are key targets of some of the most widely used antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs (Li et al., Nat. Comm. 2016, 7:10503; Yohn et al., Mol. Brain. 2017, 10(1 ):28). Cai et al. found that selective activation of brainstem serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) influenced pain sensitivity (Cai et aL, 2014, Pain. 10).
[0030] Serotonergic neurons are spatially clustered in the brainstem. The serotonergic system, in particular the raphe nuclei in the brainstem, the largest of which is the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), has also been associated with reward learning (Liu et aL, Neuron. 2014, 81 (6):1360-1374; Cohen et aL, eLife. 2015, 4:e06346). Serotonergic neurons are known to express the marker genes Tph2, Slc1 2019, 8: e49424; Huang et al. eLife. 2019,
Figure imgf000009_0001
[0031] In particular embodiments, serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus or the median raphe nucleus can be targeted for selective expression of a coding sequence. For reference, the following description of anatomical regions and distinguishing features are also provided.
[0032] Dorsal Raphe Nucleus (DRN): The DRN is a brainstem nucleus with widespread projections, and DRN neurons utilize a variety of neurotransmitters, of which serotonin is the most abundant, to control many physiological functions, including memory, learning, and mood. While activation of DRN serotonergic neurons is rewarding, DRN serotonergic neurons are activated in response to both reward and aversive stimuli. Other cell types found in the DRN include glutamatergic neurons, GABAergic neurons, dopaminergic neurons, as well as dual transmitter neurons, such as dual serotonin-glutamate neurons (Kawai et aL, Nat. Comm. 2022, 13:7708).
[0033] Median Raphe Nucleus (MRN): The MRN, also referred to as the superior central nucleus, is a brainstem nucleus and serves as the main source of serotonin to the limbic system. The MRN plays a role in memory, behavior, and mood, as well as in hallucinations. Kawai et al. found that the MRN plays an opposite role to the DRN in serotonergic regulation of preference and aversion (Kawai et aL, Nat. Com. 2022, 13: 7708). Other cell types found in the MRN include glutamatergic neurons, GABAergic neurons, dopaminergic neurons.
[0034] In particular embodiments, a coding sequence is a heterologous coding sequence that encodes an effector element. Heterologous means that the coding sequence is not naturally found in the cell type which includes an artificial expression construct disclosed herein. An effector element is a sequence that is expressed to achieve, and that in fact achieves, an intended effect. Examples of effector elements include reporter genes/proteins and functional genes/proteins.
[0035] Exemplary reporter genes/proteins include those expressed by Addgene ID#s 83894 (pAAV-hDlx-Flex-dTomato-Fishell_7), 83895 (pAAV-hDlx-Flex-GFP-Fishell_6), 83896 (pAAV- hDlx-GiDREADD-dTomato-Fishell-5), 83898 (pAAV-mDlx-ChR2-mCherry-Fishell-3), 83899 (pAAV-mDlx-GCaMP6f-Fishell-2), 83900 (pAAV-mDlx-GFP-Fishell-1 ), and 89897 (pcDNA3- FLAG-mTET2 (N500)). Exemplary reporter genes particularly can include those which encode an expressible fluorescent protein, or expressible biotin; blue fluorescent proteins (e.g. eBFP, eBFP2, Azurite, mKalamal , GFPuv, Sapphire, T-sapphire); cyan fluorescent proteins (e.g. eCFP, Cerulean, CyPet, AmCyanl, Midoriishi-Cyan, mTurquoise); green fluorescent proteins (e.g. GFP, GFP-2, tagGFP, turboGFP, EGFP, Emerald, Azami Green, Monomeric Azami Green (mAzamigreen), CopGFP, AceGFP, avGFP, ZsGreenl, Oregon Green™(Thermo Fisher Scientific)); Luciferase; orange fluorescent proteins (mOrange, mKO, Kusabira-Orange, Monomeric Kusabira-Orange, mTangerine, tdTomato, dTomato); red fluorescent proteins (mKate, mKate2, mPlum, DsRed monomer, mCherry, mRuby, mRFP1 , DsRed-Express, DsRed2, DsRed-Monomer, HcRed-Tandem, HcRedl, AsRed2, eqFP61 1 , mRaspberry, mStrawberry, Jred, Texas Red™ (Thermo Fisher Scientific)); far red fluorescent proteins (e.g., mPlum and mNeptune); yellow fluorescent proteins (e.g., YFP, eYFP, Citrine, SYFP2, Venus, YPet, PhiYFP, ZsYellowl); and tandem conjugates.
[0036] GFP is composed of 238 amino acids (26.9 kDa), originally isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria/ Aequorea aequorea/ Aequorea forskalea that fluoresces green when exposed to blue light. The GFP from A. victoria has a major excitation peak at a wavelength of 395 nm and a minor one at 475 nm. Its emission peak is at 509 nm which is in the lower green portion of the visible spectrum. The GFP from the sea pansy (Renilla reniformis) has a single major excitation peak at 498 nm. Due to the potential for widespread usage and the evolving needs of researchers, many different mutants of GFP have been engineered. The first major improvement was a single point mutation (S65T) reported in 1995 in Nature by Roger Tsien. This mutation dramatically improved the spectral characteristics of GFP, resulting in increased fluorescence, photostability and a shift of the major excitation peak to 488 nm with the peak emission kept at 509 nm. The addition of the 37°C folding efficiency (F64L) point mutant to this scaffold yielded enhanced GFP (EGFP). EGFP has an extinction coefficient (denoted E), also known as its optical cross section of 9.13X1 O’21 m2/molecule, also quoted as 55,000 L/(mol»cm). Superfolder GFP, a series of mutations that allow GFP to rapidly fold and mature even when fused to poorly folding peptides, was reported in 2006.
[0037] The "yellow fluorescent protein" (YFP) is a genetic mutant of green fluorescent protein, derived from Aequorea victoria. Its excitation peak is 514 nm, and its emission peak is 527 nm. [0038] Exemplary functional molecules include functioning ion transporters, cellular trafficking proteins, enzymes, transcription factors, neurotransmitters, calcium reporters, channelrhodopsins, guide RNA, nucleases, microRNA, or designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs).
[0039] Ion transporters are transmembrane proteins that mediate transport of ions across cell membranes. These transporters are pervasive throughout most cell types and important for regulating cellular excitability and homeostasis. Ion transporters participate in numerous cellular processes such as action potentials, synaptic transmission, hormone secretion, and muscle contraction. Many important biological processes in living cells involve the translocation of cations, such as calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+) ions, through such ion channels. In particular embodiments, ion transporters include voltage gated sodium channels (e.g., SCN1 A), potassium channels (e.g., KCNQ2), and calcium channels (e.g., CACNA1 C)).
[0040] Exemplary enzymes, transcription factors, receptors, membrane proteins, cellular trafficking proteins, signaling molecules, and neurotransmitters include enzymes such as lactase, lipase, helicase, alpha-glucosidase, and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), amylase; transcription factors such as SP1 , AP-1 , Heat shock factor protein 1 , C/EBP (CCAA-T/enhancer binding protein), and Oct-1 ; receptors such as transforming growth factor receptor beta 1 , platelet- derived growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and interleukin 8 receptor alpha; membrane proteins, cellular trafficking proteins such as clathrin, dynamic, caveolin, Rab-4A, and Rab-1 1A; signaling molecules such as nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor p (TGFp), epidermal growth factor (EGF), GTPase and HRas; and neurotransmitters such as cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript, substance P, oxytocin, and somatostatin.
[0041] In particular embodiments, functional molecules include reporters of cell function and states such as calcium reporters. Intracellular calcium concentration is an important predictor of numerous cellular activities, which include neuronal activation, muscle cell contraction and second messenger signaling. A sensitive and convenient technique to monitor the intracellular calcium levels is through the genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI). Among the GECIs, green fluorescent protein (GFP) based calcium sensors named GCaMPs are efficient and widely used tools. The GCaMPs are formed by fusion of M13 and calmodulin protein to N- and C-termini of circularly permutated GFP. Some GCaMPs yield distinct fluorescence emission spectra (Zhao et al., Science, 201 1 , 333(6051 ): 1888-91 ). Exemplary GECIs with green fluorescence include GCaMP3, GCaMP5G, GCaMP6s, GCaMP6m, GCaMP6f, jGCaMP7s, jGCaMP7c, jGCaMP7b, jGCaMP7f, jGCaMP8s, jGCaMP8m, and jGCaMP8f. Furthermore, GECIs with red fluorescence include jRGECOI a and jRGECOI b. AAV products containing GECIs are commercially available. For example, Vigene Biosciences provides AAV products including AAV8-CAG-GCaMP3 (Cat. No:BS4-CX3AAV8), AAV8-Syn-FLEX-GCaMP6s-WPRE (Cat. No:BS1 -NXSAAV8), AAV8-Syn- FLEX-GCaMP6s-WPRE (Cat. No:BS1 -NXSAAV8), AAV9-CAG-FLEX-GCaMP6m-WPRE (Cat. No:BS2-CXMAAV9), AAV9-Syn-FLEX-jGCaMP7s-WPRE (Cat. No:BS12-NXSAAV9), AAV9- CAG-FLEX-jGCaMP7f-WPRE (Cat. No:BS12-CXFAAV9), AAV9-Syn-FLEX-jGCaMP7b-WPRE (Cat. No:BS12-NXBAAV9), AAV9-Syn-FLEX-jGCaMP7c-WPRE (Cat. No:BS12-NXCAAV9), AAV9-Syn-FLEX-NES-jRGECO1a-WPRE (Cat. No:BS8-NXAAAV9), and AAV8-Syn-FLEX-NES- jRCaMP1b-WPRE (Cat. No:BS7-NXBAAV8).
[0042] In particular embodiments calcium reporters include the genetically encoded calcium indicators GECI, NTnC; Myosin light chain kinase, GFP, Calmodulin chimera; Calcium indicator TN-XXL; BRET-based auto-luminescent calcium indicator; and/or Calcium indicator protein OeNL(Ca2+)-18u).
[0043] In particular embodiments, functional molecules include modulators of neuronal activity like channelrhodopsins (e.g., channelrhodopsin-1 , channelrhodopsin-2, and variants thereof). Channelrhodopsins are a subfamily of retinylidene proteins (rhodopsins) that function as lightgated ion channels. In addition to channelrhodopsin 1 (ChR1) and channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2), several variants of channelrhodopsins have been developed. For example, Lin et al. (Biophys J, 2009, 96(5): 1803-14) describe making chimeras of the transmembrane domains of ChR1 and ChR2, combined with site-directed mutagenesis. Zhang et al. Nat Neurosci, 2008, 1 1 (6): 631 -3) describe VChR1 , which is a red-shifted channelrhodopsin variant. VChR1 has lower light sensitivity and poor membrane trafficking and expression. Other known channelrhodopsin variants include the ChR2 variant described in Nagel, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2003, 100(24): 13940-5), ChR2/H134R (Nagel, G., et al., Curr Biol, 2005, 15(24): 2279-84), and ChD/ChEF/ChlEF (Lin, J. Y., et al., Biophys J, 2009, 96(5): 1803-14), which are activated by blue light (470 nm) but show no sensitivity to orange/red light. Additional variants are described in Lin, Experimental Physiology, 2010, 96.1 : 19-25; Knopfel et aL, The Journal of Neuroscience, 2010, 30(45): 14998-15004; and Mardinly et al., Nat Neurosci. 2018, 21 (6):881 - 893).
[0044] In particular embodiments, functional molecules include DNA and RNA editing tools such CRISPR/Cas (e.g., guide RNA and a nuclease, such as Cas, Cas9, orcpfl ). Functional molecules can also include engineered Cpfl s such as those described in US 2018/0030425, US 2016/0208243, WO/2017/184768, and Zetsche etal. Cell. 2015, 163: 759-771 ; single gRNA (see e.g., Jinek et al. (2012) Science 337:816-821 ; Jinek et al. eLife. 2013, 2:e00471 ; Segal. eLife 2013, 2:e00563); editase; guide RNA molecules; microRNA; or homologous recombination donor cassettes.
[0045] In particular embodiments, functional molecules include a localizing cassette. In particular embodiments, localizing cassettes are used to localize a molecule (e.g., a vector, a protein, a sensor) to a specific subcellular compartment such as the soma, axon, or dendrite(s) of a neuron. In particular embodiments, localizing cassettes include a soma tag (e.g., soma (EE-RR)) to localize at the soma; an axon tag (e.g., derived from GAP43) or synaptophysin (sy) to localize at the axon; hydrophobic tails to localize at the plasma membrane; and hydrophobicity or alkyl chain to localize at the endoplasmic reticulum. In particular embodiments, localizing cassettes are fused to a sensor molecule such as a GECI. In particular embodiments, fusion proteins of a GECI and a localizing cassette includes soma-jGCaMP8s, axon-jRGEC01 a, syGCaMP5G, and soma- jGCaMP7s.
[0046] In particular embodiments, functional molecules include tag cassettes. A tag cassette includes His tag (HHHHHH; SEQ ID NO: 1 ), Flag tag (DYKDDDDK; SEQ ID NO: 2), Xpress tag (DLYDDDDK; SEQ ID NO: 3), Avi tag (GLNDIFEAQKIEWHE; SEQ ID NO: 4), Calmodulin tag (KRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL; SEQ ID NO: 5), Polyglutamate tag, HA tag (YPYDVPDYA; SEQ ID NO: 6), Myc tag (EQKLISEEDL; SEQ ID NO: 7), Strep tag (which refers the original STREP® tag (WRHPQFGG; SEQ ID NO: 8), STREP® tag II (WSHPQFEK; SEQ ID NO: 9) (IBA Institut fur Bioanalytik, Germany); see, e.g., LIS 7,981 ,632), Softag 1 (SLAELLNAGLGGS; SEQ ID NO: 10), Softag 3 (TQDPSRVG; SEQ ID NO: 11 ), and V5 tag (GKPIPNPLLGLDST; SEQ ID NO: 12). In particular embodiments, a tag cassette includes a fusion of tag cassettes such as 3XFLAG. In particular embodiments, 3XFLAG includes the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 52.
[0047] Relevant sequences are publicly-available. As examples: lactase (e.g., GenBank: EAX11622.1 ), lipase (e.g., GenBank: AAA60129.1 ), helicase (e.g., GenBank: AMD82207.1 ), amylase (e.g., GenBank: AAA51724.1 ), alpha-glucosidase (e.g., GenBank: ABI53718.1 ), transcription factor SP1 (e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P08047.3), transcription factor AP-1 (e.g., NP 002219.1 ), heat shock factor protein 1 (e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: Q00613.1 ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta isoform a (e.g., NP 005185.2), Oct-1 (e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P14859.2), TGFp (e.g., GenBank: CAF02096.2), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) (e.g., NP_001177397.1 ), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (e.g., GenBank: AAA60049.1 ), epidermal growth factor receptor (e.g., GenBank: CAA25240.1 ), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (e.g., GenBank: AAC16449.2), interleukin 8 receptor alpha (e.g., GenBank: AAB59436.1), caveolin (e.g., GenBank: CAA79476.1 ), dynamin (e.g., GenBank: AAA88025.1 ), clathrin heavy chain 1 isoform 1 (e.g., NP 004850.1), clathrin heavy chain 2 isoform 1 (e.g., NP 009029.3), clathrin light chain A isoform a (e.g., NP 001824.1 ), clathrin light chain B isoform a (e.g., NP_001825.1 ), ras-related protein Rab-4A isoform 1 (e.g., NP 004569.2), ras-related protein Rab-11 A (e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P62491.3), platelet- derived growth factor (e.g., GenBank: AAA60552.1 ), transforming growth factor-beta3 (e.g., GenBank: AAA61161.1), nerve growth factor (e.g., GenBank: CAA37703.1 ), EGF (e.g., GenBank: CAA34902.2), cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (Chain A) (e.g., PDB: 1 HY9_A), protachykinin-1 (e.g., UniProtKB - P20366), oxytocin-neurophysin 1 (e.g., UniProtKB - P01178), somatostatin (e.g., GenBank: AAH32625.1 ), genetically-encoded green calcium indicator NTnC (chain A) [synthetic construct] (e.g., PDB: 5MWC_A), calcium indicator TN-XXL [synthetic construct], (e.g., GenBank: ACF93133.1 ), BRET-based auto-luminescent calcium indicator [synthetic construct] (e.g., GenBank ADF42668.1 ), calcium indicator protein OeNL(Ca2+)-18u [synthetic construct], ((e.g., GenBank BBB18812.1 ), myosin light chain kinase, Green fluorescent protein, Calmodulin chimera (Chain A) [synthetic construct] ((e.g., PDB: 3EKJ A), channelopsin 1 (e.g., UniProtKB - F8UVI5), channelopsin 1 (e.g., GenBank: AER58217.1 ), channelrhodopsin-2 ((e.g., UniProtKB - B4Y105), channel rhodopsin 2 [synthetic construct] ((e.g., GenBank: ABO64386.1), CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) (e.g., GenBank: AKG27598.1 ), Cas9 [synthetic construct] (e.g., GenBank: AST09977.1 ), CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cpf1 (e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: U2UMQ6.1 ), ribonuclease 4 or ribonuclease L (e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: Q05823.2), deoxyribonuclease II beta (e.g., GenBank: AAF76893.1 ), sodium channel protein type 1 subunit alpha (e.g., UniProtKB - P35498), potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2 (e.g., UniProtKB - 043526), and voltagedependent L-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1 C (e.g., UniProtKB - Q13936).
[0048] Additional effector elements include Cre, iCre, dgCre, FlpO, and tTA2. iCre refers to a codon-improved Cre. dgCre refers to an enhanced GFP/Cre recombinase fusion gene with an N terminal fusion of the first 159 amino acids of the Escherichia coli K-12 strain chromosomal dihydrofolate reductase gene (DHFR or folA) harboring a G67S mutation and modified to also include the R12Y/Y100I destabilizing domain mutation. FlpO refers to a codon-optimized form of FLPe that greatly increases protein expression and FRT recombination efficiency in mouse cells. Like the Cre/LoxP system, the FLP/FRT system has been widely used for gene expression (and generating conditional knockout mice, mediated by the FLP/FRT system). tTA2 refers to tetracycline transactivator.
[0049] Exemplary expressible elements are expression products that do not include effector elements, for example, a non-functioning or defective protein. In particular embodiments, expressible elements can provide methods to study the effects of their functioning counterparts. In particular embodiments, expressible elements are non-functioning or defective based on an engineered mutation that renders them non-functioning. In these aspects, non-expressible elements are as similar in structure as possible to their functioning counterparts.
[0050] Exemplary self-cleaving peptides include the 2A peptides which lead to the production of two proteins from one mRNA. The 2A sequences are short (e.g., 20 amino acids), allowing more use in size-limited constructs. Particular examples include P2A, T2A, E2A, and F2A. In particular embodiments, the artificial expression constructs include an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence. IRES allow ribosomes to initiate translation at a second internal site on a mRNA molecule, leading to production of two proteins from one mRNA.
[0051] Artificial expression constructs can encode nuclear localization proteins, such as Histone H1 , Histone H2A, Histone H2B, Histone H3, Histone H4, histone-like protein HPhA, or H2B*. Artificial expression constructs can include sequences encoding 10 amino acid (10aa) linkers. In particular embodiments, a 10aa linker is encoded by the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53. [0052] Coding sequences encoding molecules (e.g., RNA, proteins) described herein can be obtained from publicly available databases and publications. Coding sequences can further include various sequence polymorphisms, mutations, and/or sequence variants wherein such alterations do not affect the function of the encoded molecule. The term “encode” or “encoding” refers to a property of sequences of nucleic acids, such as a vector, a plasmid, a gene, cDNA, mRNA, to serve as templates for synthesis of other molecules such as proteins.
[0053] The term “gene” may include a coding sequence. In particular embodiments, the term may also include regulatory regions such as promoters, enhancers, insulators, and/or post-regulatory elements, such as termination regions. The term further can include all introns and other DNA sequences spliced from the mRNA transcript, along with variants resulting from alternative splice sites. The sequences can also include degenerate codons of a reference sequence or sequences that may be introduced to provide codon preference in a specific organism or cell type.
[0054] Promoters can include general promoters, tissue-specific promoters, cell-specific promoters, and/or promoters specific for the cytoplasm. Promoters may include strong promoters, weak promoters, constitutive expression promoters, and/or inducible promoters. Inducible promoters direct expression in response to certain conditions, signals or cellular events. For example, the promoter may be an inducible promoter that requires a particular ligand, small molecule, transcription factor or hormone protein in order to effect transcription from the promoter. Particular examples of promoters include minBglobin (also referred to as minBG or minBGprom), CMV, minCMV, minCMV* (minCMV* is minCMV with a Sacl restriction site removed), minRho, minRho* (minRho* is minRho with a Sacl restriction site removed), SV40 immediately early promoter, the Hsp68 minimal promoter (proHSP68), and the Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) long- terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. Minimal promoters have no activity to drive gene expression on their own but can be activated to drive gene expression when linked to a proximal enhancer element.
[0055] In particular embodiments, expression constructs are provided within vectors. The term vector refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transferring or transporting another nucleic acid molecule, such as an expression construct. The transferred nucleic acid is generally linked to, e.g., inserted into, the vector nucleic acid molecule. A vector may include sequences that direct autonomous replication in a cell or may include sequences that permit integration into host cell DNA. Useful vectors include, for example, plasmids (e.g., DNA plasmids or RNA plasmids), transposons, cosmids, bacterial artificial chromosomes, and viral vectors.
[0056] Viral vector is widely used to refer to a nucleic acid molecule that includes virus-derived components that facilitate transfer and expression of non-native nucleic acid molecules within a cell. The term adeno-associated viral vector refers to a viral vector or plasmid containing structural and functional genetic elements, or portions thereof, that are primarily derived from AAV. The term "retroviral vector" refers to a viral vector or plasmid containing structural and functional genetic elements, or portions thereof, that are primarily derived from a retrovirus. The term "lentiviral vector'1 refers to a viral vector or plasmid containing structural and functional genetic elements, or portions thereof, that are primarily derived from a lentivirus, and so on. The term "hybrid vector" refers to a vector including structural and/or functional genetic elements from more than one virus type.
[0057] Adenovirus vectors refer to those constructs containing adenovirus sequences sufficient to (a) support packaging of an artificial expression construct and (b) to express a coding sequence that has been cloned therein in a sense or antisense orientation. A recombinant Adenovirus vector includes a genetically engineered form of an adenovirus. Knowledge of the genetic organization of adenovirus, a 36 kb, linear, double-stranded DNA virus, allows substitution of large pieces of adenoviral DNA with foreign sequences up to 7 kb. In contrast to retrovirus, the adenoviral infection of host cells does not result in chromosomal integration because adenoviral DNA can replicate in an episomal manner without potential genotoxicity. Also, adenoviruses are structurally stable, and no genome rearrangement has been detected after extensive amplification.
[0058] Adenovirus is particularly suitable for use as a gene transfer vector because of its midsized genome, ease of manipulation, high titer, wide target-cell range, and high infectivity. Both ends of the viral genome contain 100-200 base pair inverted repeats (ITRs), which are cis elements necessary for viral DNA replication and packaging. The early (E) and late (L) regions of the genome contain different transcription units that are divided by the onset of viral DNA replication. The E1 region (E1A and E1 B) encodes proteins responsible for the regulation of transcription of the viral genome and a few cellular genes. The expression of the E2 region (E2A and E2B) results in the synthesis of the proteins for viral DNA replication. These proteins are involved in DNA replication, late gene expression, and host cell shut-off. The products of the late genes, including the majority of the viral capsid proteins, are expressed only after significant processing of a single primary transcript issued by the major late promoter (MLP). The MLP is particularly efficient during the late phase of infection, and all the mRNAs issued from this promoter possess a 5'-tripartite leader (TPL) sequence which makes them preferred mRNAs for translation.
[0059] Other than the requirement that an adenovirus vector be replication-defective, or at least conditionally defective, the nature of the adenovirus vector is not believed to be crucial to the successful practice of particular embodiments disclosed herein. The adenovirus may be of any of the 42 different known serotypes or subgroups A-F. In particular embodiments, adenovirus type 5 of subgroup C is the preferred starting material in order to obtain a conditional replicationdefective adenovirus vector for use in particular embodiments, since adenovirus type 5 is a human adenovirus about which a great deal of biochemical and genetic information is known, and it has historically been used for most constructions employing adenovirus as a vector.
[0060] As indicated, the typical vector is replication defective and will not have an adenovirus E1 region. Thus, it will be most convenient to introduce the polynucleotide encoding the gene of interest at the position from which the E1 -coding sequences have been removed. However, the position of insertion of the construct within the adenovirus sequences is not critical. The polynucleotide encoding the gene of interest may also be inserted in lieu of a deleted E3 region in E3 replacement vectors or in the E4 region where a helper cell line or helper virus complements the E4 defect.
[0061] Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) is a parvovirus, discovered as a contamination of adenoviral stocks. It is a ubiquitous virus (antibodies are present in 85% of the US human population) that has not been linked to any disease. It is also classified as a dependovirus because its replication is dependent on the presence of a helper virus, such as adenovirus. Various serotypes have been isolated, of which AAV-2 is the best characterized. AAV has a single-stranded linear DNA that is encapsidated into capsid proteins VP1 , VP2 and VP3 to form an icosahedral virion of 20 to 24 nm in diameter.
[0062] The AAV DNA is 4.7 kilobases long. It contains two open reading frames and is flanked by two ITRs. There are two major genes in the AAV genome: rep and cap. The rep gene codes for proteins responsible for viral replications, whereas cap codes for capsid protein VP1 -3. Each ITR forms a T-shaped hairpin structure. These terminal repeats are the only essential cis components of the AAV for chromosomal integration. Therefore, the AAV can be used as a vector with all viral coding sequences removed and replaced by the cassette of genes for delivery. Three AAV viral promoters have been identified and named p5, p19, and p40, according to their map position. Transcription from p5 and p19 results in production of rep proteins, and transcription from p40 produces the capsid proteins.
[0063] AAVs stand out for use within the current disclosure because of their superb safety profile and because their capsids and genomes can be tailored to allow expression in targeted cell populations. scAAV refers to a self-complementary AAV. pAAV refers to a plasmid adeno- associated virus. rAAV refers to a recombinant adeno-associated virus.
[0064] Other viral vectors may also be employed. For example, vectors derived from viruses such as vaccinia virus, polioviruses and herpes viruses may be employed. They offer several attractive features for various mammalian cells.
[0065] Retroviruses are a common tool for gene delivery. "Retrovirus" refers to an RNA virus that reverse transcribes its genomic RNA into a linear double-stranded DNA copy and subsequently covalently integrates its genomic DNA into a host genome. Once the virus is integrated into the host genome, it is referred to as a "provirus." The provirus serves as a template for RNA polymerase II and directs the expression of RNA molecules which encode the structural proteins and enzymes needed to produce new viral particles.
[0066] Illustrative retroviruses suitable for use in particular embodiments, include: Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV), Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MoMSV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (HaMuSV), murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), feline leukemia virus (FLV), spumavirus, Friend murine leukemia virus, Murine Stem Cell Virus (MSCV), Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV), and lentivirus.
[0067] "Lentivirus" refers to a group (or genus) of complex retroviruses. Illustrative lentiviruses include: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus; including HIV type 1 , and HIV type 2); visna-maedi virus (VMV); the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV); equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV); feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); bovine immune deficiency virus (BIV); and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). In particular embodiments, HIV based vector backbones (i.e. , HIV cis-acting sequence elements) can be used.
[0068] A safety enhancement for the use of some vectors can be provided by replacing the U3 region of the 5' LTR with a promoter to drive transcription of the viral genome during production of viral particles. Examples of promoters which can be used for this purpose include, for example, viral simian virus 40 (SV40) (e.g., early or late), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (e.g., immediate early), Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) (thymidine kinase) promoters. Typical promoters are able to drive high levels of transcription in a Tat-independent manner. This replacement reduces the possibility of recombination to generate replication-competent virus because there is no complete U3 sequence in the virus production system. In particular embodiments, the promoter has additional advantages in controlling the manner in which the viral genome is transcribed. For example, the promoter can be inducible, such that transcription of all or part of the viral genome will occur only when the induction factors are present. Induction factors include one or more chemical compounds or the physiological conditions such as temperature or pH, in which the host cells are cultured.
[0069] In particular embodiments, viral vectors include a TAR element. The term "TAR" refers to the "trans-activation response" genetic element located in the R region of lentiviral LTRs. This element interacts with the lentiviral trans-activator (tat) genetic element to enhance viral replication. However, this element is not required in embodiments wherein the U3 region of the 5' LTR is replaced by a promoter. [0070] The "R region" refers to the region within retroviral LTRs beginning at the start of the capping group (i.e., the start of transcription) and ending immediately prior to the start of the poly(A) tract. The R region is also defined as being flanked by the U3 and U5 regions. The R region plays a role during reverse transcription in permitting the transfer of nascent DNA from one end of the genome to the other.
[0071] In particular embodiments, expression of coding sequences in viral vectors is increased by incorporating posttranscriptional regulatory elements, efficient polyadenylation sites, and optionally, transcription termination signals into the vectors. A variety of posttranscriptional regulatory elements can increase expression of a coding nucleic acid. Examples include the woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element (WPRE; Zufferey et al., J. Virol., 1999, 73:2886); the posttranscriptional regulatory element present in hepatitis B virus (HPRE) (Smith et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 1998, 26(21 ):4818-4827); and the like (Liu et al., Genes Dev., 1995, 9:1766). In particular embodiments, vectors include a posttranscriptional regulatory element such as a WPRE or HPRE. In particular embodiments, vectors lack or do not include a posttranscriptional regulatory element such as a WPRE or HPRE.
[0072] Elements directing the efficient termination and polyadenylation of a coding nucleic acid transcript can increase expression. Transcription termination signals are generally found downstream of the polyadenylation signal. In particular embodiments, vectors include a polyadenylation signal 3' of a polynucleotide encoding a molecule (e.g., protein) to be expressed. The term "poly(A) site" or "poly(A) sequence" denotes a DNA sequence which directs both the termination and polyadenylation of the nascent RNA transcript by RNA polymerase II. Polyadenylation sequences can promote mRNA stability by addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of the coding sequence and thus, contribute to increased translational efficiency. Particular embodiments may utilize BGHpA, hGHpA, or SV40pA. In particular embodiments, a preferred embodiment of an expression construct includes a terminator element. These elements can serve to enhance transcript levels and to minimize read through from the construct into other plasmid sequences.
[0073] In particular embodiments, a viral vector further includes one or more insulator elements. Insulators elements may contribute to protecting viral vector-expressed sequences, e.g., effector elements or expressible elements, from integration site effects, which may be mediated by cisacting elements present in genomic DNA and lead to deregulated expression of transferred sequences {i.e., position effect; see, e.g., Burgess-Beusse et al., PNAS USA, 2002; 99:16433, and Zhan et al., Hum. Genet., 2001 , 109:471). In particular embodiments, viral transfer vectors include one or more insulator elements at the 3' LTR and upon integration of the provirus into the host genome, the provirus includes the one or more insulators at both the 5' LTR and 3' LTR, by virtue of duplicating the 3' LTR. Suitable insulators for use in particular embodiments include the chicken (3-globin insulator (see Chung et al., Cell. 1993, 74:505; Chung etal., PNAS USA. 1997, 94:575; and Bell et al., Cel. I 1999, 98:387), SP10 insulator (Abhyankar et aL, JBC. 2007, 282:36143), or other small CTCF recognition sequences that function as enhancer blocking insulators (Liu et aL, Nature Biotechnology, 2015, 33:198).
[0074] Beyond the foregoing description, a wide range of suitable expression vector types will be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. These can include commercially available expression vectors designed for general recombinant procedures, for example plasmids that contain one or more reporter genes and regulatory elements required for expression of the reporter gene in cells. Numerous vectors are commercially available, e.g., from Invitrogen, Stratagene, Clontech, etc., and are described in numerous associated guides. In particular embodiments, suitable expression vectors include any plasmid, cosmid or phage construct that is capable of supporting expression of encoded genes in mammalian cell, such as pUC or Bluescript plasmid series.
[0075] Particular embodiments of vectors disclosed herein include:
Figure imgf000022_0001
[0076] Subcomponent sequences within the larger vector sequences can be readily identified by one of ordinary skill in the art and based on the contents of the current disclosure (see FIG. 2). Nucleotides between identifiable and enumerated subcomponents reflect restriction enzyme recognition sites used in assembly (cloning) of the constructs, and in some cases, additional nucleotides do not convey any identifiable function. These segments of complete vector sequences can be adjusted based on use of different cloning strategies and/or vectors. In general, short 6-nucleotide palindromic sequences reflect vector construction artifacts that are not important to vector function.
[0077] In particular embodiments vectors (e.g., AAV) with capsids that cross the blood-brain barrier (BBS) are selected. In particular embodiments, vectors are modified to include capsids that cross the BBB. Examples of AAV with viral capsids that cross the blood-brain barrier include AAV9 (Gombash et al., Front Mol Neurosci. 2014; 7:81 ), AAVrh.10 (Yang, et al., Mol Ther. 2014; 22(7): 1299-1309), AAV1 R6, AAV1 R7 (Albright et al., Mol Ther. 2018; 26(2): 510), rAAVrh.8 (Yang, et al., supra), AAV-BR1 (Marchio et al., EMBO Mol Med. 2016; 8(6): 592), AAV-PHP.S (Chan et al., Nat Neurosci. 2017; 20(8): 1172), AAV-PHP.B (Deverman et al., Nat Biotechnol. 2016; 34(2): 204), AAV-PPS (Chen et al., Nat Med. 2009; 15: 1215), and PHP.eB. In particular embodiments, the PHP.eB capsid differs from AAV9 such that, using AAV9 as a reference, amino acids starting at residue 586: S-AQ-A (SEQ ID NO: 14) are changed to S-DGTLAVPFK-A (SEQ ID NO: 15). In particular embodiments, PHP. eb refers to SEQ ID NO: 67.
[0078] AAV9 is a naturally occurring AAV serotype that, unlike many other naturally occurring serotypes, can cross the BBB following intravenous injection. It transduces large sections of the central nervous system (CNS), thus permitting minimally invasive treatments (Naso et al., BioDrugs. 2017; 31 (4): 317), for example, as described in relation to clinical trials for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) syndrome by AveXis (AVXS-101 , NCT03505099) and the treatment of CLN3 gene-Related Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis (NCT03770572).
[0079] AAVrh.10, was originally isolated from rhesus macaques and shows low seropositivity in humans when compared with other common serotypes used for gene delivery applications (Selot et aL, Front Pharmacol. 2017; 8: 441) and has been evaluated in clinical trials LYS-SAF302, LYSOGENE, and NCT03612869.
[0080] AAV1 R6 and AAV1 R7, two variants isolated from a library of chimeric AAV vectors (AAV1 capsid domains swapped into AAVrh.10), retain the ability to cross the BBB and transduce the CNS while showing significantly reduced hepatic and vascular endothelial transduction.
[0081] rAAVrh.8, also isolated from rhesus macaques, shows a global transduction of glial and neuronal cell types in regions of clinical importance following peripheral administration and also displays reduced peripheral tissue tropism compared to other vectors.
[0082] AAV-BR1 is an AAV2 variant displaying the NRGTEWD (SEQ ID NO: 17) epitope that was isolated during in vivo screening of a random AAV display peptide library. It shows high specificity accompanied by high transgene expression in the brain with minimal off-target affinity (including for the liver) (Korbelin et aL, EMBO Mol Med. 2016; 8(6): 609).
[0083] AAV-PHP.S (Addgene, Watertown, MA) is a variant of AAV9 generated with the CREATE method that encodes the 7-mer sequence QAVRTSL (SEQ ID NO: 18), transduces neurons in the enteric nervous system, and strongly transduces peripheral sensory afferents entering the spinal cord and brain stem.
[0084] AAV-PHP.B (Addgene, Watertown, MA) is a variant of AAV9 generated with the CREATE method that encodes the 7-mer sequence TLAVPFK (SEQ ID NO: 19). It transfers genes throughout the CNS with higher efficiency than AAV9 and transduces the majority of astrocytes and neurons across multiple CNS regions.
[0085] AAV-PPS, an AAV2 variant crated by insertion of the DSPAHPS (SEQ ID NO: 20) epitope into the capsid of AAV2, shows a dramatically improved brain tropism relative to AAV2.
[0086] For additional information regarding capsids that cross the blood-brain barrier, see Chan et al., Nat. Neurosci. 2017, 20(8): 1 172-1 179.
[0087] (ii) Compositions for Administration. Artificial expression constructs and vectors of the present disclosure (referred to herein as physiologically active components) can be formulated with a carrier that is suitable for administration to a cell, tissue slice, animal (e.g., mouse, nonhuman primate), or human. Physiologically active components within compositions described herein can be prepared in neutral forms, as freebases, or as pharmacologically acceptable salts. [0088] Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts include the acid addition salts (formed with the free amino groups of the protein) and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or such organic acids as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine, and the like.
[0089] Carriers of physiologically active components can include solvents, dispersion media, vehicles, coatings, diluents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, buffers, solutions, suspensions, colloids, and the like. The use of such carriers for physiologically active components is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the physiologically active components, it can be used with compositions as described herein.
[0090] The phrase "pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers" refer to carriers that do not produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction when administered to a human, and in particular embodiments, when administered intravenously (e.g., at the retro-orbital plexus).
[0091] In particular embodiments, compositions can be formulated for intravenous, intraparenchymal, intraocular, intravitreal, parenteral, subcutaneous, intracerebro-ventricular, intramuscular, intrathecal, intraspinal, intraperitoneal, oral or nasal inhalation, or by direct injection in or application to one or more cells, tissues, or organs.
[0092] Compositions may include liposomes, lipids, lipid complexes, microspheres, microparticles, nanospheres, and/or nanoparticles.
[0093] The formation and use of liposomes is generally known to those of skill in the art. Liposomes have been developed with improved serum stability and circulation half-times (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,741 ,516). Further, various methods of liposome and liposome like preparations as potential drug carriers have been described (see, for instance U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,434; 5,552,157; 5,565,213; 5,738,868; and 5,795,587).
[0094] The disclosure also provides for pharmaceutically acceptable nanocapsule formulations of the physiologically active components. Nanocapsules can generally entrap compounds in a stable and reproducible way (Quintanar-Guerrero etal., Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 1998, 24(12):1 113- 1 128; Quintanar-Guerrero et al., Pharm Res. 1998, 15(7):1056-1062; Quintanar-Guerrero et al., J. Microencapsul. 1998, 15(1 ):107-119; Douglas et al., Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 1987, 3(3):233-261 ). To avoid side effects due to intracellular polymeric overloading, such ultrafine particles can be designed using polymers able to be degraded in vivo. Biodegradable polyalkylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles that meet these requirements are contemplated for use in the present disclosure. Such particles can be easily made, as described in Couvreur etal., J Pharm Sci. 1980, 69(2):199-202; Couvreur et al., Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 1988, 5(1 )1 -20; zur Muhlen et al., Eur J Pharm Biopharm, 1998, 45(2) : 149-155; Zambaux et al., J Control Release. 1998, 50(1 - 3):31 -40; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,684.
[0095] Injectable compositions can include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions (U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,468). For delivery via injection, the form is sterile and fluid to the extent that it can be delivered by syringe. In particular embodiments, it is stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage, and optionally contains one or more preservative compounds against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and/or vegetable oils. Proper fluidity may be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion, and/or by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and/or antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In various embodiments, the preparation will include an isotonic agent(s), for example, sugar(s) or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be accomplished by including in the compositions of agents that delay absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin. Injectable compositions can be suitably buffered, if necessary, and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. [0096] Dispersions may also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof and in oils. As indicated, under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations can contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
[0097] Sterile compositions can be prepared by incorporating the physiologically active component in an appropriate amount of a solvent with other optional ingredients (e.g., as enumerated above), followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized physiologically active components into a sterile vehicle that contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients (e.g., from those enumerated above). In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, preferred methods of preparation can be vacuum-drying and freeze-drying techniques which yield a powder of the physiologically active components plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-f iltered solution thereof.
[0098] Oral compositions may be in liquid form, for example, as solutions, syrups or suspensions, or may be presented as a drug product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives, or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); nonaqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid). The compositions may take the form of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodium starch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). Tablets may be coated by methods well-known in the art.
[0099] Inhalable compositions can be delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.
[0100] Compositions can also include microchip devices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,898), ophthalmic formulations (Bourlais eta!., Prog Retin Eye Res, 1998, 17(1 ):33-58), transdermal matrices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,208) and feedback-controlled delivery (U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,899).
[0101] Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions.
[0102] Typically, compositions can include at least 0.1 % of the physiologically active components or more, although the percentage of the physiologically active components may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between 1 or 2% and 70% or 80% or more or between 0.5-99% of the weight or volume of the total composition. Naturally, the amount of physiologically active components in each physiologically-useful composition may be prepared in such a way that a suitable dosage will be obtained in any given unit dose of the compound. Factors such as solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, route of administration, product shelf life, as well as other pharmacological considerations will be contemplated by one skilled in the art of preparing such pharmaceutical formulations, and as such, a variety of compositions and dosages may be desirable.
[0103] In particular embodiments, for administration to humans, compositions should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, and the general safety and purity standards as required by United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other applicable regulatory agencies in other countries.
[0104] (iii) Cell Lines Including Artificial Expression Constructs. The present disclosure includes cells including an artificial expression construct described herein. A cell that has been transformed with an artificial expression construct can be used for many purposes, including in neuroanatomical studies, assessments of functioning and/or non-functioning proteins, and drug screens that assess the regulatory properties of enhancers.
[0105] A variety of host cell lines can be used, but in particular embodiments, the cell is a mammalian cell. In particular embodiments, the artificial express construct includes an enhancer and/or a vector sequence of MGT_E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 , and the cell line is a human, primate, or murine cell. Cell lines which can be utilized for transgenesis in the present disclosure also include primary cell lines derived from living tissue such as rat or mouse brains and organotypic cell cultures, including brain slices from animals such as rats, mice, non-human primates, or human neurosurgical tissue. The PC12 cell line (available from the American Type Culture Collection, ATCC, Manassas, VA) has been shown to express a number of neuronal marker proteins in response to Neuronal Growth Factor (NGF). The PC12 cell line is considered to be a neuronal cell line and is applicable for use with this disclosure. JAR cells (available from ATCC) are a platelet derived cell-line that express some neuronal genes, such as the serotonin transporter gene, and may be used with embodiments described herein.
[0106] WO 91/13150 describes a variety of cell lines, including neuronal cell lines, and methods of producing them. Similarly, WO 97/39117 describes a neuronal cell line and methods of producing such cell lines. The neuronal cell lines disclosed in these patent applications are applicable for use in the present disclosure.
[0107] In particular embodiments, "neuronal" describes something that is of, related to, or includes, neuronal cells. Neuronal cells are defined by the presence of an axon and dendrites. The term "neuronal-specific" refers to something that is found, or an activity that occurs, in neuronal cells or cells derived from neuronal cells, but is not found in or occur in, or is not found substantially in or occur substantially in, non-neuronal cells or cells not derived from neuronal cells, for example glial cells such as astrocytes or oligodendrocytes.
[0108] In particular embodiments, non-neuronal cell lines may be used, including mouse embryonic stem cells. Cultured mouse embryonic stem cells can be used to analyze expression of genetic constructs using transient transfection with plasmid constructs. Mouse embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and undifferentiated. These cells can be maintained in this undifferentiated state by Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). Withdrawal of LIF induces differentiation of the embryonic stem cells. In culture, the stem cells form a variety of differentiated cell types. Differentiation is caused by the expression of tissue specific transcription factors, allowing the function of an enhancer sequence to be evaluated. (See for example Fiskerstrand et al., FEBS Lett. 1999, 458: 171 -174).
[0109] Methods to differentiate stem cells into neuronal cells include replacing a stem cell culture media with a media including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) heparin, an N2 supplement (e.g., transferrin, insulin, progesterone, putrescine, and selenite), laminin and polyornithine. A process to produce myelinating oligodendrocytes from stem cells is described in Hu, et al., Nat. Protoc. 2009, 4:1614-22. Bibel, et al., Nat. Protoc. 2007, 2:1034-43 describes a protocol to produce glutamatergic neurons from stem cells while Chatzi, et al., Exp. Neurol. 2009, 217:407- 16 describes a procedure to produce GABAergic neurons. This procedure includes exposing stem cells to all-trans-RA for three days. After subsequent culture in serum-free neuronal induction medium including Neurobasal medium supplemented with B27, bFGF and EGF, 95% GABA neurons develop.
[0110] U.S. Publication No. 2012/0329714 describes use of prolactin to increase neural stem cell numbers while U.S. Publication No. 2012/0308530 describes a culture surface with amino groups that promotes neuronal differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Thus, the fate of neural stem cells can be controlled by a variety of extracellular factors. Commonly used factors include brain derived growth factor (BDNF; Shetty and Turner, J. Neurobiol. 1998, 35:395- 425); fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; U.S. Pat. No.5, 766, 948; FGF-1 , FGF-2); Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4); Caldwell, et al., 2001 , Nat. Biotechnol. 1 ;19:475-9); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); BMP-2 (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,948,428 and 6,001 ,654); isobutyl 3- methylxanthine; leukemia inhibitory growth factor (LIF; U.S. Patent No. 6,103,530); somatostatin; amphiregulin; neurotrophins (e.g., cyclic adenosine monophosphate; epidermal growth factor (EGF); dexamethasone (glucocorticoid hormone); forskolin; GDNF family receptor ligands; potassium; retinoic acid (U.S. Patent No. 6,395,546); tetanus toxin; and transforming growth factor-a and TGF-p (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,851 ,832 and 5,753,506).
[0111] In particular embodiments, yeast one-hybrid systems may also be used to identify compounds that inhibit specific protein/DNA interactions, such as transcription factors for MGT E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT E301 , MGT E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h,
3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 .
[0112] Transgenic animals are described below. Cell lines may also be derived from such transgenic animals. For example, primary tissue culture from transgenic mice (e.g., also as described below) can provide cell lines with the artificial expression construct already integrated into the genome (for an example see MacKenzie & Quinn, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1999, 96: 15251-15255).
[0113] (iv) T ransgenic Animals. Another aspect of the disclosure includes transgenic animals, the genome of which contains an artificial expression construct including MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h,
3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 , operatively linked to a coding sequence (e.g., a heterologous coding sequence). In particular embodiments, the genome of a transgenic animal includes AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and/or AIP1417. In particular embodiments, when a non-integrating vector is utilized, a transgenic animal includes an artificial expression construct including MGT_E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 , and/or AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and/or AiP1417 within one or more of its cells. [0114] Detailed methods for producing transgenic animals are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,866. Transgenic animals may be of any nonhuman species, but preferably include nonhuman primates (NHPs), sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and rodents such as guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and ferrets.
[0115] In particular embodiments, construction of a transgenic animal results in an organism that has an engineered construct present in all cells in the same genomic integration site. Thus, cell lines derived from such transgenic animals will be consistent in as much as the engineered construct will be in the same genomic integration site in all cells and hence will suffer the same position effect variegation. In contrast, introducing genes into cell lines or primary cell cultures can give rise to expression of the construct. A disadvantage of this approach is that the expression of the introduced DNA may be affected by the specific genetic background of the host animal.
[0116] As indicated above in relation to cell lines, the artificial expression constructs of this disclosure can be used to genetically modify mouse embryonic stem cells using techniques known in the art. Typically, the artificial expression construct is introduced into cultured murine embryonic stem cells. Transformed ES cells are then injected into a blastocyst from a host mother and the host embryo re-implanted into the mother. This results in a chimeric mouse whose tissues are composed of cells derived from both the embryonic stem cells present in the cultured cell line and the embryonic stem cells present in the host embryo. Usually, the mice from which the cultured ES cells used for transgenesis are derived are chosen to have a different coat color from the host mouse into whose embryos the transformed cells are to be injected. Chimeric mice will then have a variegated coat color. As long as the germ-line tissue is derived, at least in part, from the genetically modified cells, then the chimeric mice crossed with an appropriate strain can produce offspring that will carry the transgene.
[0117] In addition to the methods of delivery described above, the following techniques are also contemplated as alternative methods of delivering artificial expression constructs to target cells or targeted tissues and organs of an animal, and in particular, to cells, organs, or tissues of a vertebrate mammal: sonophoresis (e.g., ultrasound, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,016); intraosseous injection (U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,708); microchip devices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,898); ophthalmic formulations (Bourlais et al., Prog Retin Eye Res, 1998, 17(1 ):33-58); transdermal matrices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,208); feedback-controlled delivery (U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,899), and any other delivery method available and/or described elsewhere in the disclosure.
[0118] (v) Methods of Use. In particular embodiments, a composition including a physiologically active component described herein is administered to a subject to result in a physiological effect. [0119] In particular embodiments, the disclosure includes the use of the artificial expression constructs described herein to modulate expression of a coding sequence which is either partially or wholly encoded in a location downstream to that enhancer in an engineered sequence. Thus, there are provided herein methods of use of the disclosed artificial expression constructs in the research, study, and potential development of medicaments for preventing, treating or ameliorating the symptoms of a disease, dysfunction, or disorder.
[0120] Particular embodiments include methods of administering to a subject an artificial expression construct that includes MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, and/or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 and/or AiP1539, AiP1682, AiP1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, CN2417, CN2909, and/or AiP1417 as described herein to drive expression of a gene in a targeted serotonergic cell type and/or targeted brain region. The subject can be an isolated cell, a network of cells, a tissue slice, an experimental animal, a veterinary animal, or a human.
[0121] As is well known in the medical arts, dosages for any one subject depends upon many factors, including the subject's size, surface area, age, the particular compound to be administered, sex, time and route of administration, general health, and other drugs being administered concurrently. Dosages for the compounds of the disclosure will vary, but, in particular embodiments, a dose could be from 105 to 10100 copies of an artificial expression construct of the disclosure. In particular embodiments, a patient receiving intravenous, intraparenchymal, intraspinal, retro-orbital, or intrathecal administration can be infused with from 106 to 1022 copies of the artificial expression construct.
[0122] An "effective amount" is the amount of a composition necessary to result in a desired physiological change in the subject. Effective amounts are often administered for research purposes. Effective amounts disclosed herein can cause a statistically-significant effect in an animal model, human study, in vivo, or in vitro assay.
[0123] The amount of expression constructs and time of administration of such compositions will be within the purview of the skilled artisan having benefit of the present teachings. It is likely, however, that the administration of effective amounts of the disclosed compositions may be achieved by a single administration, such as for example, a single injection of sufficient numbers of infectious particles to provide an effect in the subject. Alternatively, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide multiple, or successive administrations of the artificial expression construct compositions or other genetic constructs, either over a relatively short, or a relatively prolonged period of time, as may be determined by the individual overseeing the administration of such compositions. For example, the number of infectious particles administered to a mammal may be 107, 108, 109, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, or even higher, infectious particles/ml given either as a single dose or divided into two or more administrations as may be required to achieve an intended effect. In fact, in certain embodiments, it may be desirable to administer two or more different expression constructs in combination to achieve a desired effect.
[0124] In certain circumstances it will be desirable to deliver the artificial expression construct in suitably formulated compositions disclosed herein either by pipette, retro-orbital injection, subcutaneously, intraocularly, intravitreally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intraparenchymally, intracerebro-ventricularly, intramuscularly, intrathecally, intraspinally, intraperitoneally, by oral or nasal inhalation, or by direct application or injection to one or more cells, tissues, or organs. The methods of administration may also include those modalities as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,158; U.S. Pat. No. 5,641 ,515 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,363.
[0125] (vi) Kits and Commercial Packages. Kits and commercial packages contain an artificial expression construct described herein. The artificial expression construct can be isolated. In particular embodiments, the components of an expression product can be isolated from each other. In particular embodiments, the expression product can be within a vector, within a viral vector, within a cell, within a tissue slice or sample, and/or within a transgenic animal. Such kits may further include one or more reagents, restriction enzymes, peptides, therapeutics, pharmaceutical compounds, or means for delivery of the compositions such as syringes, injectables, and the like.
[0126] Embodiments of a kit or commercial package will also contain instructions regarding use of the included components, for example, in basic research, electrophysiological research, neuroanatomical research, and/or the research and/or treatment of a disorder, disease or condition.
[0127] The Exemplary Embodiments below are included to demonstrate particular embodiments of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize in light of the present disclosure that many changes can be made to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
[0128] (vii) Exemplary Embodiments.
1 . An artificial enhancer comprising a core of an eHGT_359h enhancer, an eHGT_445h enhancer, or an MGT_E51 enhancer.
2. The artificial enhancer of embodiment 1 , wherein the core of the enhancer has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, or SEQ ID NO: 39 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, or SEQ ID NO: 39.
3. A concatenated core including the core of embodiment 1 or 2.
4. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, wherein the concatenated core includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 copies of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, or SEQ ID NO: 39 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, or SEQ ID NO: 39.
5. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, wherein the concatenated core includes 3 copies of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.
6. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, wherein the concatenated core includes 3 copies of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37.
7. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, wherein the concatenated core includes 3 copies of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39.
8. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, including the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26, or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26
9. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, including the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36.
10. The concatenated core of embodiment 3, including the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38.
11 . An artificial expression construct including (i) an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, MGT_E51 core, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 ; (ii) a promoter; and (iii) a coding sequence.
12. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 11 , wherein the coding sequence encodes an effector element or an expressible element.
13. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 12, wherein the effector element includes a reporter protein or a functional molecule. 14. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 13, wherein the reporter protein includes a fluorescent protein.
15. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or a designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD).
16. The artificial expression construct of any of embodiments 12-15, wherein the expressible element includes a non-functional molecule.
17. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 16, wherein the non-functional molecule includes a non-functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
18. The artificial expression construct of any of embodiments 1 1 -17, wherein the artificial expression construct is associated with a capsid that crosses the blood-brain barrier.
19. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 18, wherein the capsid includes PHP.eB, AAV9, AAVrh.10, AAV-BR1 , AAV-PHP.S, AAV-PHP.B, or AAV-PPS.
20. The artificial expression construct of any of embodiments 1 1 -19, wherein the artificial expression construct includes or encodes a skipping element.
21. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 20, wherein the skipping element includes a 2A peptide or an internal ribosome entry site (IRES).
22. The artificial expression construct of embodiment 21 , wherein the 2A peptide includes T2A, P2A, E2A, or F2A.
23. The artificial expression construct of any of embodiments 1 1 -22, wherein the artificial expression construct includes or encodes a set of features selected from: AIP1539, AIP1682, AIP1754, CN4915, AIP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AIP1687, AiP1752, AIP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, AAV, scAAV, rAAV, pAAV, minBglobin, CMV, minCMV, minCMV*, minRho, minRho*, fluorescent protein, hsA2, Cre, iCre, dgCre, FlpO, tTA2, SP10, tag cassette, 10aa, nuclear localization protein, self-cleaving peptides, WPRE, WPRE3, hGHpA, and/or BGHpA.
24. The artificial expression construct of any of embodiments 1 1 -23, wherein the artificial expression construct includes or encodes a set of features selected from:
MGT_E206-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; MGT_E321-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E309-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT_1342m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E314-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
3xCore2b_eHGT_359h-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT 1368m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E326-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E301-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E304-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT E315-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT_1371 m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT 1373m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT_578h-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
3xCore2_eHGT_445h-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
3xCore2_MGT_E51 -minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E206-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT E321 -[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT E309-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; eHGT_1342m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements];
MGT_E314-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
3xCore2b_eHGT_359h-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; eHGT_1368m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements];
MGT_E326-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT E301 -[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT_E304-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT_E315-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; eHGT_1371 m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements]; eHGT_1373m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements]; eHGT_578h-minBG-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
3xCore2_eHGT_445h-minBG-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; 3xCore2_MGT_E51 -minBG-[codirig sequence]-[post-regulatory elements].
25. A vector including an artificial expression construct of any of the preceding embodiments.
26. The vector of embodiment 25, wherein the vector includes a viral vector.
27. The vector of embodiment 26, wherein the viral vector includes a recombinant adeno- associated viral (AAV) vector.
28. An adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector including at least one coding sequence, wherein the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of a promoter and an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h,
MGT E51 core, or 3xCore2 MGT E51 .
29. The AAV vector of embodiment 28, wherein the coding sequence encodes an effector element or an expressible element.
30. The AAV vector of embodiment 29, wherein the effector element includes a reporter protein or a functional molecule.
31 . The AAV vector of embodiment 30, wherein the reporter protein includes a fluorescent protein.
32. The AAV vector of embodiment 30 or 31 , wherein the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
33. The AAV vector of any of embodiments 29-32, wherein the expressible element includes a non-functional molecule.
34. The AAV vector of embodiment 33, wherein the non-functional molecule includes a nonfunctional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Casmolecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
35. A transgenic cell including an artificial expression construct or a vector of any of the preceding embodiments.
36. The transgenic cell of embodiment 35, wherein the transgenic cell is a serotonergic neuron. 37. The transgenic cell of embodiment 35, wherein the transgenic cell is a dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron or a median raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron.
38. The transgenic cell of any of embodiments 35-37, wherein the transgenic cell is murine, human, or non-human primate.
39. A non-human transgenic animal including an artificial expression construct, a vector, and/or a transgenic cell of any of the preceding embodiments.
40. The non-human transgenic animal of embodiment 39, wherein the non-human transgenic animal is a mouse or a non-human primate.
41. An administrable composition including an artificial expression construct, a vector, and/or a transgenic cell of any of the preceding embodiments.
42. A kit including an artificial expression construct, a vector, a transgenic cell, a non-human transgenic animal, and/or administrable compositions of any of the preceding embodiments.
43. A method for expressing a coding sequence within a targeted population of serotonergic neurons in vivo or in vitro, the method including providing an administrable composition including an artificial expression construct in a sufficient dosage and for a sufficient time to a sample or subject including the targeted population of serotonergic neurons thereby expressing the gene within the population of serotonergic neurons, wherein the artificial expression construct includes (i) an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, MGT E51 core, or 3xCore2_l\/IGT_E51 ; (ii) a promoter; and (iii) a coding sequence.
44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the enhancer includes MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, or eHGT_578h, and the serotonergic neurons are within the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN).
45. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the enhancer includes eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h, MGT E51 core, or 3xCore2_l\/IGT_E51 , and the serotonergic neurons are within the median raphe nucleus (MRN).
46. The method of any of embodiments 43-45, wherein the gene encodes an effector element or an expressible element.
47. The method of embodiment 46, wherein the effector element includes a reporter protein or a functional molecule. 48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein the reporter protein includes a fluorescent protein.
49. The method of embodiment 47 or 48, wherein the functional molecule includes a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
50. The method of any of embodiments 46-49, wherein the expressible element includes a non-functional molecule.
51 . The method of embodiment 50, wherein the non-functional molecule includes a nonfunctional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
52. The method of any of embodiments 43-51 , wherein the providing includes pipetting.
53. The method of embodiment 52, wherein the pipetting is to a brain slice.
54. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the brain slice includes a serotonergic neuron.
55. The method of embodiment 53 or 54, wherein the brain slice includes a dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron or a median raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron.
56. The method of any of embodiments 53-55, wherein the brain slice is murine, human, or non-human primate.
57. The method of any of embodiments 43-56, wherein the providing includes administering to a living subject.
58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the living subject is a human, non-human primate, or a mouse.
59. The method of embodiment 57 or 58, wherein the administering to a living subject is through injection.
60. The method of embodiment 59, wherein the injection includes intravenous injection, intraparenchymal injection into brain tissue, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, intra-cisterna magna (ICM) injection, or intrathecal injection.
61 . An artificial expression construct consisting of or consisting essentially of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEO ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, or SEQ ID NO: 91 ; a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, or SEQ ID NO: 91 ; or a sequence having at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, or SEQ ID NO: 91 .
[0129] (viii) Closing Paragraphs. Variants of the sequences disclosed and referenced herein are also included. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues can be substituted, inserted, or deleted without abolishing biological activity can be found using computer programs well known in the art, such as DNASTAR™ (Madison, Wisconsin) software. Preferably, amino acid changes in the protein variants disclosed herein are conservative amino acid changes, i.e., substitutions of similarly charged or uncharged amino acids. A conservative amino acid change involves substitution of one of a family of amino acids which are related in their side chains.
[0130] In a peptide or protein, suitable conservative substitutions of amino acids are known to those of skill in this art and generally can be made without altering a biological activity of a resulting molecule. Those of skill in this art recognize that, in general, single amino acid substitutions in non-essential regions of a polypeptide do not substantially alter biological activity (see, e.g., Watson et al. Molecular Biology of the Gene, 4th Edition, 1987, The Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co., p. 224). Naturally occurring amino acids are generally divided into conservative substitution families as follows: Group 1 : Alanine (Ala), Glycine (Gly), Serine (Ser), and Threonine (Thr); Group 2: (acidic): Aspartic acid (Asp), and Glutamic acid (Glu); Group 3: (acidic; also classified as polar, negatively charged residues and their amides): Asparagine (Asn), Glutamine (Gin), Asp, and Glu; Group 4: Gin and Asn; Group 5: (basic; also classified as polar, positively charged residues): Arginine (Arg), Lysine (Lys), and Histidine (His); Group 6 (large aliphatic, nonpolar residues): Isoleucine (lie), Leucine (Leu), Methionine (Met), Valine (Vai) and Cysteine (Cys); Group 7 (uncharged polar): Tyrosine (Tyr), Gly, Asn, Gin, Cys, Ser, and Thr; Group 8 (large aromatic residues): Phenylalanine (Phe), Tryptophan (Trp), and Tyr; Group 9 (nonpolar): Proline (Pro), Ala, Vai, Leu, lie, Phe, Met, and Trp; Group 11 (aliphatic): Gly, Ala, Vai, Leu, and lie; Group 10 (small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues): Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro, and Gly; and Group 12 (sulfur-containing): Met and Cys. Additional information can be found in Creighton (1984) Proteins, W.H. Freeman and Company. [0131] In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biologic function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982, J. Mol. Biol. 157(1 ), 105-32). Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of its hydrophobicity and charge characteristics (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982). These values are: He (+4.5); Vai (+4.2); Leu (+3.8); Phe (+2.8); Cys (+2.5); Met (+1 .9); Ala (+1 .8); Gly (-0.4); Thr (-0.7); Ser (-0.8); Trp (-0.9); Tyr (-1.3); Pro (-1.6); His (-3.2); Glutamate (-3.5); Gin (-3.5); aspartate (-3.5); Asn (-3.5); Lys (-3.9); and Arg (-4.5).
[0132] It is known in the art that certain amino acids may be substituted by other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still result in a protein with similar biological activity, i.e., still obtain a biological functionally equivalent protein. In making such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2 is preferred, those within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred. It is also understood in the art that the substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity.
[0133] As detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101 , the following hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acid residues: Arg (+3.0); Lys (+3.0); aspartate (+3.0±1); glutamate (+3.0±1 ); Ser (+0.3); Asn (+0.2); Gin (+0.2); Gly (0); Thr (-0.4); Pro (-0.5±1); Ala (-0.5); His (-0.5); Cys (-1.0); Met (-1.3); Vai (-1.5); Leu (-1.8); lie (-1.8); Tyr (-2.3); Phe (-2.5); Trp (-3.4). It is understood that an amino acid can be substituted for another having a similar hydrophilicity value and still obtain a biologically equivalent, and in particular, an immunologically equivalent protein. In such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ±2 is preferred, those within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
[0134] As outlined above, amino acid substitutions may be based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like.
[0135] As indicated elsewhere, variants of gene sequences can include codon optimized variants, sequence polymorphisms, splice variants, and/or mutations that do not affect the function of an encoded product to a statistically-signif icant degree.
[0136] Variants of the protein, nucleic acid, and gene sequences disclosed herein also include sequences with at least 70% sequence identity, 80% sequence identity, 85% sequence, 90% sequence identity, 95% sequence identity, 96% sequence identity, 97% sequence identity, 98% sequence identity, or 99% sequence identity to the protein, nucleic acid, or gene sequences disclosed herein.
[0137] “% sequence identity” refers to a relationship between two or more sequences, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, "identity" also means the degree of sequence relatedness between protein, nucleic acid, or gene sequences as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. "Identity" (often referred to as "similarity") can be readily calculated by known methods, including those described in: Computational Molecular Biology (Lesk, A. M., ed.) Oxford University Press, NY (1988); Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects (Smith, D. W., ed.) Academic Press, NY (1994); Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I (Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds.) Humana Press, NJ (1994); Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology (Von Heijne, G., ed.) Academic Press (1987); and Sequence Analysis Primer (Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds.) Oxford University Press, NY (1992). Preferred methods to determine identity are designed to give the best match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified in publicly available computer programs. Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations may be performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin). Multiple alignment of the sequences can also be performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp CABIOS, 5, 151 -153 (1989) with default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Relevant programs also include the GCG suite of programs (Wisconsin Package Version 9.0, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), Madison, Wisconsin); BLASTP, BLASTN, BLASTX (Altschul, et al., J. Mol. Biol. 1990, 215:403-410; DNASTAR (DNASTAR, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin); and the FASTA program incorporating the Smith-Waterman algorithm (Pearson, Comput. Methods Genome Res., [Proc. Int. Symp.] (1994), Meeting Date 1992, 11 1-20. Editor(s): Suhai, Sandor. Publisher: Plenum, New York, N.Y.). Within the context of this disclosure, it will be understood that where sequence analysis software is used for analysis, the results of the analysis are based on the "default values" of the program referenced. As used herein "default values" will mean any set of values or parameters, which originally load with the software when first initialized.
[0138] Variants also include nucleic acid molecules that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a sequence disclosed herein and provide the same function as the reference sequence. Exemplary stringent hybridization conditions include an overnight incubation at 42 °C in a solution including 50% formamide, 5XSSC (750 mM NaCI, 75 mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5XDenhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 pg/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the filters in 0.1 XSSC at 50 °C. Changes in the stringency of hybridization and signal detection are primarily accomplished through the manipulation of formamide concentration (lower percentages of formamide result in lowered stringency); salt conditions, or temperature. For example, moderately high stringency conditions include an overnight incubation at 37°C in a solution including 6XSSPE (20XSSPE=3M NaCI; 0.2M NaH2PC>4; 0.02M EDTA, pH 7.4), 0.5% SDS, 30% formamide, 100 pg/ml salmon sperm blocking DNA; followed by washes at 50 °C with 1XSSPE, 0.1% SDS. In addition, to achieve even lower stringency, washes performed following stringent hybridization can be done at higher salt concentrations (e.g., 5XSSC). Variations in the above conditions may be accomplished through the inclusion and/or substitution of alternate blocking reagents used to suppress background in hybridization experiments. Typical blocking reagents include Denhardt's reagent, BLOTTO, heparin, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and commercially available proprietary formulations. The inclusion of specific blocking reagents may require modification of the hybridization conditions described above, due to problems with compatibility.
[0139] The term concatenate is broadly used to describe linking together into a chain or series. It is used to describe the linking together of nucleotide or amino acid sequences into a single nucleotide or amino acid sequence, respectively. The term “concatamerize” should be interpreted to recite: "concatenate.”
[0140] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, each embodiment disclosed herein can comprise, consist essentially of or consist of its particular stated element, step, ingredient or component. Thus, the terms “include” or “including” should be interpreted to recite: “comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of.” The transition term “comprise” or “comprises” means has, but is not limited to, and allows for the inclusion of unspecified elements, steps, ingredients, or components, even in major amounts. The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, ingredient or component not specified. The transition phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of the embodiment to the specified elements, steps, ingredients or components and to those that do not materially affect the embodiment. A material effect would cause a statistically significant reduction in targeted expression in the targeted cell population (e.g., serotonergic neurons) as determined by scRNA-Seq and the following enhancer I targeted brain region pairings:
MGT E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_1368m, MGT E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, eHGT_578h, and 3xcore2b_eHGT_359h / Dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN); and
3xCore2_eHGT_445h and 3xCore2_MGT_E51 / Median raphe nucleus (MRN).
[0141] In particular embodiments, artificial means not naturally occurring. [0142] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. When further clarity is required, the term “about” has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person skilled in the art when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range, i.e. denoting somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, to within a range of ±20% of the stated value; ±19% of the stated value; ±18% of the stated value; ±17% of the stated value; ±16% of the stated value; ±15% of the stated value; ±14% of the stated value; ±13% of the stated value; ±12% of the stated value; ±11 % of the stated value; ±10% of the stated value; ±9% of the stated value; ±8% of the stated value; ±7% of the stated value; ±6% of the stated value; ±5% of the stated value; ±4% of the stated value; ±3% of the stated value; ±2% of the stated value; or ±1% of the stated value.
[0143] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0144] The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. [0145] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
[0146] Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0147] Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents, printed publications, journal articles and other written text throughout this specification (referenced materials herein). Each of the referenced materials are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for their referenced teaching.
[0148] In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.
[0149] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of various embodiments of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings and/or examples making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. [0150] Definitions and explanations used in the present disclosure are meant and intended to be controlling in any future construction unless clearly and unambiguously modified in the following examples or when application of the meaning renders any construction meaningless or essentially meaningless. In cases where the construction of the term would render it meaningless or essentially meaningless, the definition should be taken from Webster's Dictionary, 3rd Edition or a dictionary known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as the Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Ed. Anthony Smith, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004).

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1 . An artificial expression construct comprising (i) eHGT_1342m, (ii) a promoter, and (iii) a coding sequence.
2. An artificial enhancer comprising a core of an eHGT_359h enhancer.
3. The artificial enhancer of claim 2, wherein the core of the eHGT_359h enhancer has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.
4. A concatenated core comprising the core of claim 2.
5. The concatenated core of claim 4, wherein the concatenated core has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 copies of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.
6. The concatenated core of claim 4, wherein the concatenated core has 3 copies of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.
7. The concatenated core of claim 4, having the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26.
8. An artificial expression construct including (i) an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT 1371 m, or eHGT 1373m; (ii) a promoter; and (iii) a coding sequence.
9. The artificial expression construct of claim 8, wherein 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h has the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26.
10. The artificial expression construct of claim 8, wherein the coding sequence encodes an effector element or an expressible element.
11 . The artificial expression construct of claim 10, wherein the effector element comprises a reporter protein or a functional molecule.
12. The artificial expression construct of claim 11 , wherein the reporter protein comprises a fluorescent protein.
13. The artificial expression construct of claim 11 , wherein the functional molecule comprises a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or a designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD).
14. The artificial expression construct of claim 10, wherein the expressible element comprises a non-functional molecule.
15. The artificial expression construct of claim 14, wherein the non-functional molecule comprises a non-functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
16. The artificial expression construct of claim 8, wherein the artificial expression construct is associated with a capsid that crosses the blood-brain barrier.
17. The artificial expression construct of claim 16, wherein the capsid comprises PHP.eB, AAV9, AAVrh.10, AAV-BR1 , AAV-PHP.S, AAV-PHP.B, or AAV-PPS.
18. The artificial expression construct of claim 8, wherein the artificial expression construct comprises or encodes a skipping element.
19. The artificial expression construct of claim 18, wherein the skipping element comprises a 2A peptide or an internal ribosome entry site (IRES).
20. The artificial expression construct of claim 19, wherein the 2A peptide comprises T2A, P2A, E2A, or F2A.
21 . The artificial expression construct of claim 8, wherein the artificial expression construct comprises or encodes a set of features selected from: Ai P 1539, Ai P 1682, AiP 1754, CN4915, AiP1943, CN2780, CN4891 , AiP1687, AiP1752, AiP1640, AiP1647, CN4922, CN4893, AAV, scAAV, rAAV, pAAV, minBglobin, CMV, minCMV, minCMV*, minRho, minRho*, fluorescent protein, hsA2, Cre, iCre, dgCre, FlpO, tTA2, SP10, tag cassette, 10aa, nuclear localization protein, self-cleaving peptides, WPRE, WPRE3, hGHpA, and/or BGHpA.
22. The artificial expression construct of claim 8, wherein the artificial expression construct comprises or encodes a set of features selected from:
MGT_E206-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E321-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E309-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT_1342m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E314-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
3xcore2b_eHGT_359h-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT_1368m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E326-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E301-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E304-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT E315-minBG-[coding sequence]-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT 1371 m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA; eHGT_1373m-minBG-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-WPRE-BGHpA;
MGT_E206-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT E321 -[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT_E309-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; eHGT_1342m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements];
MGT_E314-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
3xcore2b_eHGT_359h-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; eHGT_1368m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements];
MGT_E326-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT E301 -[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT_E304-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements];
MGT_E315-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-[post-regulatory elements]; eHGT_1371 m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements]; or eHGT_1373m-[minimal promoter]-[coding sequence]-P2A-3XFLAG-10aa-H2B*-[post- regulatory elements].
23. A vector comprising an artificial expression construct of claim 8.
24. The vector of claim 23, wherein the vector comprises a viral vector.
25. The vector of claim 24, wherein the viral vector comprises a recombinant adeno- associated viral (AAV) vector.
26. A transgenic cell comprising an artificial expression construct of claim 8 and/or a vector of claim 23.
27. The transgenic cell of claim 26, wherein the transgenic cell is a serotonergic neuron.
28. The transgenic cell of claim 26, wherein the transgenic cell is a dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron or a median raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron.
29. The transgenic cell of claim 26, wherein the transgenic cell is murine, human, or non- human primate.
30. A non-human transgenic animal comprising an artificial expression construct of claim 8, a vector of claim 23, and/or a transgenic cell of claim 26.
31 . The non-human transgenic animal of claim 30, wherein the non-human transgenic animal is a mouse or a non-human primate.
32. An administrable composition comprising an artificial expression construct of claim 8, a vector of claim 23, and/or a transgenic cell of claim 26.
33. A kit comprising an artificial expression construct of claim 8, a vector of claim 23, a transgenic cell of claim 26, and/or a non-human transgenic animal of claim 30.
34. A method for expressing a gene within a targeted population of serotonergic neurons in vivo or in vitro, the method comprising providing an administrable composition comprising an artificial expression construct in a sufficient dosage and for a sufficient time to a sample or subject comprising the targeted population of serotonergic neurons thereby expressing the gene within the population of serotonergic neurons, wherein the artificial expression construct comprises (i) an enhancer selected from MGT E206, MGT_E321 , MGT_E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT 1371 m, eHGT 1373m, eHGT 578h, eHGT 445h core, 3xCore2 eHGT 445h core, MGT_E51 core, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 core; (ii) a promoter; and (iii) a coding sequence.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the enhancer includes MGT E206, MGT E321 , MGT E309, eHGT_1342m, MGT_E314, eHGT_359h core, 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h, eHGT_1368m, MGT_E326, MGT_E301 , MGT_E304, MGT_E315, eHGT_1371 m, eHGT_1373m, or eHGT_578h and the serotonergic neurons are within the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN).
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the 3xCore2b_eHGT_359h has the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein the enhancer includes an eHGT_445h core, 3xCore2_eHGT_445h core, an MGT E51 core, or 3xCore2_MGT_E51 core, and wherein the serotonergic neurons are within the median raphe nucleus (MRN).
38. The method of claim 37, wherein 3xCore2_eHGT_445h core has the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein 3xCore2_MGT_E51 core has the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38 or a sequence having 90% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38.
40. The method of claim 34, wherein the gene encodes an effector element or an expressible element.
41 . The method of claim 40, wherein the effector element comprises a reporter protein or a functional molecule.
42. The method of claim 41 , wherein the reporter protein comprises a fluorescent protein.
43. The method of claim 41 , wherein the functional molecule comprises a functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
44. The method of claim 40, wherein the expressible element comprises a non-functional molecule.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the non-functional molecule comprises a non-functional ion transporter, enzyme, transcription factor, receptor, membrane protein, cellular trafficking protein, signaling molecule, neurotransmitter, calcium reporter, channelrhodopsin, CRISPR/Cas molecule, editase, guide RNA molecule, microRNA, homologous recombination donor cassette, or DREADD.
46. The method of claim 34, wherein the providing comprises pipetting.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the pipetting is to a brain slice.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the brain slice comprises a serotonergic neuron.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein the brain slice comprises a dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron or a median raphe nucleus serotonergic neuron.
50. The method of claim 47, wherein the brain slice is murine, human, or non-human primate.
51 . The method of claim 34, wherein the providing comprises administering to a living subject.
52. The method of claim 51 , wherein the living subject is a human, non-human primate, or a mouse.
53. The method of claim 51 , wherein the administering to a living subject is through injection.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the injection comprises intravenous injection, intraparenchymal injection into brain tissue, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, intra-cisterna magna (ICM) injection, or intrathecal injection.
55. An artificial expression construct consisting of or consisting essentially of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEO ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, or SEQ ID NO: 88; a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, or SEQ ID NO: 88; or a sequence having at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81 , SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, or SEQ ID NO: 88.
PCT/US2024/061435 2023-12-22 2024-12-20 Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in serotonergic neurons Pending WO2025137554A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202363614415P 2023-12-22 2023-12-22
US63/614,415 2023-12-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025137554A1 true WO2025137554A1 (en) 2025-06-26

Family

ID=96138108

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2024/061435 Pending WO2025137554A1 (en) 2023-12-22 2024-12-20 Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in serotonergic neurons

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025137554A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140249041A1 (en) * 2009-05-27 2014-09-04 Region Midtjylland Marker of Prostate Cancer
US20230302158A1 (en) * 2020-08-14 2023-09-28 Allen Institute Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in striatal neurons
WO2023245013A2 (en) * 2022-06-13 2023-12-21 Allen Institute Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in non-neuronal central nervous system cells

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140249041A1 (en) * 2009-05-27 2014-09-04 Region Midtjylland Marker of Prostate Cancer
US20230302158A1 (en) * 2020-08-14 2023-09-28 Allen Institute Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in striatal neurons
WO2023245013A2 (en) * 2022-06-13 2023-12-21 Allen Institute Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in non-neuronal central nervous system cells

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
BENZEKHROUFA K; LIU B-H; TESCHEMACHER A G; KASPAROV S: "Targeting central serotonergic neurons with lentiviral vectors based on a transcriptional amplification strategy", GENE THERAPY, vol. 16, no. 5, 12 February 2009 (2009-02-12), GB , pages 681 - 688, XP037773523, ISSN: 0969-7128, DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.7 *
DATABASE Nucleotide 10 August 2021 (2021-08-10), ANONYMOUS : "Synthetic construct TRPC5-DogTag-SYFP2 fusion protein gene, complete cds", XP093331667, retrieved from NCBI Database accession no. MZ223440 *

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20230159952A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in neocortical layer 5 glutamatergic neurons
CA3142948A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in selected neuronal cell populations
US20230117172A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in non-neuronal brain cells
US20250235550A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in the cerebellum and a secondary cell type
US20240182923A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in claustrum neurons
WO2023245013A2 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in non-neuronal central nervous system cells
US20240254514A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in neurons within the thalamus
US20240018543A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in chandelier cells
US20230212608A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in inhibitory neocortical neurons
US20250041454A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in neocortical layer 4 or layer 5 intratelencephalic neurons
US20250163458A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in dopaminergic neurons
WO2025137554A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in serotonergic neurons
WO2025179180A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in motor neurons and cerebellar neurons
WO2025059552A1 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in the basal ganglia
WO2024163914A2 (en) Artificial expression constructs for modulating gene expression in cells within the spinal cord

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 24909072

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1