WO2024086595A2 - Systems and methods for gene therapy - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods to simplify ex vivo gene therapy are described. The systems and methods provide ex vivo manufacturing of cells using target-cell enriching magnetic beads, vector-magnetic bead complexes, and a magnetic field. The present disclosure reduces the amount of required vector to 10 infectious particles per cell and does not require the use of transduction culture or cytokines. Cell manufacturing can be completed within one day, such that treated subjects do not require chemotherapy between cell collection and re-administration.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENE THERAPY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/379,885 filed October 17, 2022, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Gene Therapy.” The referenced application is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The current disclosure describes systems and methods to simplify gene therapy. The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing cells ex vivo using magnetic field transfection. The present disclosure also provides a method of treating a subject in need thereof with the manufactured cells and a system that can be added to a cell collection and/or manufacturing system to perform the methods disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Lentiviral vector gene therapy delivered to blood cells such as stem cells has dramatically improved the outcome and quality of life for persons diagnosed with genetic, malignant, and infectious diseases that affect tens of millions of patients worldwide. Current state of the art methods of ex vivo gene therapy require the collection of a stem cell mobilized apheresis product from a patient, followed by initial platelet and plasma washing, then purification of rare blood stem cells (CD34+) via immunomagnetic beads and a magnetic field in which bead-bound cells are retained. Once desired CD34+ cells are purified, they are stimulated in culture conditions which require specialized media and supplements. Then lentivirus vector supernatants are added for transduction over days. Finally, transduced cells are washed to remove any unused virus, and formulated for release testing, storage, and infusion into the patient. This process requires 3-4 days of manufacturing time in an International Standards Organization (ISO) class 5 clean room to maintain product sterility and quality.

[0004] Despite its success, gene therapy is still limited in its potential to treat the large numbers of patients in need owing to the scale and complexity of manufacturing autologous, genetically modified stem cells, as well as the limited availability of reagents and the cost of goods. With prices for current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved gene therapy products exceeding $373,000 (USD), gene therapy is not affordable for patients in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) and is not sustainable for healthcare economies of high-income countries. A lower cost gene therapy product with equivalent or better safety and efficacy would be a major advance with the potential for any disease indication treated with lentivirus vector transduced autologous blood stem cells.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Current production platforms are time consuming and expensive. The present disclosure provides a method of simplified workflow for ex vivo lentiviral vector transduction of cells. In particular embodiments, the simplified workflow is accomplished by enriching and transducing target cells by performing magnetic-bead-based enrichment and magnetically-assisted viral transduction (MAT), sequentially or simultaneously. In particular embodiments, the simplified workflow includes obtaining a cell population including target cells, exposing the cell population to target-cell enriching magnetic beads, contacting the cell population with vector-magnetic bead complexes, and/or applying a magnetic field to the cell population during transduction. The exposing, contacting, and applying may be applied simultaneously or sequentially. In some aspects, the cell population is exposed to target-cell-enriching magnetic beads prior to contacting the cell population with vector-magnetic bead complexes and/or applying a magnetic field to the cell population during transduction. In particular embodiments, the vector is a lentiviral vector. In particular embodiments, the method further includes formulating a cell product for administration to a subject. In particular embodiments, the method further includes evaluating the quality and sterility of the cell product. In particular embodiments of the disclosed methods, target cells can be simultaneously enriched and transduced.

[0006] The present disclosure further describes a method of treating a subject in need of gene therapy. The method of treating the subject includes collecting a cell population from the subject wherein the cell population includes target cells, enriching stem cells from the rest of the cell population with target-cell enriching magnetic beads, transducing target cells with vector- magnetic bead complexes, applying a magnetic field to the cell population, and formulating and administering transduced target cells to the subject. In particular embodiments, the method of treating further includes, harvesting and washing transduced target cells, performing release testing of transduced target cells, and/or administering a mobilizing agent to the subject prior to collection of the cell population. In particular embodiments, the subject does not receive chemotherapy or other cell suppressive treatments between the collecting and the administering. In particular embodiments, the subject does not receive chemotherapy or other cell suppressive treatments as part of the gene therapy treatment protocol.

[0007] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a system that can be added to a cell collection and/or manufacturing system to enrich and/or transduce a cell population with target cell-specific enriching magnetic beads and vector-magnetic bead complexes during collection of the cell population.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Some of the drawings submitted herewith 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.

[0009] FIG. 1. Schema of simplified workflow for ex vivo lentiviral vector transduction of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for gene therapy applications. (A) Platelet removal centrifugation from G-CSF mobilized leukapheresis products on the Cytiva Sepax-C Pro™ device (Cytiva life sciences, Marlborough, MA, USA). (B) Manual magnetic-bead-based purification and magnetically-assisted lentiviral transduction (MAT) of target cells. (C) Formulation of cell product on Cytiva Sepax-C Pro™ device. (D) Evaluation of quality and sterility of cell product.

[00010] FIG. 2. Schematic of standard manufacturing for autologous lentiviral (LV)-transduced gene therapy products.

[0011] FIG. 3. Schematic of simplified manufacturing for autologous LV-transduced gene therapy according to an embodiment. Simplified manufacturing for autologous LV-transduced gene therapy products reduces the cost of goods, manufacturing time, and infrastructure requirements and improves patient experience. The simplified method includes advancements over current standard manufacturing at steps 4, 6, 8, and 9. At step 4, data shows that the amount of lentivirus required can be reduced to a single administration of 10 infectious particles per cell. This is half to 1/1 Oth the dose currently used in standard processes, thus reducing costs and goods. Furthermore, the single-shot administration of lentivirus cuts down on the hands-on time required for manufacturing and eliminates the need to culture cells to facilitate transduction (reducing the cost of goods and hands-on time, as well as the extent of cell manipulation as it pertains to release criteria testing). In step 6, the products considered “minimally manipulated” include the products not cultured and have fewer release criteria requirements for re-administration. In step 8, the ability to manufacture LV-transduced cells ex vivo in less than 1 day allows removing the need for chemotherapy-based conditioning. Certain mobilization agents such as plerixafor and Gro- beta are conducive to opening up the niche, and blood stem cells mobilized with these agents for the original collection process will not have enough time to replace their lost numbers before readministration occurs. Thus, transduced stem cells will be on equal footing to return to their original niches if reinfused quickly after collection. In step 9, the patient does not have to receive chemotherapy and supportive care while the blood system is rebuilt. Management and supportive care of chemotherapy-associated effects is not necessary since the blood system was not destroyed by chemotherapy. Instead, only supportive care necessary to control the patient’s disease is needed until the gene therapy is effective.

[0012] FIG. 4. Image of systems in use to leverage magnetically-based purification of blood stem cells. The workflow disclosed herein covers implementation with any magnet-enabled cell manufacturing system currently in use clinically or preclinically (or hereafter developed). This will facilitate widespread validation and use of the process both commercially and in development.

[0013] FIG. 5. Universal adaptor device permits purification and transduction in real-time during collection to enable treatment in a single patient visit. The simplified manufacturing process can be further streamlined by the purification and magnetically-assisted transduction occurring in a universal adaptor device which can be added to the collection device (apheresis machine). This would minimize vein-to-vein time and kits can be provided with the desired therapeutic lentiviral vector. This minimizes interventions and time in clinic for the patient, without introducing the safety risks associated with in vivo gene therapy approaches for blood stem cells. Namely, these include ensuring enough blood stem cells receive the gene therapy to be beneficial for the patient’s disease outcome, and also ensuring that other cell types that receive the gene therapy are not harmed or do not result in unwanted off-target side effects.

[0014] FIG. 6. Purity of CD34+ cells isolated from single leukopaks using the simplified workflow facilitated by Sepax-C Pro™ is comparable to the state-of- the-art cell isolation protocol on the CliniMACS Prodigy™ (Miltenyi Biotech, Gaithersburg, MD, USA).

[0015] FIG. 7. Transduction efficiency of lentiviral vectors. Higher expression levels of reporter gene, GFP by CD34+ cells (GFP+CD34+) cells when a cocal virus envelope protein pseudotyped lentiviral vector was used compared to a vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) pseudotyped lentiviral vector. Cocal lentivirus vector was produced at titers as high as 10⁹ [0016] FIG. 8. Human CD34+ cells transduced using MAT demonstrated the highest efficiency relative to standard transduction conditions with the same vector at a MOI of 10 lentiviral particles/cell (averaged and discrete results shown).

[0017] FIG. 9. Mice transplanted with freshly transduced cells had higher levels of engraftment (hCD45+) without transduction effects compared to mice receiving cultured cells (p<0.005).

[0018] FIG. 10. Cultured transplants had higher expression of the GFP reporter gene. Given that fresh transplants had better engraftment (FIG. 9), they had a higher absolute number of cells expressing GFP than cultured cells. Cultured transplants had the advantage of a longer contact time with the virus hence higher efficiency.

[0019] FIG. 11. Mice transplanted with freshly transduced cells had higher levels of engraftment (hCD45+) without transduction effects compared to mice receiving cultured cells (p<0.005). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure provides a simplified workflow for ex vivo viral vector transduction of cells. In particular embodiments, the simplified workflow is accomplished by enriching and transducing target cells by performing magnetic-bead-based enrichment and magnetically- assisted viral transduction (MAT), sequentially or simultaneously. In particular embodiments, the method of simplified workflow includes obtaining a cell population including target cells, exposing the cell population to target-cell enriching magnetic beads that alter the location of the target cells within the cell population, contacting the cell population with vector-magnetic bead complexes, and/or applying a magnetic field to the cell population. In particular embodiments, the vector is a lentiviral vector.

[0021] The vector may additionally include an effector molecule that enhances gene delivery and/or facilitates cell or intracellular targeting of gene vectors. Such molecules include membranedestabilizing or membrane-permeabilizing molecules such as synthetic peptides, natural or synthetic receptor ligands including antibodies, or signal peptides such as nuclear localization signal peptides. In particular embodiments, the method further includes formulating a cell product for administration to a subject. In particular embodiments, the method further includes evaluating the quality and sterility of the cell product. In particular embodiments of the disclosed methods, target cells can be simultaneously enriched and transduced. This method of manufacturing cells is beneficial because it does not require culture of cells during transduction and it greatly reduces the vector particle burden per product.

[0022] The present disclosure further describes a method of treating a subject in need of gene therapy. The method of treating the subject includes collecting a cell population from the subject wherein the cell population includes target cells, enriching target cells from the rest of the cell population with target-cell enriching magnetic beads, transducing target cells with vector- magnetic bead complexes, applying a magnetic field to the cell population, and formulating and administering transduced target cells to the subject. In particular embodiments, the method of treating further includes, harvesting and washing transduced target cells, performing release testing of transduced target cells, and/or administering a mobilizing agent to the subject. In particular embodiments, the subject does not receive chemotherapy or other cell suppressive treatments between the collecting and the administering. In particular embodiments, the subject does not receive chemotherapy or other cell suppressive treatments as part of the gene therapy treatment protocol. This method of treating a subject is beneficial because it is mobilization- facilitated and does not require chemotherapy during the treatment.

[0023] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a system that can be added to a cell collection and/or manufacturing system to enrich and/or transduce a cell population with target cell-specific enriching magnetic beads and vector-magnetic bead complexes during collection of the cell population.

[0024] The simplified workflow described herein is beneficial because it maintains the quality and performance of the product with a greatly reduced cost of goods, decreased time, requires less sophisticated infrastructure requirements, and enables the development and evaluation of reduced-intensity patient experiences (e.g., no-chemotherapy conditioning). These improvements to gene therapy cell manufacture and treatment will allow more patients to benefit from gene therapy, make gene therapies more affordable, provide a better patient experience, and reduce interventions and treatment time.

[0025] A patient may be screened to determine if they are a suitable candidate for gene therapy as shown in step 1 of FIG. 3. If the patient is suitable for gene therapy, a cell population including target cells may be collected from a patient or donor.

[0026] In particular, embodiments, target allogenic or autologous cells include hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells (HSPC). HSPC can be chosen for genetic therapies in part due to their ability to self-renew and/or differentiate into (i) myeloid progenitor cells which ultimately give rise to monocytes and macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes/platelets, or dendritic cells; or (ii) lymphoid progenitor cells which ultimately give rise to T-cells, B-cells, and lymphocyte-like cells called natural killer cells (NK-cells). For a general discussion of hematopoiesis and HSPC differentiation, see Chapter 17, Differentiated Cells and the Maintenance of Tissues, Alberts et al., 1989, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2^nd Ed., Garland Publishing, New York, NY; Chapter 2 of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Health and Human Services, August 5, 2006, and Chapter 5 of Hematopoietic Stem Cells, 2009, Stem Cell Information, Department of Health and Human Services.

[0027] HSPC can be positive for a specific marker expressed in increased levels on HSPC relative to other types of hematopoietic cells. For example, such markers include CD34, CD43, CD45RO, CD45RA, CD49f, CD59, CD90, CD109, CD117, CD133, CD166, HLA DR, or a combination thereof. Also, the HSPC can be negative for an expressed marker relative to other types of hematopoietic cells. For example, such markers include Lin, CD38, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the HSPC are CD34+ cells or cell fractions depleted of lineage-specific markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD56 or any combination thereof.

[0028] Sources of HSPC include cord blood, peripheral blood, and bone marrow, therefore, these sources are exemplary samples to be obtained at step 2 of FIG. 3. Methods regarding the collection, anti-coagulation, and processing, etc. of blood samples are well known in the art. See, for example, Alsever et al., 1941, N.Y. St. J. Med. 41 :126; De Gowin, et al., 1940, J. Am. Med. Ass. 114:850; Smith, et al., 1959, J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 38:573; Rous and Turner, 1916, J. Exp. Med. 23:219; and Hum, 1968, Storage of Blood, Academic Press, New York, pp. 26-160. [0029] HSPC in peripheral blood are preferably mobilized prior to collection. Peripheral blood HSPC can be mobilized by any method known in the art. Peripheral blood HSPC can be mobilized by treating the subject with any agent(s), described herein or known in the art, that increase the number of HSPC circulating in the peripheral blood of the subject. For example, in particular embodiments, peripheral blood is mobilized by treating the subject with one or more cytokines or growth factors (e.g., G-CSF, kit ligand (KL), IL-I, IL-7, IL-8, IL-11 , Flt3 ligand, SCF, thrombopoietin, or GM-CSF (such as sargramostim)). Different types of G-CSF that can be used in the methods for mobilization of peripheral blood include filgrastim and longer acting G-CSF-pegfilgrastim. In particular embodiments, peripheral blood is mobilized by treating the subject with one or more chemokines (e.g., macrophage inflammatory protein-1a (MIP1a/CCL3)), chemokine receptor ligands (e.g., chemokine receptor 2 ligands GROp and GRO£A4), chemokine receptor analogs (e.g., stromal cell-derived factor-1a (SDF-1a) protein analogs such as CTCE-0021 , CTCE-0214, or SDF-1a such as Met-SDF-ip), or chemokine receptor antagonists (e.g., chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) antagonists such as AMD3100). In particular embodiments, peripheral blood is mobilized by treating the subject with one or more anti-integrin signaling agents (e.g., function blocking anti-very late antigen 4 (VLA-4) antibody, or anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)). In particular embodiments, peripheral blood is mobilized by treating the subject with one or more cytotoxic drugs such as cyclophosphamide, etoposide, or paclitaxel. In particular embodiments, peripheral blood can be mobilized by administering to a subject one or more of the agents listed above for a certain period of time. For example, the subject can be treated with one or more agents (e.g., G-CSF) via injection (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraperitoneal), once daily or twice daily, for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 days prior to collection of HSPC. In specific embodiments, HSPC are collected within 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or 24 hours after the last dose of an agent used for mobilization of HSPC into peripheral blood. In particular embodiments, HSPC are mobilized by treating the subject with two or more different types of agents described above or known in the art, such as a growth factor (e.g., G-CSF) and a chemokine receptor antagonist (e.g., CXCR4 receptor antagonist such as AMD3100), or a growth factor (e.g., G-CSF or KL) and an anti-integrin agent (e.g., function blocking VLA-4 antibody). In particular embodiments, different types of mobilizing agents are administered concurrently or sequentially. For additional information regarding methods of mobilization of peripheral blood see, e.g., Craddock et al., 1997, Blood 90(12):4779-4788; Jin et al., 2008, Journal of Translational Medicine 6:39; Pelus, 2008, Cure Opin. Hematol. 15(4):285- 292; Papayannopoulou et al., 1998, Blood 91(7):2231-2239; Tricot et al., 2008, Haematologica 93(11):1739-1742; and Weaver et al., 2001 , Bone Marrow Transplantation 27(2):S23-S29).

[0030] HSPC from peripheral blood can be collected from the blood through a syringe or catheter inserted into a subject's vein. For example, the peripheral blood can be collected using an apheresis machine. Blood flows from the vein through the catheter into an apheresis machine, which separates the white blood cells, including HSPC from the rest of the blood and then returns the remainder of the blood to the subject's body. Apheresis can be performed for several days (e.g., 1 to 5 days) until enough HSPC have been collected.

[0031] HSPC from bone marrow can be obtained, e.g., directly from bone marrow from the posterior iliac crest by needle aspiration (see, e.g., Kodo et al., 1984, J. Clin Invest. 73:1377- 1384), or from the blood following pre-treatmentwith cytokines (such as G-CSF and/or AM D3100) that induce cells to be released from the bone marrow compartment.

[0032] In particular embodiments, platelets can be removed while no further cell enrichment is performed. In particular embodiments, the collected cells can be enriched for cells of interest. While any separation method may be used, in some aspects, immunomagnetic bead-based separation may be used. In particular embodiments, during immunomagnetic bead-based separation, an antibody/bead complex is incubated with a cell population. The antibody/bead complex binds to cells expressing the corresponding epitope. When the cell population is placed into a magnetic field, magnetically labeled cells are retained while unlabeled cells may be removed. This process is referred to as positive selection. Negative selection may also be used. [0033] In particular embodiments, a sample is processed to enrich for CD34+ cells using anti- CD34 antibodies directly or indirectly conjugated to magnetic particles in connection with a magnetic cell separator which employs nano-sized super-paramagnetic particles composed of iron oxide and dextran coupled to specific monoclonal antibodies. The cell separator can be a closed sterile system, outfitted with single-use disposable tubing. Particular embodiments can alternatively include negative selection, selecting for non-CD34 cells, and allowing only CD34+ cells to pass through a selection paradigm. For example, antibodies selecting for CD133+ cells, CD43+ cells, CD45RO+ cells, CD45RA+ cells, CD49f+ cells, CD59+ cells, CD90+ cells, CD109+ cells, CD11+ cells 7, CD166+ cells, or a combination of the foregoing, can be enriched using antibodies in positive selection embodiments. In another example, antibodies selecting for CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, CD13+ cells, CD14+ cells, CD15+ cells, CD16+ cells, CD19+ cells, CD20+ cells, CD56+ cells, or a combination of the foregoing, can be depleted using antibodies in negative selection embodiments.

[0034] In particular embodiments, enrichment refers to altering the location of target cells within a cell population relative to other cell types in the cell population. For example, enrichment can refer to drawing target cells toward a magnet, relative to other cell types within a cell population (see, for example, FIG. 1 , panel B).

[0035] In particular embodiments, cells of interest are plated at a desired density. In some aspects, the desired density is 2 x 10⁶, though greater and lesser densities may also be used, depending on the cell type.

[0036] In particular embodiments, plated cells may be exposed to growth conditions. Growth conditions include exposure to of growth factors, such as: angiopoietin-like proteins (Angptls, e.g., Angptl2, Angptl3, Angptl7, Angpt15, and Mfap4); erythropoietin; fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF- 1); Flt-3 ligand (Flt-3L); granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF); granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); insulin growth factor-2 (IFG-2); interleukin-3 (IL-3); interleukin-6 (IL-6); interleukin-7 (IL-7); interleukin-11 (IL-11); stem cell factor (SCF; also known as the c-kit ligand or mast cell growth factor); thrombopoietin (TPO); and analogs thereof (wherein the analogs include any structural variants of the growth factors having the biological activity of the naturally occurring growth factor; see, e.g., WO 2007/1145227 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0183564).

[0037] Growth conditions can also include the use of Notch agonists, aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonists, pyrimidoindole derivatives (e.g., UM 729 or UM 171), cytokines, chemokines, steroids (e.g., prostaglandin E2), and/or steroid derivatives during ex vivo cell manufacture.

[0038] Notch agonists include any compound that binds to or otherwise interacts with Notch proteins or other proteins in the Notch pathway such that Notch pathway activity is promoted. Exemplary Notch agonists are the extracellular binding ligands Delta and Serrate (e.g., Jagged), RBP JMI Suppressor of Hairless, Deltex, Fringe, or fragments thereof which promote Notch pathway activation. Nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of Delta family members and Serrate family members have been isolated from several species and are described in, for example, WO 1993/12141 ; WO 1996/27610; WO 1997/01571 ; and Gray et al., 1999, Am. J. Path. 154:785- 794. In particular embodiments, the Notch agonist is Delta1ext-lgG.

[0039] Particular embodiments can exclude the use of growth conditions.

[0040] In particular embodiments, cells of interest are with a vector using MAT. A "vector" is a nucleic acid molecule that is capable of transporting another nucleic acid. Vectors may be, e.g., viruses, phage, a DNA vector, an RNA vector, a viral vector, a bacterial vector, a plasmid vector, a cosmid vector, and an artificial chromosome vector. An "expression vector" is any type of vector that is capable of directing the expression of a protein encoded by one or more genes carried by the vector when it is present in the appropriate environment.

[0041] Viral vectors are usually non-replicating or replication-impaired vectors, which means that the viral vectorcannot replicate to any significant extent in normal cells (e.g., normal human cells), as measured by conventional means (e.g. via measuring DNA synthesis and/or viral titer). Nonreplicating or replication-impaired vectors may have become so naturally (i.e., they have been isolated as such from nature) or artificially (e.g., by breeding in vitro or by genetic manipulation). There will generally be at least one cell-type in which the replication-impaired viral vector can be grown-for example, modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) can be grown in CEF cells. Typically, viral vectors are incapable of causing a significant infection in a subject, typically in a mammalian subject.

[0042] In some aspects, the viral vectors may be obtained from retroviruses. "Retroviruses" are viruses having an RNA genome. In particular embodiments, a retroviral vector contains all of the cis-acting sequences necessary for the packaging and integration of the viral genome, i.e., (a) a long terminal repeat (LTR), or portions thereof, at each end of the vector; (b) primer binding sites for negative and positive strand DNA synthesis; and (c) a packaging signal, necessary for the incorporation of genomic RNA into virions. More detail regarding retroviral vectors can be found in Boesen, et al., 1994, Biotherapy 6:291-302; Clowes, et al., 1994, J. Clin. Invest. 93:644-651 ; Kiem, et al., 1994, Blood 83:1467-1473; Salmons and Gunzberg, 1993, Human Gene Therapy 4:129-141 ; Miller, et al., 1993, Meth. Enzymol. 217:581-599; and Grossman and Wilson, 1993, Curr. Opin. in Genetics and Devel. 3:110-114.

[0043] "Gammaretroviruses" refers to a genus of the retroviridae family. Exemplary gammaretroviruses include mouse stem cell virus, murine leukemia virus, feline leukemia virus, feline sarcoma virus, and avian reticuloendotheliosis viruses.

[0044] Widely used retroviral vectors include those based upon murine leukemia virus (MuLV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and combinations thereof (see, e.g., Buchscher et al., J. Virol. 66:2731-2739, 1992; Johann et al., J. Virol. 66:1635-1640, 1992; Sommerfelt et al., Virol. 176:58- 59, 1990; Wilson et al., J. Virol. 63:2374-2378, 1989; Miller et al., J. Virol. 65:2220-2224, 1991 ; and PCT/US94/05700).

[0045] Particularly suitable vectors are lentiviral vectors. "Lentivirus" refers to a genus of retroviruses that are capable of infecting dividing and non-dividing cells and typically produce high viral titers. Lentiviral vectors have been employed in gene therapy for a number of diseases. For example, hematopoietic gene therapies using lentiviral vectors or gamma retroviral vectors have been used for x-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and beta thalassemia. See, e.g., Kohn et al., Clin. Immunol. 135:247-54, 2010; Cartier et al., Methods Enzymol. 507:187-198, 2012; and Cavazzana-Calvo et al., Nature 467:318-322, 2010. Several examples of lentiviruses include HIV (human immunodeficiency virus: including HIV type 1 , and HIV type 2); equine infectious anemia virus; feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); bovine immune deficiency virus (BIV); and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).

[0046] In particular embodiments, other retroviral vectors can be used in the practice of the methods of the invention. These include, e.g., vectors based on human foamy virus (HFV) or other viruses in the Spumavirus genera.

[0047] Foamy viruses (FVs) are the largest retroviruses known today and are widespread among different mammals, including all non-human primate species, however are absent in humans. This complete apathogenicity qualifies FV vectors as ideal gene transfer vehicles for genetic therapies in humans and clearly distinguishes FV vectors as gene delivery system from HIV -derived and also gammaretrovirus-derived vectors.

[0048] FV vectors are suitable for gene therapy applications because they can (1) accommodate large transgenes (> 9kb), (2) transduce slowly dividing cells efficiently, and (3) integrate as a provirus into the genome of target cells, thus enabling stable long term expression of the transgene(s). FV vectors do need cell division for the pre- integration complex to enter the nucleus, however, the complex is stable for at least 30 days and still infective. The intracellular half-life of the FV pre-integration complex is comparable to the one of lentiviruses and significantly higher than for gammaretroviruses, therefore FV are also - similar to LV vectors - able to transduce rarely dividing cells. FV vectors are natural self-inactivating vectors and are characterized by the fact that they seem to have hardly any potential to activate neighboring genes. In addition, FV vectors can enter any cells known (although the receptor is not identified yet) and infectious vector particles can be concentrated 100-fold without loss of infectivity due to a stable envelope protein. FV vectors achieve high transduction efficiency in pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells and have been used in animal models to correct monogenetic diseases such as leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) in dogs and Fanconi anemia in mice. FV vectors are also used in preclinical studies of p-thalassemia.

[0049] Additional examples of viral vectors include those derived from adenoviruses (e.g., adenovirus 5 (Ad5), adenovirus 35 (Ad35), adenovirus 11 (Ad11), adenovirus 26 (Ad26), adenovirus 48 (Ad48) or adenovirus 50 (Ad50)), adeno-associated virus (AAV; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,090; Kay et al., Nat. Genet. 24:257 (2000); Nakai et al., Blood 91 :4600 (1998)), alphaviruses, cytomegaloviruses (CMV), flaviviruses, herpes viruses (e.g., herpes simplex), influenza viruses, papilloma viruses (e.g., human and bovine papilloma virus; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,054), poxviruses, vaccinia viruses, etc. See Kozarsky and Wilson, 1993, Current Opinion in Genetics and Development 3:499-503, Rosenfeld, et al., 1991 , Science 252:431-434; Rosenfeld, et al., 1992, Cell 68:143-155; Mastrangeli, et al., 1993, J. Clin. Invest. 91 :225-234; Walsh, et al., 1993, Proc. Soc. Exp. Bioi. Med. 204:289-300; and Lundstrom, 1999, J. Recept. Signal Transduct. Res. 19: 673-686. Examples include modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) and NYVAC, or strains derived therefrom. Other examples include avipox vectors, such as a fowlpox vectors (e.g., FP9) or canarypox vectors (e.g., ALVAC and strains derived therefrom).

[0050] Vectors and other methods to deliver nucleic acids can include regulatory sequences to control the expression of the nucleic acid molecules. These regulatory sequences can be eukaryotic or prokaryotic in nature. In particular embodiments, the regulatory sequence can be a tissue specific promoter such that the expression of the one or more therapeutic proteins will be substantially greater in the target tissue type compared to other types of tissue. In particular embodiments, the regulatory sequence can result in the constitutive expression of the one or more therapeutic proteins upon entry of the vector into the cell. Alternatively, the regulatory sequences can include inducible sequences. Inducible regulatory sequences are well known to those skilled in the art and are those sequences that require the presence of an additional inducing factor to result in expression of the one or more therapeutic proteins. Examples of suitable regulatory sequences include binding sites corresponding to tissue-specific transcription factors based on endogenous nuclear proteins, sequences that direct expression in a specific cell type, the lac operator, the tetracycline operator, and the steroid hormone operator. Any inducible regulatory sequence known to those of skill in the art may be used.

[0051] In particular embodiments, viral vectors are coupled to magnetic particles to form a complex. Magnetic particles refer to magnetically responsive solid phases which are particles or aggregates thereof of micro- to nanometer-ranged size which contain one or more metals or oxides or hydroxides thereof, that react to magnetic force upon the influence of a magnetic field, preferably resulting in an attraction towards the source of the magnetic field or in the acceleration of the particle in a preferred direction of space. Magnetic can refer to temporarily magnetic materials, such as ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic materials. The term, however, also encompasses paramagnetic and superparamagnetic materials. For example, magnetic nanoparticles include inorganic, polymeric, virus-like particles VLP(s), liposome, and selfassembling protein nanoparticles. Magnetic particles are commercially available from a number of sources, including, for example, Dynabeads, MACS microbeads, ViroMag Stem Transduction enhancer, and the like. In some aspects, the beads may be biodegradable. In other aspects, the beads may be removed during the process. Because association with vectors can be achieved by a variety of processes, no very specific requirements are imposed on particle shape and size. In some aspects, the magnetic beads may be between 50nm to 500 micrometers, 100nm to 400 micrometers, 200nm to 200 micrometers, 300nm to 100 micrometers, or any subset thereof.

[0052] Magnetic particles can be made of one or more materials including ferro-, ferri-, or superparamagnetic compounds, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, magnetic iron oxides or hydroxides such as Fe3O4, gamma-Fe2O3 or double oxides/hydroxides of two- or three-valent iron with two- or three-valent other metal ions or mixtures of the mentioned oxides or hydroxides. [0053] Magnetic colloidal iron oxide/hydroxide particles are prepared by precipitation from an acidic iron(ll)/iron(lll)-salt solution upon the addition of bases.

[0054] In one example, iron oxide/hydroxide particles are derived upon the addition of equivalent amounts of alkali carbonates (sodium hydrogencarbonate, sodium carbonate, and/or ammonium carbonate) to an acidic iron(ll)/iron(lll) salt solution followed by thermal oxidation to magnetic iron hydroxide and further on to iron oxide. The final particle size can be adjusted by thermal control of reaction velocity and by choosing appropriate concentrations of the reactants. Thus, small diameter particles of 20 -100 nm are obtained by timely separated formation of iron (II, III)- carbonate at temperatures of 1-50 °C, preferably at 5-10 °C and subsequent heating. Larger particles of 100 - 1000 nm are obtained at reaction temperatures of 60-100 °C implying a faster transformation of iron(ll,lll)-carbonate to iron(ll,lll)-hydroxide.

[0055] Nano-crystalline magnetic particles from double-oxides or hydroxides of two- or three- valent iron with two- or three-valent metal ions other than iron or mixtures of the corresponding oxides or hydroxides can also be prepared according to the above-mentioned procedures by using a salt solution of the two- or three-valent metals. Magnetic double oxides or- hydroxides of the three-valent iron are preferentially prepared with two-valent metal ions selected from the first row of transition metals (such as Co(ll), Mn(ll), Cu(ll) or Ni(ll)), whereas magnetic double oxides or-hydroxides of the two-valent iron are preferentially prepared with three-valent metal ions such as Cr(lll), Gd(lll), Dy(lll) or Sm(lll).

[0056] In particular embodiments, the magnetic particles are iron oxide particles.

[0057] In particular embodiments, magnetic particles have a size (i.e. a maximal extension) of up to 2000 nm, up to 1500 nm, up to 1000 nm, up to 800 nm, or up to 600 nm.

[0058] Magnetic particles can be coated with positively or negatively charged electrolytes, such as phosphates, citrates or amines; silanes; fatty acids; or polymers, such as polysaccharides, polyamino acids, proteins or synthetic polymers. These coating compounds can have reactive or derivatizable functional groups or these can be introduced by chemical modification after the coating process.

[0059] Functional groups can have cation exchange properties such as found in xanthate-, xanthide, dicarboxyl-, carboxy methyl-, sulfonate-, sulfate-, triacetate-, phosphonate-, phosphate- , citrate-, tartrate-, carboxylate-, or lactate groups of naturally occurring or synthetic polymers. Alternatively, these functional groups can be introduced into natural and synthetic polymers prior to coating or after coating of magnetic particles. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are polysaccharides such as starch, dextran, glycosaminoglycans, agar, gum-gatti or gum-guar or analogues thereof. Suitable derivatives of synthetic polymers can be based on poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(vinylpyrrolidone) or polyethylene glycole), poly(lactic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) or poly(caprolactone). Also, proteins like casein, collagen, gelatin, albumin, or analogous derivatives thereof are useful coating compounds. Other examples of suitable polymers with ion exchange characteristics are polyacrylic acids, poly(styrene sulfonic acid), poly(vinylphosphoric acid) or polymeric arabinic acid, alginate, pectin or polyaspartic or polyglutamic acid.

[0060] Anion-exchange polymers carry endstanding or internal primary-, secondary amino-, imino-, tertiary amino- or quarternary ammonium groups, such as amino-, alkylamine, dietylaminoethyl-, triethylaminoethyl-, trimethylbenzylammonium-groups. Again, these polymers can be of natural or synthetic origin and the cationic functional groups can be inherent or can be grafted by synthetic methods prior to or after coating of magnetic particles. Examples include polysaccharides, proteins, or synthetic polymers and derivates thereof such as chitosan, poly(lysine), polyethylene imine), poly(amine), poly(diallyldimethylammonium) or poly(vinylpyridine).

[0061] Functional groups for covalent coupling can be inherent in such polymers or can be introduced by synthetic methods well known to the one skilled in the art of synthetic chemistry. Examples are aldehyde, diazo, carbodiimide, dichlortriazine, alkyl halogenide, imino carbonate, carboxyl, amino, hydroxyl, or thiol groups.

[0062] In particular embodiments, the magnetic particles are coupled with one or more oligo- or polycations or oligo- or polyanions.

[0063] In particular embodiments, said oligo- or polycation or oligo- or polyanion is a compound selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene imine) (PEI), PEI-streptavidin, PEI-biotin, starch-phosphate, polyaspartic acid, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic-co-maleic acid and arabinic acid. PEI as well as other compounds mentioned to be useful for coating the magnetic particles may be modified. Examples include PEI-ethoxylated (a monolayer of PEI coating the magnetic particle being ethoxylated), PEI-epichlorhydrin (PEI modified with epichlorhydrin) or PEI-sodium dodecyl sulfate (PEI modified by a covalent coupling of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by carbodiimide activation (N-Ethyl-N'-(dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide).

[0064] A complex refers to a finite entity including one or more vector(s) and one or more magnetic particle(s), which are suited for being brought in contact with cells in order to transfect them. The ratio of vector and magnetic particles in a complex may vary. For example, the ratios may be 1 :50, 1 :100, 1 :250: 1 :500, 1 :750, 1 :1000, and the like. While these ratios may be in different volumes, in some aspects the working solution has a volume of 50pL. In some aspects, the ratio of vector to magnetic particle may vary with cell density, target dose of vector, and/or the titer of the vector.

[0065] In particular embodiments, the linkage within a complex between a magnetic particle(s) and a vector(s) is by physical linkage, chemical linkage, or by biological interaction.

[0066] Physical linkage, chemical linkage, or biological interaction includes electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, hydrophilic interaction, receptor-ligand type interaction, such as biotin-streptavidin or antigen-antibody binding, or lectin-type binding, and interaction of natural or synthetic nucleic acids, such as sequence-specific hybridization, triple helix formation, peptidenucleic acid-nucleic acid interaction and the like. Any combination of the above indicated interactions can be used, including particle/precipitate formation induced by such interactions.

[0067] In particular embodiments, the magnetic particles can be linked to a vector by a covalent linkage. Exemplary linkages include amide, ester, thioester, ether, thioether, or disulfide bonds. The linkage can be direct by reacting functional groups of the surface coating of the magnetic particle with functional groups of the vector or by using a homo- or hetero-bifunctional linker molecule. The linker molecule can also contain a spacer arm consisting of an alkyl chain or of linear or branched, natural or synthetic polymers such as peptides, proteins, polyethylene glycols, or carbohydrates (e.g., glycosaminoglycans, chitosans, starch). The preparation of the complexes comprising one or more magnetic particles and one or more vectors may be achieved by any of the methods common to the person skilled in the art and available from the literature. For example, for vector assembly, the process of salt-induced aggregation, a phenomenon well-known in colloid science, may be exploited: Colloidal systems with charged surfaces tend to aggregate (flocculate) due to over-compensation of repulsive (electrostatic) forces by attractive forces upon increasing the ionic strength. This process requires mixing components in salt-containing solvent or mixing in salt-free solvents, followed by addition of salt.

[0068] A complex can also be prepared by biologically linking magnetic particles to the vector via biotin-streptavidin interactions. For example, magnetic particles coated with PEI-streptavidin may be added to a vector coupled to PEI-biotin. Similarly, magnetic particles can be connected with vectors using antigen-antibody interactions. [0069] A further process for preparing a complex is to perform a calcium-phosphate coprecipitation of a vector with magnetic particles.

[0070] Transfection refers to a process of introducing one or more foreign nucleic acid molecule(s) into a cell. Foreign may refer to (a) nucleic acid molecule(s) which is/are not part of the genome of the cell nor of any other nucleic acid molecule being present in the cell before said transfection such as extrachromosomal DNA, plasmids, cosmids, or artificial chromosomes including viral vectors. Likewise, foreign can refer to nucleic acid molecules that are, at least partially, homologous with respect to the target cell, however, occur in the vector in a different molecular environment than those naturally occurring in the cell. Such homologous nucleic acid molecules include, e.g., overexpression or antisense constructs. The terms MAT and magnetofection refer to transfection using complexes of magnetic particle(s) and vector(s) using the application of a magnetic field.

[0071] A suitable magnetic field refers to magnetic fields that, with regard to the shape of the field and its strength, are suited for attracting the above-described complexes against other forces acting on the complexes, such as diffusion or hydrodynamic forces. Suitable magnetic fields generally have an intensity of more than 0.5 Tesla or more than 1 Tesla.

[0072] Magnetic fields can be permanent fields or an electromagnetic fields. Permanent fields refer to magnetic fields which are generated by a permanent magnet. Examples of suitable permanent magnets include high energy, permanent magnets, e.g., made of materials containing neodym. Such permanent magnets may be constructed as arrays, as yoke and magnetic return path, or in aperture or sandwich configurations. The intensity may be controlled with a suitable measuring instrument such as a Hall probe.

[0073] Electromagnetic fields refer to magnetic fields which are generated by electric current. Applicable examples include nuclear magnetic resonance tomographs. Such devices may be used for generating the field and for diagnosing, supervising, and documenting the distribution and local enrichment of the complexes applied.

[0074] Electromagnetic fields can oscillate. Oscillation refers to magnetic fields that periodically change direction. Such an oscillation may induce kinetic energy in the complexes which may be useful in cases where the vectors are released from the complex and the movement promotes its diffusion.

[0075] Magnetic fields may be applied for a variety of lengths of time. For example, magnetic fields may be applied for 1 minute to 1 hour, 5 minutes to 45 minutes, 10 minutes to 40 minutes, 15 minutes to 35 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes or any fraction thereof. [0076] Traditionally, cells are transduced multiple times with 20-100 transducing units per cell for two to four days. The provided method can use less than half of the conventional amount of transducing units. For example, the use of MAT allows for decreased amounts of transducing units to be used and decreased time for transfection, allowing decreased costs. In some aspects, fewer than 19, fewer than 15, fewer than 10, or fewer than 5, transducing units per cell may be combined with each cell population. The cells of interest and the viral vector combination can be placed over a magnet for an amount of time. Such an amount of time may be 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40 minutes, 45 minutes, 50 minutes, 55 minutes, 1 hour, and the like. In some aspects, the cells are extracted and enriched in realtime during collection, allowing for fewer patient visits and decreasing delays in treatment. In some aspects, cell enrichment and MAT may take place simultaneously.

[0077] In particular embodiments, the transfected nucleic acid is stably integrated into the genome of a cell. In particular embodiments, the nucleic acid is stably maintained in a cell as a separate, episomal segment.

[0078] In particular embodiments, the efficiency of integration, the size of the DNA sequence that can be integrated, and the number of copies of a DNA sequence that can be integrated into a genome can be improved by using transposons. Transposons or transposable elements include a short nucleic acid sequence with terminal repeat sequences upstream and downstream. Active transposons can encode enzymes that facilitate the excision and insertion of nucleic acid into a target DNA sequence.

[0079] A number of transposable elements have been described in the art that facilitate the insertion of nucleic acids into the genome of vertebrates, including humans. Examples include sleeping beauty (e.g., derived from the genome of salmonid fish); piggyback (e.g., derived from lepidopteran cells and/or the Myotis lucifugus); mariner (e.g., derived from Drosophila); frog prince (e.g., derived from Rana pipiens); Tol2 (e.g., derived from medaka fish); TcBuster (e.g., derived from the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum) and spinON. CRISPR-Cas systems may also be used.

[0080] In particular embodiments, transduced cells can be cultured before final formulation for, for example, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 56 hours, 65 hours, 72 hours, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days, or 15 days.

[0081] The transduced cells can then be harvested and washed to provide a transduced cell product. The transduced cell product may then by formulated for reinfusion. Exemplary carriers include saline, buffered saline, physiological saline, water, Hanks' solution, Ringer's solution, Nonnosol-R (Abbott Labs), Plasma-Lyte A® (Baxter Laboratories, Inc., Morton Grove, IL), glycerol, ethanol, and combinations thereof.

[0082] Therapeutically effective amounts of cells within formulations can be greater than 10² cells, greater than 10³ cells, greater than 10⁴ cells, greater than 10⁵ cells, greater than 10⁶ cells, greater than 10⁷ cells, greater than 10⁸ cells, greater than 10⁹ cells, greater than 10¹⁰ cells, or greater than 10¹¹.

[0083] In formulations disclosed herein, cells are generally in a volume of a liter or less, 500 mis or less, 250 mis or less, or 100 mis or less. Hence the density of administered cells is typically greater than 10⁴ cells/ml, 10⁷ cells/ml, or 10⁸ cells/ml.

[0084] The formulations disclosed herein can be prepared for administration by, for example, injection, infusion, perfusion, or lavage.

[0085] Methods disclosed herein include producing cells for and/or treating subjects (humans, veterinary animals (dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, etc.), livestock (horses, cattle, goats, pigs, chickens, etc.), and research animals (monkeys, rats, mice, fish, etc.) with genetically-modified cells disclosed herein. Treating subjects includes delivering therapeutically effective amounts. Therapeutically effective amounts include those that provide effective amounts, prophylactic treatments, and/or therapeutic treatments.

[0086] An “effective amount” is the number of cells necessary to result in a desired physiological change in a subject. Effective amounts are often administered for research purposes.

[0087] A "prophylactic treatment" includes a treatment administered to a subject who does not display signs or symptoms of a condition to be treated or displays only early signs or symptoms of the condition to be treated such that treatment is administered for the purpose of diminishing, preventing, or decreasing the risk of developing the condition. Thus, a prophylactic treatment functions as a preventative treatment against a condition.

[0088] A "therapeutic treatment" includes a treatment administered to a subject who displays symptoms or signs of a condition and is administered to the subject for the purpose of reducing the severity or progression of the condition.

[0089] The actual dose amount administered to a particular subject can be determined by a physician, veterinarian, or researcher taking into account parameters such as physical and physiological factors including target; body weight; type of condition; severity of condition; upcoming relevant events, when known; previous or concurrent therapeutic interventions; idiopathy of the subject; and route of administration, for example. In addition, in vitro and in vivo assays can optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges.

[0090] Therapeutically effective amounts to administer can include greater than 10² cells, greater than 10³ cells, greater than 10⁴ cells, greater than 10⁵ cells, greater than 10⁶ cells, greater than 10⁷ cells, greater than 10⁸ cells, greater than 10⁹ cells, greater than 10¹⁰ cells, or greater than 10¹¹. In particular embodiments, a minimum dose is 1 x 10⁶ cells/kg. In particular embodiments, a minimum dose is 2X10⁶ cells/kg subject body weight.

[0091] As indicated, the compositions and formulations disclosed herein can be administered by, for example, injection, infusion, perfusion, or lavage and can more particularly include administration through one or more bone marrow, intravenous, intradermal, intraarterial, intranodal, intralymphatic, intraperitoneal, intralesional, intraprostatic, intravaginal, intrarectal, topical, intrathecal, intratumoral, intramuscular, intravesicular, and/or subcutaneous infusions and/or bolus injections.

[0092] In some aspects, the reinfusion formula may be administered to the patient prior to the clearance of a mobilization agent. In particular embodiments, the reinfusion formula may be administered to the patient on the same day as the administration of the mobilization agent or on the same day as MAT. Thus, the provided methods allow for the use of a decreased number of transducing units, decreased time for transfection, and decreased patient visits for treatment.

[0093] Any nucleic acid including a therapeutic gene can be introduced into target cells disclosed herein. The term “gene” refers to a nucleic acid sequence (used interchangeably with polynucleotide or nucleotide sequence) that encodes one or more therapeutic proteins as described herein. This definition includes various sequence polymorphisms, mutations, and/or sequence variants wherein such alterations do not substantially affect the function of the encoded one or more therapeutic proteins. The term “gene” may include not only coding sequences but also regulatory regions such as promoters, enhancers, and 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. Gene sequences encoding the molecule can be DNA or RNA that directs the expression of the one or more therapeutic proteins. These nucleic acid sequences may be a DNA strand sequence that is transcribed into RNA or an RNA sequence that is translated into protein. The nucleic acid sequences include both the full-length nucleic acid sequences as well as non-full-length sequences derived from the full-length protein. The sequences can also include degenerate codons of the native sequence or sequences that may be introduced to provide codon preference in a specific cell type.

[0094] A gene sequence encoding one or more therapeutic proteins can be readily prepared by synthetic or recombinant methods from the relevant amino acid sequence. In particular embodiments, the gene sequence encoding any of these sequences can also have one or more restriction enzyme sites at the 5' and/or 3' ends of the coding sequence in order to provide for easy excision and replacement of the gene sequence encoding the sequence with another gene sequence encoding a different sequence. In particular embodiments, the gene sequence encoding the sequences can be codon optimized for expression in mammalian cells.

[0095] As one example, a gene can be selected to provide a therapeutically effective response against a condition that, in particular embodiments, is inherited. In particular embodiments, the condition can be Grave’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA-SCID) or severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), Fanconi anemia (FA), Battens disease, adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) or metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), muscular dystrophy, pulmonary aveolar proteinosis (PAP), pyruvate kinase deficiency, Shwachmann-Diamond- Blackfan anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). In particular embodiments, depending on the condition, the therapeutic gene may be a gene that encodes a protein and/or a gene whose function has been interrupted. Exemplary therapeutic gene and gene products include: soluble CD40; CTLA; Fas L; antibodies to CD4, CD5, CD7, CD52, etc.; antibodies to IL1 , IL2, IL6; an antibody to TOR specifically present on autoreactive T cells; IL4; IL10; IL12; IL13; IL1 Ra, SIL1 RI, SIL1 RII; sTNFRI; sTNFRII; antibodies to TNF; P53, PTPN22, and DRB1*1501/DQB1*0602; globin family genes; WAS; phox; FANC family genes; dystrophin; pyruvate kinase; CLN3; ABCD1 ; arylsulfatase A; SFTPB; SFTPC; NLX2.1 ; ABCA3; GATA1 ; ribosomal protein genes; TERT; TERC; DKC1 ; TINF2; CFTR; LRRK2; PARK2; PARK7; PINK1 ; SNCA; PSEN1 ; PSEN2; APP; SOD1; TDP43; FUS; ubiquilin 2; and/or C9ORF72. Therapeutically effective amounts may provide function to immune and other blood cells and/or microglial cells or may alternatively - depending on the treated condition - inhibit lymphocyte activation, induce apoptosis in lymphocytes, eliminate various subsets of lymphocytes, inhibit T cell activation, eliminate or inhibit autoreactive T cells, inhibit Th-2 or Th-1 lymphocyte activity, antagonize IL1 or TNF, reduce inflammation, induce selective tolerance to an inciting agent, reduce or eliminate an immune-mediated condition; and/or reduce or eliminate a symptom of the immune-mediated condition. Therapeutic effective amounts may also provide functional DNA repair mechanisms; surfactant protein expression; telomere maintenance; lysosomal function; breakdown of lipids or other proteins such as amyloids; permit ribosomal function; and/or permit development of mature blood cell lineages which would otherwise not develop such as macrophages other white blood cell types.

[0096] As another example, a gene can be selected to provide a therapeutically effective response against diseases related to red blood cells and clotting. In particular embodiments, the disease is a hemoglobinopathy like thalassemia, or a sickle cell disease/trait. The therapeutic gene may be, for example, a gene that induces or increases production of hemoglobin; induces or increases production of beta-globin, or alpha-globin; or increases the availability of oxygen to cells in the body. The therapeutic gene may be, for example, HBB or CYB5R3. Exemplary effective treatments may, for example, increase blood cell counts, improve blood cell function, or increase oxygenation of cells in patients. In another particular embodiment, the disease is hemophilia. The therapeutic gene may be, for example, a gene that increases the production of coagulation/clotting factor VIII or coagulation/clotting factor IX, causes the production of normal versions of coagulation factor VIII or coagulation factor IX, a gene that reduces the production of antibodies to coagulation/clotting factor VI II or coagulation/clotting factor IX, or a gene that causes the proper formation of blood clots. Exemplary therapeutic genes include F8 and F9. Exemplary effective treatments may, for example, increase or induce the production of coagulation/clotting factors VIII and IX; improve the functioning of coagulation/clotting factors VIII and IX, or reduce clotting time in subjects.

[0097] As another example, a gene can be selected to provide a therapeutically effective response against a lysosomal storage disorder. In particular embodiments, the lysosomal storage disorder is mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), type I; MPS II or Hunter Syndrome; MPS III or Sanfilippo syndrome; MPS IV or Morquio syndrome; MPS V; MPS VI or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome; MPS VII or sly syndrome; alpha-mannsidosis; beta-mannosidosis; glycogen storage disease type I , also known as GSDI , von Gierke disease, or T ay Sachs; Pompe disease; Gaucher disease; Fabry disease. The therapeutic gene may be, for example, a gene encoding or inducing production of an enzyme, or that otherwise causes the degradation of mucopolysaccharides in lysosomes. Exemplary therapeutic genes include IDUA or iduronidase, IDS, GNS, HGSNAT, SGSH, NAGLU, GUSB, GALNS, GLB1 , ARSB, and HYAL1. Exemplary effective genetic therapies for lysosomal storage disorders may, for example, encode or induce the production of enzymes responsible for the degradation of various substances in lysosomes; reduce, eliminate, prevent, or delay the swelling in various organs, including the head (exp. Macrosephaly), the liver, spleen, tongue, or vocal cords; reduce fluid in the brain; reduce heart valve abnormalities; prevent or dilate narrowing airways and prevent related upper respiratory conditions like infections and sleep apnea; reduce, eliminate, prevent, or delay the destruction of neurons, and/or the associated symptoms.

[0098] As another example, a gene can be selected to provide a therapeutically effective response against a hyperproliferative disease. In particular embodiments, the hyperproliferative disease is cancer. The therapeutic gene may be, for example, a tumor suppressor gene, a gene that induces apoptosis, a gene encoding an enzyme, a gene encoding an antibody, or a gene encoding a hormone. Exemplary therapeutic genes and gene products include 101 F6, 123F2 (RASSF1), 53BP2, abl, ABLI, ADP, aFGF, APC, ApoAl, ApoAIV, ApoE, ATM, BAI-1 , BDNF, Beta*(BLU), bFGF, BLC1 , BLC6, BRCA1 , BRCA2, CBFA1 , CBL, C-CAM, CFTR, CNTF, COX-1 , CSFIR, CTS-1 , cytosine deaminase, DBCCR-1 , DCC, Dp, DPC-4, E1A, E2F, EBRB2, erb, ERBA, ERBB, ETS1 , ETS2, ETV6, Fab, FCC, FGF, FGR, FHIT, fms, FOX, FUS 1 , FUS1, FYN, G-CSF, GDAIF, Gene 21 (NPRL2), Gene 26 (CACNA2D2), GM-CSF, GMF, gsp, HCR, HIC-1 , HRAS, hst, IGF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11 IL-12, ING1 , interferon a, interferon p, interferon y, IRF-1 , JUN, KRAS, LCK, LUCA-1 (HYAL1), LUCA-2 (HYAL2), LYN, MADH4, MADR2, MCC, mda7, MDM2, MEN-I, MEN-II, MLL, MMAC1 , MYB, MYC, MYCL1 , MYCN, neu, NF-1 , NF-2, NGF, NOEY1 , NOEY2, NRAS, NT3, NT5, OVCA1 , p16, p21 , p27, p53, p57, p73, p300, PGS, PIM1, PL6, PML, PTEN, raf, Rap1A, ras, Rb, RB1 , RET, rks-3, ScFv, scFV ras, SEM A3, SRC, TAL1 , TCL3, TFPI, thrombospondin, thymidine kinase, TNF, TP53, trk, T- VEC, VEGF, VHL, WT1 , WT-1 , YES, and zac1. Exemplary effective genetic therapies may suppress or eliminate tumors, result in a decreased number of cancer cells, reduced tumor size, slow or eliminate tumor growth, or alleviate symptoms caused by tumors.

[0099] As another example, a gene can be selected to provide a therapeutically effective response against an infectious disease. In particular embodiments, the infectious disease is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The therapeutic gene may be, for example, a gene rendering immune cells resistant to HIV infection, or which enables immune cells to effectively neutralize the virus via immune reconstruction, polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins expressed by immune cells, genes advantageous for fighting infection that are not expressed in the patient, genes encoding an infectious agent, receptor or coreceptor; a gene encoding ligands for receptors or coreceptors; viral and cellular genes essential for viral replication including; a gene encoding ribozymes, antisense RNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA) or decoy RNA to block the actions of certain transcription factors; a gene encoding dominant negative viral proteins, intracellular antibodies, intrakines, and suicide genes. Exemplary therapeutic genes and gene products include a2 1 ; av[33; av[35; avp63; BOB/GPR15; Bonzo/STRL-33/TYMSTR; CCR2; CCR3; CCR5; CCR8; CD4; CD46; CD55; CXCR4; aminopeptidase-N; HHV-7; ICAM; ICAM-1 ; PRR2/HveB; HveA; a-dystroglycan; LDLR/a2MR/LRP; PVR; PRR1/HveC; and laminin receptor. A therapeutically effective amount for the treatment of HIV, for example, may increase the immunity of a subject against HIV, ameliorate a symptom associated with AIDS or HIV, or induce an innate or adaptive immune response in a subject against HIV. An immune response against HIV may include antibody production and result in the prevention of AIDS and/or ameliorate a symptom of AIDS or HIV infection of the subject, or decrease or eliminate HIV infectivity and/or virulence.

[0100] Bacteria are also encompassed in the term infectious agent. Other infectious agents include, for example, parasites such as members of the Plasmodium genus, the agent that causes malaria. Exemplary therapeutic genes affecting the infectivity of parasites include erythrocyte skeletal protein 4.1, glycophorin, p55, and the Duffy allele, which encodes a chemokine receptor. Therapeutically effective amounts will, for example, reduce or eliminate the infectious disease or agent. They may also reduce or eliminate a symptom of the infectious disease or agent.

[0101] The genetically-modified cell can be any cell type capable of ex vivo enrichment, modification, and formulation as described herein. Exemplary cell types include HSPC positive for one or more of CD34, CD43, CD45RO, CD45RA, CD59, CD90, CD109, CD117, CD133, CD166, HLA D or negative for Lin or CD38; T cells (e.g., a|3 T cells, y8 Tcells, mature T cells (e.g., CD3+), activated T cells (e.g., 4-1 BB+ (CD137+)), helper T cells (e.g., CD4+), cytotoxic T-cells (e.g., CD8+), central memory T-cells (TCM, e.g., CD62L+ CD25+, CD127+, or CCR7+ and CD45RO+/CD45RA- as compared to naive cells), effector memory T cells (TEM, e.g., CD62L-, CD45RA- as compared to a naive cell), regulatory T cells (TREG, e.g., CD25+, CTLA-4+, GITR+, GARP+, and LAP+), naive T-cells (e.g., non-antigen experienced T cell that expresses CD62L and CD45RA, and does not express CD45RO as compared to central or effector memory cells), natural killer cells (also known as NK cells, K cells, and killer cells, e.g., CD8+, CD16+, CD56+, CD3-, macrophages, monocytes, B cells, among others.

[0102] Current gene therapy methods require the use of a clean room meeting ISO 5 standards or lower. Clean rooms are rated according to the quantity and size of particles per cubic meters of air. The International Standards Organization (ISO) clean room standard includes classes: ISO 1 , ISO 2, ISO 3, ISO 4, ISO 5, ISO 6, ISO 7, ISO 8, and ISO 9 with ISO 1 being the cleanest end of the scale.

[0 03] An ISO class 4 clean room allows up to 10,000 0.1-pm-sized particles per cubic meter and requires an average airflow velocity of 0.254 - 0.457 meters/second (or 50 - 90 ft/min), 300 - 540 air changes per hour, fan/filter unit (FFU) coverage of 50 - 90%, ULPA filters, and a test particle count every 6 months and an airflow and air-pressure differential every 12 months.

[0104] An ISO class 5 clean room allows up to 100,000 0.1 -pm-sized particles per cubic meter of air and requires an average airflow velocity of 0.203 - 0.406 meters/second (or 40 - 80 ft/min), 240 - 480 Air changes per hour, FFU coverage of 35 - 70%, and a test particle count every 6 months, and airflow and air-pressure differential every 12 months. [0105] An ISO class 6 clean room allows up to 1 ,000,000 0.1-pm-sized particles per cubic meter and requires an average airflow velocity of 0.127 - 0.203 meters/second (or 25 - 40 ft/min), 150 - 240 air changes per hour, FFU coverage of 25 - 40%, and a test particle count, airflow, and air- pressure differential every 12 months.

[0106] An ISO class 7 clean room allows up to 352,000 0.5-pm-sized particles per cubic meter and requires an average airflow velocity of 0.051 - 0.076 meters/second (or 10 - 15 ft/min), 60 - 90 air changes per hour, FFU coverage of 15 - 20%, and a test particle count, airflow, and air- pressure differential every 12 months.

[0107] An ISO class 8 clean room allows up to 3,520,000 0.5-pm sized particles per cubic meter and requires an average airflow velocity of 0.005 - 0.041 meters/second (or 1 - 8 ft/min), 5 - 48 air changes per hour, FFU coverage of 5- 15%, and a test particle count, airflow, and air-pressure differential every 12 months. The provided methods allow for the use of an ISO class 7 clean room, decreasing the requirements and expenses for gene therapy production.

[0108] Exemplary Kits: Also disclosed herein are kits including one or more containers including materials necessary or helpful to practice the platforms disclosed herein. Associated with such container(s) can be a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use, or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use, or sale for human administration.

[0109] Optionally, the kits described herein further include instructions for using the kit in the technologies disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the kit may include instructions regarding sample processing; software program use; user interface guidelines; administration of the genetically-modified and formulated cells; appropriate reference levels to interpret results associated when using the kit; proper disposal of the related waste; and the like. The instructions can be in the form of printed instructions provided within the kit or the instructions can be printed on a portion of the kit itself. Instructions may be in the form of a sheet, pamphlet, brochure, CD- Rom, or computer-readable device, or can provide directions to instructions at a remote location, such as a website.

[0110] Particular embodiments of kits include one or more of: one or more sterile tubing sets; saline solution for intravenous infusion (e.g., Plasmalyte A); 25% human serum albumin (HSA); 6% hetastarch in saline (HES); buffer (e.g., PBS/EDTA); biotinylated anti-CD34 antibody (clone 12.8) (also referred to as 12.8 antibody); CD34 microbeads or other direct-conjugate antibody- magnetic bead complex; GAMMAGARD (IVIg) or other blocking agent (e.g., autologous serum); streptavidin-coated microbeads; tunneled cryobag(s); needle-less spike adapter(s); syringe(s) (e.g., 60mL, 30ml_); concentrated lentivirus; medical gloves; gown and/or face mask. The kits may exclude transduction media, cytokines, growth factors, and the like as noted above.

[0111] In particular embodiments, the kits exclude cyto- and/or chemokines, and small molecules or additional agents to promote cell survival and gene transfer. Particular embodiments exclude StemSpan SFEM or ACF media (both from Stem Cell Technologies) or XVivo media types (Lonza). Particular embodiments exclude recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO), flightless 3 ligand (flt3 or flt3L), and interleukins such as interleukin 3 (IL3), interleukin 6 (IL6). Particular embodiments exclude arylhydrocarbon receptor antagonists (e g., StemRegeninl (e.g., Phenol, 4-[2-[[2-benzo[b]thien-3-yl- 9-(1-methylethyl)-9H-purin-6-yl]amino]ethyl]); GNF351 (e.g., N-(2-(3H-lndol-3-yl)ethyl)-9- isopropyl-2-(5-methyl-3-pyridyl)-7H-purin-6-amine,N-(2-(1 H-lndol-3-yl)ethyl)-9-isopropyl- 2-(5- methylpyridin-3-yl)-9H-purin-6-amine); CH223191 (e.g., 1-Methyl-/V-[2-methyl-4-[2-(2- methylphenyl)diazenyl]phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide), pyrimidoindole derivatives (e.g., UM171 (e.g., (1r,4r)-N1-(2-benzyl-7-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indol-4- yl)cyclohexane-1 ,4-diamine); UM729 (Methyl 4-((3-(piperidin-1-yl)propyl)amino)-9H- pyrimido[4,5-b] indole-7-carboxylate); UM118428 (e.g., Tranylcypromine HCI, (trans-2- Phenylcyclopropylamine hydrochloride)), glucocorticoid receptor antagonists (mifepristone (e.g., RU-486), RU-43044, Miconazole, 11-oxa cortisol, 11-oxa prednisolone, and Dexamethasone mesylate.

[0112] An independent, greatly simplified workflow was developed with a functionally closed system which enables use of an ISO class 7 clean room facility and eliminates the need for culture of cells to facilitate transduction. This workflow can be completed in less than 1 day, greatly reducing the time, materials and reagents required for patient-specific product manufacturing. This workflow leverages different off-the-shelf technology for washing and preparation of cells for immunomagnetic bead-based separation. Target cells are then purified by a manual, magnetic separation which is combined with simultaneous magnetically-assisted transduction (MAT) requiring less than 1/2 the typical volume of lentiviral vector supernatant required in standard processes. The proof-of-concept for this workflow has been demonstrated with a lentiviral vector encoding a fluorescent reporter transgene for easy monitoring by flow cytometry.

[0113] The Exemplary Embodiments and Examples 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. 1. A method including: obtaining a cell population including target cells, exposing the cell population to target-cell enriching magnetic beads, contacting the target cells with vector-magnetic bead complexes, and applying a magnetic field to the target cells resulting in transduction of the target cells with the vector.

2. The method of embodiment 1 , wherein the method does not utilize culture media during the transduction.

3. The method of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the method does not utilize exogenous cytokines.

4. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per cell in the cell population.

5. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population.

6. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per cell in the cell population.

7. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population.

8. The method of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 5-45 minutes.

9. The method of any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 15-35 minutes.

10. The method of any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 30 minutes.

11. The method of any of embodiments 1-10, wherein timing of the exposing, contacting, and applying overlaps.

12. The method of any of embodiments 1-10, wherein the exposing occurs before the contacting and applying.

13. The method any of embodiments 1-12, wherein the obtaining the cell population includes collecting blood or bone marrow.

14. The method of any of embodiments 1-12, further including administering a mobilizer to a subject before the obtaining.

15. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the mobilizer includes granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

16. The method of any of embodiments 1-15, wherein the target cells include stem cells.

17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the stem cells include hematopoietic stem cells. 18. The method of any of embodiments 1-15, wherein the target cells include immune cells.

19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the immune cells include T cells or B cells.

20. The method of any of embodiments 1-19, wherein the target-cell enriching magnetic beads include a magnetic bead and a binding domain that binds the target cells.

21. The method of any of embodiments 1-20, wherein the vector-magnetic bead complexes include a magnetic bead and a vector.

22. The method of any of embodiments 1-21 , wherein the vector includes a viral vector.

23. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the viral vector includes a lentiviral vector.

24. The method of any of embodiments 1-23, further including formulating a cell product for administration to a subject after the applying.

25. The method of embodiment 24, further including evaluating quality and sterility of the cell product.

26. The method of embodiment 24, further including administering the cell product to the subject.

27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the subject was administered a mobilizer within 48 hours of the administering of the cell product.

28. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the subject was administered a mobilizing agent within 48 hours of the administering of the cell product.

29. The method of any of embodiments 1-20, wherein the method is performed in an International Standards Organization (ISO) level 7 clean room.

30. A method of providing ex vivo gene therapy to a subject in need thereof including: collecting a cell population from the subject wherein the cell population includes target cells, enriching the target cells in the cell population by exposing the cell population to target-cell enriching magnetic beads, applying a magnetic field to the cell population in the presence of vector-magnetic bead complexes thereby transducing the target cells, and formulating and administering transduced target cells to the subject.

31. The method of embodiment 30, wherein the subject does not receive chemotherapy between the collecting and the administering.

32. The method of embodiments 30 and 31 , wherein the method does not utilize culture media during the transducing.

33. The method of any of embodiments 30-32, wherein the method does not utilize exogenous cytokines during the transducing.

34. The method of any of embodiments 30-33, wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per cell in the cell population.

35. The method of any of embodiments 30-32, wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population.

36. The method of any of embodiments 30-35, wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per cell in the cell population.

37. The method of any of embodiments 30-35, wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population.

38. The method of any of embodiments 30-37, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 5-45 minutes.

39. The method of any of embodiments 30-37, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 15-35 minutes.

40. The method of any of embodiments 30-37, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 30 minutes.

41. The method of any of embodiments 30-40, wherein timing of the exposing and applying overlaps.

42. The method of any of embodiments 30-40, wherein the exposing occurs before the applying.

43. The method of any of embodiments 30-42, wherein the collecting the cell population includes collecting blood or bone marrow.

44. The method of any of embodiments 30-43, further including administering a mobilizer to the subject before the collecting.

45. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the mobilizer includes granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

46. The method of embodiment any of embodiments 30-45, wherein the transduced target cells and the mobilizer are administered within 48 hours of each other.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the transduced target cells and the mobilizer are administered within 24 hours of each other.

48. The method of any of embodiments 30-47, wherein the exposing, applying, and formulating occur in an International Standards Organization (ISO) level 7 clean room.

49. The method of any of embodiments 30-48, wherein the target cells include stem cells.

50. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the stem cells include hematopoietic stem cells.

51. The method of any of embodiments 30-49, wherein the target cells include immune cells.

52. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the immune cells include T cells or B cells.

53. The method of any of embodiments 30-52, wherein the target-cell enriching magnetic beads include a magnetic bead and a binding domain that binds the target cells.

54. The method of any of embodiments 30-53, wherein the vector-magnetic bead complexes include a magnetic bead linked to a vector.

55. The method of embodiment 54, wherein the vector includes a viral vector.

56. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the viral vector includes a lentiviral vector.

57. The method of any of embodiments 30-56, further including harvesting and washing transduced target cells.

58. The method of any of embodiments 30-57, further including release testing of transduced target cells.

59. The method of any of embodiments 30-58, wherein there is no more than 24 hours between the collecting and the administering.

60. An apparatus including a docking unit, an entry port, and a magnet, wherein the docking unit includes an interface between the apparatus and a cell collection and/or manufacturing system.

[0114] EXAMPLE I. Comparison of standard culture based transduction, spinoculation, and MAT of CD34+ cells with cocal and VSV-G lentivirus. Healthy adult, CD34+ cells mobilized with G-CSF were obtained from four unique donors, 2 females and 2 males. The cells were transduced with either cocal virus envelope glycoprotein pseudotyped LV (cocal LC) or vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein pseudotyped LV (VSV-G LV) encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene using one of three transduction processes (1) standard culture-based transduction, (2) spinoculation, or (3) MAT.

[0115] The cells were slow-thawed at 37°C for 30 minutes. The cells were then stimulated for 16- 24 hours at 37°C and 5%CO2 in Stem Span™ SFEM II media containing recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)).

[0116] For culture, in each well of a 6-well tissue culture plate, cells were seeded at a density of 2x106 cells/ml of Stem Span™ SFEM II media containing vector at 10 transducing units (TU) per cell, recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) and protamine sulfate at 8mg/ml (Fresenius Kabi, Lake Zurich, Switzerland). The cells were then incubated at 37°C, 5% CO2 for 24 hours. After 24 hours, cells were harvested and washed by centrifuging at 400g for 5 minutes. Cell pellets were resuspended in Iscove’s Modified Dulbecco’s medium containing 10% v/v heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) and cultured for another 9 days at 37°C, 5% CO2. Aliquots of transduced cells were collected on day 3 and 6 for flow cytometry analysis and on day 10, cells were harvested and pelleted for genomic DNA extraction for subsequent Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time PCR) to determine vector copy number (VCN).

[0117] For spinoculation, cells were resuspended in Stem Span™ SFEM II media containing vector at 10 transducing units (TU) per cell, recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) and centrifuged at 400g for 1 hour or directly cultured in the presence of LV at 37°C, 5% CO2. Thereafter, the cell pellet was resuspended in the same media and cells were cultured for 24 hours. After 24 hours, cells were harvested and washed by centrifuging at 400g for 5 minutes. Cell pellets were resuspended in Iscove’s Modified Dulbecco’s medium containing 10% v/v heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) and cultured for another 9 days at 37°C, 5% CO2. Aliquots of transduced cells were collected on day 3 and 6 for flow cytometry analysis and on day 10, cells were harvested and pelleted for genomic DNA extraction for subsequent Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time PCR) to determine vector copy number (VCN).

[0118] For MAT, LV were incubated in ViroMag STEM™ at a dilution of 1:500 for 20 minutes (OZ biosciences, France) then added to CD34+ cells in culture media and placed on a CTS™ DynaMag™ magnet (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) for 30 minutes. The CTS™ DynaMag™ magnet (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) was set at 0° and the 6-well plate was placed at the center of the magnet. Cells were seeded at 2 x 10⁶, transduced once at 10 transducing units (TU) per cell, and cultured post-transduction in Stem Span™ SFEM II media containing SCF, TPO, and FLT3-L at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) for 24 hours. After 24 hours, cells were harvested and washed by centrifuging at 400g for 5 minutes. Cell pellets were resuspended in Iscove’s Modified Dulbecco’s medium containing 10% v/v heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 100ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) and cultured for another 9 days at 37°C, 5% CO2. Aliquots of transduced cells were collected on day 3 and 6 for flow cytometry analysis and on day 10, cells were harvested and pelleted for genomic DNA extraction for subsequent Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time PCR) to determine vector copy number (VCN). [0119] No difference in viability or expression levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), the described receptor for both VSV-G and cocal, was observed across any condition. GFP detected in cells gene modified by cocal LV was 10-60% higher than in cells modified by VSV-G LV. MAT yielded 5-fold higher transduction efficiency in CD34+ cells in comparison to standard culture-based transduction and spinoculation as shown in FIG. 8.

[0120] In all experiments cells were seeded at 2 x10^s/ml_, transduced once at 10 transducing units (TU) per cell and cultured post-transduction in Iscove’s Modified Dulbecco’s Medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and SCF, TPO, and FLT3-L for 9 days.

[0121] No difference in viability or expression levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), the described receptor for both VSV-G and cocal, was observed across any condition. GFP detected in cells gene modified by cocal LV was 10-60% higher than in cells modified by VSV-G LV. MAT yielded 5-fold higher transduction efficiency in CD34+ cells in comparison to standard culture-based transduction and spinoculation.

[0122] EXAMPLE II. In vivo engraftment of MAT-treated cells in NOD/SCID gamma-/- (NSG) immunodeficient juvenile. Primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs, CD34+) from G-CSF mobilized adult donors were slow-thawed at 37°C for 30 minutes. The cells were then stimulated for 16-24 hours at 37°C and 5%CO2 in Stem Span™ SFEM II media containing recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 50ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)). LV were incubated in ViroMag STEM™ at a dilution of 1 :500 for 20 minutes (OZ biosciences, France) then added to CD34+ cells in culture media and placed on a CTS™ DynaMag™ magnet (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) for 30 minutes. The CTS™ DynaMag™ magnet (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) was set at 0°. The pre-stimulated cells were transduced with a single dose of 10 transducing units of cocal virus envelope glycoprotein pseudotyped LV (cocal LV) per cell.

[0123] Each mouse was injected with 1x10⁶ human HSPCs either freshly transduced or transduced and then cultured in StemSpan™ containing recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO) and Fms-like tyrosinekinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) at 50ng/ml each (Stemcell Technologies (Seattle, WA, USA)) for2 days. Animals were monitored for any indication of toxicity and human hematopoiesis was evaluated via peripheral blood draws and flow cytometry bi-weekly for a period of 16 weeks after transplant. A necroscopy of bone marrow, spleen, liver and peripheral was performed. Engraftment of genetically modified blood cells was monitored by flow cytometry using a fluorophore-conjugated anti-human CD45 antibody and GFP detection, and by RT-PCR for integrated lentiviral proviral vector sequences (vector copy number; VCN). Vector integration was assessed by sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Animal health was monitored by visual inspection and weight monitoring under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 11, mice transplanted with freshly transduced cells had higher levels of engraftment (hCD45+) without transduction effects compared to mice receiving cultured cells (p<0.005). These data suggest that MAT of cocal LV at low doses can greatly reduce viral vector burden.

[0125] Unless otherwise indicated, the practice of the present disclosure can employ conventional techniques of immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology and recombinant DNA. These methods are described in the following publications. See, e.g., Sambrook, et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition (1989); F. M. Ausubel, et al. eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, (1987); the series Methods IN Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc.); M. MacPherson, et al., PCR: A Practical Approach, IRL Press at Oxford University Press (1991); MacPherson et al., eds. PCR 2: Practical Approach, (1995); Harlow and Lane, eds. Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, (1988); and R. I. Freshney, ed. Animal Cell Culture (1987).

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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 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 (Eds. Attwood T et al., Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2006).

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising: obtaining a cell population comprising target cells, exposing the cell population to target-cell enriching magnetic beads, contacting the target cells with vector-magnetic bead complexes, and applying a magnetic field to the target cells resulting in transduction of the target cells with the vector.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method does not utilize culture media during the transduction.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method does not utilize exogenous cytokines.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per cell in the cell population.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per cell in the cell population.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is applied for 5-45 minutes.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is applied for 15-35 minutes.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is applied for 30 minutes.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein timing of the exposing, contacting, and applying overlaps.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the exposing occurs before the contacting and applying.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the cell population comprises collecting blood or bone marrow.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering a mobilizer to a subject before the obtaining.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the mobilizer includes granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target cells comprise stem cells.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the stem cells comprise hematopoietic stem cells.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target cells comprise immune cells.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the immune cells comprise T cells or B cells. The method of claim 1, wherein the target-cell enriching magnetic beads comprise a magnetic bead and a binding domain that binds the target cells. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vector-magnetic bead complexes comprise a magnetic bead and a vector. The method of claim 21 , wherein the vector comprises a viral vector. The method of claim 22, wherein the viral vector comprises a lentiviral vector. The method of claim 1 , further comprising formulating a cell product for administration to a subject after the applying. The method of claim 24, further comprising evaluating quality and sterility of the cell product. The method of claim 24, further comprising administering the cell product to the subject. The method of claim 26, wherein the subject was administered a mobilizer within 48 hours of the administering of the cell product. The method of claim 26, wherein the subject was administered a mobilizing agent within 48 hours of the administering of the cell product. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed in an International Standards Organization (ISO) level 7 clean room. A method of providing ex vivo gene therapy to a subject in need thereof comprising: collecting a cell population from the subject wherein the cell population includes target cells, enriching the target cells in the cell population by exposing the cell population to targetcell enriching magnetic beads, applying a magnetic field to the cell population in the presence of vector-magnetic bead complexes thereby transducing the target cells, and formulating and administering transduced target cells to the subject. The method of claim 30, wherein the subject does not receive chemotherapy between the collecting and the administering. The method of claim 30, wherein the method does not utilize culture media during the transducing. The method of claim 30, wherein the method does not utilize exogenous cytokines during the transducing. The method of claim 30, wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per cell in the cell population. The method of claim 30, wherein vector is at an amount of 10 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population. The method of claim 30, wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per cell in the cell population. The method of claim 30, wherein vector is at an amount of 5-15 infectious particles per target cell in the cell population. The method of claim 30, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 5-45 minutes. The method of claim 30, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 15-35 minutes. The method of claim 30, wherein the magnetic field is applied for 30 minutes. The method of claim 30, wherein timing of the exposing and applying overlaps. The method of claim 30, wherein the exposing occurs before the applying. The method of claim 30, wherein the collecting the cell population comprises collecting blood or bone marrow. The method of claim 30, further comprising administering a mobilizer to the subject before the collecting. The method of claim 44, wherein the mobilizer comprises granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The method of claim 44, wherein the transduced target cells and the mobilizer are administered within 48 hours of each other. The method of claim 44, wherein the transduced target cells and the mobilizer are administered within 24 hours of each other. The method of claim 30, wherein the exposing, applying, and formulating occur in an International Standards Organization (ISO) level 7 clean room. The method of claim 30, wherein the target cells comprise stem cells. The method of claim 49, wherein the stem cells comprise hematopoietic stem cells. The method of claim 30, wherein the target cells comprise immune cells. The method of claim 51 , wherein the immune cells comprise T cells or B cells. The method of claim 30, wherein the target-cell enriching magnetic beads comprise a magnetic bead and a binding domain that binds the target cells. The method of claim 30, wherein the vector-magnetic bead complexes comprise a magnetic bead linked to a vector. The method of claim 54, wherein the vector comprises a viral vector. The method of claim 55, wherein the viral vector comprises a lentiviral vector. The method of claim 30, further comprising harvesting and washing transduced target cells. The method of claim 30, further comprising release testing of transduced target cells. The method of claim 30, wherein there is no more than 24 hours between the collecting and the administering. An apparatus comprising a docking unit, an entry port, and a magnet, wherein the docking unit comprises an interface between the apparatus and a cell collection and/or manufacturing system.