Differences in vector-genome processing and illegitimate integration of non-integrating lentiviral vectors

Gene Ther. 2017 Jan;24(1):12-20. doi: 10.1038/gt.2016.69. Epub 2016 Sep 28.

Abstract

A variety of mutations in lentiviral vector expression systems have been shown to generate a non-integrating phenotype. We studied a novel 12 base-pair U3-long terminal repeats (LTR) integrase (IN) attachment site deletion (U3-LTR att site) mutant and found similar physical titers to the previously reported IN catalytic core mutant IN/D116N. Both mutations led to a greater than two log reduction in vector integration; with IN/D116N providing lower illegitimate integration frequency, whereas the U3-LTR att site mutant provided a higher level of transgene expression. The improved expression of the U3-LTR att site mutant could not be explained solely based on an observed modest increase in integration frequency. In evaluating processing, we noted significant differences in unintegrated vector forms, with the U3-LTR att site mutant leading to a predominance of 1-LTR circles. The mutations also differed in the manner of illegitimate integration. The U3-LTR att site mutant vector demonstrated IN-mediated integration at the intact U5-LTR att site and non-IN-mediated integration at the mutated U3-LTR att site. Finally, we combined a variety of mutations and modifications and assessed transgene expression and integration frequency to show that combining modifications can improve the potential clinical utility of non-integrating lentiviral vectors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gene Targeting / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics*
  • Genome, Human*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Lentivirus / genetics*
  • Mutation
  • Terminal Repeat Sequences
  • Transgenes
  • Virus Integration / genetics*

Substances

  • Integrases