WO2024091908A1 - Composition and methods for reducing replication-competent aav during raav production - Google Patents

Composition and methods for reducing replication-competent aav during raav production Download PDF

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WO2024091908A1
WO2024091908A1 PCT/US2023/077592 US2023077592W WO2024091908A1 WO 2024091908 A1 WO2024091908 A1 WO 2024091908A1 US 2023077592 W US2023077592 W US 2023077592W WO 2024091908 A1 WO2024091908 A1 WO 2024091908A1
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hsa
mir
nucleic acid
nucleotides
expression cassette
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French (fr)
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Guangping Gao
Jun Xie
Phillip TAI
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University Of Massachusetts
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
    • C12N15/85—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for animal cells
    • C12N15/86—Viral vectors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K31/7088—Compounds having three or more nucleosides or nucleotides
    • A61K31/713—Double-stranded nucleic acids or oligonucleotides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2750/00—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA ssDNA viruses
    • C12N2750/00011—Details
    • C12N2750/14011—Parvoviridae
    • C12N2750/14111—Dependovirus, e.g. adenoassociated viruses
    • C12N2750/14141—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector
    • C12N2750/14143—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vector
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2750/00—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA ssDNA viruses
    • C12N2750/00011—Details
    • C12N2750/14011—Parvoviridae
    • C12N2750/14111—Dependovirus, e.g. adenoassociated viruses
    • C12N2750/14151—Methods of production or purification of viral material
    • C12N2750/14152—Methods of production or purification of viral material relating to complementing cells and packaging systems for producing virus or viral particles

Definitions

  • Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have emerged as one of the most advanced gene transfer systems in clinical gene therapy.
  • recombinant AAV particle manufacturing continues to have many challenges, for example, packaging of DNA impurities in the form of truncated genomes and contaminants originating from packaging components (plasmid and host cell DNAs).
  • compositions and methods for reducing propagation of replication competent adeno-associated viruses by reducing packaging components of the AAV genome (e.g., Rep and/or Cap gene) into viral particles during rAAV production.
  • the disclosure is based, in part, on certain hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequences (e.g., “Stopper” sequences) that prevent incorporation of packaging components into rAAVs and/or prevent production of rcAAVs.
  • the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette.
  • the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette.
  • the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the Rep gene and Cap gene, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA is flanking the expression cassette.
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • the hairpin forming DNA comprises a TLR9-inhibitory sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA comprises a nucleic acid sequence of (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some embodiments, the ITR is a is a wild-type ITR and/or a mutant ITR.
  • the present disclosure provides a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid described herein.
  • the vector is a plasmid.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a first transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene.
  • ITRs adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats
  • the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector used in the method comprises an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector encoding the Rep gene.
  • ITRs adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats
  • the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; and (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a first nucleic acid comprising an adeno- associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • ITRs adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats
  • the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
  • the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
  • the host cells are mammalian cells or insect cells.
  • the mammalian cells are HEK293, Hela cells, or A549 cells.
  • the insect cells are Sf9, ExpiSf9, Hi5, Tni Pro cells, or E4a cell.
  • the methods described herein further comprising isolating the rAAV particles.
  • the helper gene is delta F6.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates in a non-limiting example the formation of replication-competent (rc)AAV during vector production.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates non-limiting examples of trans-plasmid designs that carry Stopper hairpin sequences.
  • the Stopper hairpin sequences reduce or eliminate the production of rcAAV.
  • FIG. 3 shows the vector yield (left) and amount of replication (right) of HEK293 cells transfected with an engineered Rep-Cap plasmid I- VII, with single-stranded AAV-EGFP plasmid and delta F6 helper plasmid.
  • the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reducing propagation of replication competent adeno-associated viruses (rcAAV) by reducing packaging components of the AAV genome (e.g., Rep and/or Cap gene) into viral particles during rAAV production.
  • rcAAV replication competent adeno-associated viruses
  • use of stopper sequences (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) described herein, either 5’, 3’, flanking, and/or in between the rep and/or cap gene of AAV production plasmids reduces the propagation of rcAAV during rAAV production.
  • compositions such as vectors (e.g., plasmids), comprising one or more hairpin-forming nucleic acid placed either 5’, 3’, flanking and/or in between the rep and/or cap genes.
  • rcAAV propagation can be overcome by compromising replication of recombined AAV genomes.
  • the stopper sequence e.g., hairpin-forming nucleic acid
  • the disclosure relates to methods of reducing replication competent recombinant adeno-associated virus (rcAAV) during rAAV production.
  • host cells e.g., HEK293 cells
  • plasmids that express a transgene of interest, an adeno viral helper (Ad-helper) gene, and AAV rep and Cap genes.
  • Ad-helper adeno viral helper
  • AAV rep and Cap genes adeno viral helper
  • the host cells are transfected with a helper plasmid encoding adenoviral helper (Ad-helper) genes, a packaging plasmid encoding AAV rep and cap genes, and a plasmid that encodes a transgene.
  • the transgene may be flanked by ITRs.
  • Ad-helper genes e.g., E2A, VA RNA, and E4
  • Rep proteins e.g., Rep78, Rep68, Rep52, and Rep 40
  • Cap proteins e.g., VP1, VP2, and VP3
  • rAAV e.g., therapeutic rAAV
  • rAAV replication competent AAV
  • Rep and Cap gene are capable of replicating in a subject receiving the rAAV.
  • the danger of these rcAAVs are problematic for patients including resulting in fatal toxicity.
  • rcAAV in a rAAV composition for administration to patients, requiring quantification in every clinical batch of AAV (e.g., one AAV dose should contain less than one infectious replication competent AAV particle in 3xlO 10 AAV particles (Lee et al., No more helper adenovirus: production of gutless adenovirus (GLAd) free of adenovirus and replication- competent adenovirus (RCA) contaminants, Experimental & Molecular Medicine, (2019) 51: 127).
  • GLAd gutless adenovirus
  • RCA replication- competent adenovirus
  • compositions and methods for reducing rcAAV during rAAV production while keeping the system amenable and compatible to multiple production systems Further benefits include, but are not limited to the following aspects: (i) the insertion of stopper sequences into the rep and/or cap expression construct does not perturb p5, pl9 or p40 activity; and (ii) inhibition of the propagation of rcAAV occurs after recombination of vector genomes which renders the inhibition of rcAAV amplification independent of the number of recombination events during rAAV production.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example of the designs and outcomes of packaged vector genomes based on the stopper designs.
  • the present disclosure at least in part places a hairpin forming DNA in a rep and/or cap construct reducing rcAAV during production.
  • the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises two hairpin forming DNAs flanking (e.g., 5’ and 3’) the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and/or one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and/or the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) comprising the Rep gene can be the same or different from the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene.
  • the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises two hairpin forming DNAs flanking (e.g., 5’ and 3’) the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and/or one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene.
  • the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and/or the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) comprising the Cap gene can be the same or different from the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene.
  • the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno- associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises two hairpin forming DNAs flanking (e.g., 5’ and 3’) the expression cassette.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and/or one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and/or the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs.
  • the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same or different from the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) to the expression cassette a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more hairpin forming DNA in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and a hairpin-forming DNA positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and one or more hairpin-forming DNA positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises two or more hairpin forming DNAs flanking the expression cassette, and one or more hairpin-forming DNA positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
  • the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence are the same as or different from each other.
  • Adeno-associated viruses from the parvovirus family, are small viruses with a genome of single stranded DNA.
  • the AAV genome comprises a single- stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA), either positive- or negative- sensed, which is about 4.7 kilobase long.
  • the genome comprises inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) at both ends of the DNA strand, and two open reading frames (ORFs): rep and cap.
  • ITRs inverted terminal repeats
  • ORFs open reading frames
  • rep and cap rep and cap.
  • the former is composed of four overlapping genes encoding Rep proteins required for the AAV life cycle, and the latter contains overlapping nucleotide sequences of capsid proteins: VP1, VP2 and VP3, which interact together to form a capsid of an icosahedral symmetry.
  • the Inverted Terminal Repeat (ITR) sequences comprise 145 bases each. They were named so because of their symmetry, which was shown to be required for efficient multiplication of the AAV genome. Another property of these sequences is their ability to form a hairpin, which contributes to so-called self-priming that allows primase-independent synthesis of the second DNA strand.
  • the ITRs were also shown to be required for both integration of the AAV DNA into the host cell genome and rescue from it, as well as for efficient encapsidation of the AAV DNA combined with generation of a fully-assembled, deoxyribonuclease-resistant AAV particles.
  • the AAV genome comprises two promoters called p5 and pl9, from which two overlapping messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) of different length can be produced. Each of these contains an intron which can be either spliced out or not. Given these possibilities, four various mRNAs, and consequently four various Rep proteins with overlapping sequence can be synthesized. Their names depict their sizes in kilodaltons (kDa): Rep78, Rep68, Rep52 and Rep40. Rep78 and 68 can specifically bind the hairpin formed by the ITR in the self-priming act and cleave at a specific region, designated terminal resolution site, within the hairpin.
  • kDa kilodaltons
  • the AAV genome also encodes overlapping sequences of three capsid proteins, VP1, VP2 and VP3, which start from one promoter, designated p40.
  • the molecular weights of these proteins are 87, 72 and 62 KDa, respectively.
  • the functions of the capsid proteins are to protect the viral genome, deliver the genome and interact with the host.
  • capsid proteins deliver the viral genome to a host in a tissue specific manner.
  • ITRs may be the only sequences required in cis next to the transgene.
  • Structural (cap) and packaging (rep) genes can be delivered in trans.
  • manufacturing of rAAV faces many challenges.
  • One major challenge is the adverse generation of replication competent AAV (rcAAV) due to the packing of functional Rep and Cap gene being packaged into AAV genome and encapsidated by AAV capsid protein.
  • rcAAV replication competent AAV
  • Such rcAAV are capable of replicating in a subject.
  • the danger of these rcAAV are problematic for patients including resulting in fatal toxicity.
  • rcAAV in a rAAV composition for administration to patients, requiring quantification in every clinical batch of AAV (e.g., one AAV dose should contain less than one infectious replication competent AAV particle in 3xlO 10 AAV particles (Lee et al., No more helper adenovirus: production of gutless adenovirus (GLAd) free of adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) contaminants, Experimental & Molecular Medicine, (2019) 51: 127)).
  • GLAd gutless adenovirus
  • RCA replication-competent adenovirus
  • compositions and methods for reducing rcAAV during rAAV production while keeping the system amenable and compatible to multiple production systems Further benefits include, but are not limited to the following aspects: (i) the insertion of stopper sequences into the rep and/or cap expression construct does not perturb p5, pl9 or p40 activity; and (ii) inhibition of the propagation of rcAAV occurs after recombination of vector genomes which renders the inhibition of rcAAV amplification independent of the number of recombination events during rAAV production.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example of the designs and outcomes of packaged vector genomes based on the stopper designs.
  • nucleic acid refers to polymers of linked nucleotides, such as DNA, RNA, etc.
  • proteins and nucleic acids of the disclosure are isolated.
  • the DNA of a transgene is transcribed into a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript.
  • isolated means artificially produced (e.g., an artificially produced nucleic acid, or an artificially produced protein, such as a capsid protein).
  • isolated means: (i) amplified in vitro by, for example, polymerase chain reaction (PCR); (ii) recombinantly produced by cloning; (iii) purified, as by cleavage and gel separation; or (iv) synthesized by, for example, chemical synthesis.
  • An isolated nucleic acid is one which is readily manipulable by recombinant DNA techniques well known in the art.
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • An isolated nucleic acid may be substantially purified, but need not be.
  • a nucleic acid that is isolated within a cloning or expression vector is not pure in that it may comprise only a tiny percentage of the material in the cell in which it resides.
  • Such a nucleic acid is isolated, however, as the term is used herein because it is readily manipulable by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the term “isolated” refers to a protein or peptide that has been artificially produced (e.g., by chemical synthesis, by recombinant DNA technology, etc.)
  • a hairpin-forming nucleic acid refers to a nucleic acid hairpin structure when two complementary sequences in a single nucleic acid molecule meet and bind together.
  • a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence can be any suitable nucleic acid sequence that could form a secondary structure.
  • the hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence can be a hairpin-forming DNA or a hairpin-forming RNA.
  • the hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence is a hairpin-forming DNA.
  • the hairpin-forming DNA comprises a nucleic acid that encodes a short hairpin RNA (shRNA), a microRNA (miRNA), an artificial miRNA (amiRNA), an ASO, or an aptamer.
  • shRNA short hairpin RNA
  • miRNA microRNA
  • amiRNA artificial miRNA
  • ASO aptamer
  • Any suitable nucleic acid sequence capable of forming a secondary hairpin structure can be used in the isolated nucleic acid encoding Rep and/or Cap gene described herein.
  • the hairpin forming DNA is not an AAV ITR (e.g., any of the wild type or mutant ITR described herein or otherwise known in the art).
  • a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a miRNA. It is well known that a nucleic acid sequence encoding a miRNA comprises two complementary sequences in a single nucleic acid that would form a secondary structure.
  • a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a miRNA selected from but are not limited to: hsa-let-7a, hsa-let-7a*, hsa-let-7b, hsa-let-7b*, hsa-let-7c, hsa-let-7c*, hsa-let-7d, hsa-let-7d*, hsa-let-7d*, hsa-let-7e, hsa-let-7e*, hsa-let-7f, hsa-let-7f-l*, hsa-let-7f-2*, hsa-let-7g, hsa-let-7g*, hsa-let-7i, hsa-let-7i*, hsa-miR-1, hsa-miR-100, hsa-miR-100*, hsa-miR-101,
  • mRNAs messenger ribonucleic acids
  • p5 and pl9 two promoters
  • mRNAs messenger ribonucleic acids
  • Each of these contains an intron which can be either spliced out or not.
  • four various mRNAs, and consequently four various Rep proteins with overlapping sequence can be synthesized.
  • Rep78 and 68 can specifically bind the hairpin formed by the ITR in the selfpriming act and cleave at a specific region, designated terminal resolution site, within the hairpin.
  • the Cap gene can encode an AAV capsid protein is of an AAV serotype selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV9.hr, AAVrh8, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV.PHP, AAV.rh32.33 and variants of any of the foregoing. Any of the known Cap gene sequence can be used in the isolated nucleic acid described herein.
  • the length of the hairpin forming nucleic acid can vary from about 40 to about 100 nucleotides depending on the type of hairpin forming nucleic acid being designed. In some embodiments, the length of the hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is from about 40 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 70 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 60 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 50 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 70 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 60 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 70 nucleotides, from about 50
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene.
  • a hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a hairpin forming nucleic acid is positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene.
  • a hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene.
  • a hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a hairpin forming nucleic acid is positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene.
  • a hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) flanking the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene.
  • hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • two hairpin forming nucleic acids are flanking the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene.
  • a first hairpin forming nucleic acid is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleot
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) in between a first nucleic acid sequence comprising the Rep and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising the Cap gene.
  • a hairpin forming DNA is positioned more proximal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene).
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned more proximal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene).
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned more distal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned more distal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned at equal distance from the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene) and the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene).
  • the hairpin forming DNA is positioned at equal distance from the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene) and the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene).
  • the one or more hairpin forming DNA is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucle
  • the one or more hairpin forming DNA is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleo
  • nucleotides no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleo
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and in between the Rep and the Cap gene.
  • a first hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a second hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a first hairpin forming nucleic acid is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleot
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the Rep and the Cap gene.
  • a first hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a second hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a first hairpin forming nucleic acid is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleot
  • the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) flanking the expression cassette, and in between the Rep and the Cap gene.
  • hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • two hairpin forming nucleic acids are flanking the expression cassette comprising a Rep and a Cap gene
  • a third hairpin forming nucleic acid e.g., hairpin forming DNA
  • a first hairpin forming nucleic acid is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleot
  • the one or more hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) at different positions as described herein are the same. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) at different positions as described herein are different.
  • additional functional nucleic sequence can be incorporated into a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence.
  • the hairpin-forming nucleic acid comprises a sequence capable of reducing innate immune response.
  • the nucleic acid sequence capable of reducing innate immune response is a TLR9-inhibitory sequence.
  • a TLR9-inhibitory sequence refers to nucleic acid sequences capable of binding to TLR9 and inhibiting TLR9 signaling, thereby inhibiting the TLR9 mediated innate immune response.
  • TLR9-inhibitory sequence examples include Ashman et al., Optimal oligonucleotide sequences for TLR9 inhibitory activity in human cells: lack of correlation with TLR9 binding, Int Immunol. 2011 Mar; 23(3): 203-214; Chan et al., Engineering adeno-associated viral vectors to evade innate immune and inflammatory responses, Sci Transl Med. 2021 Feb 10; 13(580); and Valentin et al., Sequence-dependent inhibition of cGAS and TLR9 DNA sensing by 2'-O-methyl gapmer oligonucleotides, Nucleic Acids Res.
  • the hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, 100% identical to 'nAGGG'nAGGG'nAGGG'nAGGGAACAAGAGAccctaaccctaaccctaaccctaaccctaaG' (SEQ ID NO: 1; the italicized capital letters are reverse complementary to the lower case letters).
  • TLR9 is a receptor expressed intracellularly in immune cells that binds pathogenic viral and bacterial DNA, triggering a pro-inflammatory cytokine response.
  • TLR9 plays a role in the detection of AAV genomes and triggering an innate immune response (Chan et al., Engineering adeno-associated viral vectors to evade innate immune and inflammatory responses, Sci Transl Med. 2021 Feb 10;13(580):eabd3438).
  • DNA from pathogenic viruses and bacteria that bind to TLR9 contain cy to sine-pho sphate- guanine (CpG) motifs. CpG motifs are also present in AAV vector genomes.
  • TLR9 signaling causes the increase in pro -inflammatory cytokines and interferons, which can trigger cells to enter an anti-viral state.
  • TLR9-inhibitory sequences have been shown to inhibit immunogenicity and enhance transgene expression, see for example Chan et al., Engineering adeno-associated viral vectors to evade innate immune and inflammatory responses, Sci Transl Med. 2021 Feb 10;13(580):eabd3438.
  • the TLR9-inhibitory sequence prevents TLR9 from binding AAV DNA. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence prevents the rAAV, as disclosed herein, from eliciting an immune response. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence decreases immunogenicity in a subject administered a rAAV. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence decreases T-cell responses in a subject administered a rAAV. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence enhances transgene expression in a subject administered a rAAV.
  • the isolated nucleic acid further comprises a promoter operably linked to the Rep gene and/or Cap gene coding sequence.
  • a “promoter” refers to a DNA sequence recognized by the synthetic machinery of the cell, or introduced synthetic machinery, required to initiate the specific transcription of a gene.
  • the phrases “operatively linked,” “operatively positioned,” “under control” or “under transcriptional control” means that the promoter is in the correct location and orientation in relation to the nucleic acid to control RNA polymerase initiation and expression of the gene.
  • a promoter can be a constitutive promoter, inducible promoter, or a tissuespecific promoter.
  • constitutive promoters include, without limitation, the retroviral Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) LTR promoter (optionally with the RSV enhancer), the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (optionally with the CMV enhancer) [see, e.g., Boshart et al., Cell, 41:521-530 (1985)], the chimeric cytomegalovirus chimeric cytomegalovirus (CMV)/Chicken P-actin (CB) promoter (CBA promotor), the SV40 promoter, the dihydrofolate reductase promoter, the P- actin promoter, the phosphoglycerol kinase (PGK) promoter, and the EFla promoter [Invitrogen].
  • RSV Rous sarcoma virus
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • CMV chimeric cytomegalovirus chimeric cytomegalovirus
  • CB Chicken P-actin
  • a promoter is an RNA pol II promoter. In some embodiments, a promoter is the chimeric cytomegalovirus chimeric cytomegalovirus (CMV)/Chicken P-actin (CB) promoter (CBA promoter). In some embodiments, a promoter is an RNA pol III promoter, such as U6 or Hl.
  • inducible promoters regulated by exogenously supplied promoters include the zinc-inducible sheep metallothionine (MT) promoter, the dexamethasone (Dex) -inducible mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter, the T7 polymerase promoter system (WO 98/10088); the ecdysone insect promoter (No et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:3346-3351 (1996)), the tetracycline-repressible system (Gossen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
  • MT zinc-inducible sheep metallothionine
  • Dex dexamethasone
  • MMTV mouse mammary tumor virus
  • T7 polymerase promoter system WO 98/10088
  • ecdysone insect promoter No et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:3346-3351
  • inducible promoters which may be useful in this context are those which are regulated by a specific physiological state, e.g., temperature, acute phase, a particular differentiation state of the cell, or in replicating cells only.
  • the regulatory sequences impart tissue-specific gene expression capabilities.
  • the tissue-specific regulatory sequences bind tissue-specific transcription factors that induce transcription in a tissue specific manner.
  • tissue-specific regulatory sequences e.g., promoters, enhancers, etc.
  • tissue-specific regulatory sequences are well known in the art.
  • tissue-specific regulatory sequences include, but are not limited to the following tissue specific promoters: retinoschisin proximal promoter, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein enhancer (RS/IRBPa), rhodopsin kinase (RK), liver- specific thyroxin binding globulin (TBG) promoter, an insulin promoter, a glucagon promoter, a somatostatin promoter, a pancreatic polypeptide (PPY) promoter, a synapsin-1 (Syn) promoter, a creatine kinase (MCK) promoter, a mammalian desmin (DES) promoter, a a-myosin heavy chain (a-MHC) promoter, or a cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) promoter.
  • tissue specific promoters include, but are not limited to the following tissue specific promoters: retinoschisin proximal promoter, interphotoreceptor
  • Beta-actin promoter hepatitis B virus core promoter, Sandig et al., Gene Ther., 3: 1002-9 (1996); alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter, Arbuthnot et al., Hum. Gene Ther., 7: 1503-14 (1996)), bone osteocalcin promoter (Stein et al., Mol. Biol. Rep., 24: 185-96 (1997)); bone sialoprotein promoter (Chen et al., J. Bone Miner. Res., 11:654-64 (1996)), CD2 promoter (Hansal et al., J.
  • AFP alpha-fetoprotein
  • Immunol., 161: 1063-8 (1998); immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter; T cell receptor a-chain promoter, neuronal such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE) promoter (Andersen et al., Cell. Mol. Neurobiol., 13:503-15 (1993)), neurofilament light-chain gene promoter (Piccioli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:5611-5 (1991)), and the neuron- specific vgf gene promoter (Piccioli et al., Neuron, 15:373- 84 (1995)), among others which will be apparent to the skilled artisan.
  • NSE neuron- specific enolase
  • a promoter is a chicken beta-actin (CB) promoter.
  • a chicken beta-actin promoter may be a short chicken beta-actin promoter or a long chicken beta-actin promoter.
  • a promoter (e.g., a chicken beta-actin promoter) comprises an enhancer sequence, for example a cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer sequence.
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • a CMV enhancer sequence may be a short CMV enhancer sequence or a long CMV enhancer sequence.
  • a promoter comprises a long CMV enhancer sequence and a long chicken beta-actin promoter.
  • a promoter comprises a short CMV enhancer sequence and a short chicken beta-actin promoter.
  • a short CMV enhancer may be used with a long CB promoter, and a long CMV enhancer may be used with a short CB promoter (and vice versa).
  • the various regions of an isolated nucleic acid disclosed herein are expression cassettes for expressing one or more Rep gene and/or one or more Cap gene.
  • a multicistronic expression construct comprises two or more expression cassettes encoding one or more Rep Gene and/or Cap gene.
  • multicistronic expression constructs are comprise expression cassettes that are positioned in different ways.
  • a multicistronic expression construct is provided in which a first expression cassette (e.g., an expression cassette comprising a Rep gene) is positioned adjacent to a second expression cassette (e.g., an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene).
  • a multicistronic expression construct is provided in which a first expression cassette comprises an intron, and a second expression cassette is positioned within the intron of the first expression cassette.
  • the second expression cassette, positioned within an intron of the first expression cassette comprises a promoter and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a gene product operatively linked to the promoter.
  • multicistronic expression constructs are provided in which the expression cassettes are oriented in different ways.
  • a multicistronic expression construct is provided in which a first expression cassette is in the same orientation as a second expression cassette.
  • a multicistronic expression construct is provided comprising a first and a second expression cassette in opposite orientations.
  • orientation refers to the directional characteristic of a given cassette or structure.
  • an expression cassette harbors a promoter 5’ of the encoding nucleic acid sequence, and transcription of the encoding nucleic acid sequence runs from the 5’ terminus to the 3’ terminus of the sense strand, making it a directional cassette (e.g., 5’-promoter/(intron)/encoding sequence-3’). Since virtually all expression cassettes are directional in this sense, those of skill in the art can easily determine the orientation of a given expression cassette in relation to a second nucleic acid structure, for example, a second expression cassette, a viral genome.
  • the expression cassettes are in opposite orientation to each other and, as indicated by the arrows, the direction of transcription of the expression cassettes, are opposed.
  • the strand shown comprises the antisense strand of promoter 2 and encoding sequence 2.
  • multicistronic expression constructs often do not achieve optimal expression levels as compared to expression systems containing only one cistron.
  • One of the suggested causes of sub-par expression levels achieved with multicistronic expression constructs comprising two or more promoter elements is the phenomenon of promoter interference (see, e.g., Curtin JA, Dane AP, Swanson A, Alexander IE, Ginn SL. Bidirectional promoter interference between two widely used internal heterologous promoters in a late-generation lentiviral construct. Gene Ther. 2008 Mar;15(5):384-90; and Martin-Duque P, Jezzard S, Kaftansis L, Vassaux G.
  • a multicistronic expression construct that allows efficient expression of a first encoding nucleic acid sequence driven by a first promoter and of a second encoding nucleic acid sequence driven by a second promoter without the use of transcriptional insulator elements.
  • multicistronic expression constructs are provided herein, for example, expression constructs harboring a first expression cassette comprising an intron and a second expression cassette positioned within the intron, in either the same or opposite orientation as the first cassette. Other configurations are described in more detail elsewhere herein.
  • multicistronic expression constructs are provided allowing for efficient expression of two or more encoding nucleic acid sequences.
  • the multicistronic expression construct comprises two expression cassettes.
  • a first expression cassette of a multicistronic expression construct as provided herein comprises a first RNA polymerase II promoter and a second expression cassette comprise a second RNA polymerase II promoter.
  • a first expression cassette of a multicistronic expression construct as provided herein comprises an RNA polymerase II promoter and a second expression cassette comprises an RNA polymerase III promoter.
  • vector includes any genetic element, such as a plasmid, phage, transposon, cosmid, chromosome, artificial chromosome, virus, virion, etc., which is capable of replication when associated with the proper control elements and which can transfer gene sequences between cells.
  • the term includes cloning and expression vehicles, as well as viral vectors.
  • useful vectors are contemplated to be those vectors in which the nucleic acid segment to be transcribed is positioned under the transcriptional control of a promoter.
  • a “promoter” refers to a DNA sequence recognized by the synthetic machinery of the cell, or introduced synthetic machinery, required to initiate the specific transcription of a gene.
  • the phrases “operatively positioned,” “under control” or “under transcriptional control” means that the promoter is in the correct location and orientation in relation to the nucleic acid to control RNA polymerase initiation and expression of the gene.
  • expression cassette or construct means any type of genetic construct containing a nucleic acid in which part or all of the nucleic acid encoding sequence is capable of being transcribed.
  • expression includes transcription of the nucleic acid, for example, to generate a biologically-active polypeptide product (e.g., a therapeutic protein or therapeutic minigene) or inhibitory RNA (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, miRNA inhibitor) from a transcribed gene.
  • a biologically-active polypeptide product e.g., a therapeutic protein or therapeutic minigene
  • inhibitory RNA e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, miRNA inhibitor
  • the isolated nucleic acids encoding the Rep gene and/or the Cap gene of the disclosure may be used in combination with recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (rAAV vectors) and/or adeno virus helper sequence for production of rAAV particles encoding a transgene.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • a transgene is a nucleic acid sequence, which is not homologous to vector sequences, which encodes a polypeptide, protein, functional RNA molecule (e.g., miRNA, miRNA inhibitor) or other gene product, of interest.
  • a transgene encodes a therapeutic protein or therapeutic functional RNA.
  • therapeutic proteins include toxins, enzymes (e.g., kinases, phosphorylases, proteases, acetylases, deacetylases, methylases, demethylases, etc.) growth factors, interleukins, interferons, anti-apoptosis factors, cytokines, anti-diabetic factors, anti-apoptosis agents, coagulation factors, anti-tumor factors, and anti-proliferative proteins.
  • the nucleic acid coding sequence is operatively linked to regulatory components in a manner which permits transgene transcription, translation, and/or expression in a cell of a target tissue.
  • the rAAV vector comprises a region (e.g., a first region) comprising a first adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeat (ITR), or a variant thereof.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • ITR inverted terminal repeat
  • the recombinant AAV vector may be packaged into a capsid protein and administered to a subject and/or delivered to a selected target cell.
  • “Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors” are typically composed of, at a minimum, a transgene and its regulatory sequences, and 5' and 3' AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs).
  • the transgene may comprise, as disclosed elsewhere herein, one or more regions that encode one or more proteins and/or one or more binding sites for inhibitory nucleic acids (e.g., shRNA, miRNAs, etc.).
  • the transgene may also comprise a region encoding, for example, a protein and/or an expression control sequence (e.g., a poly-A tail), as described elsewhere in the disclosure.
  • ITR sequences are about 145 bp in length. Preferably, substantially the entire sequences encoding the ITRs are used in the molecule, although some degree of minor modification of these sequences is permissible. The ability to modify these ITR sequences is within the skill of the art. (See, e.g., texts such as Sambrook et al., "Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual", 2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (1989); and K. Fisher et al., J Virol., 70:520 532 (1996)).
  • the AAV ITR sequences may be obtained from any known AAV, including presently identified mammalian AAV types.
  • the rAAV vector comprises at least one ITR having a serotype selected from AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV6.2, AAV7, AAV8, AAVrh8, AAV9, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV2/2-66, AAV2/2-84, AAV2/2-125, and variants thereof.
  • the rAAV vector comprises a region (e.g., a first region) encoding an AAV2 ITR.
  • the rAAV vector comprises two regions (e.g., a first region and a second region) encoding a 5’ AAV2 ITR and a 3’ AAV2 ITR.
  • the rAAV vector further comprises one or more AAV ITRs.
  • an AAV ITR has a serotype selected from AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV6.2, AAV7, AAV8, AAVrh8, AAV9, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV2/2-66, AAV2/2-84, AAV2/2-125, and variants thereof.
  • an AAV ITR is a mutant ITR (mTR) that lacks a functional terminal resolution site (TRS).
  • lacking a terminal resolution site can refer to an AAV ITR that comprises a mutation (e.g., a sense mutation such as a non-synonymous mutation, or missense mutation) that abrogates the function of the terminal resolution site (TRS) of the ITR, or to a truncated AAV ITR that lacks a nucleic acid sequence encoding a functional TRS (e.g., a ATRS ITR).
  • TRS terminal resolution site
  • a rAAV vector comprising an ITR lacking a functional TRS produces a self-complementary rAAV vector, for example as described by McCarthy (2008) Molecular Therapy 16(10): 1648-1656.
  • the AAV vector described herein is a single- stranded AAV (ss- AAV) vector.
  • single-stranded AAV vector refers to a vector that the coding sequence and complementary sequence of the transgene are on separate strands and are packaged in separate viral capsids.
  • the AAV vector described herein is a self-complementary (sc-AAV).
  • scAAV self-complementary AAV vector
  • a scAAV vector contains a double-stranded vector genome generated by the absence of a terminal resolution site (TR) from one of the ITRs of the AAV.
  • TR terminal resolution site
  • scAAV vectors generate single-stranded, inverted repeat genomes, with a wild-type (wt) AAV TR at each end and a mutated TR (mTR) in the middle.
  • rAAV vector comprise DNA sequences encoding RNA hairpin structures (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, and amiRNA) that can serve a function similar to a mutant inverted terminal repeat (mTR) during viral genome replication, generating self-complementary AAV vector (scAAV) genomes.
  • RNA hairpin structures e.g., shRNA, miRNA, and amiRNA
  • mTR mutant inverted terminal repeat
  • scAAV self-complementary AAV vector
  • the disclosure provides rAAV (e.g., self-complementary AAV; scAAV) vectors comprising a single- stranded self-complementary nucleic acid with inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) at each of two ends and a central portion comprising a promoter operably linked with a sequence encoding a hairpin-forming RNA (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, etc.).
  • the sequence encoding a hairpin-forming RNA e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, etc.
  • the sequence encoding a hairpin-forming RNA is substituted at a position of the self-complementary nucleic acid normally occupied by a mutant ITR.
  • “Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors” are typically composed of, at a minimum, a transgene and its regulatory sequences, and 5' and 3' AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). It is this recombinant AAV vector which is packaged into a capsid protein and delivered to a selected target cell.
  • the transgene is a nucleic acid sequence, heterologous to the vector sequences, which encodes a polypeptide, protein, functional RNA molecule (e.g., miRNA, miRNA inhibitor) or other gene product, of interest.
  • the nucleic acid coding sequence is operatively linked to regulatory components in a manner which permits transgene transcription, translation, and/or expression in a cell of a target tissue.
  • Helper vectors also known as “helper-dependent adenoviral vectors”, “helper-plasmids”, or “Ad helper” are non-integrating vectors that support AAV production without any longer generating rcAAV. Helper vectors are devoid of viral genes, have a large cloning capacity, and effectively transduce a variety of cell types. Helper plasmids were developed for the use in AAV production in the absence of a helper virus. In some embodiments, helper vectors increase packaging efficiency of rAAV. In some embodiments, the helper vector comprises Ad-helper genes. In some embodiments, the Ad-helper genes are E2A, VA RNA, and E4.
  • the E2A region encodes a DNA binding protein with affinities for single- and double-stranded DNA and facilitates AAV replication, such as mRNA processing and export or capsid production.
  • VA RNA mediates the degradation of PKR and enhances cap protein expression and assembly.
  • the E4 region enhances second-strand synthesis, promoting AAV replication, and helps in the degradation of Mrel 1 (a component of the MRN complex, which limits AAV transduction and replication).
  • the Ad-helper gene is E4.
  • the helper vector is a delta F6 helper.
  • a “host cell” refers to any cell that harbors, or is capable of harboring, a substance of interest or of packaging the nucleic acid of interest into a viral particle (e.g., rAAV particle). Often a host cell is a mammalian cell. Examples of host cells include human cells, mouse cells, rat cells, dog cells, cat cells, hamster cells, monkey cells, insect cells, plant cells, or bacterial cells.
  • insect cells include but are not limited to Spodoptera frugiperda e.g., Sf9, Sf21), Spodoptera exigua, Heliothis virescens, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis subflexa, Anticar sia gemmatalis, Trichopulsia ni (e.g., High-Five cells), Drosophila melanogaster (e.g., S2, S3), Antheraea eucalypti, Bombyx mori, Aedes alpopictus, Aedes aegyptii, and others.
  • Spodoptera frugiperda e.g., Sf9, Sf21
  • Spodoptera exigua Heliothis virescens
  • Helicoverpa zea Heliothis subflexa
  • Anticar sia gemmatalis Trichopulsia ni (e.g., High-Five cells)
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Examples of bacterial cells include, but are not limited to Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens.
  • yeast cells include but are not limited to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pombe, Pichia pastoris, Bacillus sp., Aspergillus sp., Trichoderma sp., and Myceliophthora thermophila Cl.
  • Examples of plant cells include but are not limited to Nicotiana sp., Arabidopsis thaliana, Mays zea, Solanum sp., or Lemna sp.
  • a host cell is a mammalian cell.
  • mammalian cells include Henrietta Lacks tumor (HeLa) cells, HEK293, and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells.
  • a host cell is a human cell, for example a HEK293 cell.
  • a host cell may be used as a recipient of one or more viral transfer vectors and one or more accessory plasmids.
  • the term includes the progeny of the original cell which has been transfected.
  • a “host cell” as used herein may refer to a cell which has been transfected with an exogenous DNA sequence and its progeny. It is understood that the progeny of a single parental cell may not necessarily be completely identical in morphology or in genomic or total DNA complement as the original parent, due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation.
  • cell line refers to a population of cells capable of continuous or prolonged growth and division in vitro. Often, cell lines are clonal populations derived from a single progenitor cell. It is further known in the art that spontaneous or induced changes can occur in karyotype during storage or transfer of such clonal populations. Therefore, cells derived from the cell line referred to may not be precisely identical to the ancestral cells or cultures, and the cell line referred to includes such variants.
  • a cell line can be engineered (e.g., transduced) to stably express one or more components required and transiently transfected with the remaining components for packaging a rAAV.
  • a cell line can be engineered to stably express the cap gene for a particular AAV serotype, and transiently transfected with an AAV vector encoding the transgene, a vector that comprises the hair-forming nucleic acid and encodes the Rep gene as described herein, and a vector that encodes an adenovirus helper gene.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a first transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene.
  • ITRs adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats
  • the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector used in the method comprises an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector encoding the Rep gene.
  • ITRs adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats
  • the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; and (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a first nucleic acid comprising an adeno- associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
  • ITRs adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats
  • the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
  • the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
  • the rAAV production method described herein reduces the amount of replication-competent AAV (rcAAV) in the pool of rAAV produced by this method relative to the pool of rAAV produced by other methods (e.g., any known rAAV production methods in the art). In some embodiments, the rAAV production method described herein reduces the amount of replication competent rAAV in the pool of rAAV produced by this method relative to the pool of rAAV produced by other methods (e.g., any known rAAV production methods in the art) by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least
  • the rAAV production method described herein can be adapted to any suitable production method.
  • recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) particles are produced by introducing into a host cell, a nucleic acid comprising a transgene, a helper nucleic acid encoding adenoviral helper genes, and a packaging nucleic acid encoding rep and/or cap genes.
  • a nucleic acid comprising a transgene may comprise a transgene flanked by adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs).
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • a helper nucleic acid encoding adenoviral helper genes comprises genes that mediate AAV replication (e.g., AAV E4, E2a and/or VA genes).
  • a packaging nucleic acid encodes one or more rep genes, and the packing nucleic acid further comprises hair-forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ of the one or more rep genes.
  • a packaging nucleic acid encodes one or more cap genes, and the packing nucleic acid further comprises hairforming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ of the one or more cap genes.
  • the methods of producing rAAV particles involve culturing a host cell which contains a nucleic acid sequence comprising a functional rep and/or cap gene, wherein the rep and/or cap gene can be on the same vector or on different vectors, and the nucleic acid further comprises hairpin forming DNA positioned around the rep gene and cap gene as described herein; a recombinant AAV vector composed of, AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and a transgene; and sufficient helper functions to permit packaging of the recombinant AAV vector into the AAV capsid proteins.
  • capsid proteins are structural proteins encoded by the cap gene of an AAV.
  • AAVs comprise three capsid proteins, virion proteins 1 to 3 (named VP1, VP2 and VP3), all of which are transcribed from a single cap gene via alternative splicing.
  • the molecular weights of VP1, VP2 and VP3 are respectively about 87 kDa, about 72 kDa and about 62 kDa.
  • capsid proteins upon translation, form a spherical 60-mer protein shell around the viral genome.
  • the functions of the capsid proteins are to protect the viral genome, deliver the genome and interact with the host.
  • capsid proteins deliver the viral genome to a host in a tissue specific manner.
  • an AAV capsid protein is of an AAV serotype selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV9.hr, AAVrh8, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV.PHP, AAV.rh32.33 and variants of any of the foregoing.
  • the components to be cultured in the host cell to package a rAAV vector in an AAV capsid may be provided to the host cell in trans.
  • the components to be cultured in the host cell to package a rAAV vector in an AAV capsid may be provided to the host cell in cis.
  • any one or more of the required components e.g., recombinant AAV vector, rep sequences (e.g., rep sequence with hairpin forming DNA as described herein), cap sequences (e.g., cap sequences with hairpin forming DNA as described herein), and/or helper functions
  • a stable host cell which has been engineered to contain one or more of the required components using methods known to those of skill in the art.
  • a stable host cell will contain the required component(s) under the control of an inducible promoter.
  • the required component(s) may be under the control of a constitutive promoter.
  • suitable inducible and constitutive promoters are provided herein, in the discussion of regulatory elements suitable for use with the transgene.
  • a selected stable host cell may contain selected component(s) under the control of a constitutive promoter and other selected component(s) under the control of one or more inducible promoters.
  • a stable host cell may be generated which is derived from 293 cells (which contain El helper functions under the control of a constitutive promoter), but which contain the rep and/or cap proteins under the control of inducible promoters. Still other stable host cells may be generated by one of skill in the art.
  • the recombinant AAV vector, rep sequences, cap sequences, hairpin sequences, and helper functions required for producing the rAAV of the disclosure may be delivered to the packaging host cell using any appropriate genetic element (vector).
  • the selected genetic element may be delivered by any suitable method, including those described herein.
  • the methods used to construct any embodiment of this disclosure are known to those with skill in nucleic acid manipulation and include genetic engineering, recombinant engineering, and synthetic techniques. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Similarly, methods of generating rAAV virions are well known and the selection of a suitable method is not a limitation on the present disclosure.
  • a “host cell” refers to any cell that harbors, or is capable of harboring, a substance of interest or of packaging the nucleic acid of interest into a viral particle. Often a host cell is a mammalian cell or an insect cell. Examples of host cells include human cells, mouse cells, rat cells, dog cells, cat cells, hamster cells, monkey cells, insect cells, plant cells, or bacterial cells.
  • insect cells include but are not limited to Spodoptera frugiperda (e.g., Sf9, Sf21), Spodoptera exigua, Heliothis virescens, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis subflexa, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Trichopulsia ni (e.g., High-Five cells), Drosophila melanogaster (e.g., S2, S3), Antheraea eucalypti, Bombyx mori, Aedes alpopictus, Aedes aegyptii, and others.
  • Spodoptera frugiperda e.g., Sf9, Sf21
  • Spodoptera exigua Heliothis virescens
  • Helicoverpa zea Heliothis subflexa
  • Anticarsia gemmatalis e.g., High-Five cells
  • Drosophila melanogaster e.g., S2, S
  • Examples of bacterial cells include, but are not limited to Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens.
  • yeast cells include but are not limited to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pombe, Pichia pastoris, Bacillus sp., Aspergillus sp., Trichoderma sp., and Myceliophthora thermophila Cl.
  • Examples of plant cells include but are not limited to Nicotiana sp., Arabidopsis thaliana, Mays zea, Solanum sp., or Lemna sp.
  • a host cell is a mammalian cell.
  • mammalian cells include Henrietta Lacks tumor (HeLa) cells and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells.
  • a host cell is a human cell, for example a HEK293T cell or Hela cell.
  • a host cell may be used as a recipient of one or more viral transfer vectors and one or more accessory plasmids.
  • a host cell is an insect cell, and the nucleic acids of the method described herein are baculovirus vectors. Examples of insect cells include Sf9, ExpiSf9, Hi5, Tni Pro cells, or E4a cell.
  • the host cell is an insect cell, for example an Sf9 cell.
  • the term includes the progeny of the original cell which has been transfected.
  • a “host cell” as used herein may refer to a cell which has been transfected with an exogenous DNA sequence. It is understood that the progeny of a single parental cell may not necessarily be completely identical in morphology or in genomic or total DNA complement as the original parent, due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation.
  • cell line refers to a population of cells capable of continuous or prolonged growth and division in vitro. Often, cell lines are clonal populations derived from a single progenitor cell. It is further known in the art that spontaneous or induced changes can occur in karyotype during storage or transfer of such clonal populations. Therefore, cells derived from the cell line referred to may not be precisely identical to the ancestral cells or cultures, and the cell line referred to includes such variants.
  • the terms “recombinant cell” refers to a cell into which an exogenous DNA segment, such as DNA segment that leads to the transcription of a biologically-active polypeptide or production of a biologically active nucleic acid such as an RNA, has been introduced.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates, in a non-limiting example, the formation of replication-competent (rc)AAV during vector production through unknown recombination events.
  • the production of rAAVs typically requires: 1) packaging components from the AAV genome, rep and cap; 2) the vector cassette carrying the transgene of interest, flanked by the inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); and 3) components originating from the adenovirus genome and required for the expression and activity of the rep and cap genes, E2a, E4, and VARNA. These components can be expressed from plasmids as illustrated. Following transfection into host cells, these components can undergo recombination events through an unknown mechanism.
  • ITRs inverted terminal repeats
  • stopper sequences to limit the propagation of rcAAVs.
  • one method to overcome rcAAV propagation is to ensure that replication of recombined genomes is compromised. This is achieved by flanking the rep/cap genes with stopper sequences and/or inserting stopper sequences between the rep and cap genes (FIG. 2).
  • TLR9-inhibitory sequences were engineered into the short-hairpin DNA (shDNA) to reduce the host innate immune response against unmethylated CpG dinucleotides.
  • the shDNA sequence is: TTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTCAAGAGAccctaaccctaaccctaaccctaaccctaa (SEQ ID NO: 1).
  • FIG. 2 illustrates, in a non-limiting example, trans-plasmid designs that carry Stopper hairpin sequences to reduce or eliminate the production of rcAAV.
  • Standard plasmid designs can confer the production of rcAAVs. Illustrated here are seven constructs (left column) bearing hairpin Stopper sequences inserted 5’ of the rep/cap construct (I), 3’ of the construct (II), or between the rep and cap genes (III).
  • Constructs IV- VII represent double or triple Stopper combinations. The possible genome structure outcomes are illustrated on the right. Constructs I and II can still form the intact rep/cap, but lack a single ITR on either end, compromising replication.
  • Construct III can still form rep or cap genomes flanked by ITRs but are noncontiguous and thus are replication defective.
  • Constructs V and VII are predicted to not package any rep or cap genes.
  • Constructs V and VI will only package either rep or cap when recombined with ITRs, respectively (FIG. 2).
  • HEK293 cells were transfected with an engineered Rep-Cap plasmid (plasmids I- VII) with single-stranded AAV-EGFP plasmid and delta F6 helper plasmid.
  • a standard Rep-Cap plasmid was used as a control.
  • plasmids I, II, III, and VI showed similar vector yields (FIG. 3, left). All engineered package plasmids tested showed reduced replication competent AAV (FIG. 3, right).
  • a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
  • the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
  • This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
  • “at least one of A and B” can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

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Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions, such as isolated nucleic acids (e.g., packing nucleic acids) comprising one or more hairpin-forming nucleic acids positioned 5' and/or 3', and/or in between the Rep and Cap gene. The disclosure also relates, in part, method of producing rAAV particles that contains less replication competent AAVs in the produced pool of rAAV particles.

Description

COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR REDUCING REPLICATION-COMPETENT AAV DURING RAAV PRODUCTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional Application No. 63/419,067, filed October 25, 2022, entitled “COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR REDUCING REPLICATION-COMPETENT AAV DURING RAAV PRODUCTION”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
REFERENCE TO AN ELECTRONIC SEQUENCE LISTING
The contents of the electronic sequence listing (U012070178WO00-SEQ-LJG.xml; Size: 1,990 bytes; and Date of Creation: October 18, 2023) is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have emerged as one of the most advanced gene transfer systems in clinical gene therapy. However, recombinant AAV particle manufacturing continues to have many challenges, for example, packaging of DNA impurities in the form of truncated genomes and contaminants originating from packaging components (plasmid and host cell DNAs).
SUMMARY
Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for reducing propagation of replication competent adeno-associated viruses (rcAAV) by reducing packaging components of the AAV genome (e.g., Rep and/or Cap gene) into viral particles during rAAV production. The disclosure is based, in part, on certain hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequences (e.g., “Stopper” sequences) that prevent incorporation of packaging components into rAAVs and/or prevent production of rcAAVs.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the Rep gene and Cap gene, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is flanking the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence.
In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA comprises a TLR9-inhibitory sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA comprises a nucleic acid sequence of (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some embodiments, the ITR is a is a wild-type ITR and/or a mutant ITR.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid described herein. In some embodiments, the vector is a plasmid.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a first transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector used in the method comprises an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector encoding the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; and (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a first nucleic acid comprising an adeno- associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
In some embodiments, the host cells are mammalian cells or insect cells. In some embodiments, the mammalian cells are HEK293, Hela cells, or A549 cells. In some embodiments, the insect cells are Sf9, ExpiSf9, Hi5, Tni Pro cells, or E4a cell.
In some embodiments, the methods described herein further comprising isolating the rAAV particles.
In some embodiments, the helper gene is delta F6.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates in a non-limiting example the formation of replication-competent (rc)AAV during vector production.
FIG. 2 illustrates non-limiting examples of trans-plasmid designs that carry Stopper hairpin sequences. In some embodiments, the Stopper hairpin sequences reduce or eliminate the production of rcAAV.
FIG. 3 shows the vector yield (left) and amount of replication (right) of HEK293 cells transfected with an engineered Rep-Cap plasmid I- VII, with single-stranded AAV-EGFP plasmid and delta F6 helper plasmid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure, at least in part, provides compositions and methods for reducing propagation of replication competent adeno-associated viruses (rcAAV) by reducing packaging components of the AAV genome (e.g., Rep and/or Cap gene) into viral particles during rAAV production. In some embodiments, use of stopper sequences (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) described herein, either 5’, 3’, flanking, and/or in between the rep and/or cap gene of AAV production plasmids, reduces the propagation of rcAAV during rAAV production. Aspects of this disclosure relate to compositions, such as vectors (e.g., plasmids), comprising one or more hairpin-forming nucleic acid placed either 5’, 3’, flanking and/or in between the rep and/or cap genes. In some embodiments, by employing such a hairpin-forming nucleic acid in rAAV production, rcAAV propagation can be overcome by compromising replication of recombined AAV genomes. In some embodiments, the stopper sequence (e.g., hairpin-forming nucleic acid) comprises a TLR9-inhibitory sequences, which reduce the host innate immune response (e.g., immune response against unmethylated CpG dinucleotides). In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of reducing replication competent recombinant adeno-associated virus (rcAAV) during rAAV production.
In traditional methods of producing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) (e.g., the triple transection method), host cells (e.g., HEK293 cells) are co-transfected with plasmids that express a transgene of interest, an adeno viral helper (Ad-helper) gene, and AAV rep and Cap genes. In some embodiments, the host cells are transfected with a helper plasmid encoding adenoviral helper (Ad-helper) genes, a packaging plasmid encoding AAV rep and cap genes, and a plasmid that encodes a transgene. The transgene may be flanked by ITRs. After transfection, the Ad-helper genes (e.g., E2A, VA RNA, and E4) drive the expression of rep and cap genes that encode Rep proteins (e.g., Rep78, Rep68, Rep52, and Rep 40) responsible for rAAV genome replication and encapsulation, and Cap proteins (e.g., VP1, VP2, and VP3) that form an rAAV capsid.
Manufacturing of rAAV (e.g., therapeutic rAAV) faces many challenges. One major challenge is the adverse generation of replication competent AAV (rcAAV) due to the packing of functional Rep and Cap gene into AAV genome and encapsidated by AAV capsid protein. In addition to having no therapeutic value for not expressing the desired transgene, such rcAAV are capable of replicating in a subject receiving the rAAV. The danger of these rcAAVs are problematic for patients including resulting in fatal toxicity. Additionally, the FDA heavily controls rcAAV in a rAAV composition for administration to patients, requiring quantification in every clinical batch of AAV (e.g., one AAV dose should contain less than one infectious replication competent AAV particle in 3xlO10 AAV particles (Lee et al., No more helper adenovirus: production of gutless adenovirus (GLAd) free of adenovirus and replication- competent adenovirus (RCA) contaminants, Experimental & Molecular Medicine, (2019) 51: 127).
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reducing rcAAV during rAAV production while keeping the system amenable and compatible to multiple production systems. Further benefits include, but are not limited to the following aspects: (i) the insertion of stopper sequences into the rep and/or cap expression construct does not perturb p5, pl9 or p40 activity; and (ii) inhibition of the propagation of rcAAV occurs after recombination of vector genomes which renders the inhibition of rcAAV amplification independent of the number of recombination events during rAAV production. FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example of the designs and outcomes of packaged vector genomes based on the stopper designs.
The present disclosure at least in part places a hairpin forming DNA in a rep and/or cap construct reducing rcAAV during production.
Isolated nucleic acids
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises two hairpin forming DNAs flanking (e.g., 5’ and 3’) the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and/or one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and/or the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) comprising the Rep gene can be the same or different from the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises two hairpin forming DNAs flanking (e.g., 5’ and 3’) the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and/or one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and/or the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) comprising the Cap gene can be the same or different from the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno- associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acids comprising an expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can comprise more than one copy of the same hairpin forming DNA and one or more different hairpin forming DNA(s) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises two hairpin forming DNAs flanking (e.g., 5’ and 3’) the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and/or one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiments, the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and/or the one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same hairpin forming DNA and/or different hairpin forming DNAs. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene can be the same or different from the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ (e.g., the one or more hairpin forming DNA position 5’ to the expression cassette can be the same and/or different from each other) to the expression cassette a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more hairpin forming DNA in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and a hairpin-forming DNA positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and one or more hairpin-forming DNA positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises two or more hairpin forming DNAs flanking the expression cassette, and one or more hairpin-forming DNA positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence are the same as or different from each other.
Adeno-associated viruses, from the parvovirus family, are small viruses with a genome of single stranded DNA. The AAV genome comprises a single- stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA), either positive- or negative- sensed, which is about 4.7 kilobase long. The genome comprises inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) at both ends of the DNA strand, and two open reading frames (ORFs): rep and cap. The former is composed of four overlapping genes encoding Rep proteins required for the AAV life cycle, and the latter contains overlapping nucleotide sequences of capsid proteins: VP1, VP2 and VP3, which interact together to form a capsid of an icosahedral symmetry.
The Inverted Terminal Repeat (ITR) sequences comprise 145 bases each. They were named so because of their symmetry, which was shown to be required for efficient multiplication of the AAV genome. Another property of these sequences is their ability to form a hairpin, which contributes to so-called self-priming that allows primase-independent synthesis of the second DNA strand. The ITRs were also shown to be required for both integration of the AAV DNA into the host cell genome and rescue from it, as well as for efficient encapsidation of the AAV DNA combined with generation of a fully-assembled, deoxyribonuclease-resistant AAV particles.
The AAV genome comprises two promoters called p5 and pl9, from which two overlapping messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) of different length can be produced. Each of these contains an intron which can be either spliced out or not. Given these possibilities, four various mRNAs, and consequently four various Rep proteins with overlapping sequence can be synthesized. Their names depict their sizes in kilodaltons (kDa): Rep78, Rep68, Rep52 and Rep40. Rep78 and 68 can specifically bind the hairpin formed by the ITR in the self-priming act and cleave at a specific region, designated terminal resolution site, within the hairpin.
The AAV genome also encodes overlapping sequences of three capsid proteins, VP1, VP2 and VP3, which start from one promoter, designated p40. The molecular weights of these proteins are 87, 72 and 62 KDa, respectively. In some embodiments, the functions of the capsid proteins are to protect the viral genome, deliver the genome and interact with the host. In some aspects, capsid proteins deliver the viral genome to a host in a tissue specific manner.
With regard to gene therapy, ITRs may be the only sequences required in cis next to the transgene. Structural (cap) and packaging (rep) genes can be delivered in trans. However, manufacturing of rAAV faces many challenges. One major challenge is the adverse generation of replication competent AAV (rcAAV) due to the packing of functional Rep and Cap gene being packaged into AAV genome and encapsidated by AAV capsid protein. Such rcAAV are capable of replicating in a subject. The danger of these rcAAV are problematic for patients including resulting in fatal toxicity. Additionally, the FDA heavily controls rcAAV in a rAAV composition for administration to patients, requiring quantification in every clinical batch of AAV (e.g., one AAV dose should contain less than one infectious replication competent AAV particle in 3xlO10 AAV particles (Lee et al., No more helper adenovirus: production of gutless adenovirus (GLAd) free of adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) contaminants, Experimental & Molecular Medicine, (2019) 51: 127)).
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reducing rcAAV during rAAV production while keeping the system amenable and compatible to multiple production systems. Further benefits include, but are not limited to the following aspects: (i) the insertion of stopper sequences into the rep and/or cap expression construct does not perturb p5, pl9 or p40 activity; and (ii) inhibition of the propagation of rcAAV occurs after recombination of vector genomes which renders the inhibition of rcAAV amplification independent of the number of recombination events during rAAV production. FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example of the designs and outcomes of packaged vector genomes based on the stopper designs.
As used herein, the term "nucleic acid" refers to polymers of linked nucleotides, such as DNA, RNA, etc. In some embodiments, proteins and nucleic acids of the disclosure are isolated. In some embodiments, the DNA of a transgene is transcribed into a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. As used herein, the term “isolated” means artificially produced (e.g., an artificially produced nucleic acid, or an artificially produced protein, such as a capsid protein). As used herein with respect to nucleic acids, the term “isolated” means: (i) amplified in vitro by, for example, polymerase chain reaction (PCR); (ii) recombinantly produced by cloning; (iii) purified, as by cleavage and gel separation; or (iv) synthesized by, for example, chemical synthesis. An isolated nucleic acid is one which is readily manipulable by recombinant DNA techniques well known in the art. Thus, a nucleotide sequence contained in a vector in which 5' and 3' restriction sites are known or for which polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer sequences have been disclosed is considered isolated but a nucleic acid sequence existing in its native state in its natural host is not. An isolated nucleic acid may be substantially purified, but need not be. For example, a nucleic acid that is isolated within a cloning or expression vector is not pure in that it may comprise only a tiny percentage of the material in the cell in which it resides. Such a nucleic acid is isolated, however, as the term is used herein because it is readily manipulable by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein with respect to proteins or peptides, the term “isolated” refers to a protein or peptide that has been artificially produced (e.g., by chemical synthesis, by recombinant DNA technology, etc.)
A hairpin-forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin-forming DNA), as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid hairpin structure when two complementary sequences in a single nucleic acid molecule meet and bind together. In some embodiments, a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence can be any suitable nucleic acid sequence that could form a secondary structure. In some embodiments, the hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence can be a hairpin-forming DNA or a hairpin-forming RNA. In some embodiments, the hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence is a hairpin-forming DNA. In some embodiments, the hairpin-forming DNA comprises a nucleic acid that encodes a short hairpin RNA (shRNA), a microRNA (miRNA), an artificial miRNA (amiRNA), an ASO, or an aptamer. Any suitable nucleic acid sequence capable of forming a secondary hairpin structure can be used in the isolated nucleic acid encoding Rep and/or Cap gene described herein. In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is not an AAV ITR (e.g., any of the wild type or mutant ITR described herein or otherwise known in the art).
In some embodiments, a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a miRNA. It is well known that a nucleic acid sequence encoding a miRNA comprises two complementary sequences in a single nucleic acid that would form a secondary structure. In some embodiments, a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a miRNA selected from but are not limited to: hsa-let-7a, hsa-let-7a*, hsa-let-7b, hsa-let-7b*, hsa-let-7c, hsa-let-7c*, hsa-let-7d, hsa-let-7d*, hsa-let-7e, hsa-let-7e*, hsa-let-7f, hsa-let-7f-l*, hsa-let-7f-2*, hsa-let-7g, hsa-let-7g*, hsa-let-7i, hsa-let-7i*, hsa-miR-1, hsa-miR-100, hsa-miR-100*, hsa-miR-101, hsa-miR-101*, hsa-miR-103, hsa-miR-105, hsa- miR-105*, hsa-miR-106a, hsa-miR-106a*, hsa-miR-106b, hsa-miR-106b*, hsa-miR-107, hsa- miR-lOa, hsa-miR-lOa*, hsa-miR-lOb, hsa-miR-lOb*, hsa-miR-1178, hsa-miR-1179, hsa-miR- 1180, hsa-miR-1181, hsa-miR-1182, hsa-miR-1183, hsa-miR-1184, hsa-miR-1185, hsa-miR- 1197, hsa-miR-1200, hsa-miR-1201, hsa-miR-1202, hsa-miR-1203, hsa-miR-1204, hsa-miR- 1205, hsa-miR-1206, hsa-miR-1207-3p, hsa-miR-1207-5p, hsa-miR-1208, hsa-miR-122, hsa- miR-122*, hsa-miR-1224-3p, hsa-miR-1224-5p, hsa-miR-1225-3p, hsa-miR-1225-5p, hsa-miR- 1226, hsa-miR-1226*, hsa-miR-1227, hsa-miR-1228, hsa-miR-1228*, hsa-miR-1229, hsa-miR- 1231, hsa-miR-1233, hsa-miR-1234, hsa-miR-1236, hsa-miR-1237, hsa-miR-1238, hsa-miR- 124, hsa-miR-124*, hsa-miR-1243, hsa-miR-1244, hsa-miR-1245, hsa-miR-1246, hsa-miR- 1247, hsa-miR-1248, hsa-miR-1249, hsa-miR-1250, hsa-miR-1251, hsa-miR-1252, hsa-miR- 1253, hsa-miR-1254, hsa-miR- 1255a, hsa-miR- 1255b, hsa-miR-1256, hsa-miR-1257, hsa-miR- 1258, hsa-miR-1259, hsa-miR-125a-3p, hsa-miR-125a-5p, hsa-miR-125b, hsa-miR-125b-l*, hsa-miR-125b-2*, hsa-miR-126, hsa-miR-126*, hsa-miR-1260, hsa-miR-1261, hsa-miR-1262, hsa-miR-1263, hsa-miR-1264, hsa-miR-1265, hsa-miR-1266, hsa-miR-1267, hsa-miR-1268, hsa-miR-1269, hsa-miR-1270, hsa-miR-1271, hsa-miR-1272, hsa-miR-1273, hsa-miR-127-3p, hsa-miR- 1274a, hsa-miR- 1274b, hsa-miR-1275, hsa-miR-127-5p, hsa-miR-1276, hsa-miR- 1277, hsa-miR-1278, hsa-miR-1279, hsa-miR-128, hsa-miR-1280, hsa-miR-1281, hsa-miR- 1282, hsa-miR-1283, hsa-miR-1284, hsa-miR-1285, hsa-miR-1286, hsa-miR-1287, hsa-miR- 1288, hsa-miR-1289, hsa-miR-129*, hsa-miR-1290, hsa-miR-1291, hsa-miR-1292, hsa-miR- 1293, hsa-miR- 129-3p, hsa-miR-1294, hsa-miR-1295, hsa-miR- 129-5p, hsa-miR-1296, hsa- miR-1297, hsa-miR-1298, hsa-miR-1299, hsa-miR-1300, hsa-miR-1301, hsa-miR-1302, hsa- miR- 1303, hsa-miR- 1304, hsa-miR- 1305, hsa-miR- 1306, hsa-miR- 1307, hsa-miR- 1308, hsa- miR-130a, hsa-miR- 130a*, hsa-miR-130b, hsa-miR-130b*, hsa-miR-132, hsa-miR-132*, hsa- miR-1321, hsa-miR-1322, hsa-miR-1323, hsa-miR-1324, hsa-miR-133a, hsa-miR-133b, hsa- miR-134, hsa-miR-135a, hsa-miR- 135a*, hsa-miR-135b, hsa-miR- 135b*, hsa-miR-136, hsa- miR-136*, hsa-miR-137, hsa-miR-138, hsa-miR- 138-1*, hsa-miR- 138-2*, hsa-miR-139-3p, hsa-miR- 139-5p, hsa-miR- 140-3p, hsa-miR- 140-5p, hsa-miR-141, hsa-miR-141*, hsa-miR-142- 3p, hsa-miR- 142-5p, hsa-miR- 143, hsa-miR- 143*, hsa-miR- 144, hsa-miR- 144*, hsa-miR- 145, hsa-miR-145*, hsa-miR-146a, hsa-miR- 146a*, hsa-miR- 146b-3p, hsa-miR- 146b-5p, hsa-miR- 147, hsa-miR-147b, hsa-miR-148a, hsa-miR-148a*, hsa-miR-148b, hsa-miR- 148b*, hsa-miR- 149, hsa-miR-149*, hsa-miR-150, hsa-miR-150*, hsa-miR- 15 l-3p, hsa-miR- 15 l-5p, hsa-miR- 152, hsa-miR-153, hsa-miR-154, hsa-miR-154*, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-155*, hsa-miR-15a, hsa-miR-15a*, hsa-miR-15b, hsa-miR-15b*, hsa-miR-16, hsa-miR- 16-1*, hsa-miR- 16-2*, hsa- miR-17, hsa-miR-17*, hsa-miR-181a, hsa-miR- 18 la*, hsa-miR- 18 la-2*, hsa-miR-181b, hsa- miR-181c, hsa-miR-181c*, hsa-miR-181d, hsa-miR-182, hsa-miR-182*, hsa-miR-1825, hsa- miR-1826, hsa-miR-1827, hsa-miR-183, hsa-miR-183*, hsa-miR-184, hsa-miR-185, hsa-miR- 185*, hsa-miR-186, hsa-miR-186*, hsa-miR-187, hsa-miR-187*, hsa-miR- 188-3p, hsa-miR- 188-5p, hsa-miR-18a, hsa-miR-18a*, hsa-miR-18b, hsa-miR-18b*, hsa-miR-190, hsa-miR-190b, hsa-miR-191, hsa-miR-191*, hsa-miR-192, hsa-miR-192*, hsa-miR- 193a-3p, hsa-miR- 193a-5p, hsa-miR-193b, hsa-miR- 193b*, hsa-miR-194, hsa-miR-194*, hsa-miR-195, hsa-miR-195*, hsa- miR-196a, hsa-miR- 196a*, hsa-miR-196b, hsa-miR-197, hsa-miR-198, hsa-miR- 199a-3p, hsa- miR-199a-5p, hsa-miR- 199b-5p, hsa-miR-19a, hsa-miR-19a*, hsa-miR-19b, hsa-miR- 19b- 1*, hsa-miR- 19b-2*, hsa-miR-200a, hsa-miR-200a*, hsa-miR-200b, hsa-miR-200b*, hsa-miR-200c, hsa-miR-200c*, hsa-miR-202, hsa-miR-202*, hsa-miR-203, hsa-miR-204, hsa-miR-205, hsa- miR-206, hsa-miR-208a, hsa-miR-208b, hsa-miR-20a, hsa-miR-20a*, hsa-miR-20b, hsa-miR- 20b*, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-21*, hsa-miR-210, hsa-miR-211, hsa-miR-212, hsa-miR-214, hsa- miR-214*, hsa-miR-215, hsa-miR-216a, hsa-miR-216b, hsa-miR-217, hsa-miR-218, hsa-miR- 218-1*, hsa-miR-218-2*, hsa-miR-219-l-3p, hsa-miR-219-2-3p, hsa-miR-219-5p, hsa-miR-22, hsa-miR-22*, hsa-miR-220a, hsa-miR-220b, hsa-miR-220c, hsa-miR-221, hsa-miR-221*, hsa- miR-222, hsa-miR-222*, hsa-miR-223, hsa-miR-223*, hsa-miR-224, hsa-miR-23a, hsa-miR- 23a*, hsa-miR-23b, hsa-miR-23b*, hsa-miR-24, hsa-miR-24-1*, hsa-miR-24-2*, hsa-miR-25, hsa-miR-25*, hsa-miR-26a, hsa-miR-26a-l*, hsa-miR-26a-2*, hsa-miR-26b, hsa-miR-26b*, hsa-miR-27a, hsa-miR-27a*, hsa-miR-27b, hsa-miR-27b*, hsa-miR-28-3p, hsa-miR-28-5p, hsa- miR-296-3p, hsa-miR-296-5p, hsa-miR-297, hsa-miR-298, hsa-miR-299-3p, hsa-miR-299-5p, hsa-miR-29a, hsa-miR-29a*, hsa-miR-29b, hsa-miR-29b-l*, hsa-miR-29b-2*, hsa-miR-29c, hsa-miR-29c*, hsa-miR-300, hsa-miR-301a, hsa-miR-301b, hsa-miR-302a, hsa-miR-302a*, hsa- miR-302b, hsa-miR-302b*, hsa-miR-302c, hsa-miR-302c*, hsa-miR-302d, hsa-miR-302d*, hsa- miR-302e, hsa-miR-302f, hsa-miR-30a, hsa-miR-30a*, hsa-miR-30b, hsa-miR-30b*, hsa-miR- 30c, hsa-miR-30c-l*, hsa-miR-30c-2*, hsa-miR-30d, hsa-miR-30d*, hsa-miR-30e, hsa-miR- 30e*, hsa-miR-31, hsa-miR-31*, hsa-miR-32, hsa-miR-32*, hsa-miR-320a, hsa-miR-320b, hsa- miR-320c, hsa-miR-320d, hsa-miR-323-3p, hsa-miR-323-5p, hsa-miR-324-3p, hsa-miR-324-5p, hsa-miR-325, hsa-miR-326, hsa-miR-328, hsa-miR-329, hsa-miR-33O-3p, hsa-miR-330-5p, hsa- miR-331-3p, hsa-miR-331-5p, hsa-miR-335, hsa-miR-335*, hsa-miR-337-3p, hsa-miR-337-5p, hsa-miR-338-3p, hsa-miR-338-5p, hsa-miR-339-3p, hsa-miR-339-5p, hsa-miR-33a, hsa-miR- 33a*, hsa-miR-33b, hsa-miR-33b*, hsa-miR-340, hsa-miR-340*, hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-miR- 342-5p, hsa-miR-345, hsa-miR-346, hsa-miR-34a, hsa-miR-34a*, hsa-miR-34b, hsa-miR-34b*, hsa-miR-34c-3p, hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-361-3p, hsa-miR-361-5p, hsa-miR-362-3p, hsa- miR-362-5p, hsa-miR-363, hsa-miR-363*, hsa-miR-365, hsa-miR-367, hsa-miR-367*, hsa-miR- 369-3p, hsa-miR-369-5p, hsa-miR-370, hsa-miR-371-3p, hsa-miR-371-5p, hsa-miR-372, hsa- miR-373, hsa-miR-373*, hsa-miR-374a, hsa-miR-374a*, hsa-miR-374b, hsa-miR-374b*, hsa- miR-375, hsa-miR-376a, hsa-miR-376a*, hsa-miR-376b, hsa-miR-376c, hsa-miR-377, hsa-miR- 377*, hsa-miR-378, hsa-miR-378*, hsa-miR-379, hsa-miR-379*, hsa-miR-380, hsa-miR-380*, hsa-miR-381, hsa-miR-382, hsa-miR-383, hsa-miR-384, hsa-miR-409-3p, hsa-miR-409-5p, hsa- miR-410, hsa-miR-411, hsa-miR-411*, hsa-miR-412, hsa-miR-421, hsa-miR-422a, hsa-miR- 423-3p, hsa-miR-423-5p, hsa-miR-424, hsa-miR-424*, hsa-miR-425, hsa-miR-425*, hsa-miR- 429, hsa-miR-431, hsa-miR-431*, hsa-miR-432, hsa-miR-432*, hsa-miR-433, hsa-miR-448, hsa-miR-449a, hsa-miR-449b, hsa-miR-450a, hsa-miR-450b-3p, hsa-miR-450b-5p, hsa-miR- 451, hsa-miR-452, hsa-miR-452*, hsa-miR-453, hsa-miR-454, hsa-miR-454*, hsa-miR-455-3p, hsa-miR-455-5p, hsa-miR-483-3p, hsa-miR-483-5p, hsa-miR-484, hsa-miR-485-3p, hsa-miR- 485-5p, hsa-miR-486-3p, hsa-miR-486-5p, hsa-miR-487a, hsa-miR-487b, hsa-miR-488, hsa- miR-488*, hsa-miR-489, hsa-miR-490-3p, hsa-miR-490-5p, hsa-miR-491-3p, hsa-miR-491-5p, hsa-miR-492, hsa-miR-493, hsa-miR-493*, hsa-miR-494, hsa-miR-495, hsa-miR-496, hsa-miR- 497, hsa-miR-497*, hsa-miR-498, hsa-miR-499-3p, hsa-miR-499-5p, hsa-miR-500, hsa-miR- 500*, hsa-miR-501-3p, hsa-miR-501-5p, hsa-miR-502-3p, hsa-miR-502-5p, hsa-miR-503, hsa- miR-504, hsa-miR-505, hsa-miR-505*, hsa-miR-506, hsa-miR-507, hsa-miR-508-3p, hsa-miR- 508-5p, hsa-miR-509-3-5p, hsa-miR-509-3p, hsa-miR-509-5p, hsa-miR-510, hsa-miR-511, hsa- miR-512-3p, hsa-miR-512-5p, hsa-miR-513a-3p, hsa-miR-513a-5p, hsa-miR-513b, hsa-miR- 513c, hsa-miR-514, hsa-miR-515-3p, hsa-miR-515-5p, hsa-miR-516a-3p, hsa-miR-516a-5p, hsa-miR-516b, hsa-miR-517*, hsa-miR-517a, hsa-miR-517b, hsa-miR-517c, hsa-miR-518a-3p, hsa-miR-518a-5p, hsa-miR-518b, hsa-miR-518c, hsa-miR-518c*, hsa-miR-518d-3p, hsa-miR- 518d-5p, hsa-miR-518e, hsa-miR-518e*, hsa-miR-518f, hsa-miR-518f*, hsa-miR-519a, hsa- miR-519b-3p, hsa-miR-519c-3p, hsa-miR-519d, hsa-miR-519e, hsa-miR-519e*, hsa-miR-520a- 3p, hsa-miR-520a-5p, hsa-miR-520b, hsa-miR-520c-3p, hsa-miR-520d-3p, hsa-miR-520d-5p, hsa-miR-520e, hsa-miR-520f, hsa-miR-520g, hsa-miR-520h, hsa-miR-521, hsa-miR-522, hsa- miR-523, hsa-miR-524-3p, hsa-miR-524-5p, hsa-miR-525-3p, hsa-miR-525-5p, hsa-miR-526b, hsa-miR-526b*, hsa-miR-532-3p, hsa-miR-532-5p, hsa-miR-539, hsa-miR-541, hsa-miR-541*, hsa-miR-542-3p, hsa-miR-542-5p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-544, hsa-miR-545, hsa-miR-545*, hsa-miR-548a-3p, hsa-miR-548a-5p, hsa-miR-548b-3p, hsa-miR-548b-5p, hsa-miR-548c-3p, hsa-miR-548c-5p, hsa-miR-548d-3p, hsa-miR-548d-5p, hsa-miR-548e, hsa-miR-548f, hsa-miR- 548g, hsa-miR-548h, hsa-miR-548i, hsa-miR-548j, hsa-miR-548k, hsa-miR-5481, hsa-miR- 548m, hsa-miR-548n, hsa-miR-548o, hsa-miR-548p, hsa-miR-549, hsa-miR-550, hsa-miR- 550*, hsa-miR-551a, hsa-miR-551b, hsa-miR-551b*, hsa-miR-552, hsa-miR-553, hsa-miR-554, hsa-miR-555, hsa-miR-556-3p, hsa-miR-556-5p, hsa-miR-557, hsa-miR-558, hsa-miR-559, hsa- miR-561, hsa-miR-562, hsa-miR-563, hsa-miR-564, hsa-miR-566, hsa-miR-567, hsa-miR-568, hsa-miR-569, hsa-miR-570, hsa-miR-571, hsa-miR-572, hsa-miR-573, hsa-miR-574-3p, hsa- miR-574-5p, hsa-miR-575, hsa-miR-576-3p, hsa-miR-576-5p, hsa-miR-577, hsa-miR-578, hsa- miR-579, hsa-miR-580, hsa-miR-581, hsa-miR-582-3p, hsa-miR-582-5p, hsa-miR-583, hsa- miR-584, hsa-miR-585, hsa-miR-586, hsa-miR-587, hsa-miR-588, hsa-miR-589, hsa-miR-589*, hsa-miR-590-3p, hsa-miR-590-5p, hsa-miR-591, hsa-miR-592, hsa-miR-593, hsa-miR-593*, hsa-miR-595, hsa-miR-596, hsa-miR-597, hsa-miR-598, hsa-miR-599, hsa-miR-600, hsa-miR- 601, hsa-miR-602, hsa-miR-603, hsa-miR-604, hsa-miR-605, hsa-miR-606, hsa-miR-607, hsa- miR-608, hsa-miR-609, hsa-miR-610, hsa-miR-611, hsa-miR-612, hsa-miR-613, hsa-miR-614, hsa-miR-615-3p, hsa-miR-615-5p, hsa-miR-616, hsa-miR-616*, hsa-miR-617, hsa-miR-618, hsa-miR-619, hsa-miR-620, hsa-miR-621, hsa-miR-622, hsa-miR-623, hsa-miR-624, hsa-miR- 624*, hsa-miR-625, hsa-miR-625*, hsa-miR-626, hsa-miR-627, hsa-miR-628-3p, hsa-miR-628- 5p, hsa-miR-629, hsa-miR-629*, hsa-miR-630, hsa-miR-631, hsa-miR-632, hsa-miR-633, hsa- miR-634, hsa-miR-635, hsa-miR-636, hsa-miR-637, hsa-miR-638, hsa-miR-639, hsa-miR-640, hsa-miR-641, hsa-miR-642, hsa-miR-643, hsa-miR-644, hsa-miR-645, hsa-miR-646, hsa-miR- 647, hsa-miR-648, hsa-miR-649, hsa-miR-650, hsa-miR-651, hsa-miR-652, hsa-miR-653, hsa- miR-654-3p, hsa-miR-654-5p, hsa-miR-655, hsa-miR-656, hsa-miR-657, hsa-miR-658, hsa- miR-659, hsa-miR-660, hsa-miR-661, hsa-miR-662, hsa-miR-663, hsa-miR-663b, hsa-miR-664, hsa-miR-664*, hsa-miR-665, hsa-miR-668, hsa-miR-671-3p, hsa-miR-671-5p, hsa-miR-675, hsa-miR-7, hsa-miR-708, hsa-miR-708*, hsa-miR-7-1*, hsa-miR-7-2*, hsa-miR-720, hsa-miR- 744, hsa-miR-744*, hsa-miR-758, hsa-miR-760, hsa-miR-765, hsa-miR-766, hsa-miR-767-3p, hsa-miR-767-5p, hsa-miR-768-3p, hsa-miR-768-5p, hsa-miR-769-3p, hsa-miR-769-5p, hsa- miR-770-5p, hsa-miR-802, hsa-miR-873, hsa-miR-874, hsa-miR-875-3p, hsa-miR-875-5p, hsa- miR-876-3p, hsa-miR-876-5p, hsa-miR-877, hsa-miR-877*, hsa-miR-885-3p, hsa-miR-885-5p, hsa-miR-886-3p, hsa-miR-886-5p, hsa-miR-887, hsa-miR-888, hsa-miR-888*, hsa-miR-889, hsa-miR-890, hsa-miR-891a, hsa-miR-891b, hsa-miR-892a, hsa-miR-892b, hsa-miR-9, hsa- miR-9*, hsa-miR-920, hsa-miR-921, hsa-miR-922, hsa-miR-923, hsa-miR-924, hsa-miR-92a, hsa-miR-92a-l*, hsa-miR-92a-2*, hsa-miR-92b, hsa-miR-92b*, hsa-miR-93, hsa-miR-93*, hsa- miR-933, hsa-miR-934, hsa-miR-935, hsa-miR-936, hsa-miR-937, hsa-miR-938, hsa-miR-939, hsa-miR-940, hsa-miR-941, hsa-miR-942, hsa-miR-943, hsa-miR-944, hsa-miR-95, hsa-miR-96, hsa-miR-96*, hsa-miR-98, hsa-miR-99a, hsa-miR-99a*, hsa-miR-99b, and hsa-miR-99b*.
In some embodiments, in the AAV genome there are two promoters called p5 and pl9, from which two overlapping messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) of different length can be produced. Each of these contains an intron which can be either spliced out or not. Given these possibilities, four various mRNAs, and consequently four various Rep proteins with overlapping sequence can be synthesized. Their names depict their sizes in kilodaltons (kDa): Rep78, Rep68, Rep52 and Rep40. Rep78 and 68 can specifically bind the hairpin formed by the ITR in the selfpriming act and cleave at a specific region, designated terminal resolution site, within the hairpin. Any of the suitable known coding sequence for expressing the Rep gene can be used in the isolated nucleic acids described herein. The right side of a positive-sensed AAV genome encodes overlapping sequences of three capsid proteins, VP1, VP2 and VP3. In some embodiments, the Cap gene can encode an AAV capsid protein is of an AAV serotype selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV9.hr, AAVrh8, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV.PHP, AAV.rh32.33 and variants of any of the foregoing. Any of the known Cap gene sequence can be used in the isolated nucleic acid described herein.
In some embodiments, the length of the hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) can vary from about 40 to about 100 nucleotides depending on the type of hairpin forming nucleic acid being designed. In some embodiments, the length of the hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is from about 40 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 70 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 60 nucleotides, from about 40 to about 50 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 70 nucleotides, from about 50 to about 60 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 60 to about 70 nucleotides, from about 70 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 70 to about 90 nucleotides, from about 70 to about 80 nucleotides, from about 80 to about 100 nucleotides, from about 80 to about 90 nucleotides, or from about 90 to about 100 nucleotides.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene. In some embodiments, a hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene. In some embodiments, a hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 5’ to the transcription initiation site of the expression cassette.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene. In some embodiments, a hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene. In some embodiments, a hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 3’ to the transcription termination site of the expression cassette.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) flanking the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene. In some embodiments, two hairpin forming nucleic acids (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) are flanking the expression cassette comprising a Rep and/or a Cap gene. In some embodiments, a first hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 5’ to the transcription initiation site of the expression cassette and/or a second hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 3’ to the transcription termination site of the expression cassette.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) in between a first nucleic acid sequence comprising the Rep and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, a hairpin forming DNA is positioned more proximal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned more proximal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned more distal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned more distal to the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene) relative to the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned at equal distance from the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene) and the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene). In some embodiments, the hairpin forming DNA is positioned at equal distance from the 5’ coding sequence (e.g., the Cap gene) and the 3’ coding sequence (e.g., the Rep gene). In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 3’ to the transcription termination site of the first nucleic acid sequence (e.g., the first nucleic acid comprising either the Rep gene), and no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 5’ to the transcription initiation site of the second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., the second nucleic acid comprising the Cap gene). In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming DNA is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 3’ to the transcription termination site of the second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., the second nucleic acid comprising the Cap gene), and no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than
450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 5’ to the transcription initiation site of the first nucleic acid sequence (e.g., the first nucleic acid comprising the Rep gene).
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and in between the Rep and the Cap gene. In some embodiments, a first hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and a second hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned in between the Rep gene and the cap gene. In some embodiments, a first hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 5’ to the transcription initiation site of the expression cassette, and a second hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned in between the Rep gene and the Cap gene in any of the positions described herein.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the Rep and the Cap gene. In some embodiments, a first hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and a second hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned in between the Rep gene and the cap gene. In some embodiments, a first hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 3’ to the transcription termination site of the expression cassette, and a second hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned in between the Rep gene and the Cap gene in any of the positions described herein.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) flanking the expression cassette, and in between the Rep and the Cap gene. In some embodiments, two hairpin forming nucleic acids (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) are flanking the expression cassette comprising a Rep and a Cap gene, and a third hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) positioned in between the Rep and the Cap gene. In some embodiments, a first hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 5’ to the transcription initiation site of the expression cassette, and/or a second hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned no more than 500 nucleotides, no more than 450 nucleotides, no more than 400 nucleotides, no more than 350 nucleotides, no more than 300 nucleotides, no more than 250 nucleotides, no more than 200 nucleotides, no more than 150 nucleotides, no more than 100 nucleotides, no more than 90 nucleotides, no more than 85 nucleotides, no more than 80 nucleotides, no more than 75 nucleotides, no more than 70 nucleotides, no more than 65 nucleotides, no more than 60 nucleotides, no more than 55 nucleotides, no more than 50 nucleotides, no more than 45 nucleotides, no more than 40 nucleotides, no more than 35 nucleotides, no more than 30 nucleotides, no more than 25 nucleotides, no more than 20 nucleotides, no more than 15 nucleotides, no more than 10 nucleotides, no more than 5 nucleotides, no more than 4 nucleotides, no more than 3 nucleotides, no more than 2 nucleotides, or no more than 1 nucleotides 3’ to the transcription termination site of the expression cassette, and/or a third hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) is positioned in between the Rep gene and the Cap gene in any of the positions described herein.
In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) at different positions as described herein are the same. In some embodiments, the one or more hairpin forming nucleic acid (e.g., hairpin forming DNA) at different positions as described herein are different.
In some embodiments, additional functional nucleic sequence can be incorporated into a hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, the hairpin-forming nucleic acid comprises a sequence capable of reducing innate immune response. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence capable of reducing innate immune response is a TLR9-inhibitory sequence. A TLR9-inhibitory sequence, as used herein, refers to nucleic acid sequences capable of binding to TLR9 and inhibiting TLR9 signaling, thereby inhibiting the TLR9 mediated innate immune response. Examples of TLR9-inhibitory sequence have been previously described, see, e.g., Ashman et al., Optimal oligonucleotide sequences for TLR9 inhibitory activity in human cells: lack of correlation with TLR9 binding, Int Immunol. 2011 Mar; 23(3): 203-214; Chan et al., Engineering adeno-associated viral vectors to evade innate immune and inflammatory responses, Sci Transl Med. 2021 Feb 10; 13(580); and Valentin et al., Sequence-dependent inhibition of cGAS and TLR9 DNA sensing by 2'-O-methyl gapmer oligonucleotides, Nucleic Acids Res. 2021 Jun 21; 49(11): 6082-6099, all TLR9 inhibitory sequences described in each of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the hairpin-forming nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, 100% identical to 'nAGGG'nAGGG'nAGGG'nAGGGAACAAGAGAccctaaccctaaccctaaccctaaG' (SEQ ID NO: 1; the italicized capital letters are reverse complementary to the lower case letters).
TLR9 is a receptor expressed intracellularly in immune cells that binds pathogenic viral and bacterial DNA, triggering a pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Several studies have previously demonstrated that TLR9 plays a role in the detection of AAV genomes and triggering an innate immune response (Chan et al., Engineering adeno-associated viral vectors to evade innate immune and inflammatory responses, Sci Transl Med. 2021 Feb 10;13(580):eabd3438). DNA from pathogenic viruses and bacteria that bind to TLR9 contain cy to sine-pho sphate- guanine (CpG) motifs. CpG motifs are also present in AAV vector genomes. Binding of CpG motifs to TLR9 promotes dimerization, activating the TLR9 signaling pathway. TLR9 signaling causes the increase in pro -inflammatory cytokines and interferons, which can trigger cells to enter an anti-viral state. TLR9-inhibitory sequences have been shown to inhibit immunogenicity and enhance transgene expression, see for example Chan et al., Engineering adeno-associated viral vectors to evade innate immune and inflammatory responses, Sci Transl Med. 2021 Feb 10;13(580):eabd3438.
In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence prevents TLR9 from binding AAV DNA. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence prevents the rAAV, as disclosed herein, from eliciting an immune response. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence decreases immunogenicity in a subject administered a rAAV. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence decreases T-cell responses in a subject administered a rAAV. In some embodiments, the TLR9-inhibitory sequence enhances transgene expression in a subject administered a rAAV.
In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid further comprises a promoter operably linked to the Rep gene and/or Cap gene coding sequence. A "promoter" refers to a DNA sequence recognized by the synthetic machinery of the cell, or introduced synthetic machinery, required to initiate the specific transcription of a gene. The phrases "operatively linked," "operatively positioned," "under control" or "under transcriptional control" means that the promoter is in the correct location and orientation in relation to the nucleic acid to control RNA polymerase initiation and expression of the gene. Generally, a promoter can be a constitutive promoter, inducible promoter, or a tissuespecific promoter.
Examples of constitutive promoters include, without limitation, the retroviral Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) LTR promoter (optionally with the RSV enhancer), the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (optionally with the CMV enhancer) [see, e.g., Boshart et al., Cell, 41:521-530 (1985)], the chimeric cytomegalovirus chimeric cytomegalovirus (CMV)/Chicken P-actin (CB) promoter (CBA promotor), the SV40 promoter, the dihydrofolate reductase promoter, the P- actin promoter, the phosphoglycerol kinase (PGK) promoter, and the EFla promoter [Invitrogen]. In some embodiments, a promoter is an RNA pol II promoter. In some embodiments, a promoter is the chimeric cytomegalovirus chimeric cytomegalovirus (CMV)/Chicken P-actin (CB) promoter (CBA promoter). In some embodiments, a promoter is an RNA pol III promoter, such as U6 or Hl.
Examples of inducible promoters regulated by exogenously supplied promoters include the zinc-inducible sheep metallothionine (MT) promoter, the dexamethasone (Dex) -inducible mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter, the T7 polymerase promoter system (WO 98/10088); the ecdysone insect promoter (No et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:3346-3351 (1996)), the tetracycline-repressible system (Gossen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5547- 5551 (1992)), the tetracycline-inducible system (Gossen et al., Science, 268: 1766-1769 (1995), see also Harvey et al., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 2:512-518 (1998)), the RU486-inducible system (Wang et al., Nat. Biotech., 15:239-243 (1997) and Wang et al., Gene Then, 4:432-441 (1997)) and the rapamycin-inducible system (Magari et al., J. Clin. Invest., 100:2865-2872 (1997)). Still other types of inducible promoters which may be useful in this context are those which are regulated by a specific physiological state, e.g., temperature, acute phase, a particular differentiation state of the cell, or in replicating cells only.
In some embodiments, the regulatory sequences impart tissue-specific gene expression capabilities. In some cases, the tissue-specific regulatory sequences bind tissue-specific transcription factors that induce transcription in a tissue specific manner. Such tissue-specific regulatory sequences (e.g., promoters, enhancers, etc.) are well known in the art. Exemplary tissue-specific regulatory sequences include, but are not limited to the following tissue specific promoters: retinoschisin proximal promoter, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein enhancer (RS/IRBPa), rhodopsin kinase (RK), liver- specific thyroxin binding globulin (TBG) promoter, an insulin promoter, a glucagon promoter, a somatostatin promoter, a pancreatic polypeptide (PPY) promoter, a synapsin-1 (Syn) promoter, a creatine kinase (MCK) promoter, a mammalian desmin (DES) promoter, a a-myosin heavy chain (a-MHC) promoter, or a cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) promoter. Other exemplary promoters include Beta-actin promoter, hepatitis B virus core promoter, Sandig et al., Gene Ther., 3: 1002-9 (1996); alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter, Arbuthnot et al., Hum. Gene Ther., 7: 1503-14 (1996)), bone osteocalcin promoter (Stein et al., Mol. Biol. Rep., 24: 185-96 (1997)); bone sialoprotein promoter (Chen et al., J. Bone Miner. Res., 11:654-64 (1996)), CD2 promoter (Hansal et al., J. Immunol., 161: 1063-8 (1998); immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter; T cell receptor a-chain promoter, neuronal such as neuron- specific enolase (NSE) promoter (Andersen et al., Cell. Mol. Neurobiol., 13:503-15 (1993)), neurofilament light-chain gene promoter (Piccioli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:5611-5 (1991)), and the neuron- specific vgf gene promoter (Piccioli et al., Neuron, 15:373- 84 (1995)), among others which will be apparent to the skilled artisan.
In some embodiments, a promoter is a chicken beta-actin (CB) promoter. A chicken beta-actin promoter may be a short chicken beta-actin promoter or a long chicken beta-actin promoter. In some embodiments, a promoter (e.g., a chicken beta-actin promoter) comprises an enhancer sequence, for example a cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer sequence. A CMV enhancer sequence may be a short CMV enhancer sequence or a long CMV enhancer sequence. In some embodiments, a promoter comprises a long CMV enhancer sequence and a long chicken beta-actin promoter. In some embodiments, a promoter comprises a short CMV enhancer sequence and a short chicken beta-actin promoter. However, the skilled artisan recognizes that a short CMV enhancer may be used with a long CB promoter, and a long CMV enhancer may be used with a short CB promoter (and vice versa).
In some embodiments, the various regions of an isolated nucleic acid disclosed herein are expression cassettes for expressing one or more Rep gene and/or one or more Cap gene. In some embodiments, a multicistronic expression construct comprises two or more expression cassettes encoding one or more Rep Gene and/or Cap gene.
In some embodiments, multicistronic expression constructs are comprise expression cassettes that are positioned in different ways. For example, in some embodiments, a multicistronic expression construct is provided in which a first expression cassette (e.g., an expression cassette comprising a Rep gene) is positioned adjacent to a second expression cassette (e.g., an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene). In some embodiments, a multicistronic expression construct is provided in which a first expression cassette comprises an intron, and a second expression cassette is positioned within the intron of the first expression cassette. In some embodiments, the second expression cassette, positioned within an intron of the first expression cassette, comprises a promoter and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a gene product operatively linked to the promoter.
In different embodiments, multicistronic expression constructs are provided in which the expression cassettes are oriented in different ways. For example, in some embodiments, a multicistronic expression construct is provided in which a first expression cassette is in the same orientation as a second expression cassette. In some embodiments, a multicistronic expression construct is provided comprising a first and a second expression cassette in opposite orientations.
The term “orientation” as used herein in connection with expression cassettes, refers to the directional characteristic of a given cassette or structure. In some embodiments, an expression cassette harbors a promoter 5’ of the encoding nucleic acid sequence, and transcription of the encoding nucleic acid sequence runs from the 5’ terminus to the 3’ terminus of the sense strand, making it a directional cassette (e.g., 5’-promoter/(intron)/encoding sequence-3’). Since virtually all expression cassettes are directional in this sense, those of skill in the art can easily determine the orientation of a given expression cassette in relation to a second nucleic acid structure, for example, a second expression cassette, a viral genome.
For example, if a given nucleic acid construct comprises two expression cassettes in the configuration 5 ’-promoter 1/encoding sequence 1— promoter 2/encoding sequence 2-3’, »>»»>»»»»»>»» »>»»»»»>»»>»» the expression cassettes are in the same orientation, the arrows indicate the direction of transcription of each of the cassettes. For another example, if a given nucleic acid construct comprises a sense strand comprising two expression cassettes in the configuration
5’-promoter 1/encoding sequence 1— encoding sequence 2/promoter 2-3’,
»»»»»>»»>»»»> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< the expression cassettes are in opposite orientation to each other and, as indicated by the arrows, the direction of transcription of the expression cassettes, are opposed. In this example, the strand shown comprises the antisense strand of promoter 2 and encoding sequence 2.
A large body of evidence suggests that multicistronic expression constructs often do not achieve optimal expression levels as compared to expression systems containing only one cistron. One of the suggested causes of sub-par expression levels achieved with multicistronic expression constructs comprising two or more promoter elements is the phenomenon of promoter interference (see, e.g., Curtin JA, Dane AP, Swanson A, Alexander IE, Ginn SL. Bidirectional promoter interference between two widely used internal heterologous promoters in a late-generation lentiviral construct. Gene Ther. 2008 Mar;15(5):384-90; and Martin-Duque P, Jezzard S, Kaftansis L, Vassaux G. Direct comparison of the insulating properties of two genetic elements in an adenoviral vector containing two different expression cassettes. Hum Gene Ther. 2004 0ct;15(10):995-1002; both references incorporated herein by reference for disclosure of promoter interference phenomenon). Various strategies have been suggested to overcome the problem of promoter interference, for example, by producing multicistronic expression constructs comprising only one promoter driving transcription of multiple encoding nucleic acid sequences separated by internal ribosomal entry sites, or by separating cistrons comprising their own promoter with transcriptional insulator elements. All suggested strategies to overcome promoter interference are burdened with their own set of problems, though. For example, singlepromoter driven expression of multiple cistrons usually results in uneven expression levels of the cistrons. Further some promoters cannot efficiently be isolated and isolation elements are not compatible with some gene transfer vectors, for example, some retroviral vectors.
In some embodiments of this invention, a multicistronic expression construct is provided that allows efficient expression of a first encoding nucleic acid sequence driven by a first promoter and of a second encoding nucleic acid sequence driven by a second promoter without the use of transcriptional insulator elements. Various configurations of such multicistronic expression constructs are provided herein, for example, expression constructs harboring a first expression cassette comprising an intron and a second expression cassette positioned within the intron, in either the same or opposite orientation as the first cassette. Other configurations are described in more detail elsewhere herein.
In some embodiments, multicistronic expression constructs are provided allowing for efficient expression of two or more encoding nucleic acid sequences. In some embodiments, the multicistronic expression construct comprises two expression cassettes. In some embodiments, a first expression cassette of a multicistronic expression construct as provided herein comprises a first RNA polymerase II promoter and a second expression cassette comprise a second RNA polymerase II promoter. In some embodiments, a first expression cassette of a multicistronic expression construct as provided herein comprises an RNA polymerase II promoter and a second expression cassette comprises an RNA polymerase III promoter.
As used herein, the term "vector" includes any genetic element, such as a plasmid, phage, transposon, cosmid, chromosome, artificial chromosome, virus, virion, etc., which is capable of replication when associated with the proper control elements and which can transfer gene sequences between cells. Thus, the term includes cloning and expression vehicles, as well as viral vectors. In some embodiments, useful vectors are contemplated to be those vectors in which the nucleic acid segment to be transcribed is positioned under the transcriptional control of a promoter. A "promoter" refers to a DNA sequence recognized by the synthetic machinery of the cell, or introduced synthetic machinery, required to initiate the specific transcription of a gene. The phrases "operatively positioned," "under control" or "under transcriptional control" means that the promoter is in the correct location and orientation in relation to the nucleic acid to control RNA polymerase initiation and expression of the gene.
The term "expression cassette or construct" means any type of genetic construct containing a nucleic acid in which part or all of the nucleic acid encoding sequence is capable of being transcribed. In some embodiments, expression includes transcription of the nucleic acid, for example, to generate a biologically-active polypeptide product (e.g., a therapeutic protein or therapeutic minigene) or inhibitory RNA (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, miRNA inhibitor) from a transcribed gene.
The isolated nucleic acids encoding the Rep gene and/or the Cap gene of the disclosure may be used in combination with recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (rAAV vectors) and/or adeno virus helper sequence for production of rAAV particles encoding a transgene. As used herein, a “transgene” is a nucleic acid sequence, which is not homologous to vector sequences, which encodes a polypeptide, protein, functional RNA molecule (e.g., miRNA, miRNA inhibitor) or other gene product, of interest. In some embodiments, a transgene encodes a therapeutic protein or therapeutic functional RNA. Examples of therapeutic proteins include toxins, enzymes (e.g., kinases, phosphorylases, proteases, acetylases, deacetylases, methylases, demethylases, etc.) growth factors, interleukins, interferons, anti-apoptosis factors, cytokines, anti-diabetic factors, anti-apoptosis agents, coagulation factors, anti-tumor factors, and anti-proliferative proteins. The nucleic acid coding sequence is operatively linked to regulatory components in a manner which permits transgene transcription, translation, and/or expression in a cell of a target tissue. In some embodiments, the rAAV vector comprises a region (e.g., a first region) comprising a first adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeat (ITR), or a variant thereof. The recombinant AAV vector may be packaged into a capsid protein and administered to a subject and/or delivered to a selected target cell. “Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors” are typically composed of, at a minimum, a transgene and its regulatory sequences, and 5' and 3' AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). The transgene may comprise, as disclosed elsewhere herein, one or more regions that encode one or more proteins and/or one or more binding sites for inhibitory nucleic acids (e.g., shRNA, miRNAs, etc.). The transgene may also comprise a region encoding, for example, a protein and/or an expression control sequence (e.g., a poly-A tail), as described elsewhere in the disclosure.
Generally, ITR sequences are about 145 bp in length. Preferably, substantially the entire sequences encoding the ITRs are used in the molecule, although some degree of minor modification of these sequences is permissible. The ability to modify these ITR sequences is within the skill of the art. (See, e.g., texts such as Sambrook et al., "Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual", 2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (1989); and K. Fisher et al., J Virol., 70:520 532 (1996)). The AAV ITR sequences may be obtained from any known AAV, including presently identified mammalian AAV types. In some embodiments, the rAAV vector comprises at least one ITR having a serotype selected from AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV6.2, AAV7, AAV8, AAVrh8, AAV9, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV2/2-66, AAV2/2-84, AAV2/2-125, and variants thereof. In some embodiments, the rAAV vector comprises a region (e.g., a first region) encoding an AAV2 ITR. In some embodiments, the rAAV vector comprises two regions (e.g., a first region and a second region) encoding a 5’ AAV2 ITR and a 3’ AAV2 ITR.
In some embodiments, the rAAV vector further comprises one or more AAV ITRs. In some embodiments, an AAV ITR has a serotype selected from AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV6.2, AAV7, AAV8, AAVrh8, AAV9, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV2/2-66, AAV2/2-84, AAV2/2-125, and variants thereof. In some embodiments, an AAV ITR is a mutant ITR (mTR) that lacks a functional terminal resolution site (TRS). The term “lacking a terminal resolution site” can refer to an AAV ITR that comprises a mutation (e.g., a sense mutation such as a non-synonymous mutation, or missense mutation) that abrogates the function of the terminal resolution site (TRS) of the ITR, or to a truncated AAV ITR that lacks a nucleic acid sequence encoding a functional TRS (e.g., a ATRS ITR). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, a rAAV vector comprising an ITR lacking a functional TRS produces a self-complementary rAAV vector, for example as described by McCarthy (2008) Molecular Therapy 16(10): 1648-1656.
In some embodiments, the AAV vector described herein is a single- stranded AAV (ss- AAV) vector. As used herein, the term “single-stranded AAV vector” refers to a vector that the coding sequence and complementary sequence of the transgene are on separate strands and are packaged in separate viral capsids. In some embodiments, the AAV vector described herein is a self-complementary (sc-AAV). As used herein, the term “self-complementary AAV vector” (scAAV) refers to a vector that both the coding and complementary sequence of the transgene expression cassette are present on each plus-and minus-strand genome. In some embodiments, a scAAV vector contains a double-stranded vector genome generated by the absence of a terminal resolution site (TR) from one of the ITRs of the AAV. The absence of a TR prevents the initiation of replication at the vector terminus where the TR is not present. In general, scAAV vectors generate single-stranded, inverted repeat genomes, with a wild-type (wt) AAV TR at each end and a mutated TR (mTR) in the middle. In some embodiments, rAAV vector comprise DNA sequences encoding RNA hairpin structures (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, and amiRNA) that can serve a function similar to a mutant inverted terminal repeat (mTR) during viral genome replication, generating self-complementary AAV vector (scAAV) genomes. For example, in some embodiments, the disclosure provides rAAV (e.g., self-complementary AAV; scAAV) vectors comprising a single- stranded self-complementary nucleic acid with inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) at each of two ends and a central portion comprising a promoter operably linked with a sequence encoding a hairpin-forming RNA (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, etc.). In some embodiments, the sequence encoding a hairpin-forming RNA (e.g., shRNA, miRNA, amiRNA, etc.) is substituted at a position of the self-complementary nucleic acid normally occupied by a mutant ITR.
“Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors” are typically composed of, at a minimum, a transgene and its regulatory sequences, and 5' and 3' AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). It is this recombinant AAV vector which is packaged into a capsid protein and delivered to a selected target cell. In some embodiments, the transgene is a nucleic acid sequence, heterologous to the vector sequences, which encodes a polypeptide, protein, functional RNA molecule (e.g., miRNA, miRNA inhibitor) or other gene product, of interest. The nucleic acid coding sequence is operatively linked to regulatory components in a manner which permits transgene transcription, translation, and/or expression in a cell of a target tissue.
“Helper vectors” also known as “helper-dependent adenoviral vectors”, “helper-plasmids”, or “Ad helper” are non-integrating vectors that support AAV production without any longer generating rcAAV. Helper vectors are devoid of viral genes, have a large cloning capacity, and effectively transduce a variety of cell types. Helper plasmids were developed for the use in AAV production in the absence of a helper virus. In some embodiments, helper vectors increase packaging efficiency of rAAV. In some embodiments, the helper vector comprises Ad-helper genes. In some embodiments, the Ad-helper genes are E2A, VA RNA, and E4. The E2A region encodes a DNA binding protein with affinities for single- and double-stranded DNA and facilitates AAV replication, such as mRNA processing and export or capsid production. VA RNA mediates the degradation of PKR and enhances cap protein expression and assembly. The E4 region enhances second-strand synthesis, promoting AAV replication, and helps in the degradation of Mrel 1 (a component of the MRN complex, which limits AAV transduction and replication). In some embodiments, the Ad-helper gene is E4. In some embodiments, the helper vector is a delta F6 helper.
Cell
A “host cell” refers to any cell that harbors, or is capable of harboring, a substance of interest or of packaging the nucleic acid of interest into a viral particle (e.g., rAAV particle). Often a host cell is a mammalian cell. Examples of host cells include human cells, mouse cells, rat cells, dog cells, cat cells, hamster cells, monkey cells, insect cells, plant cells, or bacterial cells. Examples of insect cells include but are not limited to Spodoptera frugiperda e.g., Sf9, Sf21), Spodoptera exigua, Heliothis virescens, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis subflexa, Anticar sia gemmatalis, Trichopulsia ni (e.g., High-Five cells), Drosophila melanogaster (e.g., S2, S3), Antheraea eucalypti, Bombyx mori, Aedes alpopictus, Aedes aegyptii, and others. Examples of bacterial cells include, but are not limited to Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Examples of yeast cells include but are not limited to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pombe, Pichia pastoris, Bacillus sp., Aspergillus sp., Trichoderma sp., and Myceliophthora thermophila Cl. Examples of plant cells include but are not limited to Nicotiana sp., Arabidopsis thaliana, Mays zea, Solanum sp., or Lemna sp.
In some embodiments, a host cell is a mammalian cell. Examples of mammalian cells include Henrietta Lacks tumor (HeLa) cells, HEK293, and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells. In some embodiments, a host cell is a human cell, for example a HEK293 cell. A host cell may be used as a recipient of one or more viral transfer vectors and one or more accessory plasmids. The term includes the progeny of the original cell which has been transfected. Thus, a “host cell” as used herein may refer to a cell which has been transfected with an exogenous DNA sequence and its progeny. It is understood that the progeny of a single parental cell may not necessarily be completely identical in morphology or in genomic or total DNA complement as the original parent, due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation.
As used herein, the term "cell line" refers to a population of cells capable of continuous or prolonged growth and division in vitro. Often, cell lines are clonal populations derived from a single progenitor cell. It is further known in the art that spontaneous or induced changes can occur in karyotype during storage or transfer of such clonal populations. Therefore, cells derived from the cell line referred to may not be precisely identical to the ancestral cells or cultures, and the cell line referred to includes such variants.
In some embodiments, a cell line can be engineered (e.g., transduced) to stably express one or more components required and transiently transfected with the remaining components for packaging a rAAV. For example, a cell line can be engineered to stably express the cap gene for a particular AAV serotype, and transiently transfected with an AAV vector encoding the transgene, a vector that comprises the hair-forming nucleic acid and encodes the Rep gene as described herein, and a vector that encodes an adenovirus helper gene.
Method for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a first transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Rep gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector used in the method comprises an expression cassette comprising the Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR); and (d) a fourth vector encoding the Rep gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiment, the third vector used in the method described herein comprises a hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette comprising the Cap gene. In some embodiments, the fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising the Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing rAAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells: (a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); (b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; and (c) a third vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a first nucleic acid comprising an adeno- associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR). In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises a hairpin forming DNA positioned 3’ to the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the third vector used in the method comprises two hairpin forming DNA flanking the expression cassette, and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
In some embodiments, the rAAV production method described herein reduces the amount of replication-competent AAV (rcAAV) in the pool of rAAV produced by this method relative to the pool of rAAV produced by other methods (e.g., any known rAAV production methods in the art). In some embodiments, the rAAV production method described herein reduces the amount of replication competent rAAV in the pool of rAAV produced by this method relative to the pool of rAAV produced by other methods (e.g., any known rAAV production methods in the art) by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least
25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least
60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least
98%, at least 99%, or 100%.
In some embodiments, the rAAV production method described herein can be adapted to any suitable production method. For example, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) particles are produced by introducing into a host cell, a nucleic acid comprising a transgene, a helper nucleic acid encoding adenoviral helper genes, and a packaging nucleic acid encoding rep and/or cap genes. A nucleic acid comprising a transgene may comprise a transgene flanked by adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). In some embodiments, a helper nucleic acid encoding adenoviral helper genes comprises genes that mediate AAV replication (e.g., AAV E4, E2a and/or VA genes). In some embodiments, a packaging nucleic acid encodes one or more rep genes, and the packing nucleic acid further comprises hair-forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ of the one or more rep genes. In some embodiments, a packaging nucleic acid encodes one or more cap genes, and the packing nucleic acid further comprises hairforming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ of the one or more cap genes. As described herein, the methods of producing rAAV particles involve culturing a host cell which contains a nucleic acid sequence comprising a functional rep and/or cap gene, wherein the rep and/or cap gene can be on the same vector or on different vectors, and the nucleic acid further comprises hairpin forming DNA positioned around the rep gene and cap gene as described herein; a recombinant AAV vector composed of, AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and a transgene; and sufficient helper functions to permit packaging of the recombinant AAV vector into the AAV capsid proteins. In some embodiments, capsid proteins are structural proteins encoded by the cap gene of an AAV. AAVs comprise three capsid proteins, virion proteins 1 to 3 (named VP1, VP2 and VP3), all of which are transcribed from a single cap gene via alternative splicing. In some embodiments, the molecular weights of VP1, VP2 and VP3 are respectively about 87 kDa, about 72 kDa and about 62 kDa. In some embodiments, upon translation, capsid proteins form a spherical 60-mer protein shell around the viral genome. In some embodiments, the functions of the capsid proteins are to protect the viral genome, deliver the genome and interact with the host. In some aspects, capsid proteins deliver the viral genome to a host in a tissue specific manner. In some embodiments, an AAV capsid protein is of an AAV serotype selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV9.hr, AAVrh8, AAVrhlO, AAVrh39, AAVrh43, AAV.PHP, AAV.rh32.33 and variants of any of the foregoing.
The components to be cultured in the host cell to package a rAAV vector in an AAV capsid may be provided to the host cell in trans. The components to be cultured in the host cell to package a rAAV vector in an AAV capsid may be provided to the host cell in cis. Alternatively, any one or more of the required components (e.g., recombinant AAV vector, rep sequences (e.g., rep sequence with hairpin forming DNA as described herein), cap sequences (e.g., cap sequences with hairpin forming DNA as described herein), and/or helper functions) may be provided by a stable host cell which has been engineered to contain one or more of the required components using methods known to those of skill in the art. Most suitably, such a stable host cell will contain the required component(s) under the control of an inducible promoter. However, the required component(s) may be under the control of a constitutive promoter. Examples of suitable inducible and constitutive promoters are provided herein, in the discussion of regulatory elements suitable for use with the transgene. In still another alternative, a selected stable host cell may contain selected component(s) under the control of a constitutive promoter and other selected component(s) under the control of one or more inducible promoters. For example, a stable host cell may be generated which is derived from 293 cells (which contain El helper functions under the control of a constitutive promoter), but which contain the rep and/or cap proteins under the control of inducible promoters. Still other stable host cells may be generated by one of skill in the art.
The recombinant AAV vector, rep sequences, cap sequences, hairpin sequences, and helper functions required for producing the rAAV of the disclosure may be delivered to the packaging host cell using any appropriate genetic element (vector). The selected genetic element may be delivered by any suitable method, including those described herein. The methods used to construct any embodiment of this disclosure are known to those with skill in nucleic acid manipulation and include genetic engineering, recombinant engineering, and synthetic techniques. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Similarly, methods of generating rAAV virions are well known and the selection of a suitable method is not a limitation on the present disclosure. See, e.g., K. Fisher et al., J. Virol., 70:520-532 (1993) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,745. A “host cell” refers to any cell that harbors, or is capable of harboring, a substance of interest or of packaging the nucleic acid of interest into a viral particle. Often a host cell is a mammalian cell or an insect cell. Examples of host cells include human cells, mouse cells, rat cells, dog cells, cat cells, hamster cells, monkey cells, insect cells, plant cells, or bacterial cells. Examples of insect cells include but are not limited to Spodoptera frugiperda (e.g., Sf9, Sf21), Spodoptera exigua, Heliothis virescens, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis subflexa, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Trichopulsia ni (e.g., High-Five cells), Drosophila melanogaster (e.g., S2, S3), Antheraea eucalypti, Bombyx mori, Aedes alpopictus, Aedes aegyptii, and others. Examples of bacterial cells include, but are not limited to Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Examples of yeast cells include but are not limited to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pombe, Pichia pastoris, Bacillus sp., Aspergillus sp., Trichoderma sp., and Myceliophthora thermophila Cl. Examples of plant cells include but are not limited to Nicotiana sp., Arabidopsis thaliana, Mays zea, Solanum sp., or Lemna sp.
In some embodiments, a host cell is a mammalian cell. Examples of mammalian cells include Henrietta Lacks tumor (HeLa) cells and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells. In some embodiments, a host cell is a human cell, for example a HEK293T cell or Hela cell. A host cell may be used as a recipient of one or more viral transfer vectors and one or more accessory plasmids. In some embodiments, a host cell is an insect cell, and the nucleic acids of the method described herein are baculovirus vectors. Examples of insect cells include Sf9, ExpiSf9, Hi5, Tni Pro cells, or E4a cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is an insect cell, for example an Sf9 cell. The term includes the progeny of the original cell which has been transfected. Thus, a “host cell” as used herein may refer to a cell which has been transfected with an exogenous DNA sequence. It is understood that the progeny of a single parental cell may not necessarily be completely identical in morphology or in genomic or total DNA complement as the original parent, due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation.
As used herein, the term "cell line" refers to a population of cells capable of continuous or prolonged growth and division in vitro. Often, cell lines are clonal populations derived from a single progenitor cell. It is further known in the art that spontaneous or induced changes can occur in karyotype during storage or transfer of such clonal populations. Therefore, cells derived from the cell line referred to may not be precisely identical to the ancestral cells or cultures, and the cell line referred to includes such variants.
As used herein, the terms “recombinant cell” refers to a cell into which an exogenous DNA segment, such as DNA segment that leads to the transcription of a biologically-active polypeptide or production of a biologically active nucleic acid such as an RNA, has been introduced.
EXAMPLE
Example 1
FIG. 1 illustrates, in a non-limiting example, the formation of replication-competent (rc)AAV during vector production through unknown recombination events. The production of rAAVs typically requires: 1) packaging components from the AAV genome, rep and cap; 2) the vector cassette carrying the transgene of interest, flanked by the inverted terminal repeats (ITRs); and 3) components originating from the adenovirus genome and required for the expression and activity of the rep and cap genes, E2a, E4, and VARNA. These components can be expressed from plasmids as illustrated. Following transfection into host cells, these components can undergo recombination events through an unknown mechanism. One possible outcome is the formation of rcAAVs, which have genomic structures that mimic wild-type AAV genomes and have restored replication (FIG. 1).
In this disclosure, the use of stopper sequences to limit the propagation of rcAAVs is described. There are no current methods to reduce or inhibit recombination during AAV production. Thus, one method to overcome rcAAV propagation is to ensure that replication of recombined genomes is compromised. This is achieved by flanking the rep/cap genes with stopper sequences and/or inserting stopper sequences between the rep and cap genes (FIG. 2). TLR9-inhibitory sequences were engineered into the short-hairpin DNA (shDNA) to reduce the host innate immune response against unmethylated CpG dinucleotides. The shDNA sequence is: TTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTCAAGAGAccctaaccctaaccctaaccctaa (SEQ ID NO: 1).
FIG. 2 illustrates, in a non-limiting example, trans-plasmid designs that carry Stopper hairpin sequences to reduce or eliminate the production of rcAAV. Standard plasmid designs can confer the production of rcAAVs. Illustrated here are seven constructs (left column) bearing hairpin Stopper sequences inserted 5’ of the rep/cap construct (I), 3’ of the construct (II), or between the rep and cap genes (III). Constructs IV- VII represent double or triple Stopper combinations. The possible genome structure outcomes are illustrated on the right. Constructs I and II can still form the intact rep/cap, but lack a single ITR on either end, compromising replication. Construct III can still form rep or cap genomes flanked by ITRs but are noncontiguous and thus are replication defective. Constructs V and VII are predicted to not package any rep or cap genes. Constructs V and VI will only package either rep or cap when recombined with ITRs, respectively (FIG. 2).
Example 2
HEK293 cells were transfected with an engineered Rep-Cap plasmid (plasmids I- VII) with single-stranded AAV-EGFP plasmid and delta F6 helper plasmid. A standard Rep-Cap plasmid was used as a control. Compared to a standard AAV packaging plasmid, plasmids I, II, III, and VI showed similar vector yields (FIG. 3, left). All engineered package plasmids tested showed reduced replication competent AAV (FIG. 3, right).
EQUIVALENTS
While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.
Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno- associated virus (AAV) Rep gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
2. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette.
3. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette.
4. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette.
5. An isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises an adeno- associated virus (AAV) Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
6. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 5, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette.
7. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 5, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette.
8. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 5, wherein the hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette.
9. An isolated nucleic acid comprising an expression cassette that comprises a nucleic acid sequence comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep gene and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a Cap gene, and one or more hairpin forming DNA positioned 5’ and/or 3’ to the expression cassette, and/or in between the Rep gene and Cap gene, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not an adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeat (ITR).
10. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette.
11. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette.
12. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is flanking the expression cassette.
13. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
14. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 5’ of the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
15. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is positioned 3’ of the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
16. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the one or more hairpin forming DNA are flanking the expression cassette and in between the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid.
17. The isolated nucleic acid of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the hairpin forming DNA comprises a TLR9-inhibitory sequence, optionally wherein the hairpin forming DNA comprises a nucleic acid sequence of (SEQ ID NO: 1).
18. The isolated nucleic acid of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the hairpin forming DNA is not a wild-type ITR or a mutant ITR.
19. A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid of any one of claims 1-18, optionally wherein the vector is a plasmid.
20. A method for producing a recombinant AAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells:
(a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs);
(b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene;
(c) a third vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid of any one of claims 1-4, or 17-18; and
(d) a fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a Cap gene.
21. A method for producing a recombinant AAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells:
(a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs);
(b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene;
(c) a third vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid of any one of claims 5-8, or 17-18; and
(d) a fourth vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a Rep gene.
22. A method for producing a recombinant AAV, the method comprising delivering to host cells:
(a) a rAAV vector encoding a transgene, wherein the transgene is flanked by adeno-associated virus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs);
(b) a second vector encoding an adeno-virus helper gene; and
(c) a third vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid of any one of claims 9-18.
23. The method of any of claims 20-22, wherein the host cells are mammalian cells or insect cells, optionally wherein the mammalian cells are HEK293, Hela cells, or A549 cells; or optionally wherein the insect cells are Sf9, ExpiSf9, Hi5, Tni Pro cells, or E4a cell.
24. The method of any one of claims 20-23, further comprising isolating the rAAV particles.
25. The method of claims 20-24, wherein the helper gene is a delta f6.
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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130315940A1 (en) * 2010-08-20 2013-11-28 Rajiv Jalan Treatment of liver cancer
US20210340539A1 (en) * 2015-04-24 2021-11-04 University Of Massachusetts Modified aav constructs and uses thereof

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130315940A1 (en) * 2010-08-20 2013-11-28 Rajiv Jalan Treatment of liver cancer
US20210340539A1 (en) * 2015-04-24 2021-11-04 University Of Massachusetts Modified aav constructs and uses thereof

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