Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are in advanced clinical development for treatment of multiple genetic diseases. Nevertheless, unexpected immune responses have substantially slowed down clinical advances, as for instance in the case of the X-linked bleeding disorder hemophilia, where activation of CD8+ T cells continues to cause complications for patients. For example, CD8+ T cells directed against AAV capsid target transduced human hepatocytes thus causing liver toxicity and loss of expression. Similarly, upon gene transfer into skeletal muscle aimed at treating a variety of genetic diseases, CD8+ T cell responses directed against capsid, and in some patients against the transgene product, were observed. These were often associated with prolonged inflammation and resulted in cytotoxicity and/or cytokine production and partial loss of expression. Another major concern for many replacement therapies is antibody formation against the transgene product, which we have extensively addressed in previous funding cycles. Our key discovery that hepatic AAV gene transfer can induce immune tolerance to the transgene product (partly through induction of regulatory T cell, Treg) facilitated the establishment of effective clinical gene therapies for hemophilia, as well as the pre-clinical development of immune modulatory gene therapies for multiple diseases. We have since established several alternative methods to prevent or reverse antibody formation against therapeutic proteins. Because of the clinical observations summarized above, we are now performing in-depth studies on the mechanism of CD8+ T cell activation in AAV gene transfer. We have also identified novel approaches to prevent such responses by blocking require innate immune signals. To address major gaps in knowledge on CD8+ T cell activation in response to AAV and to reduce immunogenicity of AAV gene transfer, we propose to define the mechanism of dendritic cell licensing in AAV gene transfer; to define the mechanisms that lead to transgene product-specific CD8+ T cell responses; and to develop innate immune blockade to prevent CD8+ T cell activation upon AAV- FIX gene transfer.
Gene therapy for the inherited bleeding disorder hemophilia has now been successful in patients, representing a cure rather than merely treatment of the disease. However, the immune system may reject the gene medicine, which has also been a problem in other diseases. The proposal seeks to prevent such immune responses, so that patients receive lasting therapy.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 57 publications
