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Bridging From Intramuscular To Limb Perfusion Delivery Of Raav: Optimization In A Non-Human Primate Study, Alisha Gruntman, Gwladys Gernoux, Qiushi Tang, Guo-Jie Ye, Dave R. Knop, Gensheng Wang, Janet Benson, Kristen E. Coleman, Allison M. Keeler, Christian Mueller, Louis G. Chicoine, Jeffrey D. Chulay, Terence R. Flotte May 2019

Bridging From Intramuscular To Limb Perfusion Delivery Of Raav: Optimization In A Non-Human Primate Study, Alisha Gruntman, Gwladys Gernoux, Qiushi Tang, Guo-Jie Ye, Dave R. Knop, Gensheng Wang, Janet Benson, Kristen E. Coleman, Allison M. Keeler, Christian Mueller, Louis G. Chicoine, Jeffrey D. Chulay, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Phase 1 and phase 2 gene therapy trials using intramuscular (IM) administration of a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (rAAV1) for replacement of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency have shown long-term (5-year) stable transgene expression at approximately 2% to 3% of therapeutic levels, arguing for the long-term viability of this approach to gene replacement of secreted serum protein deficiencies. However, achieving these levels required 100 IM injections to deliver 135 mL of vector, and further dose escalation is limited by the scalability of direct IM injection. To further advance the dose escalation, we sought to bridge the rAAV-AAT clinical development …


Survival Advantage Of Both Human Hepatocyte Xenografts And Genome-Edited Hepatocytes For Treatment Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Florie Borel, Qiushi Tang, Gwladys Gernoux, Cynthia Greer, Ziqiong Wang, Adi Barzel, Mark A. Kay, Leonard D. Shultz, Dale L. Greiner, Terence R. Flotte, Michael A. Brehm, Christian Mueller Dec 2017

Survival Advantage Of Both Human Hepatocyte Xenografts And Genome-Edited Hepatocytes For Treatment Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Florie Borel, Qiushi Tang, Gwladys Gernoux, Cynthia Greer, Ziqiong Wang, Adi Barzel, Mark A. Kay, Leonard D. Shultz, Dale L. Greiner, Terence R. Flotte, Michael A. Brehm, Christian Mueller

Christian Mueller

Hepatocytes represent an important target for gene therapy and editing of single-gene disorders. In alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, one missense mutation results in impaired secretion of AAT. In most patients, lung damage occurs due to a lack of AAT-mediated protection of lung elastin from neutrophil elastase. In some patients, accumulation of misfolded PiZ mutant AAT protein triggers hepatocyte injury, leading to inflammation and cirrhosis. We hypothesized that correcting the Z mutant defect in hepatocytes would confer a selective advantage for repopulation of hepatocytes within an intact liver. A human PiZ allele was crossed onto an immune-deficient (NSG) strain to create …


Hepatic Changes Associated With Chronic Alcohol Exposure In An Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Piz Mouse Model, Zhuoyao Lyu, Alisha M. Gruntman, Brian O'Sullivan-Murphy, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte Jul 2017

Hepatic Changes Associated With Chronic Alcohol Exposure In An Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Piz Mouse Model, Zhuoyao Lyu, Alisha M. Gruntman, Brian O'Sullivan-Murphy, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

The PiZ mutation in the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) gene causes the PiZ mutant protein to be sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes, causing significant liver pathology in ~10% of PiZZ homozygous AAT disease patients. Current transgenic mouse models of the disease include the liver-specific over-expression of mutant PiZ protein. However, these animal models do not efficiently recapitulate the liver damage found in PiZZ homozygous patients. Since only a small percentage of patients develop liver disease and it is not reproducible in animal models of AATD, it suggests that there are other factors that participate in disease pathogenesis. Here, we …


Evolution Of The Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Muscle Gene Therapy: Translation From Clinical Trial To Benchtop And Back Again, Alisha M. Gruntman, Gwladys Gernoux, Gensheng Wang, Janet Benson, Jeff Chulay, Dave Knop, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte Jul 2017

Evolution Of The Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Muscle Gene Therapy: Translation From Clinical Trial To Benchtop And Back Again, Alisha M. Gruntman, Gwladys Gernoux, Gensheng Wang, Janet Benson, Jeff Chulay, Dave Knop, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha-one antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic disease affecting the lungs due to inadequate anti-protease activity in the pulmonary interstitium. On-going human trials use intra-muscular delivery of adeno-associated virus (rAAV1), allowing expressing myofibers to secrete normal (M)AAT protein. In the Phase IIa trial, patients in the highest dose cohort (6x1012vg/kg) were given 100 intra-muscular (IM) injections of undiluted vector, with serum AAT levels still substantially below target levels. Previous work has shown that delivering rAAV vector to the musculature via limb perfusion leads to widespread gene expression in myofibers. We hypothesize that widespread delivery would result in an overall increase …


5 Year Expression And Neutrophil Defect Repair After Gene Therapy In Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Christian Mueller, Gwladys Gernoux, Alisha M. Gruntman, Florie Borel, Emer P. Reeves, Roberto Calcedo, Farshid N. Rouhani, Anthony Yachnis, Margaret Humphries, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Louis M. Messina, Jeffrey D. Chulay, Bruce Trapnell, James M. Wilson, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Terence R. Flotte Jun 2017

5 Year Expression And Neutrophil Defect Repair After Gene Therapy In Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Christian Mueller, Gwladys Gernoux, Alisha M. Gruntman, Florie Borel, Emer P. Reeves, Roberto Calcedo, Farshid N. Rouhani, Anthony Yachnis, Margaret Humphries, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Louis M. Messina, Jeffrey D. Chulay, Bruce Trapnell, James M. Wilson, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a monogenic disorder resulting in emphysema due principally to the unopposed effects of neutrophil elastase. We previously reported achieving plasma wild-type alpha-1 antitrypsin concentrations at 2.5%-3.8% of the purported therapeutic level at 1 year after a single intramuscular administration of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 alpha-1 antitrypsin vector in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient patients. We analyzed blood and muscle for alpha-1 antitrypsin expression and immune cell response. We also assayed previously reported markers of neutrophil function known to be altered in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient patients. Here, we report sustained expression at 2.0%-2.5% of the target level from …


Central Role Of Il-23 And Il-17 Producing Eosinophils As Immunomodulatory Effector Cells In Acute Pulmonary Aspergillosis And Allergic Asthma, Evelyn V. Santos Guerra, Chrono K. Lee, Charles A. Specht, Bhawna Yadav, Haibin Huang, Ali Akalin, Jun R. Huh, Christian Mueller, Stuart M. Levitz May 2017

Central Role Of Il-23 And Il-17 Producing Eosinophils As Immunomodulatory Effector Cells In Acute Pulmonary Aspergillosis And Allergic Asthma, Evelyn V. Santos Guerra, Chrono K. Lee, Charles A. Specht, Bhawna Yadav, Haibin Huang, Ali Akalin, Jun R. Huh, Christian Mueller, Stuart M. Levitz

Christian Mueller

Aspergillus fumigatus causes invasive pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts and allergic asthma in atopic individuals. We studied the contribution of lung eosinophils to these fungal diseases. By in vivo intracellular cytokine staining and confocal microscopy, we observed that eosinophils act as local sources of IL-23 and IL-17. Remarkably, mice lacking eosinophils had a >95% reduction in the percentage of lung IL-23p19+ cells as well as markedly reduced IL-23 heterodimer in lung lavage fluid. Eosinophils killed A. fumigatus conidia in vivo. Eosinopenic mice had higher mortality rates, decreased recruitment of inflammatory monocytes, and decreased expansion of lung macrophages after challenge with …


Recombinant Aav Serotype And Capsid Mutant Comparison For Pulmonary Gene Transfer Of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Using Invasive And Noninvasive Delivery, Rejean Liqun Wang, Thomas J. Mclaughlin, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Kevin Foust, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Ashley Martino, Pedro Cruz, Scott Loiler, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte May 2017

Recombinant Aav Serotype And Capsid Mutant Comparison For Pulmonary Gene Transfer Of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Using Invasive And Noninvasive Delivery, Rejean Liqun Wang, Thomas J. Mclaughlin, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Kevin Foust, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Ashley Martino, Pedro Cruz, Scott Loiler, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors have been widely used in pulmonary gene therapy research. In this study, we evaluated the transduction and expression efficiencies of several AAV serotypes and AAV2 capsid mutants with specific pulmonary targeting ligands in the mouse lung. The noninvasive intranasal delivery was compared with the traditional intratracheal lung delivery. The rAAV8 was the most efficient serotype at expressing alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) in the lung among all the tested serotypes and mutants. A dose of 1 x 1010 vg of rAAV8-CB-AAT transduced a high percentage of cells in the lung when delivered intratrachealy. The serum and the broncho-alveolar …


Self-Complementary Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Improve Transduction Efficiency Of Corneal Endothelial Cells, Anja K. Gruenert, Marta Czugala, Christian Mueller, Marco Schmeer, Martin Schleef, Friedrich E. Kruse, Thomas A. Fuchsluger Nov 2016

Self-Complementary Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Improve Transduction Efficiency Of Corneal Endothelial Cells, Anja K. Gruenert, Marta Czugala, Christian Mueller, Marco Schmeer, Martin Schleef, Friedrich E. Kruse, Thomas A. Fuchsluger

Christian Mueller

Transplantation of a donor cornea to restore vision is the most frequently performed transplantation in the world. Corneal endothelial cells (CEC) are crucial for the outcome of a graft as they maintain corneal transparency and avoid graft failure due to corneal opaqueness. Given the characteristic of being a monolayer and in direct contact with culture medium during cultivation in eye banks, CEC are specifically suitable for gene therapeutic approaches prior to transplantation. Recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2) vectors represent a promising tool for gene therapy of CEC. However, high vector titers are needed to achieve sufficient gene expression. One of …


Targeted Gene Delivery To The Enteric Nervous System Using Aav: A Comparison Across Serotypes And Capsid Mutants, Matthew J. Benskey, Nathan C. Kuhn, James J. Galligan, Joanna Garcia, Shannon E. Boye, William W. Hauswirth, Christian Mueller, Sanford L. Boye, Fredric P. Manfredsson Nov 2016

Targeted Gene Delivery To The Enteric Nervous System Using Aav: A Comparison Across Serotypes And Capsid Mutants, Matthew J. Benskey, Nathan C. Kuhn, James J. Galligan, Joanna Garcia, Shannon E. Boye, William W. Hauswirth, Christian Mueller, Sanford L. Boye, Fredric P. Manfredsson

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are one of the most widely used gene transfer systems in research and clinical trials. AAV can transduce a wide range of biological tissues, however to date, there has been no investigation on targeted AAV transduction of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Here, we examined the efficiency, tropism, spread, and immunogenicity of AAV transduction in the ENS. Rats received direct injections of various AAV serotypes expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the descending colon. AAV serotypes tested included; AAV 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, or 9 and the AAV2 and AAV8 capsid mutants, AAV2-Y444F, AAV2-tripleY-F, …


Therapeutic Raavrh10 Mediated Sod1 Silencing In Adult Sod1(G93a) Mice And Nonhuman Primates, Florie Borel, Gwladys Gernoux, Brynn Cardozo, Jake P. Metterville, Gabriela Toro Cabrera, Lina Song, Qin Su, Guang Ping Gao, Mai K. Elmallah, Robert H. Brown Jr., Christian Mueller Aug 2016

Therapeutic Raavrh10 Mediated Sod1 Silencing In Adult Sod1(G93a) Mice And Nonhuman Primates, Florie Borel, Gwladys Gernoux, Brynn Cardozo, Jake P. Metterville, Gabriela Toro Cabrera, Lina Song, Qin Su, Guang Ping Gao, Mai K. Elmallah, Robert H. Brown Jr., Christian Mueller

Christian Mueller

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease; survival in ALS is typically 3-5 years. No treatment extends patient survival by more than three months. Approximately 20% of familial ALS and 1-3% of sporadic ALS patients carry a mutation in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). In a transgenic ALS mouse model expressing the mutant SOD1(G93A) protein, silencing the SOD1 gene prolongs survival. One study reports a therapeutic effect of silencing the SOD1 gene in systemically treated adult ALS mice; this was achieved with a short hairpin RNA, a silencing molecule that has raised multiple safety concerns, and …


Serum Levels Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Following Vascular Limb Or Intra-Muscular Delivery Of Aav1 Or Aav8 Gene Therapy Vectors In Rhesus Macaques, Alisha M. Gruntman, Gwladys Gernoux, Gensheng Wang, Janet M. Benson, Jeffrey D. Chulay, David R. Knop, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte Aug 2016

Serum Levels Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Following Vascular Limb Or Intra-Muscular Delivery Of Aav1 Or Aav8 Gene Therapy Vectors In Rhesus Macaques, Alisha M. Gruntman, Gwladys Gernoux, Gensheng Wang, Janet M. Benson, Jeffrey D. Chulay, David R. Knop, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha-one antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic disease that results in both lung disease and potentially liver failure in affected patients. In un-affected people AAT is produced in the liver and secreted to act as an anti-protease (primarily counteracting the effects of neutrophil elastase) in the lung. On-going human clinical trials have focused on intra-muscular delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV1) to patients. The goal of delivery to the muscle is to have the myocytes serve as bio-factories to produce normal AAT protein and secrete it into the blood where it can exert its normal function in the lung. In the …


Sustained Expression With Partial Correction Of Neutrophil Defects 5 Years After Intramuscular Raav1 Gene Therapy For Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Terence R. Flotte, Christian Mueller, Gwladys Gernoux, Alisha Gruntman, Jeffrey D. Chulay, David R. Knop, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Martha Campbell-Thompson, James M. Wilson Aug 2016

Sustained Expression With Partial Correction Of Neutrophil Defects 5 Years After Intramuscular Raav1 Gene Therapy For Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Terence R. Flotte, Christian Mueller, Gwladys Gernoux, Alisha Gruntman, Jeffrey D. Chulay, David R. Knop, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Martha Campbell-Thompson, James M. Wilson

Christian Mueller

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a common monogenic disorder resulting in emphysema, which is currently treated with weekly infusions of protein replacement. We previously reported achieving plasma wild-type (M) AAT concentrations at 2.5-3.8% of the therapeutic level at 1 year after intramuscular (IM) administration of 6×1012vg/kg of a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (rAAV1)-AAT vector in AAT-deficient patients, with an associated regulatory T cell (Treg) response to AAV1 capsid epitopes in the absence of any exogenous immune suppression. Here, we report sustained expression at greater than 2% of the therapeutic level for 5 years after one-time treatment with rAAV1-AAT in …


Human Treg Responses Allow Sustained Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Transgene Expression, Christian Mueller, Jeffrey Chulay, Bruce Trapnell, Margaret Humphries, Brenna Carey, Robert Sandhaus, Noel Mcelvaney, Louis Messina, Qiushi Tang, Farshid Rouhani, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Ann Fu, Anthony Yachnis, David Knop, Guo-Jie Ye, Mark Brantly, Roberto Calcedo, Suryanarayan Somanathan, Lee Richman, Robert Vonderheide, Maigan Hulme, Todd Brusko, James Wilson, Terence Flotte Mar 2014

Human Treg Responses Allow Sustained Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Transgene Expression, Christian Mueller, Jeffrey Chulay, Bruce Trapnell, Margaret Humphries, Brenna Carey, Robert Sandhaus, Noel Mcelvaney, Louis Messina, Qiushi Tang, Farshid Rouhani, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Ann Fu, Anthony Yachnis, David Knop, Guo-Jie Ye, Mark Brantly, Roberto Calcedo, Suryanarayan Somanathan, Lee Richman, Robert Vonderheide, Maigan Hulme, Todd Brusko, James Wilson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have shown promise for the treatment of several diseases; however, immune-mediated elimination of transduced cells has been suggested to limit and account for a loss of efficacy. To determine whether rAAV vector expression can persist long term, we administered rAAV vectors expressing normal, M-type alpha-1 antitrypsin (M-AAT) to AAT-deficient subjects at various doses by multiple i.m. injections. M-specific AAT expression was observed in all subjects in a dose-dependent manner and was sustained for more than 1 year in the absence of immune suppression. Muscle biopsies at 1 year had sustained AAT expression and a reduction …


Gene-Based Therapy For Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Jul 2013

Gene-Based Therapy For Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha-1 antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) has been an attractive target for the development of gene therapy because it is a common single gene disorder, for which there would appear to be significant benefit to be gained for lung disease patients by augmentation of plasma levels of wild-type (M) alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). While a significant proportion of patients also have liver disease, which is unlikely to be benefitted by augmentation, the potential to treat or prevent lung disease by replacement of plasma levels to at least 11 microMolar (571 mcg/ml) is the basis upon which several protein replacement therapies have been licensed …


Long-Term Correction Of Very Long-Chain Acyl-Coa Dehydrogenase Deficiency In Mice Using Aav9 Gene Therapy, Allison Keeler, Thomas Conlon, Glenn Walter, Huadong Zeng, Scott Shaffer, Fu Dungtao, Kirsten Erger, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Sep 2012

Long-Term Correction Of Very Long-Chain Acyl-Coa Dehydrogenase Deficiency In Mice Using Aav9 Gene Therapy, Allison Keeler, Thomas Conlon, Glenn Walter, Huadong Zeng, Scott Shaffer, Fu Dungtao, Kirsten Erger, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Very long-chain acyl-coA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) is the rate-limiting step in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. VLCAD-deficient mice and patients clinical symptoms stem from not only an energy deficiency but also long-chain metabolite accumulations. VLCAD-deficient mice were treated systemically with 1 x 10(12) vector genomes of recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9)-VLCAD. Biochemical correction was observed in vector-treated mice beginning 2 weeks postinjection, as characterized by a significant drop in long-chain fatty acyl accumulates in whole blood after an overnight fast. Changes persisted through the termination point around 20 weeks postinjection. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) revealed normalization of …


Immune Responses In Cystic Fibrosis: Are They Intrinsically Defective?, Dmitry Ratner, Christian Mueller Aug 2012

Immune Responses In Cystic Fibrosis: Are They Intrinsically Defective?, Dmitry Ratner, Christian Mueller

Christian Mueller

Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common lethal single-gene disorder affecting Northern Europeans and North Americans, is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Cftr is a chloride channel and a regulator of other ion channels, and many aspects of the CF phenotype are directly related to ion channel abnormalities attributable to CFTR mutation. Lung disease is the most common limitation to the quantity and quality of life for patients with CF. One aspect that continues to be enigmatic is the observed alterations in innate and adaptive immune responses to certain pathogens. Altered responses to Pseudomonas …


Gene Transfer In The Lung Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus, Alisha Gruntman, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte, Guangping Gao Aug 2012

Gene Transfer In The Lung Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus, Alisha Gruntman, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte, Guangping Gao

Christian Mueller

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a small replication-deficient DNA virus belonging to the Parvovirinae family. It has a single-stranded ∼4.7-kb genome. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) is created by replacing the viral rep and cap genes with the transgene of interest along with promoter and polyadenylation sequences. The short viral inverted terminal repeats must remain intact for replication and packaging in production, as well as vector genome processing and persistence in the transduction process. The AAV capsid (serotype) determines the tissue tropism of the rAAV vector. In this unit we will discuss serotype selection for lung targeting along with the factors effecting efficient …


Codon Optimization For Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Disease, Timothy Menz, Qiushi Tang, Lina Song, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte May 2012

Codon Optimization For Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Disease, Timothy Menz, Qiushi Tang, Lina Song, Christian Mueller, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder caused by defective production of alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT). Gene therapy approaches have been conducted in patients with AAT deficiency with successful AAT expression, but not to the therapeutic levels required to reduce the risk of emphysema. Codon optimization, a somewhat new and evolving technique, is used by many scientists to maximize protein expression in living organisms by altering translational and transcriptional efficiency as well as protein refolding. The purpose of this study was to develop single stranded and double stranded AAT gene constructs, test their protein expression in vitro, and compare with those …


Phase 2 Clinical Trial Of A Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Expressing Α1-Antitrypsin: Interim Results, Terence R. Flotte, Bruce C. Trapnell, Margaret Humphries, Brenna Carey, Roberto Calcedo, Farshid Rouhani, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Anthony T. Yachnis, Robert A. Sandhaus, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Christian Mueller, Louis M. Messina, James M. Wilson, Mark L. Brantly, David R. Knop, Guo-Jie Ye, Jeffrey D. Chulay Mar 2012

Phase 2 Clinical Trial Of A Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Expressing Α1-Antitrypsin: Interim Results, Terence R. Flotte, Bruce C. Trapnell, Margaret Humphries, Brenna Carey, Roberto Calcedo, Farshid Rouhani, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Anthony T. Yachnis, Robert A. Sandhaus, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Christian Mueller, Louis M. Messina, James M. Wilson, Mark L. Brantly, David R. Knop, Guo-Jie Ye, Jeffrey D. Chulay

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors offer promise for the gene therapy of α(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. In our prior trial, an rAAV vector expressing human AAT (rAAV1-CB-hAAT) provided sustained, vector-derived AAT expression for >1 year. In the current phase 2 clinical trial, this same vector, produced by a herpes simplex virus complementation method, was administered to nine AAT-deficient individuals by intramuscular injection at doses of 6.0×10(11), 1.9×10(12), and 6.0×10(12) vector genomes/kg (n=3 subjects/dose). Vector-derived expression of normal (M-type) AAT in serum was dose dependent, peaked on day 30, and persisted for at least 90 days. Vector administration was well tolerated, with …


The Pros And Cons Of Immunomodulatory Il-10 Gene Therapy With Recombinant Aav In A Cftr-/- -Dependent Allergy Mouse Model, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, A. Martino, Qiushi Tang, M. Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

The Pros And Cons Of Immunomodulatory Il-10 Gene Therapy With Recombinant Aav In A Cftr-/- -Dependent Allergy Mouse Model, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, A. Martino, Qiushi Tang, M. Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have decreased levels of lung epithelial interleukin (IL)-10 and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-4, IL-8 and IL-6). This has also been documented in Cftr (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)-deficient mice (Cftr 489X(-/-), FABP-hCFTR(+/+)). Our laboratory has recently characterized a peculiar hyper-IgE phenotype in these mice, in response to Aspergillus fumigatus crude protein extract (Af-cpe). Thus, we hypothesized that sustained systemic circulating IL-10 levels achieved through skeletal muscle transduction with recombinant adeno-associated vectors expressing IL-10 (rAAV1-IL-10) would serve to downregulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. This in turn would dampen the allergic response …


Apparently Nonspecific Enzyme Elevations After Portal Vein Delivery Of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 2 Vector In Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Chimpanzees, Terence Flotte, Jason Goetzmann, James Caridi, Joseph Paolillo, Thomas Conlon, Mark Potter, Christian Mueller, Barry Bryne Mar 2012

Apparently Nonspecific Enzyme Elevations After Portal Vein Delivery Of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 2 Vector In Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Chimpanzees, Terence Flotte, Jason Goetzmann, James Caridi, Joseph Paolillo, Thomas Conlon, Mark Potter, Christian Mueller, Barry Bryne

Christian Mueller

Hepatic gene transfer is envisioned as a substitute for protein replacement therapies, many of which are derived from blood products. Thus, the target populations may have a high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV). We sought to determine whether the safety of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) would be altered by preexisting HCV infection. Doses of approximately 1 x 10(13) vector genomes of an rAAV2-chimpanzee alpha(1)-antitrypsin (rAAV2-cAAT) vector were injected into the portal vein of each of three HCV genome-positive (HCV+) chimpanzees and three HCV-negative (HCV-) controls. Acute safety studies were performed up to 90 …


Clinical Gene Therapy Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Clinical Gene Therapy Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors possess a number of properties that may make them suitable for clinical gene therapy, including being based upon a virus for which there is no known pathology and a natural propensity to persist in human cells. Wild-type adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are now known to be very diverse and ubiquitous in humans and nonhuman primates, which adds to the degree of confidence one may place in the natural history of AAV, namely that it has never been associated with any human tumors or other acute pathology, other than sporadic reports of having been isolated from spontaneously …


Induction Of Group Ivc Phospholipase A2 In Allergic Asthma: Transcriptional Regulation By Tnf-Α In Bronchoepithelial Cells, Justin S. Bickford, Kimberly J. Newsom, John-David Herlihy, Christian Mueller, Benjamin Keeler, Xiaolei Qiu, Jewell N. Walters, Nan Su, Shannon M. Wallet, Terence R. Flotte, Harry S. Nick Mar 2012

Induction Of Group Ivc Phospholipase A2 In Allergic Asthma: Transcriptional Regulation By Tnf-Α In Bronchoepithelial Cells, Justin S. Bickford, Kimberly J. Newsom, John-David Herlihy, Christian Mueller, Benjamin Keeler, Xiaolei Qiu, Jewell N. Walters, Nan Su, Shannon M. Wallet, Terence R. Flotte, Harry S. Nick

Christian Mueller

Airway inflammation in allergen-induced asthma is associated with eicosanoid release. These bioactive lipids exhibit anti- and pro-inflammatory activities with relevance to pulmonary pathophysiology. We hypothesized that sensitization/challenge using an extract from the ubiquitous fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus (Af), in a mouse model of allergic asthma would result in altered phospholipase gene expression, thus modulating the downstream eicosanoid pathway. We observed the most significant induction in the group IVC phospholipase A2 (cPLA2γ or PLA2G4C). Our results infer that Af extract can induce cPLA2γ levels directly in eosinophils while induction in lung epithelial cells is most likely a consequence of TNF-α secretion by …


Partial Correction Of The Cftr-Dependent Abpa Mouse Model With Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Transfer Of Truncated Cftr Gene, Christian Mueller, Daniel Torrez, Sofia Braag, Ashley Martino, Tracy Clarke, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Partial Correction Of The Cftr-Dependent Abpa Mouse Model With Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Transfer Of Truncated Cftr Gene, Christian Mueller, Daniel Torrez, Sofia Braag, Ashley Martino, Tracy Clarke, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recently, we have developed a model of airway inflammation in a CFTR knockout mouse utilizing Aspergillus fumigatus crude protein extract (Af-cpe) to mimic allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) 1, an unusual IgE-mediated hypersensitivity syndrome seen in up to 15% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and rarely elsewhere. We hypothesized that replacement of CFTR via targeted gene delivery to airway epithelium would correct aberrant epithelial cytokine signaling and ameliorate the ABPA phenotype in CFTR-deficient (CFTR 489X - /-, FABP-hCFTR + / +) mice. CFTR knockout mice underwent intra-tracheal (IT) delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (rAAV5Delta-264CFTR) or rAAV5-GFP at 2.58 x …


Sustained Transgene Expression Despite T Lymphocyte Responses In A Clinical Trial Of Raav1-Aat Gene Therapy, Mark L. Brantly, Jeffrey D. Chulay, Lili Wang, Christian Mueller, Margaret Humphries, L. Terry Spencer, Farshid Rouhani, Thomas J. Conlon, Roberto Calcedo, Michael R. Betts, Carolyn Spencer, Barry J. Bryne, James M. Wilson, Terence R. Flotte Mar 2012

Sustained Transgene Expression Despite T Lymphocyte Responses In A Clinical Trial Of Raav1-Aat Gene Therapy, Mark L. Brantly, Jeffrey D. Chulay, Lili Wang, Christian Mueller, Margaret Humphries, L. Terry Spencer, Farshid Rouhani, Thomas J. Conlon, Roberto Calcedo, Michael R. Betts, Carolyn Spencer, Barry J. Bryne, James M. Wilson, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is well-suited as a target for human gene transfer. We performed a phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector expressing normal (M) AAT packaged into serotype 1 AAV capsids delivered by i.m. injection. Nine AAT-deficient subjects were enrolled sequentially in cohorts of 3 each at doses of 6.9 x 10(12), 2.2 x 10(13), and 6.0 x 10(13) vector genome particles per patient. Four subjects receiving AAT protein augmentation discontinued therapy 28 or 56 days before vector administration. Vector administration was well tolerated, with only mild local reactions and 1 unrelated …


Microrna-Regulated, Systemically Delivered Raav9: A Step Closer To Cns-Restricted Transgene Expression, Jun Xie, Qing Xie, Hongwei Zhang, Stefan L. Ameres, Jui-Hung Hung, Qin Su, Ran He, Xin Mu, Seemin Seher Ahmed, Soyeon Park, Hiroki Kato, Chengjian Li, Christian Mueller, Craig C. Mello, Zhiping Weng, Terence R. Flotte, Phillip D. Zamore, Guangping Gao Mar 2012

Microrna-Regulated, Systemically Delivered Raav9: A Step Closer To Cns-Restricted Transgene Expression, Jun Xie, Qing Xie, Hongwei Zhang, Stefan L. Ameres, Jui-Hung Hung, Qin Su, Ran He, Xin Mu, Seemin Seher Ahmed, Soyeon Park, Hiroki Kato, Chengjian Li, Christian Mueller, Craig C. Mello, Zhiping Weng, Terence R. Flotte, Phillip D. Zamore, Guangping Gao

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) that can cross the blood-brain-barrier and achieve efficient and stable transvascular gene transfer to the central nervous system (CNS) hold significant promise for treating CNS disorders. However, following intravascular delivery, these vectors also target liver, heart, skeletal muscle, and other tissues, which may cause untoward effects. To circumvent this, we used tissue-specific, endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) to repress rAAV expression outside the CNS, by engineering perfectly complementary miRNA-binding sites into the rAAV9 genome. This approach allowed simultaneous multi-tissue regulation and CNS-directed stable transgene expression without detectably perturbing the endogenous miRNA pathway. Regulation of rAAV expression by miRNA …


In Vivo Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin By Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Expressing Sirna, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Travis Cossette, Alexandra Golant, Qiushi Tang, Stuart Beattie, Mark Brantly, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Keith Blomenkamp, Jeffrey Teckman, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

In Vivo Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin By Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Expressing Sirna, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Travis Cossette, Alexandra Golant, Qiushi Tang, Stuart Beattie, Mark Brantly, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Keith Blomenkamp, Jeffrey Teckman, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is one of the most common genetic diseases in North America, with a carrier frequency of approximately 4% in the US population. Homozygosity for the most common mutation (Glu342Lys, PI(*)Z) leads to the synthesis of a mutant protein, which accumulates and polymerizes within hepatocytes rather than being efficiently secreted. This lack of secretion causes severe serum deficiency predisposing to chronic lung disease. Twelve to fifteen percent of patients with PI(*)ZZ also develop liver disease, which can be severe, even in infancy. This is thought to be due to toxic effects of the accumulated mutant Z-AAT within …


The Promise Of Gene Therapy For The Treatment Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

The Promise Of Gene Therapy For The Treatment Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

In the last 13 years, three gene therapy trials for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency have been conducted. The first trial delivered plasmid encoding the alpha-1 antitrypsin cDNA to the nasal epithelium using cationic liposomes. The last two trials delivered recombinant adeno-associated vectors encoding the alpha-1 antitrypsin cDNA by intramuscular injection. In this review, the progress of ongoing clinical trials and new gene therapy technologies is discussed.


Sustained Mirna-Mediated Knockdown Of Mutant Aat With Simultaneous Augmentation Of Wild-Type Aat Has Minimal Effect On Global Liver Mirna Profiles, Christian Mueller, Qiushi Tang, Alisha Gruntman, Keith S. Blomenkamp, Jeffrey H. Teckman, Lina Song, Phillip D. Zamore, Terence R. Flotte Mar 2012

Sustained Mirna-Mediated Knockdown Of Mutant Aat With Simultaneous Augmentation Of Wild-Type Aat Has Minimal Effect On Global Liver Mirna Profiles, Christian Mueller, Qiushi Tang, Alisha Gruntman, Keith S. Blomenkamp, Jeffrey H. Teckman, Lina Song, Phillip D. Zamore, Terence R. Flotte

Christian Mueller

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency can exhibit two pathologic states: a lung disease that is primarily due to the loss of AAT's antiprotease function, and a liver disease resulting from a toxic gain-of-function of the PiZ-AAT (Z-AAT) mutant protein. We have developed several recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors that incorporate microRNA (miRNA) sequences targeting the AAT gene while also driving the expression of miRNA-resistant wild-type AAT-PiM (M-AAT) gene, thus achieving concomitant Z-AAT knockdown in the liver and increased expression of M-AAT. Transgenic mice expressing the human PiZ allele treated with dual-function rAAV9 vectors showed that serum PiZ was stably and persistently …


Modulation Of Exaggerated-Ige Allergic Responses By Gene Transfer-Mediated Antagonism Of Il-13 And Il-17e., Christian Mueller, Allison Keeler, Sofia Braag, Timothy Menz, Qiushi Tang, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Modulation Of Exaggerated-Ige Allergic Responses By Gene Transfer-Mediated Antagonism Of Il-13 And Il-17e., Christian Mueller, Allison Keeler, Sofia Braag, Timothy Menz, Qiushi Tang, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Asthma and allergic rhinitis are almost invariable accompanied by elevated levels of immunoglobin E (IgE), and more importantly a genetic link between IgE levels and airway hyper-responsiveness has been established. We hypothesized that expression of soluble receptors directed against interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-17e would prevent the cytokines from engaging the cell-bound receptors and therefore help to attenuate allergic responses in a Cftr(-/-)-dependent mouse model of exaggerated-IgE responses. Cftr(-/-) mice were injected with recombinant adeno-associated virus 1 (rAAV1) intramuscularly expressing soluble receptors to IL-17e (IL-17Rh1fc) or IL-13 (IL-13Ralpha2Fc). Total IgE levels, in mice receiving the IL-17Rh1fc and IL-13Ralpha2Fc therapy, were lower …