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Liver-specific microRNA-122 target sequences incorporated in AAV vectors efficiently inhibits transgene expression in the liver.

ABSTRACT: Vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) are effective in gene delivery in vivo. Tissue-specific gene expression is often needed to minimize ectopic expression in unintended cells and undesirable consequences. Here, we investigated whether incorporation of target sequences of tissue-specific microRNA (miRNA) into AAV vectors could inhibit ectopic expression in tissues such as the liver and hematopoietic cells. First we inserted liver-specific miR-122 target sequences (miR-122T) into the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of a number of AAV vectors. After intravenous delivery in mice, we found that five copies of the 20mer miR-122T reduced liver expression of luciferase by 50-fold and ?-galactosidase (LacZ) by 70-fold. Five copies of miR-122T also reduced mRNA levels of a secretable protein (myostatin propeptide) from the AAV vector plasmid by 23-fold in the liver. However, gene expression in other tissues, including the heart was not inhibited. Similarly, we inserted four copies of miR-142-3pT or miR-142-5pT, both hematopoietic lineage-specific, into the 3'-UTR of the AAV-luciferase vector. We wished to see whether they could prolong transgene expression by inhibiting expression in antigen-presenting cells. However, in vivo luciferase gene expression in major tissues declined with time, regardless of the miR-142 target sequences used. Quantitative analysis of the vector DNA in various tissues revealed that the decline of transgene expression in vivo was mainly because of promoter shut-off other than loss of AAV-transduced cells by immune destruction. Moreover, transgene expression was not detected in circulating mononuclear cells after delivering AAV9 vector with or without miR142T. These results demonstrate that liver-specific miR-122 target sequence in AAV vectors was highly efficient in reducing liver expression, whereas hematopoietic miR-142 target sequences were ineffective in preventing decline of AAV vector gene expression in nonhematopoietic tissues resulted from promoter shut-off.

SUBMITTER: Qiao C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3686499 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Liver-specific microRNA-122 target sequences incorporated in AAV vectors efficiently inhibits transgene expression in the liver.

Qiao C C Yuan Z Z Li J J He B B Zheng H H Mayer C C Li J J Xiao X X

Gene therapy 20101209 4

Vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) are effective in gene delivery in vivo. Tissue-specific gene expression is often needed to minimize ectopic expression in unintended cells and undesirable consequences. Here, we investigated whether incorporation of target sequences of tissue-specific microRNA (miRNA) into AAV vectors could inhibit ectopic expression in tissues such as the liver and hematopoietic cells. First we inserted liver-specific miR-122 target sequences (miR-122T) into the 3'- ...[more]

PMID: 21150938

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Project description:UnlabelledA defining feature of the mammalian liver is polyploidy, a numerical change in the entire complement of chromosomes. The first step of polyploidization involves cell division with failed cytokinesis. Although polyploidy is common, affecting ∼90% of hepatocytes in mice and 50% in humans, the specialized role played by polyploid cells in liver homeostasis and disease remains poorly understood. The goal of this study was to identify novel signals that regulate polyploidization, and we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs). First, to test whether miRNAs could regulate hepatic polyploidy, we examined livers from Dicer1 liver-specific knockout mice, which are devoid of mature miRNAs. Loss of miRNAs resulted in a 3-fold reduction in binucleate hepatocytes, indicating that miRNAs regulate polyploidization. Second, we surveyed age-dependent expression of miRNAs in wild-type mice and identified a subset of miRNAs, including miR-122, that is differentially expressed at 2-3 weeks, a period when extensive polyploidization occurs. Next, we examined Mir122 knockout mice and observed profound, lifelong depletion of polyploid hepatocytes, proving that miR-122 is required for complete hepatic polyploidization. Moreover, the polyploidy defect in Mir122 knockout mice was ameliorated by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of miR-122, underscoring the critical role miR-122 plays in polyploidization. Finally, we identified direct targets of miR-122 (Cux1, Rhoa, Iqgap1, Mapre1, Nedd4l, and Slc25a34) that regulate cytokinesis. Inhibition of each target induced cytokinesis failure and promoted hepatic binucleation.ConclusionAmong the different signals that have been associated with hepatic polyploidy, miR-122 is the first liver-specific signal identified; our data demonstrate that miR-122 is both necessary and sufficient in liver polyploidization, and these studies will serve as the foundation for future work investigating miR-122 in liver maturation, homeostasis, and disease. (Hepatology 2016;64:599-615).

Project description:Gene therapy using neurotropic adeno-associated virus vectors represents an emerging solution for genetic disorders affecting the central nervous system. The first approved central nervous system-targeting adeno-associated virus gene therapy, Zolgensma®, for treating spinal muscular atrophy is administered intravenously at high doses that cause liver-associated adverse events in 20%–30% of patients. Intrathecal routes of vector administration, such as the intra-cisterna magna route, provide efficient gene transduction to central nervous system cells while reducing off-target liver transduction. However, significant levels of liver transduction often occur upon intra-cisterna magna vector delivery in preclinical studies. Using vectors expressing monoclonal antibody transgenes, we examined whether passive transfer of adeno-associated virus-neutralizing antibodies as intravenous immunoglobulin before intrathecal adeno-associated virus delivery improved the safety of viral gene therapy targeting the central nervous system in mice and nonhuman primates. We used intracerebroventricular and intra-cisterna magna routes for vector administration to mice and nonhuman primates, respectively, and evaluated transgene expression and vector genome distribution. Our data indicate that pretreatment with intravenous immunoglobulin significantly reduced gene transduction to the liver and other peripheral organs but not to the central nervous system in both species. With further refinement, this method may improve the safety of adeno-associated virus-based, central nervous system-targeting gene therapies in clinical settings. Graphical abstract Off-target transduction during AAV gene therapy is associated with adverse side effects. Horiuchi et al. examined whether pretreatment with AAV-neutralizing antibodies prevented off-target transduction in mice and nonhuman primates receiving CNS-targeted gene therapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin pretreatment significantly reduced transduction of the liver and other peripheral organs but not the CNS.

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Liver-specific microRNA-122 target sequences incorporated in AAV vectors efficiently inhibits transgene expression in the liver.

Publications

Liver-specific microRNA-122 target sequences incorporated in AAV vectors efficiently inhibits transgene expression in the liver.

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