HEK293-based production platform for γ-retroviral (self-inactivating) vectors: application for safe and efficient transfer of COL7A1 cDNA

Hum Gene Ther Clin Dev. 2014 Dec;25(4):218-28. doi: 10.1089/humc.2014.083.

Abstract

The clinical application of self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors requires an efficient vector production technology. To enable production of γ-retroviral SIN vectors from stable producer cells, new targetable HEK293-based producer clones were selected, providing amphotropic, GALV, or RD114 pseudotyping. Viral vector expression constructs can reliably be inserted at a predefined genomic locus via Flp-recombinase-mediated cassette exchange. Introduction of a clean-up step, mediated by Cre-recombinase, allows the removal of residual sequences that were required for targeting and selection, but were dispensable for the final producer clones and eliminated homology-driven recombination between the tagging and the therapeutic vector. The system was used to establish GALV and RD114 pseudotyping producer cells (HG- and HR820) for a clinically relevant long terminal repeat-driven therapeutic vector, designed for the transfer of a recombinant TCR that delivered titers in the range of 2×10(7) infectious particles (IP)/ml. Production capacity of the amphotropic producer cell (HA820) was challenged by a therapeutic SIN vector transferring the large COL7A1 cDNA. The final producer clone delivered a titer of 4×10(6) IP/ml and the vector containing supernatant was used directly to functionally restore primary fibroblasts and keratinocytes isolated from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients. Thus, the combinatorial approach (fc-technology) to generate producer cells for therapeutic γ-retroviral (SIN) vectors is feasible, is highly efficient, and allows their safe production and application in clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Collagen Type VII / genetics*
  • Collagen Type VII / metabolism
  • DNA, Recombinant / genetics*
  • DNA, Recombinant / isolation & purification
  • Gammaretrovirus / genetics*
  • Gammaretrovirus / metabolism
  • Gene Targeting / methods
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics*
  • Genetic Vectors / isolation & purification
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans

Substances

  • COL7A1 protein, human
  • Collagen Type VII
  • DNA, Recombinant