A terapia gênica tem sido empregada em estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos, com o intuito de amenizar ou curar uma doença. Vetores retrovirais são uma ferramenta de transferência gênica largamente utilizada. Vetores bicistrônicos são uma alternativa interessante para o tratamento de doenças complexas. Na construção de um vetor bicistrônico pode-se empregar várias estratégias dentre elas a utilização da sequência IRES. A endostatina, fragmento do colágeno XVIII, tem sido muito utilizada na terapia anti-angiogênica devido sua ação inibitória no crescimento de células endoteliais. A imunoterapia tem sido utilizada como tratamento coadjuvante de tumores. Dentre as citocinas utilizadas, a interleucina-2 promovendo a proliferação de linfócitos T, tem sido utilizada em diversos estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos. O objetivo deste projeto foi construir e caracterizar in vitro um vetor retroviral bicistrônico codificando endostatina e interleucina-2 utlizando a sequência IRES. A construção do vetor foi realizada em três etapas, sendo comprovada a construção final por análise de restrição e seqüenciamento. Células de empacotamento foram transfectadas com o vetor, e posteriormente realizada a transdução na célula alvo. A endostatina e a interleucina-2 foram determinadas por Dot blot, seguido de análise da expressão por RT-PCR e ensaio de atividade. O vetor construído apresentou altos níveis de titulação viral, variando de 4.20x105 a 1.53x106UFC/mL. A determinação da endostatina e da interleucina-2 variaram entre 1.08 a 2.08g/106cels.24h e 0.66 a 0.89μg/106cels.24h, respectivamente. A expressão da endostatina no clone NIH3T3-pLend-IRES-IL2SN foi 2 vezes superior á apresentada pelo clone NIH3T3-pLend-IRES-IL2SN. A endostatina produzida promoveu uma inibição da proliferação de 40% das células endoteliais; e a interleucina-2 promoveu uma proliferação de 10.6% de linfócitos CD4 e 8.9% de CD8. Desta forma, a construção obtida neste trabalho representa uma excelente ferramenta para estudos da biologia celular do câncer e novas estratégias terapêuticas. / Gene therapy has been used in preclinical studies and clinical trials in order to alleviate or cure a disease. Retroviral vectors are a tool for gene transfer is widely used. Bicistronic vectors are an attractive alternative for treatment of complex diseases. A variety of options exists to simultaneously express two genes in genetically modified cells. The most common approach relies on bicistronic vectors in which the genes are linked to each other by an internal ribosome entry site allowing co-translational expression of both cistrons. Endostatin, the C-terminal fragment of collagen XVIII, is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. At present, ES has been widely used in anti-angiogenic in a variety of experimental tumor models, and clinical trials to test it as an anti-tumor agent are already under way. Immunotherapy has been used as adjuvant treatment for tumors and has been used in several preclinical studies and clinical trials. The objective of this project was to construct and characterize in vitro an IRES-based bicistronic retroviral vector encoding endostatin and intereukin-2. The construction of the vector was performed in three stages, the final construction was analyzed by restriction analysis and sequencing. Packaging cells were prepared. The endostatin and interleukin-2 levels were determined by Dot blot. Monocistronic and bicistronic mRNA expression were analyzed by real time RT-PCR. Bicistronic vector showed high levels of virus trites, ranging from 4.20x105 to 1.53x106UFC/mL. Secreted levels of endostatin and interleukin-2 ranged from 1.08 to 2.08μg/106cells.24h and 0.66 - 0.89g/106cells.24h, respectively. The mRNA expression of ES in the NIH3T3 clone pLend-IRES-IL2SN was 2 times higher than the level presented by the NIH3T3 clone pLendSN. The endostatin promoted inhibition (40%) of endothelial cell proliferation. Interleukin-2 promoted a proliferation of 10.6% lymphocytes CD4 and 8.9% of CD8. We conclude that the IRES bicistronic vector provides a powerful tool for studies of cell biology of cancer and new therapeutic strategies.

A hemofilia A é uma doença caracterizada pela deficiência do fator VIII (FVIII) de coagulação sanguínea e atinge 1 em 5000 homens. Países desenvolvidos, utilizam como terapia o FVIII recombinante (rFVIII), por apresentar maior segurança e consistir uma fonte ilimitada. Estudos realizados em nosso laboratório, utilizando o vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K, originaram as linhagens celulares humanas, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K (hepática) e Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K (renal), que foram selecionadas pelo mesmo sistema de seleção, o tratamento in vitro com as drogas Benzilguanina e Temozolomide. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar e detalhar o padrão de integração do vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K nas duas linhagens celulares humanas, e verificar se o perfil de integração está relacionado ao tipo celular específico ou se este sofre influência da estratégia de seleção a qual as células foram submetidas anteriormente. Foi utilizada a técnica de LM-PCR (ligação-mediada por PCR) que permite localizar o sítio de integração do vetor viral, por meio do sequênciamento do produto de PCR obtido após a digestão com enzimas de restrição e ligação de uma sequência adaptadora (LINKER) ao DNA genômico. Após o seqüenciamento as sequências foram submetidas a análises em bancos de dados de genomas (Human BLAT, QuickMap e DAVID/EASE) para caracterização dos respectivos clones. Também foi realizada uma análise da expressão relativa do mRNA relativo ao rFVIII por RT-PCR e da atividade biológica pelo teste de TTPA. Dessa forma foi possível observar que ambas as linhagens modificadas expressam o mRNA relativo ao rFVIII e que as células HepG2 e Hek293 apresentam níveis de secreção da proteína recombinante biologicamente ativa da ordem de 7,9 UI/mL e 2,1 UI/mL, respectivamente. Foram sequenciados um total de 201 clones da HepG2, sendo 123 similares ao genoma humano e dentre estes 73 considerados verdadeiros e 50 ambíguos. Da Hek293 foram sequenciados 221 clones, sendo 179 similares ao genoma humano e dentre estes 64 verdadeiros e 115 ambíguos. Observamos que o vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K apresenta um perfil de integração não randômico e diferente entre as células estudadas, uma vez que na linhagem HepG2 houve uma preferência pelos cromossomos 19, 17 e 11, e na Hek293 pelo cromossomo 9. Em relação a regiões genômicas tais como distância de ilhas CpGs e de sítios de ligação de fatores de transcrição não houve diferença no perfil de integração em ambas as linhagens celulares, visto que nas duas células o vetor se inseriu preferencialmente a uma distância de ± 30-60Kb dessas regiões. Observamos também que houve uma integração dentro de genes codificadores de proteínas da ordem de 52% e 44% nas células HepG2 e Hek293, respectivamente, contudo em ambos os casos mais de 90% dessas inserções ocorreram em regiões intrônicas. Houve 20% de integrações em sítios frágeis do genoma na linhagem HepG2 e 17% na Hek293. Em suma este trabalho mostrou a integração do vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K específica para as duas linhagens em estudo. Além disso, pudemos observar que em ambas as linhagens celulares, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K e Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K, existem regiões gênicas dentro dos cromossomos na qual o vetor exibe uma preferência. O perfil de integração caracterizado aqui difere de outros trabalhos da literatura que utilizaram retrovírus derivados de MLV. Isso nos leva a crer que o padrão de inserção descrito pode estar relacionado ao fato de que essas células foram tratadas anteriormente com drogas quimioterapêuticas para seleção de um clone celular com maior nível de produção de rFVIII, levando consequentemente a seleção de um perfil de integração semelhante entre as linhagens celulares, mesmo estas tendo origens teciduais diferentes. / Hemophilia A is a disease characterized by deficiency of blood clotting factor VIII (FVIII) and affects 1 in 5000 men. Developed countries use as therapy for Hemophilia A recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) because rFVIII concentrates have proven efficacy and safety and this therapy consist of an unlimited supply.. Studies in our laboratory using the retroviral vector pMFG-FVIII-P140K, originate the human recombinant cell lines, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K (liver origen) and Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K (renal origen) which were selected with high doses of Benzyladenine and Temozolomide. This study aimed to characterize the integration pattern of retroviral vector pMFG-FVIII-P140K in these human cell lines, and verify if the profile of integration is related to specific cell type or it was influenced by the selection strategy which cells have been previously submitted. We used the technique of LM-PCR (ligation-mediated PCR) that allows to locate the site of viral vector integration by the sequencing of PCR products. The sequences were obtained after genomic DNA digestion with restriction enzymes and subsequent connection of an adapter (LINKER) to 5or 3 of the DNA fragment. The sequences were analyzed in genomic databases (Human BLAT, and Quickmap DAVID / EASE) for characterization of the respective clones. It was also performed an analysis of relative expression of rFVIII mRNA by RT-PCR and the biological activity was measured by APTT test. Thus it was observed that both cell lines express the mRNA relative to rFVIII and HepG2 and HEK293 cells have levels biologically active recombinant protein approximately 7.9 IU / mL and 2.1 IU / mL, respectively . We sequenced a total of 201 clones of HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K, 123 of these sequences match to the human genome and, among those 73 were considered true and 50 were ambiguous. In Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K 221 clones were sequenced, these total, 179 were similar to the human genome. 64 were true and 115 were ambiguous. We note that the retroviral vector pMFG-FVIII-P140K presents a profile of integration different and non-random between the studied cells lines, in HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K was observed a preference of integration for chromosomes 19, 17 and 11, and in Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K for the chromosome 9. In genomic regions such as CpG islands and transcription factors binding sites (TFBS), there was no difference in the profile of integration in both cell lines. In the two cell lines the vector is inserted preferably at a distance of ± 30 - 60Kb of these regions. We also observed that there was 52% of integration within genes encoding proteins (RefSeq genes) in HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K and 44% in Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K cells. In both cases more than 90% of the insertions occurred in intronic regions. There were 20% of integrations at fragile sites in the genome of HepG2 cell line and 17% in Hek293. In summary this study showed the integration profile of retroviral vector pMFG -FVIII-P140K in two different cell lines that produces FVIIIr protein are very similar. Furthermore, we observed that in both cell lines, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K and Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K, there are genetic regions within the chromosomes in which the vector displays a preference. The integration profile featured described here differs in CpGs island and TFBS from other studies in the literature that used retroviruses derived from MLV. This leads us to believe that the integration pattern described here may be related to the fact that these cells were previously treated with chemotherapeutic drugs for selecting a cell clone with the highest level of production of rFVIII, consequently leading to selection of a similar profile integration between cell lines, even those having different tissue origins.

A terapia gênica tem sido empregada em estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos, com o intuito de amenizar ou curar uma doença. Vetores retrovirais são uma ferramenta de transferência gênica largamente utilizada. Vetores bicistrônicos são uma alternativa interessante para o tratamento de doenças complexas. Na construção de um vetor bicistrônico pode-se empregar várias estratégias dentre elas a utilização da sequência IRES. A endostatina, fragmento do colágeno XVIII, tem sido muito utilizada na terapia anti-angiogênica devido sua ação inibitória no crescimento de células endoteliais. A imunoterapia tem sido utilizada como tratamento coadjuvante de tumores. Dentre as citocinas utilizadas, a interleucina-2 promovendo a proliferação de linfócitos T, tem sido utilizada em diversos estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos. O objetivo deste projeto foi construir e caracterizar in vitro um vetor retroviral bicistrônico codificando endostatina e interleucina-2 utlizando a sequência IRES. A construção do vetor foi realizada em três etapas, sendo comprovada a construção final por análise de restrição e seqüenciamento. Células de empacotamento foram transfectadas com o vetor, e posteriormente realizada a transdução na célula alvo. A endostatina e a interleucina-2 foram determinadas por Dot blot, seguido de análise da expressão por RT-PCR e ensaio de atividade. O vetor construído apresentou altos níveis de titulação viral, variando de 4.20x105 a 1.53x106UFC/mL. A determinação da endostatina e da interleucina-2 variaram entre 1.08 a 2.08g/106cels.24h e 0.66 a 0.89μg/106cels.24h, respectivamente. A expressão da endostatina no clone NIH3T3-pLend-IRES-IL2SN foi 2 vezes superior á apresentada pelo clone NIH3T3-pLend-IRES-IL2SN. A endostatina produzida promoveu uma inibição da proliferação de 40% das células endoteliais; e a interleucina-2 promoveu uma proliferação de 10.6% de linfócitos CD4 e 8.9% de CD8. Desta forma, a construção obtida neste trabalho representa uma excelente ferramenta para estudos da biologia celular do câncer e novas estratégias terapêuticas. / Gene therapy has been used in preclinical studies and clinical trials in order to alleviate or cure a disease. Retroviral vectors are a tool for gene transfer is widely used. Bicistronic vectors are an attractive alternative for treatment of complex diseases. A variety of options exists to simultaneously express two genes in genetically modified cells. The most common approach relies on bicistronic vectors in which the genes are linked to each other by an internal ribosome entry site allowing co-translational expression of both cistrons. Endostatin, the C-terminal fragment of collagen XVIII, is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. At present, ES has been widely used in anti-angiogenic in a variety of experimental tumor models, and clinical trials to test it as an anti-tumor agent are already under way. Immunotherapy has been used as adjuvant treatment for tumors and has been used in several preclinical studies and clinical trials. The objective of this project was to construct and characterize in vitro an IRES-based bicistronic retroviral vector encoding endostatin and intereukin-2. The construction of the vector was performed in three stages, the final construction was analyzed by restriction analysis and sequencing. Packaging cells were prepared. The endostatin and interleukin-2 levels were determined by Dot blot. Monocistronic and bicistronic mRNA expression were analyzed by real time RT-PCR. Bicistronic vector showed high levels of virus trites, ranging from 4.20x105 to 1.53x106UFC/mL. Secreted levels of endostatin and interleukin-2 ranged from 1.08 to 2.08μg/106cells.24h and 0.66 - 0.89g/106cells.24h, respectively. The mRNA expression of ES in the NIH3T3 clone pLend-IRES-IL2SN was 2 times higher than the level presented by the NIH3T3 clone pLendSN. The endostatin promoted inhibition (40%) of endothelial cell proliferation. Interleukin-2 promoted a proliferation of 10.6% lymphocytes CD4 and 8.9% of CD8. We conclude that the IRES bicistronic vector provides a powerful tool for studies of cell biology of cancer and new therapeutic strategies.

A hemofilia A é uma doença caracterizada pela deficiência do fator VIII (FVIII) de coagulação sanguínea e atinge 1 em 5000 homens. Países desenvolvidos, utilizam como terapia o FVIII recombinante (rFVIII), por apresentar maior segurança e consistir uma fonte ilimitada. Estudos realizados em nosso laboratório, utilizando o vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K, originaram as linhagens celulares humanas, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K (hepática) e Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K (renal), que foram selecionadas pelo mesmo sistema de seleção, o tratamento in vitro com as drogas Benzilguanina e Temozolomide. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar e detalhar o padrão de integração do vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K nas duas linhagens celulares humanas, e verificar se o perfil de integração está relacionado ao tipo celular específico ou se este sofre influência da estratégia de seleção a qual as células foram submetidas anteriormente. Foi utilizada a técnica de LM-PCR (ligação-mediada por PCR) que permite localizar o sítio de integração do vetor viral, por meio do sequênciamento do produto de PCR obtido após a digestão com enzimas de restrição e ligação de uma sequência adaptadora (LINKER) ao DNA genômico. Após o seqüenciamento as sequências foram submetidas a análises em bancos de dados de genomas (Human BLAT, QuickMap e DAVID/EASE) para caracterização dos respectivos clones. Também foi realizada uma análise da expressão relativa do mRNA relativo ao rFVIII por RT-PCR e da atividade biológica pelo teste de TTPA. Dessa forma foi possível observar que ambas as linhagens modificadas expressam o mRNA relativo ao rFVIII e que as células HepG2 e Hek293 apresentam níveis de secreção da proteína recombinante biologicamente ativa da ordem de 7,9 UI/mL e 2,1 UI/mL, respectivamente. Foram sequenciados um total de 201 clones da HepG2, sendo 123 similares ao genoma humano e dentre estes 73 considerados verdadeiros e 50 ambíguos. Da Hek293 foram sequenciados 221 clones, sendo 179 similares ao genoma humano e dentre estes 64 verdadeiros e 115 ambíguos. Observamos que o vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K apresenta um perfil de integração não randômico e diferente entre as células estudadas, uma vez que na linhagem HepG2 houve uma preferência pelos cromossomos 19, 17 e 11, e na Hek293 pelo cromossomo 9. Em relação a regiões genômicas tais como distância de ilhas CpGs e de sítios de ligação de fatores de transcrição não houve diferença no perfil de integração em ambas as linhagens celulares, visto que nas duas células o vetor se inseriu preferencialmente a uma distância de ± 30-60Kb dessas regiões. Observamos também que houve uma integração dentro de genes codificadores de proteínas da ordem de 52% e 44% nas células HepG2 e Hek293, respectivamente, contudo em ambos os casos mais de 90% dessas inserções ocorreram em regiões intrônicas. Houve 20% de integrações em sítios frágeis do genoma na linhagem HepG2 e 17% na Hek293. Em suma este trabalho mostrou a integração do vetor retroviral pMFG-FVIII-P140K específica para as duas linhagens em estudo. Além disso, pudemos observar que em ambas as linhagens celulares, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K e Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K, existem regiões gênicas dentro dos cromossomos na qual o vetor exibe uma preferência. O perfil de integração caracterizado aqui difere de outros trabalhos da literatura que utilizaram retrovírus derivados de MLV. Isso nos leva a crer que o padrão de inserção descrito pode estar relacionado ao fato de que essas células foram tratadas anteriormente com drogas quimioterapêuticas para seleção de um clone celular com maior nível de produção de rFVIII, levando consequentemente a seleção de um perfil de integração semelhante entre as linhagens celulares, mesmo estas tendo origens teciduais diferentes. / Hemophilia A is a disease characterized by deficiency of blood clotting factor VIII (FVIII) and affects 1 in 5000 men. Developed countries use as therapy for Hemophilia A recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) because rFVIII concentrates have proven efficacy and safety and this therapy consist of an unlimited supply.. Studies in our laboratory using the retroviral vector pMFG-FVIII-P140K, originate the human recombinant cell lines, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K (liver origen) and Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K (renal origen) which were selected with high doses of Benzyladenine and Temozolomide. This study aimed to characterize the integration pattern of retroviral vector pMFG-FVIII-P140K in these human cell lines, and verify if the profile of integration is related to specific cell type or it was influenced by the selection strategy which cells have been previously submitted. We used the technique of LM-PCR (ligation-mediated PCR) that allows to locate the site of viral vector integration by the sequencing of PCR products. The sequences were obtained after genomic DNA digestion with restriction enzymes and subsequent connection of an adapter (LINKER) to 5or 3 of the DNA fragment. The sequences were analyzed in genomic databases (Human BLAT, and Quickmap DAVID / EASE) for characterization of the respective clones. It was also performed an analysis of relative expression of rFVIII mRNA by RT-PCR and the biological activity was measured by APTT test. Thus it was observed that both cell lines express the mRNA relative to rFVIII and HepG2 and HEK293 cells have levels biologically active recombinant protein approximately 7.9 IU / mL and 2.1 IU / mL, respectively . We sequenced a total of 201 clones of HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K, 123 of these sequences match to the human genome and, among those 73 were considered true and 50 were ambiguous. In Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K 221 clones were sequenced, these total, 179 were similar to the human genome. 64 were true and 115 were ambiguous. We note that the retroviral vector pMFG-FVIII-P140K presents a profile of integration different and non-random between the studied cells lines, in HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K was observed a preference of integration for chromosomes 19, 17 and 11, and in Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K for the chromosome 9. In genomic regions such as CpG islands and transcription factors binding sites (TFBS), there was no difference in the profile of integration in both cell lines. In the two cell lines the vector is inserted preferably at a distance of ± 30 - 60Kb of these regions. We also observed that there was 52% of integration within genes encoding proteins (RefSeq genes) in HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K and 44% in Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K cells. In both cases more than 90% of the insertions occurred in intronic regions. There were 20% of integrations at fragile sites in the genome of HepG2 cell line and 17% in Hek293. In summary this study showed the integration profile of retroviral vector pMFG -FVIII-P140K in two different cell lines that produces FVIIIr protein are very similar. Furthermore, we observed that in both cell lines, HepG2FVIIIdB/P140K and Hek293FVIIIdB/P140K, there are genetic regions within the chromosomes in which the vector displays a preference. The integration profile featured described here differs in CpGs island and TFBS from other studies in the literature that used retroviruses derived from MLV. This leads us to believe that the integration pattern described here may be related to the fact that these cells were previously treated with chemotherapeutic drugs for selecting a cell clone with the highest level of production of rFVIII, consequently leading to selection of a similar profile integration between cell lines, even those having different tissue origins.

A presença de Ad com competência para replicar (RCA, replication-competent adenovirus) nas preparações é um dos maiores problemas para a produção de Ad em larga escala. RCAs são gerados pela recombinação entre seqüência do vetor e seqüência homóloga do gene E1 presente nas células helper. Objetivo: desenvolver uma nova linhagem auxiliar para produção de Ad livre de RCA - LEY79 - derivada da linhagem de retinoblastoma humano Y79, tratando-se da primeira linhagem empacotadora de adenovírus com inativação mutacional da proteína supressora de tumor pRb, que crescem em suspensão. Células Y79 foram infectadas com o retrovírus pCLDE1A/E1BSN, selecionadas com G418. A eficiência de produção de AdeGFP na linhagem LEY79 foi testada e comparada com a HEK293A. Células Y79 foram adaptadas em meio livre de soro. Esperamos com a linhagem LEY79SF inovar no campo de processos para a produção de Ad recombinante. / The presence of Ad with the ability to replicate (RCA, replication-competent adenovirus) in preparations is a major problem in the large-scale production of Ad. RCAs are generated by recombination between the vector sequence and sequence of the homologous gene in E1 helper cells. Objective: To develop a new helper cell line for the production of RCA-free Ad., called LEY79, derived from the Y79 of human retinoblastoma line, the first line Packer adenovirus with mutational inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein pRb, which are adapted to grow in suspension. Y79 cells were infected with the retrovirus pCLDE1A/E1BSN, selected with G418. The efficiency of production of AdeGFP in the LEY79 was tested and compared with the HEK293A. Y79 cells were adapted to grow in serum-free medium. We hope that use of the the LEY79SF cell line will promote innovation in the processing and production of recombinant Ad.

Gene transfer techniques such as retroviral transduction have many applications such as cell marking, cell reprogramming, and therapeutics. Transgene expression, however, is often variable and maintaining long-term expression is problematic in progenitor cell types. To better control transgene expression, research has focused on the optimized use of cis-regulatory elements, such as promoters, enhancers and insulators. In addition to controlling gene expression, these regulatory elements modulate the nuclear organization of the transgene. The integration site also exerts significant effects on steady state and temporal transgene expression via the neighbouring chromatin environment. The first part of this thesis describes the co-operation of modified β-globin intronic elements in providing high-level expression and favorable nuclear localization. I demonstrate that these elements are compatible with efficient lentivirus transduction for globin gene therapy purposes. In the second chapter, I examine high-expressing EGFP retroviral transgenes and show that such steady state expression may exhibit rapid transcriptional fluctuations, which is modulated by different transcriptional dynamics at different integration sites. Finally, in the last chapter, I evaluate the use of a 3’D4Z4 insulator element in maintaining long-term EGFP transgene expression in ES cells, and discover integration-site specific temporal dynamics in retroviral vector expression. Overall, my results demonstrate that using multiple regulatory elements and insulating these elements from different types of genomic loci optimize transgene expression and dynamics in progenitor cells.

Gene transfer techniques such as retroviral transduction have many applications such as cell marking, cell reprogramming, and therapeutics. Transgene expression, however, is often variable and maintaining long-term expression is problematic in progenitor cell types. To better control transgene expression, research has focused on the optimized use of cis-regulatory elements, such as promoters, enhancers and insulators. In addition to controlling gene expression, these regulatory elements modulate the nuclear organization of the transgene. The integration site also exerts significant effects on steady state and temporal transgene expression via the neighbouring chromatin environment. The first part of this thesis describes the co-operation of modified β-globin intronic elements in providing high-level expression and favorable nuclear localization. I demonstrate that these elements are compatible with efficient lentivirus transduction for globin gene therapy purposes. In the second chapter, I examine high-expressing EGFP retroviral transgenes and show that such steady state expression may exhibit rapid transcriptional fluctuations, which is modulated by different transcriptional dynamics at different integration sites. Finally, in the last chapter, I evaluate the use of a 3’D4Z4 insulator element in maintaining long-term EGFP transgene expression in ES cells, and discover integration-site specific temporal dynamics in retroviral vector expression. Overall, my results demonstrate that using multiple regulatory elements and insulating these elements from different types of genomic loci optimize transgene expression and dynamics in progenitor cells.

A presença de Ad com competência para replicar (RCA, replication-competent adenovirus) nas preparações é um dos maiores problemas para a produção de Ad em larga escala. RCAs são gerados pela recombinação entre seqüência do vetor e seqüência homóloga do gene E1 presente nas células helper. Objetivo: desenvolver uma nova linhagem auxiliar para produção de Ad livre de RCA - LEY79 - derivada da linhagem de retinoblastoma humano Y79, tratando-se da primeira linhagem empacotadora de adenovírus com inativação mutacional da proteína supressora de tumor pRb, que crescem em suspensão. Células Y79 foram infectadas com o retrovírus pCLDE1A/E1BSN, selecionadas com G418. A eficiência de produção de AdeGFP na linhagem LEY79 foi testada e comparada com a HEK293A. Células Y79 foram adaptadas em meio livre de soro. Esperamos com a linhagem LEY79SF inovar no campo de processos para a produção de Ad recombinante. / The presence of Ad with the ability to replicate (RCA, replication-competent adenovirus) in preparations is a major problem in the large-scale production of Ad. RCAs are generated by recombination between the vector sequence and sequence of the homologous gene in E1 helper cells. Objective: To develop a new helper cell line for the production of RCA-free Ad., called LEY79, derived from the Y79 of human retinoblastoma line, the first line Packer adenovirus with mutational inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein pRb, which are adapted to grow in suspension. Y79 cells were infected with the retrovirus pCLDE1A/E1BSN, selected with G418. The efficiency of production of AdeGFP in the LEY79 was tested and compared with the HEK293A. Y79 cells were adapted to grow in serum-free medium. We hope that use of the the LEY79SF cell line will promote innovation in the processing and production of recombinant Ad.

Humane corneale Endothelzellen (HCEC) bilden einen Monolayer aus differenzierten Zellen an der posterioren Oberfläche der Cornea und sind essenziell für den Erhalt der cornealen Transparenz. HCEC zeigen nahezu keine proliferative Aktivität in vivo und nur eine begrenzte Proliferationsfähigkeit in vitro. Bei übermäßigem Zellverlust aufgrund von Traumata, Erkrankungen oder des Alters kann die Transparenz der Cornea irreversibel beeinträchtigt werden und die Transplantation einer Spenderhornhaut erforderlich sein, um die Hornhauttransparenz und damit die Sehfähigkeit wiederherzustellen. Dabei ist die weltweite Begrenzung der medizinischen Versorgung mit hochwertigen Spenderhornhäuten das derzeit größte Problem für die Therapie von Cornea-assoziierten Erkrankungen. Zellersatzstrategien mit in vitro kultivierten, quantitativ und qualitativ ausreichenden Spenderzellen sollen die weitestgehend ausgereizten logistischen Ansätze zur Verringerung des Spendermangels ergänzen. Die Entwicklung einer abschaltbaren bzw. transienten Methode zur in vitro- und in situ-Vervielfältigung primärer HCEC ohne Verlust ihrer typischen morphologischen Merkmale würde die Herstellung sowie eine detaillierte und umfassende Charakterisierung von Transplantaten aus primären HCEC ermöglichen. In dieser Arbeit sollten daher zunächst verschiedene proliferationsfördernde Faktoren (PF) identifiziert werden, die nach stabilem retroviralen Gentransfer mit Integrations-kompetenten lentiviralen Vektoren (ICLV) in primären HCEC ein starkes proliferationsförderndes Signal provozieren, das eine Immortalisierung der Zellen zur Folge hat. Dabei sollte die Pseudotypisierung der ICLV-Partikel mit alternativen viralen Glykoproteinen zytopathische Effekte verringern und die Transduktionseffizienz steigern. Nachfolgend sollten die identifizierten PF auf ihre Fähigkeit, die Proliferation primärer HCEC transient zu stimulieren, ohne die Zellen dabei zu transformieren, getestet werden. Mit Hilfe verschiedener retroviraler Expressionssysteme sollte ein klinisch anwendbares System entwickelt werden, das eine kontrollierte, zeitlich begrenzte Stimulierung der Proliferation bei gleichzeitiger Unterdrückung eines tumorartigen Zellwachstums ermöglichte. Hierzu dienten 1) Integrase-defiziente lentivirale Vektoren (IDLV), die eine transiente Transgenexpression durch direkte Transkription des episomalen DNA-Vektorgenoms erlauben, und 2) das transiente Foamyvirus-Vektorsystem (TraFo-VS), dass auf der Enkapsidierung und dem Transfer nicht-viraler mRNA in permissiven Zielzellen basiert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass ICLV-Pseudotypen, die entweder eine SFVmcy-Glykoproteinvariante (ICLVSFV) oder das VSV-G-Protein enthielten (ICLVVSV), eine signifikante Transduktionseffizienz aufwiesen und dabei keine zytopathischen Effekte in den Zielzellen auslösten, weshalb beide Glykoproteine für weiterführende Experiment genutzt wurden. Unter Verwendung des optimierten ICLV-Systems konnten drei PF identifiziert werden, die eine reproduzierbare Immortalisierung primärer HCEC infolge stabiler Expression durch Transduktion mit den ICLV-Pseudotypen ermöglichten. Dazu zählten der Cyclin D1/CDK4-Proteinkomplex (4D), die SV40 T-Antigene (SV40T) sowie die transformierenden Proteine E6 und E7 (E6/E7) des HPV-16. Es konnte auch gezeigt werden, dass die Proliferation transduzierter primärer HCEC nach stabiler Transduktion mit PF-codierenden ICLV-Partikeln in einer dosisabhängigen Weise signifikant erhöht werden konnte. Untersuchungen mit IDLV-Varianten haben jedoch gezeigt, dass transduzierte HCEC ein vergleichbares proliferatives Verhalten wie ihre stabil transduzierten Äquivalente aufwiesen. Dies demonstrierte die restliche, geringgradige, nicht-kanonische Integrationskapazität von IDLV-Partikeln besonders im Zusammenhang mit der Expression von potenten PF. Nach erfolgter Transduktion mit TraFo-VP konnten die transferierten PF-codierenden mRNA in den Primärzellen nachgewiesen werden. Die Anwendung dieses Systems resultierte jedoch weder in einer nachweisbaren PF-Expression noch konnte eine proliferationsfördernde Wirkung in transduzierten Zellen festgestellt werden. Auch durch sequenzielle Transduktion der Zielzellen konnte keine Steigerung der Proliferationsrate induziert werden. Durch Verwendung von 50 fach konzentrierten SV40T-codierenden TraFo-VP konnte der mRNA-Transfer erhöht werden, wodurch dann auch die SV40T-Proteinexpression in den transduzierten Zellen nachweisbar wurde. Zudem konnte erstmalig gezeigt werden, dass sich im zeitlichen Verlauf sowohl die zellassoziierte SV40T-mRNA als auch die SV40T-Proteinkonzentration verringerte, bis sie nicht mehr nachweisbar war. Dabei konnte jedoch auch mit den konzentrierten TraFo VP keine nachweisbare transiente Immortalisierung primärer HCEC erreicht werden. Zusammenfassend kann festgestellt werden, dass eine permanente genetische Manipulation mit den viralen PF und dem 4D-Komplex eine Verlängerung der replikativen Lebensdauer ermöglichte und damit einhergehend die Immortalisierung primärer HCEC. Obgleich eine transiente Immortalisierung primärer HCEC mit den getesteten Systemen in dieser Arbeit nicht möglich war, ist eine klinische Anwendung des TraFo-VS, nicht aber des IDLV-Systems, in der angewandten Form, vielversprechend, um die Verfügbarkeit von qualitativ geeignetem Spendergewebe für die Transplantation bzw. Zellen für das Bioengineering des Hornhautendothels zu erhöhen. Daneben könnte das TraFo-VS ebenfalls genutzt werden, um andere zelluläre Funktionen in HCEC oder auch anderen Zielzellen transient zu modifizieren, z. B. Ionenfluss, replikative Seneszenz, Phagozytose oder Apoptose. / Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) form a monolayer of differentiated cells on the posterior surface of the cornea and are essential for maintaining corneal transparency. HCECs show almost no proliferative activity in vivo and only limited proliferative capacity in vitro. With excessive cell loss due to trauma, disease, or age-related degeneration, corneal transparency may be irreversibly compromised, and donor cornea transplantation may be required to restore vision. In this context, the global limitations in the medical supply of high-quality donor corneas are currently the most significant obstacle to the treatment of cornea-associated diseases. Cell replacement strategies using in vitro cultured donor cells of sufficient quantity and quality could complement the largely exhausted logistic approaches to alleviate donor shortage. The development of a method for strictly transient in vitro and in situ replication of primary HCECs without loss of their natural morphological characteristics would allow the production of well-characterized grafts derived from primary HCECs. To this end, I first aimed to identify different proliferation factors (PF) that provoke a robust proliferation-promoting signal in primary HCECs through stable retroviral gene transfer of candidate PF genes with integration-competent lentiviral vectors (ICLVs). Additionally, the pseudotyping of ICLV particles with alternative viral glycoproteins should reduce cytopathic effects and increase transduction efficiency. Subsequently, it should be clarified to what extent the identified PFs are capable of stimulating the proliferation of primary HCEC for a limited duration in a non-transformed context. Using different retroviral expression systems, I attempted to develop a clinically applicable system that allowed controlled, time-limited stimulation of proliferation while circumventing tumor-like cell growth. For this purpose, 1) integrase-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLV), which allow transient transgene expression by direct transcription of the episomal DNA vector genome, and 2) the transient foamy virus vector system (TraFo-VS), which is based on encapsidation and transfer of non-viral mRNA in permissive target cells, were used. It was shown that ICLV pseudotypes containing either an SFVmcy glycoprotein variant (ICLVSFV) or the VSV-G protein (ICLVVSV) exhibited significant transduction efficiency without eliciting cytotoxic effects in target cells, highlighting both as viable candidates. Employing the optimized ICLV system, three PFs were identified that enabled reproducible immortalization of primary HCECs through stable expression after transduction with the ICLV pseudotypes. These included the cyclin D1/CDK4 protein complex (4D), the SV40 T antigens (SV40T), and the transforming proteins E6 and E7 (E6/E7) of HPV16. It was also shown that proliferation of transduced primary HCEC could be significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner following stable transduction with PF encoding ICLV particles. However, studies conducted using IDLV variants showed that PF-transduced HCEC exhibited a comparable proliferative behavior to their stably transduced equivalents. This demonstrated the residual, non-canonical integration capacity of IDLV particles especially in the context of potent PF expression. After successful transduction with TraFo-VP, the transferred PF-encoding mRNA could be detected in primary cells. However, application of this system did not result in detectable PF protein expression, nor could a proliferation-promoting phenotype be detected in transduced cells. Sequential transduction of target cells also failed to induce an increased proliferation rate. By using 50-fold concentrated SV40T-encoding TraFo-VPs, mRNA transfer could be increased, enabling detectable SV40T protein expression in transduced cells. In addition, it was shown for the first time that both cell-associated SV40T mRNA and SV40T protein levels decreased over time until they were no longer detectable. No observable transient immortalization of primary HCEC could be achieved even with the concentrated SV40T-encoding TraFo-VP. In conclusion, permanent genetic manipulation with the viral PFs and 4D protein complex allowed the prolonging of the cellular replicative lifespan in vitro and concomitant immortalization of primary HCEC. Although transient immortalization of primary HCECs was not possible with the systems tested in this investigation, clinical application of the TraFo-VS, but not the IDLV system as applied, remains a promising approach to increase the availability of suitable donor tissue for transplantation or cells for corneal endothelial bioengineering. Additionally, the TraFo-VS could also be used to transiently modify other cellular functions in HCEC or other target cells, e.g., ion flux, replicative senescence, phagocytosis, or apoptosis, for further cell biological research approaches.

Foamy viruses (FVs) or heterologous retroviruses pseudotyped with FV glycoprotein enable transduction of a great variety of target tissues of disparate species. Specific cellular entry receptors responsible for this exceptionally broad tropism await their identification. Though, ubiquitously expressed heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HS-PG) is known to serve as an attachment factor of FV envelope (Env)-containing virus particles, greatly enhancing target cell permissiveness. Production of high-titer, FV Env-containing retroviral vectors is strongly dependent on the use of cationic polymer-based transfection reagents like polyethyleneimine (PEI). We identified packaging cell-surface HS-PG expression to be responsible for this requirement. Efficient release of FV Env-containing virus particles necessitates neutralization of HS-PG binding sites by PEI. Remarkably, remnants of PEI in FV Env-containing vector supernatants, which are not easily removable, negatively impact target cell transduction, in particular those of myeloid and lymphoid origin. To overcome this limitation for production of FV Env-containing retrovirus supernatants, we generated 293T-based packaging cell lines devoid of HS-PG by genome engineering. This enabled, for the first, time production of inhibitor-free, high-titer FV Env-containing virus supernatants by non-cationic polymer-mediated transfection. Depending on the type of virus, produced titers were 2- to 10-fold higher compared with those obtained by PEI transfection.