MANNOSE-6-PHOSPHATE BEARING PEPTIDES FUSED TO LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES
A targeted therapeutic including a lysosomal enzyme and a lysosomal targeting moiety that is a peptide containing at least one N-linked glycosylation site. Methods of producing the targeted therapeutic may include nucleotide acids encoding the same and host cells co-expressing GNPT. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the targeted therapeutic and methods of using the same to treat a lysosomal storage disease.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/036,082, filed Aug. 11, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDMore than forty lysosomal storage diseases are caused, directly or indirectly, by the absence or deficiency of one or more lysosomal enzymes. Sanfilippo syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS III), is one such disease. It is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the deficiency of enzymes involved in the degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG).
Four distinct forms of MPS III, designated MPS MA, B, C, and D, have been identified. Each is characterized by the absence or deficiency of a different lysosomal enzyme. Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB; Sanfilippo B disease) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (Naglu), resulting in the accumulation of heparan sulfate in lysosomes of particularly neurons and glial cells in the brain, with additional lysosomal accumulation of heparan sulfate elsewhere. MPS IIIB manifests itself primarily in the brain.
Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been used to deliver enzymes for the treatment of various lysosomal storage diseases. Normally, lysosomal enzymes are synthesized in the cytosol and then traverse the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they are glycosylated with N-linked, high mannose type carbohydrates. In the Golgi apparatus, high mannose carbohydrates on glycoproteins are then modified by a series of glycotransferases to become mature N-glycan; one of the modifications is the addition of mannose-6-phosphate (M6P). Proteins carrying this modification are then targeted to the lysosome via binding of the M6P moiety to the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR). Efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy is critically dependent on proper lysosomal targeting of the replacement enzyme. However, recombinantly produced Naglu protein is characterized by a dramatic lack of M6P phosphorylation, making lysosomal targeting of this enzyme and its effective use for ERT very difficult.
Therefore, there remains a need to develop alternative methods for lysosomal targeting to ensure effective enzyme replacement therapy.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides a targeted therapeutic including a lysosomal enzyme and a lysosomal targeting moiety, wherein the lysosomal targeting moiety is a peptide containing at least one N-linked glycosylation site.
In some embodiments, the peptide contains N-linked glycosylation. In some embodiments, the peptide contains N-linked glycosylation containing a M6P group.
In some embodiments, the lysosomal enzyme is selected from Table 2. In some embodiments, lysosomal enzyme is an N-Acetylglucosaminidase (Naglu) protein. In some embodiments, the Naglu protein includes an amino acid sequence at least 80%, 90% or 95% identical to SEQ ID NO.: 1. In some embodiments, the Naglu protein includes an amino acid sequence identical to SEQ ID NO.: 1.
In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is a peptide selected from the group consisting of prosaposin, leukemia inhibitory factor, cellular repressor of E1A-stimulate genes, and fragments thereof. In some embodiments, the peptide includes a sequence at least 80%, 90% or 95% identical to SEQ ID NO. 4, 6, or 9. In some embodiments, the peptide includes a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO. 4, 6, or 9.
In some embodiments, the targeted therapeutic is a fusion protein. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is fused to the N-terminus of the lysosomal enzyme. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is fused to the C-terminus of the lysosomal enzyme. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety and the lysosomal enzyme is fused via a linker. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a sequence of GAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGG GAP (SEQ ID NO.: 15). In some embodiments, the fusion protein is at least 80% or 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18, 19 or 20. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18, 19 or 20.
In some embodiments, the targeted therapeutic is a fusion protein. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is fused to the N-terminus of the lysosomal enzyme. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is fused to the C-terminus of the lysosomal enzyme. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety and the lysosomal enzyme arc fused via a linker. In some embodiments, the linker comprises a sequence of GAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGG GAP (SEQ ID NO.: 15). In some embodiments, the fusion protein is at least 80% or 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 23, 24 or 25. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 23, 24 or 25.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a nucleic acid encoding any of the fusion proteins disclosed herein. In one aspect, the present invention provides a vector including any one of the nucleic acids disclosed herein, and a host cell including said vector. In some embodiments, the host cell is selected from a bacterial, yeast, insect, mammalian, or human cell. In some embodiments, the cell is a CHO cell line.
In some embodiments, the host cell co-expresses N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphoTransferase (GNPT). In some embodiments, the host cell includes an exogenous nucleic acid encoding GNPT. In some embodiments, the host cell has activated expression of endogenous GNPT.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a targeted therapeutic fusion protein, comprising culturing cells comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein described herein, wherein the cells co-express N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphoTransferase (GNPT), and recovering the fusion protein produced by the cells.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition including any of the targeted therapeutics described herein, and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier. In one aspect, the the present invention provides a method of treating a lysosomal storage disease by administering to a subject in need of treatment any of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In some embodiments, the lysosomal storage disease is Sanfilippo syndrome type B. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered intravenously, subcutaneously, intrathecally and/or combinations thereof.
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- (B) brain tissue, following intrathecal delivery of vehicle control or Naglu-SapDC or Naglu-LIF fusion proteins to Naglu knock-out mice.
In order for the present invention to be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined below. Additional definitions for the following terms and other terms are set forth throughout the specification.
Alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase: As used herein, the term “alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase” refers to enzymes capable of hydrolyzing terminal non-reducing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosaminides. Alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase is also known as alpha-acety-glucosaminidase, N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosaminidase, N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase and alpha-D-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucosidase.
Approximately or about: As used herein, the term “approximately” or “about,” as applied to one or more values of interest, refers to a value that is similar to a stated reference value. In certain embodiments, the term “approximately” or “about” refers to a range of values that fall within 25%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less in either direction (greater than or less than) of the stated reference value unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).
Amelioration: As used herein, the term “amelioration” is meant the prevention, reduction or palliation of a state, or improvement of the state of a subject. Amelioration includes, but does not require complete recovery or complete prevention of a disease condition. In some embodiments, amelioration includes increasing levels of relevant protein or its activity that is deficient in relevant disease tissues.
Amino Acid: As used herein, term “amino acid,” in its broadest sense, refers to any compound and/or substance that can be incorporated into a polypeptide chain. In some embodiments, an amino acid has the general structure H2N—C(H)(R)—COOH. In some embodiments, an amino acid is a naturally occurring amino acid. In some embodiments, an amino acid is a synthetic amino acid; in some embodiments, an amino acid is a d-amino acid; in some embodiments, an amino acid is an 1-amino acid. “Standard amino acid” refers to any of the twenty standard 1-amino acids commonly found in naturally occurring peptides. “Nonstandard amino acid” refers to any amino acid, other than the standard amino acids, regardless of whether it is prepared synthetically or obtained from a natural source. As used herein, “synthetic amino acid” encompasses chemically modified amino acids, including but not limited to salts, amino acid derivatives (such as amides), and/or substitutions. Amino acids, including carboxy- and/or amino-terminal amino acids in peptides, can be modified by methylation, amidation, acetylation, protecting groups, and/or substitution with other chemical groups that can change the peptide's circulating half-life without adversely affecting their activity. Amino acids may participate in a disulfide bond. Amino acids may comprise one or posttranslational modifications, such as association with one or more chemical entities (e.g., methyl groups, acetate groups, acetyl groups, phosphate groups, formyl moieties, isoprenoid groups, sulfate groups, polyethylene glycol moieties, lipid moieties, carbohydrate moieties, biotin moieties, etc.). The term “amino acid” is used interchangeably with “amino acid residue,” and may refer to a free amino acid and/or to an amino acid residue of a peptide. It will be apparent from the context in which the term is used whether it refers to a free amino acid or a residue of a peptide.
Animal: As used herein, the term “animal” refers to any member of the animal kingdom. In some embodiments, “animal” refers to humans, at any stage of development. In some embodiments, “animal” refers to non-human animals, at any stage of development. In certain embodiments, the non-human animal is a mammal (e.g., a rodent, a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a monkey, a dog, a cat, a sheep, cattle, a primate, and/or a pig). In some embodiments, animals include, but are not limited to, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and/or worms. In some embodiments, an animal may be a transgenic animal, genetically-engineered animal, and/or a clone.
Biologically active: As used herein, the phrase “biologically active” (or biological activity) refers to a characteristic of any agent that has activity in a biological system, and particularly in an organism. For instance, an agent that, when administered to an organism, has a biological effect on that organism, is considered to be biologically active. In particular embodiments, where a protein or polypeptide is biologically active, a portion of that protein or polypeptide that shares at least one biological activity of the protein or polypeptide is typically referred to as a “biologically active” portion.
Cation-independent mannose-6 phosphate receptor (CI-M6PR): As used herein, the term “cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-M6PR)” refers to a cellular receptor that binds mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) tags on acid hydrolase (e.g., alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase) precursors in the Golgi apparatus that are destined for transport to the lysosome. In addition to mannose-6-phosphates, the CI-M6PR also binds certain proteins, including IGF-II. The CI-M6PR is also known as “CI-MPR”, “M6P/IGF-II receptor”, “CI-MPR/IGF-II receptor”, “CD222”, “MPR300”, “IGF-II receptor” or “IGF2 Receptor.” These terms and abbreviations thereof are used interchangeably herein.
Diluent: As used herein, the term “diluent” refers to a pharmaceutically acceptable (e.g., safe and non-toxic for administration to a human) diluting substance useful for the preparation of a reconstituted formulation. Exemplary diluents include sterile water, bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), a pH buffered solution (e.g. phosphate-buffered saline), sterile saline solution, Ringer's solution or dextrose solution.
Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT): As used herein, the term “enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)” refers to any therapeutic strategy that corrects an enzyme deficiency by providing the missing enzyme. In some embodiments, the missing enzyme is provided by intrathecal administration. In some embodiments, the missing enzyme is provided by infusing into bloodsteam. Once administered, enzyme is taken up by cells and transported to the lysosome, where the enzyme acts to eliminate material that has accumulated in the lysosomes due to the enzyme deficiency. Typically, for lysosomal enzyme replacement therapy to be effective, the therapeutic enzyme is delivered to lysosomes in the appropriate cells in target tissues where the storage defect is manifest.
Expression: As used herein, “expression” of a nucleic acid sequence refers to one or more of the following events: (1) production of an RNA template from a DNA sequence (e.g., by transcription); (2) processing of an RNA transcript (e.g., by splicing, editing, 5′ cap formation, and/or 3′ end formation); (3) translation of an RNA into a polypeptide or protein; and/or (4) post-translational modification of a polypeptide or protein. In this application, the terms “expression” and “production,” and grammatical equivalents, are used inter-changeably.
Glycan: As is known in the art and used herein “glycans” are sugars. Glycans can be monomers or polymers of sugar residues, but typically contain at least three sugars, and can be linear or branched. A glycan may include natural sugar residues (e.g., glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetyl neuraminic acid, galactose, mannose, fucose, hexose, arabinose, ribose, xylose, etc.) and/or modified sugars (e.g., 2′-fluororibose, 2′-deoxyribose, phosphomannose, 6′sulfo N-acetylglucosamine, etc). The term “glycan” includes homo and heteropolymers of sugar residues. The term “glycan” also encompasses a glycan component of a glycoconjugate (e.g., of a glycoprotein, glycolipid, proteoglycan, etc.). The term also encompasses free glycans, including glycans that have been cleaved or otherwise released from a glycoconjugate.
Glycoconjugate: The term “glycoconjugate”, as used herein, encompasses all molecules in which at least one sugar moiety is covalently linked to at least one other moiety. The term specifically encompasses all biomolecules with covalently attached sugar moieties, including for example N-linked glycoproteins, O-linked glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans, etc.
Glycoprotein: As used herein, the term “glycoprotein” refers to a protein that contains a peptide backbone covalently linked to one or more sugar moieties (i.e., glycans). As is understood by those skilled in the art, the peptide backbone typically comprises a linear chain of amino acid residues. In certain embodiments, the peptide backbone spans the cell membrane, such that it comprises a transmembrane portion, as well as an extracellular portion and/or an intracellular portion. In certain embodiments, a peptide backbone of a glycoprotein that spans the cell membrane comprises an intracellular portion, a transmembrane portion, and an extracellular portion. The sugar moiety(ies) may be in the form of monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and/or polysaccharides. The sugar moiety(ies) may comprise a single unbranched chain of sugar residues or may comprise one or more branched chains. In certain embodiments, sugar moieties may include sulfate and/or phosphate groups. Alternatively or additionally, sugar moieties may include acetyl, glycolyl, propyl or other alkyl modifications. Alternatively or additionally, sugar moieties may be modified by diacetylation. In certain embodiments, glycoproteins contain O-linked sugar moieties; in certain embodiments, glycoproteins contain N-linked sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, the sugar moiety is specifically a N-linked glycan containing a mannose-6-phosphate residue. In certain embodiments, methods disclosed herein comprise a step of analyzing therapeutic glycoproteins, liberated fragments (e.g., glycopeptides) of cell surface glycoproteins, cell surface glycans attached to cell surface glycoproteins, peptide backbones of cell surface glycoproteins, fragments of such glycoproteins, glycans and/or peptide backbones, and combinations thereof for their glycosylation pattern and/or level of M6P phoshorylation.
High mannose: As used herein, the term “high mannose” is used herein to describe proteins (e.g., Naglu) containing one or more Man9(GlcNAc)2, Man8(GlcNAc)2, Man7(GlcNAc)2, Man6(GlcNAc)2, and/or Man5(GlcNAc)2 N-linked oligosaccharides, or combinations thereof.
Homology: As used herein, the term “homology” (or the corresponding adjective “homogous”) refers to the overall relatedness of polymeric molecules, e.g., of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA molecules and/or RNA molecules) and/or between polypeptide molecules. In some embodiments, polymeric molecules are considered to be “homologous” to one another if their sequences are at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical. In some embodiments, polymeric molecules are considered to be “homologous” to one another if their sequences are at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% similar.
Identity: As used herein, the term “identity” refers to the overall relatedness of polymeric molecules, e.g., of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA molecules and/or RNA molecules) and/or of polypeptide molecules. Calculation of the percent identity of two nucleic acid sequences, for example, can be performed by aligning the two sequences for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second nucleic acid sequences for optimal alignment and non-identical sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). In certain embodiments, the length of a sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or substantially 100% of the length of the reference sequence. The nucleotides at corresponding nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which needs to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. For example, the percent identity between two nucleotide sequences can be determined using the algorithm of Meyers and Miller (CABIOS, 1989, 4: 11-17), which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0) using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4. The percent identity between two nucleotide sequences can, alternatively, be determined using the GAP program in the GCG software package using an NWSgapdna.CMP matrix.
Improve, increase, or reduce: As used herein, the terms “improve,” “increase” or “reduce,” or grammatical equivalents, indicate values that are relative to a baseline measurement, such as a measurement in the same individual prior to initiation of the treatment described herein, or a measurement in a control subject (or multiple control subject) in the absence of the treatment described herein. A “control subject” is a subject afflicted with the same form of disease as the subject being treated, who is about the same age as the subject being treated.
In Vitro: As used herein, the term “in vitro” refers to events that occur in an artificial environment, e.g., in a test tube or reaction vessel, in cell culture, etc., rather than within a multi-cellular organism.
In Vivo: As used herein, the term “in vivo” refers to events that occur within a multi-cellular organism, such as a human and a non-human animal. In the context of cell-based systems, the term may be used to refer to events that occur within a living cell (as opposed to, for example, in vitro systems).
Intrathecal administration: As used herein, the term “intrathecal administration” or “intrathecal injection” refers to an injection into the spinal canal (intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord). Various techniques may be used including, without limitation, lateral cerebroventricular injection through a burrhole or cisternal or lumbar puncture or the like. In some embodiments, “intrathecal administration” or “intrathecal delivery” according to the present invention refers to IT administration or delivery via the lumbar area or region, i.e., lumbar IT administration or delivery. As used herein, the term “lumbar region” or “lumbar area” refers to the area between the third and fourth lumbar (lower back) vertebrae and, more inclusively, the L2-S1 region of the spine.
Linker: As used herein, the term “linker” refers to, in a fusion protein, an amino acid sequence other than that appearing at a particular position in the natural protein and is generally designed to be flexible or to interpose a structure, such as an a-helix, between two protein moieties. A linker is also referred to as a spacer.
Lysosomal enzyme: As used herein, the term “lysosomal enzyme” refers to any enzyme that is capable of reducing accumulated materials in mammalian lysosomes or that can rescue or ameliorate one or more lysosomal storage disease symptoms. Lysosomal enzymes suitable for the invention include both wild-type or modified lysosomal enzymes and can be produced using recombinant and synthetic methods or purified from nature sources. Exemplary lysosomal enzymes are listed in Table 1.
Lysosomal enzyme deficiency: As used herein, “lysosomal enzyme deficiency” refers to a group of genetic disorders that result from deficiency in at least one of the enzymes that are required to break macromolecules (e.g., enzyme substrates) down to peptides, amino acids, monosaccharides, nucleic acids and fatty acids in lysosomes. As a result, individuals suffering from lysosomal enzyme deficiencies have accumulated materials in various tissues (e.g., CNS, liver, spleen, gut, blood vessel walls and other organs).
Lysosomal Storage Disease: As used herein, the term “lysosomal storage disease” refers to any disease resulting from the deficiency of one or more lysosomal enzymes necessary for metabolizing natural macromolecules. These diseases typically result in the accumulation of un-degraded molecules in the lysosomes, resulting in increased numbers of storage granules (also termed storage vesicles).
messenger RNA (mRNA): As used herein, the term “messenger RNA (mRNA)” refers to a polynucleotide that encodes at least one polypeptide. mRNA as used herein encompasses both modified and unmodified RNA. mRNA may contain one or more coding and non-coding regions.
Moiety: As used herein, the term “moiety” refers to a part or functional group of a molecule (e.g., a glycan or a protein). The “moiety” is used interchangeably with the term “residue” herein.
N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GNPT) protein: As used herein, the term N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GNPT) protein refers to enzymes capable of catalyzing the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate from UDP-GlcNAc to mannose residues on lysosomal hydrolases (e.g., alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase).
Nucleic acid: As used herein, the term “nucleic acid,” in its broadest sense, refers to any compound and/or substance that is or can be incorporated into a polynucleotide chain. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid is a compound and/or substance that is or can be incorporated into a polynucleotide chain via a phosphodiester linkage. In some embodiments, “nucleic acid” refers to individual nucleic acid residues (e.g., nucleotides and/or nucleosides). In some embodiments, “nucleic acid” refers to a polynucleotide chain comprising individual nucleic acid residues. In some embodiments, “nucleic acid” encompasses RNA as well as single and/or double-stranded DNA and/or cDNA. Furthermore, the terms “nucleic acid,” “DNA,” “RNA,” and/or similar terms include nucleic acid analogs, i.e., analogs having other than a phosphodiester backbone. For example, the so-called “peptide nucleic acids,” which are known in the art and have peptide bonds instead of phosphodiester bonds in the backbone, are considered within the scope of the present invention. The term “nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence” includes all nucleotide sequences that are degenerate versions of each other and/or encode the same amino acid sequence. Nucleotide sequences that encode proteins and/or RNA may include introns. Nucleic acids can be purified from natural sources, produced using recombinant expression systems and optionally purified, chemically synthesized, etc. Where appropriate, e.g., in the case of chemically synthesized molecules, nucleic acids can comprise nucleoside analogs such as analogs having chemically modified bases or sugars, backbone modifications, etc. A nucleic acid sequence is presented in the 5′ to 3′ direction unless otherwise indicated. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid is or comprises natural nucleosides (e.g., adenosine, thymidine, guanosine, cytidine, uridine, deoxyadenosine, deoxythymidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxycytidine); nucleoside analogs (e.g., 2-aminoadenosine, 2-thiothymidine, inosine, pyrrolo-pyrimidine, 3-methyl adenosine, 5-methylcytidine, C-5 propynyl-cytidine, C-5 propynyl-uridine, 2-aminoadenosine, C5-bromouridine, C5-fluorouridine, C5-iodouridine, C5-propynyl-uridine, C5-propynyl-cytidine, C5-methylcytidine, 2-aminoadenosine, 7-deazaadenosine, 7-deazaguanosine, 8-oxoadenosine, 8-oxoguanosine, O(6)-methylguanine, and 2-thiocytidine); chemically modified bases; biologically modified bases (e.g., methylated bases); intercalated bases; modified sugars (e.g., 2′-fluororibose, ribose, 2′-deoxyribose, arabinose, and hexose); and/or modified phosphate groups (e.g., phosphorothioates and 5′-N-phosphoramidite linkages). In some embodiments, the present invention is specifically directed to “unmodified nucleic acids,” meaning nucleic acids (e.g., polynucleotides and residues, including nucleotides and/or nucleosides) that have not been chemically modified in order to facilitate or achieve delivery.
Patient: As used herein, the term “patient” or “subject” refers to any organism to which a provided composition may be administered, e.g., for experimental, diagnostic, prophylactic, cosmetic, and/or therapeutic purposes. Typical patients include animals (e.g., mammals such as mice, rats, rabbits, non-human primates, and/or humans). In some embodiments, a patient is a human. A human includes pre and post natal forms.
Pharmaceutically acceptable: The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein, refers to substances that, within the scope of sound medical judgment, are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
Polypeptide: As used herein, a “polypeptide”, generally speaking, is a string of at least two amino acids attached to one another by a peptide bond. In some embodiments, a polypeptide may include at least 3-5 amino acids, each of which is attached to others by way of at least one peptide bond. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that polypeptides sometimes include “non-natural” amino acids or other entities that nonetheless are capable of integrating into a polypeptide chain, optionally.
Protein: As used herein, the term “protein” of “therapeutic protein” refers to a polypeptide (i.e., a string of at least two amino acids linked to one another by peptide bonds). Proteins may include moieties other than amino acids (e.g., may be glycoproteins, proteoglycans, etc.) and/or may be otherwise processed or modified. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a “protein” can be a complete polypeptide chain as produced by a cell (with or without a signal sequence), or can be a characteristic portion thereof. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that a protein can sometimes include more than one polypeptide chain, for example linked by one or more disulfide bonds or associated by other means. Polypeptides may contain 1-amino acids, d-amino acids, or both and may contain any of a variety of amino acid modifications or analogs known in the art. Useful modifications include, e.g., terminal acetylation, amidation, methylation, etc. In some embodiments, proteins may comprise natural amino acids, non-natural amino acids, synthetic amino acids, and combinations thereof. The term “peptide” is generally used to refer to a polypeptide having a length of less than about 100 amino acids, less than about 50 amino acids, less than 20 amino acids, or less than 10 amino acids. In some embodiments, proteins are antibodies, antibody fragments, biologically active portions thereof, and/or characteristic portions thereof.
Recombinant: As used herein, the term “recombinant” refers to DNA molecules, peptides, proteins or cells that are generated using recombinant DNA technology, as the term is commonly understood by the person gaving ordinary skill in the art.
Subject: As used herein, the term “subject” refers to a human or any non-human animal (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat, cattle, swine, sheep, horse or primate). A human includes pre- and post-natal forms. In many embodiments, a subject is a human being. A subject can be a patient, which refers to a human presenting to a medical provider for diagnosis or treatment of a disease. The term “subject” is used herein interchangeably with “individual” or “patient.” A subject can be afflicted with or is susceptible to a disease or disorder but may or may not display symptoms of the disease or disorder.
Substantially: As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to a an amount greater than 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% of the total amount.
Target tissues: As used herein, the term “target tissues” refers to any tissue that is affected by the lysosomal storage disease to be treated or any tissue in which the deficient lysosomal enzyme is normally expressed. In some embodiments, target tissues include those tissues in which there is a detectable or abnormally high amount of enzyme substrate, for example stored in the cellular lysosomes of the tissue, in patients suffering from or susceptible to the lysosomal storage disease. In some embodiments, target tissues include those tissues that display disease-associated pathology, symptom, or feature. In some embodiments, target tissues include those tissues in which the deficient lysosomal enzyme is normally expressed at an elevated level. As used herein, a target tissue may be a brain target tissue, a spinal cord target tissue and/or a peripheral target tissue. Exemplary target tissues are described in detail below.
Therapeutic Glycoprotein: As used herein, the term “Therapeutic Glycoprotein” refers to any glycoprotein that can act to replace at least in part the deficient or missing enzyme in a disease to be treated. In some embodiments, the term therapeutic glycoprotein, refers to lysosomal proteins (e.g., acid hydrolase) which may be localized, transported, processed and/or resides in the lysosome of the cell. In some embodiments, a therapeutic glycoprotein refers to a glycoprotein with enzyme activity (e.g., lysosomal enzyme) which can act to replace at least in part the deficient or missing lysosomal enzyme in a lysosomal storage disease to be treated. In some embodiments, a therapeutic glycoprotein is capable of reducing accumulated materials in mammalian lysosomes or that can rescue or ameliorate one or more lysosomal storage disease symptoms. Therapeutic glycoproteins suitable for the invention include both wild-type, modified or protein fusion of a lysosomal enzymes and can be produced using recombinant methods.
Therapeutically effective amount: As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” of a therapeutic agent means an amount that is sufficient, when administered to a subject suffering from or susceptible to a disease, disorder, and/or condition, to treat, diagnose, prevent, and/or delay the onset of the symptom(s) of the disease, disorder, and/or condition. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a therapeutically effective amount is typically administered via a dosing regimen comprising at least one unit dose.
Treatment: As used herein, the term “treatment” (also “treat” or “treating”) refers to any administration of a therapeutic (e.g., lysosomal enzyme) that partially or completely alleviates, ameliorates, relieves, inhibits, delays onset of, reduces severity of and/or reduces incidence of one or more symptoms or features of a particular disease, disorder, and/or condition (e.g., Hunters syndrome, Sanfilippo B syndrome). Such treatment may be of a subject who does not exhibit signs of the relevant disease, disorder and/or condition and/or of a subject who exhibits only early signs of the disease, disorder, and/or condition. Alternatively or additionally, such treatment may be of a subject who exhibits one or more established signs of the relevant disease, disorder and/or condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present invention provides targeted therapeutics containing a lysosomal enzyme and a lysosomal targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site, as well as methods of making the same and using the same for effective enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal storage diseases.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a lysosomal targeting moiety that is a peptide containing N-linked glycosylation containing a M6P group. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a targeted therapeutic wherein the lysosomal enzyme and the lysosomal targeting moiety are fused via a linker. In some embodiments, the present invention provides vectors including a nucleic acid encoding a targeted therapeutic, as well as host cells containing the same and co-expressing GNPT. In some embodiments, the lysosomal enzyme is Naglu.
Various aspects of the invention are described in further detail in the following subsections. The use of subsections is not meant to limit the invention. Each subsection may apply to any aspect of the invention. In this application, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise.
Therapeutic Lysosomal Enzymes—Naglu ProteinThe present inventors discovered unexpectedly that lysosomal enzymes could be targeted to the lysosome by connecting them to a targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site. The present invention provides targeted therapeutics containing a lysosomal enzyme and a lysosomal targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site. In some embodiments, a suitable therapeutic lysosomal enzyme in the context of the present invention is recombinant human Naglu protein. Alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidasc (Naglu) aids in the stepwise degradation of the heparan sulfate in lysosomes by removing GlcNAc (N-acetyl-glucosamine) from the non-reducing end of this glycosaminoglycan. A lack of Naglu leads to incomplete breakdown of heparan sulfate and the subsequent accumulation in lysosomes of the incomplete breakdown products. The absence of Naglu causes the fatal neurodegenerative disease Sanfilippo Type III B.
A suitable Naglu protein according to the present invention can be any molecule that can substitute for naturally-occurring Naglu protein activity or rescue one or more phenotypes or symptoms associated with Naglu-deficiency. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the invention is a polypeptide having an N-terminus and a C-terminus and an amino acid sequence substantially similar or identical to the mature human Naglu protein.
Typically, human Naglu is produced as a precursor molecule that is processed to a mature form. This process generally occurs by removing the 23 amino acid signal peptide as the protein enters the endoplasmic reticulum. Typically, the precursor form is also referred to as full-length precursor or full-length Naglu protein, which contains 743 amino acids. The N-terminal 23 amino acids are cleaved as the precursor protein enters the endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in a mature form. Thus, it is contemplated that the N-terminal 23 amino acids are generally not required for Naglu protein activity. However, the use of the full-length precursor of the Naglu protein is also contemplated within the scope of the instant invention. The amino acid sequences of the mature form (SEQ ID NO:1) and full-length precursor (SEQ ID NO:2) of a typical wild-type or naturally-occurring human Naglu protein are shown in Table 1 below.
Thus, in some embodiments, Naglu protein suitable for the present invention is mature human Naglu protein (SEQ ID NO:1). In some embodiments, a suitable Naglu protein may be a homologue or an orthologue of the mature human Naglu protein from a different species (e.g., mouse, rat, sheep, pig, dog, etc.). In other embodiments, a suitable Naglu protein may be a functional variant of the mature human Naglu protein. A functional variant of the mature human Naglu protein may be a modified mature human Naglu protein containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions as compared to a wild-type or naturally-occurring Naglu protein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), while substantially retaining the biological activity of Naglu protein. Thus, in some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention is substantially homologous to mature human Naglu protein (SEQ ID NO:1). In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention is substantially identical to mature human Naglu protein (SEQ ID NO:1). In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention contains a fragment or a portion of mature human Naglu protein.
Alternatively, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention is full-length Naglu protein. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable may be a homologue or an orthologue of full-length human Naglu protein from a different species (e.g. mouse, rat, sheep, pig, dog, etc.). In some embodiments, a suitable Naglu protein may be a functional variant of the full-length human Naglu protein containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions as compared to a wild-type or naturally-occurring full-length Naglu protein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2), while retaining substantial Naglu protein activity. Thus, In some embodiments, Naglu protein suitable for the present invention is substantially homologous to full-length human Naglu protein (SEQ ID NO:2). In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention is substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, a Naglu protein suitable for the present invention contains a fragment or a portion of full-length human Naglu protein. As used herein, a full-length Naglu protein typically contains signal peptide sequence.
As is well known in this art, amino acid or nucleic acid sequences may be compared using any of a variety of algorithms, including those available in commercial computer programs such as BLASTN for nucleotide sequences and BLASTP, gapped BLAST, and PSI-BLAST for amino acid sequences. Exemplary such programs are described in Altschul, et al., Basic local alignment search tool, J. Mol. Biol., 215(3): 403-410, 1990; Altschul, et al., Methods in Enzymology; Altschul, et al., “Gapped BLAST and PSI-BLAST: a new generation of protein database search programs”, Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, 1997; Baxevanis, et al., Bioinformatics: A Practical Guide to the Analysis of Genes and Proteins, Wiley, 1998; and Misener, et al., (eds.), Bioinformatics Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 132), Humana Press, 1999; all of the foregoing of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition to identifying homologous sequences, the programs mentioned above typically provide an indication of the degree of homology. In some embodiments, two sequences are considered to be substantially homologous if 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 more of their corresponding residues are homologous over a relevant stretch of residues. In some embodiments, the relevant stretch is a complete sequence. In some embodiments, the relevant stretch is 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 95, at least 100, at least 125, at least 150, at least 175, at least 200, at least 225, at least 250, at least 275, at least 300, at least 325, at least 350, at least 375, at least 400, at least 425, at least 450, at least 475, at least 500 or more residues.
The phrase “substantial identity” is used herein to refer to a comparison between amino acid or nucleic acid sequences. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, two sequences are generally considered to be “substantially identical” if they contain identical residues in corresponding positions. As is well known in this art, amino acid or nucleic acid sequences may be compared using any of a variety of algorithms, including those available in commercial computer programs such as BLASTN for nucleotide sequences and BLASTP, gapped BLAST, and PSI-BLAST for amino acid sequences. Exemplary such programs are described in Altschul, et al., Basic local alignment search tool, J. Mol. Biol., 215(3): 403-410, 1990; Altschul, et al., Methods in Enzymology; Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, 1997; Baxevanis et al., Bioinformatics: A Practical Guide to the Analysis of Genes and Proteins, Wiley, 1998; and Misener, et al., (eds.), Bioinformatics Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 132), Humana Press, 1999. In addition to identifying identical sequences, the programs mentioned above typically provide an indication of the degree of identity. In some embodiments, two sequences are considered to be substantially identical if at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more of their corresponding residues are identical over a relevant stretch of residues. In some embodiments, the relevant stretch is a complete sequence. In some embodiments, the relevant stretch is at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500 or more residues.
Alternative Therapeutic Lysosomal EnzymesThe present inventors discovered unexpectedly that lysosomal enzymes could be targeted to the lysosome by connecting them to a targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site. Thus, the present invention provides targeted therapeutics containing a lysosomal enzyme and a lysosomal targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site. A suitable therapeutic lysosomal enzyme in the context of the present invention is any protein which has been shown to play a role in the development or treatment of a lysosomal storage disease, in particular those lysosomal storage diseases having CNS etiology and/or symptoms, including, but not limited to, aspartylglucosaminuria, cholesterol ester storage disease, Wolman disease, cystinosis, Danon disease, Fabry disease, Farber lipogranulomatosis, Farber disease, fucosidosis, galactosialidosis types I/II, Gaucher disease types I/II/III, globoid cell leukodystrophy, Krabbe disease, glycogen storage disease II, Pompe disease, GM1-gangliosidosis types I/II/III, GM2-gangliosidosis type I, Tay Sachs disease, GM2-gangliosidosis type II, Sandhoff disease, GM2-gangliosidosis, α-mannosidosis types I/II, .beta.-mannosidosis, metachromatic leukodystrophy, mucolipidosis type I, sialidosis types I/II, mucolipidosis types II/III, I-cell disease, mucolipidosis type IIIC pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy, mucopolysaccharidosis type I, mucopolysaccharidosis type II, mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA, Sanfilippo syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB, mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIC, mucopolysaccharidosis type IIID, mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA, Morquio syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB, mucopolysaccharidosis type VI, mucopolysaccharidosis type VII, Sly syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis type IX, multiple sulfatase deficiency, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, CLN1 Batten disease, CLN2 Batten diseae, Niemann-Pick disease types A/B, Niemann-Pick disease type C1, Niemann-Pick disease type C2, pycnodysostosis, Schindler disease types I/II, Gaucher disease and sialic acid storage disease.
A detailed review of the genetic etiology, clinical manifestations, and molecular biology of lysosomal storage diseases are detailed in Scriver et al., eds., The Metabolic and Molecular Basis of Inherited Disease, 7.sup.th Ed., Vol. II, McGraw Hill, (1995). The enzymes deficient in the above diseases are generally known to those of skill in the art; some of these are exemplified in Table 2 below:
In some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention is the human wildtype protein. In some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme may be a homologue or an orthologue of the human wildtype protein from a different species (e.g., mouse, rat, sheep, pig, dog, etc.). In other embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention may be a functional variant of the human wildtype protein. A functional variant of the human wildtype protein may be a modified human wildtype protein containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions as compared to a wild-type or naturally-occurring protein, while substantially retaining the biological activity of the human wildtype protein. Thus, in some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention is substantially homologous to the human wildtype protein. In some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homologous to the human wildtype protein. In some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention is substantially identical to the human wildtype protein. In some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to the human wildtype protein. In some embodiments, a therapeutic lysosomal enzyme suitable for the present invention contains a fragment or a portion of the human wildtype protein.
Lysosomal Targeting MoietyThe present inventors discovered unexpectedly that lysosomal enzymes could be targeted to the lysosome by connecting them to a targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site. Thus, the present invention provides targeted therapeutics containing a lysosomal enzyme and a lysosomal targeting moiety containing a N-linked glycosylation site.
The present invention contemplates that any peptide may be used within the scope of the present invention as long as it has a N-linked glycosylation site. N-linked glycosylation sites may be predicted by computer algorithms and software, many of which are generally known in the art. Alternatively, N-linked glycosylation may be determined experimentally using any one of the many assays generally known in the art. Non-limiting examples of such assays are provided in the Examples section herein.
Suitable targeting moieties may be derived from proteins or peptides including, but not limited to, IGF-I, Kif, ApoE, TAT, RAP, p97, Plasminogen, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Peptide (LIF), Cellular Repressor of E1A-Stimulated Genes Peptide (CREG), Human Sortlin-1 Propeptide (SPP), Human Prosaposin peptide (SapDC) and Progranulin. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is any protein, peptide, or fragment thereof that binds the CI-M6PR, in a mannose-6-phosphate-dependent manner. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is any protein, peptide, or fragment thereof that binds directly to a region, domain and/or extracellular portion of CI-M6PR. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is any protein, peptide, or fragment thereof that binds directly to a region, domain and/or extracellular portion of CI-M6PR via a M6P residue.
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is derived from human Prosaposin (SEQ ID NO:3). In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is a Prosaposin sequence of a wild-type or naturally-occurring human Prosaposin protein. In some embodiments, an amino acid sequence comprising the C terminal region and D functional domain of Prosaposin is used (SEQ ID NO:4)
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Prosaposin sequence containing amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety has a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence of human Prosaposin (SEQ ID NO:3). In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a fragment of human Prosaposin. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Prosaposin DC peptide (SapDC) sequence containing amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety has a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to SapDC (SEQ ID NO:4). In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a fragment of SapDC. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety contains human Prosaposin (SEQ ID NO:3) or SapDC (SEQ ID NO:4) that has one or more N-terminal, C-terminal or internal deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Prosaposin or SapDC peptide that has diminished binding affinity for receptors.
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is derived from human Leukemia inhibitory Factor (SEQ ID NO:5). In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is a Leukemia inhibitory Factor sequence of a wild-type or naturally-occurring human Leukemia inhibitory Factor protein. In some embodiments, an amino acid sequence comprises the signal peptide, glycosylation sites, helices A, B, C and/or D of the 4 helix bundle and combinations thereof, of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor. In some embodiments, an amino acid peptide sequence comprising the signal peptide, glycosylation sites, helices A, B, C and D of the 4 helix bundle and various mutations (LIF) is used (SEQ ID NO:6).
Sites within LIF Sequence
-
- (N)—denotes glycosylation sites
- { }—denoates mutations made to alter recognition of the receptor gp130; [[ ]]—denotes mutations made to alter recognition of the receptor for Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Leukemia inhibitory Factor sequence containing amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety has a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence of Leukemia inhibitory Factor (SEQ ID NO:5). In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a fragment of human Leukemia inhibitory Factor. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human LIF sequence (SEQ ID NO:6) containing amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety has a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to LIF (SEQ ID NO:6). In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a fragment of LIF. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety contains human Leukemia inhibitory Factor (SEQ ID NO:5) or LIF (SEQ ID NO:6) that has one or more N-terminal, C-terminal or internal deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Leukemia inhibitory Factor or LIF peptide that has diminished binding affinity for the LIF receptor and/or alternative binding proteins, such as but not limited to, pg130.
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is derived from human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes protein (SEQ ID NO:7). In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is a Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes sequence of a wild-type or naturally-occurring human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes protein.
In some embodiments, an amino acid sequence not comprising the sequence of the signal peptide of Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes, and not comprising the internal peptide of the sequence DPQS (SEQ ID NO:8) of Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes is used, resulting in Human Repressor of E1-stimulated Genes Peptide (CREG) (SEQ ID NO:9), is used.
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes sequence containing amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety has a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence of human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes (SEQ ID NO:7). In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a fragment of human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes sequence containing amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety has a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes Peptide (CREG) (SEQ ID NO:9). In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a fragment of CREG. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety contains human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes (SEQ ID NO:7) or CREG (SEQ ID NO:9) that has one or more N-terminal, C-terminal or internal deletions. In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is a modified human Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes or CREG that has diminished binding affinity for receptors.
Various additional lysosomal targeting moieties are known in the art and can be used to practice the present invention. For example, certain peptide-based lysosomal targeting moieties are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,396,811, 7,560,424, and 7,629,309; U.S. Application Publication Nos. 2003-0082176, 2004-0006008, 2003-0072761, 20040005309, 2005-0281805, 2005-0244400, and international publications WO 03/032913, WO 03/032727, WO 02/087510, WO 03/102583, WO 2005/078077, WO/2009/137721, the entire disclosures of which arc incorporated herein by reference.
In some embodiments, a lysosomal targeting moiety is any polypeptide that is M6P phosphorylated by the cell. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is capable of binding to the CI-M6PR. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is an amino acid sequence found within a protein selected from the group consisting of Cathepsin B, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin L, Beta-Glucuroidase, Beta-Mannosidase, Alpha-Fucosidase, Beta-Hexosaminidase, Arylsulfatase, Beta-Galactosidase, Phosphomannan, Latent TGFbeta, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor, Proliferin, Prorcnin, Herpes Simplex Virus, PI-LLC cleaved GPI anchor, Rctinoic Acid, IGFII, Plasminogen, Thyroglobulin, TGFbetaR-V, CD87, GTP-binding Proteins (Gi-1, Gi-2 and Gi-3), HA-I Adaptin, HA-II Adaptin and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence includes a domain, fragment, region or segment of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of Cathepsin B, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin L, Beta-Glucuroidase, Beta-Mannosidase, Alpha-Fucosidase, Beta-Hexosaminidase, Arylsulfatase, Beta-Galactosidase, Phosphomannan, Latent TGFbeta, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor, Proliferin, Prorenin, Herpes Simplex Virus, PI-LLC cleaved GPI anchor, Retinoic Acid, IGFII, Plasminogen, Thyroglobulin, TGFbetaR-V, CD87, GTP-binding Proteins (Gi-1, Gi-2 and Gi-3), HA-I Adaptin, HA-II Adaptin and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is produced synthetically. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is produced recombinantely. Both approaches are widely used in the art and described, for example, in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2001).
Linking the Lysosomal Targeting Moiety With the Lysosomal Enzyme—Fusion ProteinsThe lysosomal targeting moiety may be coupled to the lysosomal enzyme in any of the ways generally known in the art. Non-limiting examples include creating a fusion protein by genetic means or by chemical coupling. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is fused to the N-terminus of the lysosomal enzyme, and in other embodiments the lysosomal targeting moiety is fused to the C-terminus of the lysosomal enzyme. In some embodiments, the lysosomal targeting moiety is located internally, i.e., within the lysosomal enzyme polypeptide. Creating fusion proteins is standard in the art described in detail in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2001). It is contemplated that within in the scope of the invention more than one lysosomal targeting moiety may be coupled with a suitable lysosomal enzyme.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the targeted therapeutic is a fusion protein. A fusion protein is a polypeptide that is generated from two or more smaller polypeptides. Fusion proteins may be made by recombinant DNA technology, which is standard in the art and described in detail in Sambrook et al.
Non-limiting examples of fusion proteins within the scope of the present invention are disclosed in the Examples section herein. In some embodiments, the fusion proteins have one of the following amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NO: 23, 24, 25 or 26. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% identical to any one of these sequences.
Linker or SpacerA lysosomal targeting moiety may be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of a suitable lysosomal enzyme polypeptide, or inserted internally. The lysosomal targeting moiety may be fused directly to the lysosomal enzyme polypeptide or may be separated from the lysosomal enzyme polypeptide by a linker or a spacer. An amino acid linker or spacer is generally designed to be flexible or to interpose a structure, such as an alpha-helix, between the two protein moieties. A linker or spacer may be relatively short, such as a poly “GAG” sequence GGGGGAAAAGGGG (SEQ ID NO:10), a “GAP” sequence of GAP (SEQ ID NO:11), a “PolyGP” sequence of GGGGGP (SEQ ID NO:12), or can be longer, such as, for example, 10-50 (e.g., 10-20, 10-25, 10-30, 10-35, 10-40, 10-45, 10-50) amino acids in length. In some embodiments, various short linker sequences can be present in tandem repeats. For example, a suitable linker may contain the “GAG” amino acid sequence of GGGGGAAAAGGGG (SEQ ID NO:10) present in tandem repeats. In some embodiments, such as linker may further contain one or more “GAP” sequences, that frames the “GAG” sequence of GGGGGAAAAGGGG (SEQ ID NO:10). For example, in some embodiments a GAG2 linker may be used, which contains two tandem “GAG” repeats, each framed by a “GAP” sequence, such as GAPGGGGGAAAAGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAGGGGGAP (SEQ ID NO:13). In some embodiments a GAG3 linker may be used, which contains three tandem “GAG” repeats, each framed by two “GAP” sequences, such as GAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGG GAP (SEQ ID NO:14). In some embodiments, a suitable linker or spacer may contain a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:14.
In some embodiments, a suitable linker or spacer may contain the following sequence: GAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGG GAP (SEQ ID NO.: 15). In some embodiments, a suitable linker or spacer may contain a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:15.
VectorsIn one aspect, the invention provides a nucleic acid encoding any of the fusion proteins disclosed herein. In one aspect, the present invention provides a vector including said nucleic acid. The term nucleic acid is described in detail in the definition section herein. Vectors for expression of the proteins described herein and/or other components of the invention include plasmid vectors, as well as double or single-stranded RNA or DNA viral vectors. Vectors may be introduced directly into cells as DNA or through indirect use of phages and viruses. Vectors are commonly known in th art and described in detail in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2001).
Host CellsIn one aspect, the present invention provides a host cell including a vector. Suitable host cells can be derived from a variety of organisms, including, but not limited to, mammals, plants, birds (e.g., avian systems), insects, yeast, and bacteria. In some embodiments, host cells are mammalian cells. Any mammalian cell susceptible to cell culture, and to expression of polypeptides, may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as a host cell. Non-limiting examples of mammalian cells that may be used in accordance with the present invention include human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293), HeLa cells; BALB/c mouse myeloma line (NSW, ECACC No: 85110503); human retinoblasts (PER.C6 (CruCell, Leiden, The Netherlands)); monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651); human fibrosarcomacell line (e.g., HT-1080); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth in suspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen Virol., 36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL 10); Chinese hamster ovary cells +/−DHFR (CHO, Urlaub and Chasin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:4216 (1980)); mouse sertoli cells (TM4, Mather, Biol. Reprod., 23:243-251 (1980)); monkey kidney cells (CV1 ATCC CCL 70); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76, ATCC CRL-1 587); human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa, ATCC CCL 2); canine kidney cells (MDCK, ATCC CCL 34); buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A, ATCC CRL 1442); human lung cells (W138, ATCC CCL 75); human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065); mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562, ATCC CCL51); TRI cells (Mather et al., Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci., 383:44-68 (1982)); MRC 5 cells; FS4 cells; a human hepatoma line (Hep G2), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO cells), human cell line CAP and AGE1.HN, and Glycotope's panel.
In some embodiments, host cells are non-mammalian cells. Suitable non-mammalian cells include prokaryotes, archae, yeast and other eukaryotic cells. Non-limiting examples of non-mammalian host cells suitable for the present invention include yeast cells and cell lines derived from Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica, Pichia angusta, Schizosacccharomyces pombe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Yarrowia lipolytica; insect cells and cell lines derived from Sodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusis ni, Drosophila melanogaster and Manduca sexta; and cells nd cell lines derived from Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridia perfringens, Clostridia difficile; and amphibian cells and cell lines derived Xenopus Laevis.
GNPTIn some embodiments of the present invention, the host cell co-expresses GNPT. Typically, therapeutic glycoproteins, such as lysosomal enzymes, are heavily influenced by a post-translational modification in order to ensure proper function. As described throughout the specification, lysosomal proteins belong to a class of enzymes known as acid hydrolases and are synthesized as soluble or membrane-integrated glycoproteins at the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The N-linked oligosaccharides of the soluble lysosomal enzymes are modified along the transit to and through the Golgi complex to expose mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) recognition markers. These M6P recognition markers are recognized in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) by cation mannose-6-phosphate receptors (CI-M6PR), which results in clustering and packaging into AP1-clathrin-coated vesicles. After fusion with endosomes, the receptors release their ligands, delivering the lysosmal enzymes to a newly formed lysosome. In the event lysosomal proteins fail to bind M6P receptors in the trans-Golgi network, such as in the case of I-cell disease in which there is a deficiency in the phosphotrasferase, the proteins are secreted from the cell resulting in excessive amount of lysomal enzymes in body fluids such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, tears and urine. Since cation mannose-6-phosphate receptors are important for the recycling and retrograde movement of lysosomal enzymes to and from the cell surface, the CI-M6PR can serve as an important target for lysosmal-mediated cellular delivery of a therapeutic glycoprotein in enzyme replacement therapy.
Given the cellular importance of protein targeting, modification of N-linked oligosaccharides to expose mannose-6-phosphate recognition tags, as in the case of lysosomal enzymes, is tightly regulated. The M6P residues are generated in a two-step process. First, N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate is attached to the C6-hydroxyl group of mannose, followed by removal of N-acetylglucosamine. The first reaction is catalyzed by the UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylgucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GNPT), while the second is by an alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase. GNPT enzyme is a hexameric complex containing three distinct subunits (α, β, γ). The lysosomal protein binds within the active cleft of the molecule, where the enzyme catalyzes the addition of N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate to the protein; making use of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) as the molecular substrate.
The ability of a therapeutic glycoprotein (i.e., lysosomal enzyme) to traffic in and out of the cell is typically positively correlated with its level of M6P phosphorylation. For example, the glycosylation level of one or more therapeutic glycoproteins (i.e. -lysosomal enzymes) and their ability to traffic may vary based on their level of M6P phosphorylation (mono- or bis-phosphorylation).
In some embodiments, a GNPT enzyme suitable for the present invention is human GNPT protein (SEQ ID NO:16 and/or 17). In some embodiments, a suitable GNPT enzyme may be a homologue or an ortholog of mature human GNPT protein. For example, a homologue or an ortholog of mature human GNPT protein may be a modified mature human GNPT protein containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions as compared to a wild-type or naturally-occurring GNPT protein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:16 and/or 17), while retaining substantial GNPT protein activity. Thus, in some embodiments, a GNPT enzyme suitable for the present invention is substantially homologous to human GNPT protein (SEQ ID NO:16 and/or 17). In some embodiments, a GNPT enzyme suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:16 and/or 17. In some embodiments, a GNPT enzyme suitable for the present invention is substantially identical to mature human GNPT protein (SEQ ID NO:16 and/or 17). In some embodiments, a GNPT enzyme suitable for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:16 and/or 17. In some embodiments, a GNPT enzyme suitable for the present invention contains a fragment or a portion of mature human GNPT protein.
Overexpression of enzymes, including GNPT, in host cells and tissue culture is routine and described in detail in Sambrook et al.
Culture ConditionsThe present invention provides a method of producing recombinant targeted therapeutic glycoproteins using a GNPT cell culture system. In some embodiments, the cell culture system is used for microscale production of a therapeutic glycoprotein. In some embodiments, the cellular culture system is used for large scale production. In some embodiments the therapeutic glycoprotein produced is a recombinant lysosomal enzyme. Typical large-scale procedures for producing a recombinant polypeptide of interest include batch cultures and fed-batch cultures. Batch culture processes traditionally comprise inoculating a large-scale production culture with a seed culture of a particular cell density, growing the cells under conditions (e.g., suitable culture medium, pH, and temperature) conducive to cell growth, viability, and/or productivity, harvesting the culture when the cells reach a specified cell density, and purifying the expressed polypeptide. Fed-batch culture procedures include an additional step or steps of supplementing the batch culture with nutrients and other components that are consumed during the growth of the cells. In some embodiments, a large-scale production method according to the present invention uses a fed-batch culture system.
BioreactorsThe invention also provides bioreactors that are useful for producing recombinant therapeutic glycoproteins. Bioreactors may be perfusion, batch, fed-batch, repeated batch, or continuous (e.g. a continuous stirred-tank reactor models), for example. Typically, the bioreactors comprise at least one vessel designed and are configured to house medium (e.g., a chemically defined nutrient medium). The vessel also typically comprises at least one inlet designed and configured to flow fresh nutrient medium into the vessel. The vessel also typically comprises at least one outlet designed and configured to flow waste medium out of the vessel. In some embodiments, the vessel may further comprise at least one filter designed and configured to minimize the extent to which isolated cells in the vessel are passed out through the at least one outlet with waste medium. The bioreactor may also be fitted with one or more other components designed to maintain conditions suitable for cell growth. For example, the bioreactor may be fitted with one or more circulation or mixing devices designed and configured to circulate or mix the nutrient medium within the vessel. Typically, the isolated cells that are engineered to express recombinant therapeutic glycoproteins are suspended in the nutrient medium. Therefore, in some cases, the circulation device ensures that the isolated cells remain in suspension in the nutrient medium. In some cases, the cells are attached to a substrate. In some cases, the cells are attached to one or more substrates (e.g., microbeads) that are suspended in the nutrient medium. The bioreactor may comprise one or more ports for obtaining a sample of the cell suspension from the vessel. The bioreactor may be configured with one or more components for monitoring and/or controlling conditions of the culture, including conditions such as gas content (e.g., air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide), flow rates, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen levels, and agitation speed/circulation rate.
Vessels of any appropriate size may be used in the bioreactors. Typically, the vessel size is suitable for satisfying the production demands of manufacturing recombinant I2S. In some embodiments, the vessel is designed and configured to contain up to 1 L, up to 10 L, up to 100 L, up to 500 L, up to 1000 L, up to 1500 L, up to 2000 L, or more of the nutrient medium. In some embodiments, the volume of the production bioreactor is at least 10 L, at least 50 L, 100 L, at least 200 L, at least 250 L, at least 500 L, at least 1000 L, at least 1500 L, at least 2000 L, at least 2500 L, at least 5000 L, at least 8000 L, at least 10,000 L, or at least 12,000 L, or more, or any volume in between. The production bioreactor may be constructed of any material that is conducive to cell growth and viability that does not interfere with expression or stability or activity of the produced therapeutic glycoprotein. Exemplary material may include, but not be limited to, glass, plastic, or metal.
In some embodiments, cells may be cultured in a chemically defined medium that is housed in a vessel of a bioreactor. The culture methods often involve perfusing fresh nutrient medium into the vessel through the at least one inlet and bleeding waste nutrient medium out from vessel through the at least one outlet. Bleeding is performed at a rate of up to about 0.1 vessel volume per day, about 0.2 vessel volume per day, about 0.3 vessel volume per day, about 0.4 vessel volume per day, about 0.5 vessel volume per day, about 1 vessel volume per day, about 1.5 vessel volumes per day or more. The methods also involve harvesting nutrient medium that comprises recombinant the recombinant glycoprotein. In some embodiments, the therapeutic glycoproteins may be a lysosomal enzyme. In some embodiments, the therapeutic glycoprotein may be a fusion protein. Harvesting may be performed at a rate of up to about 0.1 vessel volume per day, about 0.2 vessel volume per day, about 0.3 vessel volume per day, about 0.4 vessel volume per day, about 0.5 vessel volume per day, about 1 vessel volume per day, about 1.5 vessel volumes per day or more. Perfusing is also performed, typically at a rate equivalent to the sum of the bleeding rate and the harvesting rate. For example, perfusion rate may be great than about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0 vessel volume per day. In some embodiments, perfusion rate is less than about 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5 vessel volume per day.
Monitoring Culture ConditionsIn certain embodiments of the present invention, the practitioner may find it beneficial or necessary to periodically monitor particular conditions of the growing cell culture. Monitoring cell culture conditions allows the practitioner to determine whether the cell culture is producing recombinant polypeptide or protein at suboptimal levels or whether the culture is about to enter into a suboptimal production phase. In order to monitor certain cell culture conditions, it will be necessary to remove small aliquots of the culture for analysis.
As non-limiting example, it may be beneficial or necessary to monitor temperature, pH, cell density, cell viability, integrated viable cell density, osmolarity, or titer or activity of the expressed therapeutic glycoprotein protein. Numerous techniques are well known in the art that will allow one of ordinary skill in the art to measure these conditions. For example, cell density may be measured using a hemacytometer, a Coulter counter, or Cell density examination (CEDEX). Viable cell density may be determined by staining a culture sample with Trypan blue. Since only dead cells take up the Trypan blue, viable cell density can be determined by counting the total number of cells, dividing the number of cells that take up the dye by the total number of cells, and taking the reciprocal. Alternatively, the level of the expressed therapeutic glycoprotein can be determined by standard molecular biology techniques such as coomassie staining of SDS-PAGE gels, Western blotting, Bradford assays, Lowry assays, Biuret assays, and UV absorbance.
It may also be beneficial or necessary to monitor the level of M6P phosphorylation and/or glycan pattern to generate a glycosylation profile, as demonstrated in
The GNPT cell line can be used to recombinantly produce a therapeutic glycoprotein with increased levels of M6P phosphorylation. In some embodiments, the recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein produced using the GNPT cell line has M6P levels higher than the naturally occurring therapeutic glycoprotein. In some embodiments, the recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein has M6P phosphorylation levels higher than the same therapeutic glycoprotein recombinantly produced in the non-GNPT overexpressing cell line. In some embodiments, the increase in M6P phosphorylation compared to production in a non-GNPT overexpressing cell line is at least 1 fold. In some embodiments, the increase in M6P phosphorylation is at least a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 fold increase. In some embodiments, the increase in M6P phosphorylation at least a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% increase. In some embodiments, the recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein produced using the GNPT cell line has M6P levels at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% higher than the wild-type therapeutic glycoprotein.
In some embodiments, a recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein produced using the GNPT cell line may contain at least one M6P residue. In some embodiments, a recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein may contain a plurality of M6P residues. In some embodiments, a recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein may be a bis-phosphorylated glycoprotein with two M6P residues. In some embodiments, a recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein produced using the GNPT cell line may contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 M6P residues compared to the wild-type protein.
In some embodiments, a recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein may contain an increase in the number and/or level of high mannose structures, such as, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7 or M8 structures, compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in M3 structures is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in M4 structures is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in M5 structures is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in M6 structures is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in M7 structures is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in M8 structures is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent compared to the wild-type protein.
In some embodiments, the recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein may contain and increase in the number and/or level of total phosphorylated structures, compared to the wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the increase in total phosphorylated structures compared to the wild-type protein is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent.
In some embodiments, a recombinant therapeutic glycoprotein produced using the GNPT cell line may contain a higher level of antennary structures compared to the wild type protein. In particular, therapeutic glycoproteins produced with the GNPT cell line may have a higher level of A0 antennarity, which is indicative of M6P phosphorylation. In some embodiments, the increase in A0 level compared to the wild-type protein is at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent.
In some embodiments, a therapeutic protein suitable for the present invention may contain a bis-phosphorylated oligosaccharides which have higher binding affinity to the CI-M6PR. In some embodiments, a suitable enzyme contains up to about an average of about at least 20% bis-phosphorylated oligosaccharides per enzyme. In other embodiments, a suitable enzyme may contain about 10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% bis-phosphorylated oligosaccharides per enzyme.
In some embodiments, the increased level in M6P phosphorylation of the therapeutic glycoprotein, as a result of producing using the GNPT cell line, may be tested using any of a variety of well-known binding assays to evaluate the level of CI-M6PR binding. In some embodiments, therapeutic glycoproteins produced using the GNPT cell line have an increase in CI-M6PR of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 fold compared to the native protein.
In some embodiments, the level of M6P phosphorylation may be tested by monitoring binding of a therapeutic glycoprotein to the CI-M6PR using any of a variety of well-known in vitro binding assay such as, but not limited to, radiolabeled run on assay, radiolabeled binding assay, ELISA, Surface Plasmone Resonance and Isothermal Titration calorimetry. In some embodiments, the level of M6P phosphorylation may be tested by monitoring binding of a therapeutic glycoprotein to the CI-M6PR by evaluating cellular uptake using methods such as, but not limited to, immunohistochemistry staining, fluorescent immunohistochemistry staining and confocal microscopy. In some embodiments, the level of M6P phosphorylation may be assays using analytical techniques such as, but not limited to, glycosidase treatment, mass spectrometry and HPLC.
Purification of Therapeutic GlycoproteinsVarious methods may be used to purify or isolate therapeutic glycoproteins produced according to various methods described herein. In some embodiments, the expressed therapeutic glycoprotein protein (e.g., lysosomal enzymes) may be secreted into the medium and thus cells and other solids may be removed, as by centrifugation or filtering for example, as a first step in the purification process. Alternatively or additionally, the expressed therapeutic glycoprotein may be bound to the surface of the host cell. In this embodiment, the host cells (for example, yeast cells) expressing the polypeptide or protein are lysed for purification. Lysis of host cells (e.g., yeast cells) can be achieved by any number of means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including physical disruption by glass beads and exposure to high pH conditions.
The therapeutic glycoprotein may be isolated and purified by standard methods including, but not limited to, chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, size exclusion, and hydroxyapatite chromatography), gel filtration, centrifugation, or differential solubility, ethanol precipitation or by any other available technique for the purification of proteins (See, e.g., Scopes, Protein Purification Principles and Practice 2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1987; Higgins, S. J. and Hames, B. D. (eds.), Protein Expression: A Practical Approach, Oxford Univ Press, 1999; and Deutscher, M. P., Simon, M. I., Abelson, J. N. (eds.), Guide to Protein Purification: Methods in Enzymology (Methods in Enzymology Series, Vol 182), Academic Press, 1997, all incorporated herein by reference). For immunoaffinity chromatography in particular, the protein may be isolated by binding it to an affinity column comprising antibodies that were raised against that protein and were affixed to a stationary support. Alternatively, affinity tags such as an influenza coat sequence, poly-histidine, or glutathione-S-transferase can be attached to the protein by standard recombinant techniques to allow for easy purification by passage over the appropriate affinity column. Protease inhibitors such as phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), leupeptin, pepstatin or aprotinin may be added at any or all stages in order to reduce or eliminate degradation of the polypeptide or protein during the purification process. Protease inhibitors are particularly desired when cells must be lysed in order to isolate and purify the expressed polypeptide or protein. Exemplary purification methods are described in the Examples sections below.
Pharmaceutical Compositions and AdministrationThe present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions containing targeted therapeutics according to the present invention. Typically, suitable pharmaceutical compositions contain at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and are formulated for administration to humans.
For example, pharmaceutical compositions provided herein may be provided in a sterile injectable form (e.g., a form that is suitable for subcutaneous, intravenous, or intrathecal injection). For example, in some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions are provided in a liquid dosage form that is suitable for injection. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions are provided as powders (e.g., lyophilized and/or sterilized), optionally under vacuum, which are reconstituted with an aqueous diluent (e.g., water, buffer, salt solution, etc.) prior to injection. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions are diluted and/or reconstituted in water, sodium chloride solution, sodium acetate solution, benzyl alcohol solution, phosphate buffered saline, etc. In some embodiments, powder should be mixed gently with the aqueous diluent (e.g., not shaken).
In some embodiments, provided pharmaceutical compositions comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (e.g., preservative, inert diluent, dispersing agent, surface active agent and/or emulsifier, buffering agent, etc.). In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprise one or more preservatives. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprise no preservative.
Compositions of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein may be prepared by any method known or hereafter developed in the art of pharmacology. In some embodiments, such preparatory methods include the step of bringing active ingredient into association with one or more excipients and/or one or more other accessory ingredients, and then, if necessary and/or desirable, shaping and/or packaging the product into a desired single- or multi-dose unit.
A pharmaceutical composition in accordance with the invention may be prepared, packaged, and/or sold in bulk, as a single unit dose, and/or as a plurality of single unit doses. As used herein, a “unit dose” is discrete amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprising a predetermined amount of the active ingredient. The amount of the active ingredient is generally equal to a dose which would be administered to a subject and/or a convenient fraction of such a dose such as, for example, one-half or one-third of such a dose.
Relative amounts of active ingredient, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and/or any additional ingredients in a pharmaceutical composition in accordance with the invention may vary, depending upon the identity, size, and/or condition of the subject treated and/or depending upon the route by which the composition is to be administered. By way of example, the composition may comprise between 0.1% and 100% (w/w) active ingredient.
Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may additionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, which, as used herein, may be or comprise solvents, dispersion media, diluents, or other liquid vehicles, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Remington's The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st Edition, A. R. Gennaro, (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md., 2006) discloses various excipients used in formulating pharmaceutical compositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as any conventional excipient medium is incompatible with a substance or its derivatives, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutical composition, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.
In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention can be used for CNS delivery via various techniques and routes including, but not limited to, intraparenchymal, intracerebral, intravetricular cerebral (ICV), intrathecal (e.g., IT-Lumbar, IT-cistema magna) administrations and any other techniques and routes for injection directly or indirectly to the CNS and/or CSF.
Intrathecal DeliveryIn some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention can be used for intrathecal administration. As used herein, intrathecal administration (also referred to as intrathecal injection or intrathecal delivery) refers to an injection into the spinal canal (intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord). Various formulations for intrathecal administration are described in WO/2011/163652, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
According to the present invention, a pharmaceutical composition containing a targeted therapeutics may be injected at any region surrounding the spinal canal. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition containing a targeted therapeutics is injected into the lumbar area or the cisterna magna or intraventricularly into a cerebral ventricle space. As used herein, the term “lumbar region” or “lumbar area” refers to the area between the third and fourth lumbar (lower back) vertebrae and, more inclusively, the L2-S1 region of the spine. Typically, intrathecal injection via the lumbar region or lumber area is also referred to as “lumbar IT delivery” or “lumbar IT administration.”
Various devices may be used for intrathecal delivery according to the present invention. In some embodiments, a device for intrathecal administration contains a fluid access port (e.g., injectable port); a hollow body (e.g., catheter) having a first flow orifice in fluid communication with the fluid access port and a second flow orifice configured for insertion into spinal cord; and a securing mechanism for securing the insertion of the hollow body in the spinal cord. As a non-limiting example, a suitable securing mechanism contains one or more nobs mounted on the surface of the hollow body and a sutured ring adjustable over the one or more nobs to prevent the hollow body (e.g., catheter) from slipping out of the spinal cord. In various embodiments, the fluid access port comprises a reservoir. In some embodiments, the fluid access port comprises a mechanical pump (e.g., an infusion pump). In some embodiments, an implanted catheter is connected to either a reservoir (e.g., for bolus delivery), or an infusion pump. The fluid access port may be implanted or external
In some embodiments, intrathecal administration may be performed by either lumbar puncture (i.e., slow bolus) or via a port-catheter delivery system (i.e., infusion or bolus). In some embodiments, the catheter is inserted between the laminae of the lumbar vertebrae and the tip is threaded up the thecal space to the desired level (generally L3-L4).
For injection, formulations of the invention can be formulated in liquid solutions. In addition, the enzyme may be formulated in solid form and re-dissolved or suspended immediately prior to use. Lyophilized forms are also included. The injection can be, for example, in the form of a bolus injection or continuous infusion (e.g., using infusion pumps) of the enzyme.
Treatment of San B and Other Lysosomal Storage DiseasesThe present invention may be used to effectively treat Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B and other lysosomal storage diseases. Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B, or Mucopolysaccharidosis III B (MPS III B), is a heritable metabolic disorder resulting from a deficiency of the enzyme Naglu. Naglu is localized to lysosomes and plays an important role in the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) heparan- and dermatan-sulfate. In the absence of enzyme, these substrates accumulate within cells, ultimately causing engorgement, followed by cellular death and tissue destruction. Due to the widespread expression of enzyme, multiple cell types and organ systems are affected in MPS III B patients.
A defining clinical feature of this disorder is central nervous system (CNS) degeneration, which results in cognitive impairment (e.g., decrease in IQ). Additionally, MRI scans of affected individuals have revealed white matter lesions, dilated perivascular spaces in the brain parenchyma, ganglia, corpus callosum, and brainstem; atrophy; and ventriculomegaly (Wang et al. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 2009). The disease typically manifests itself in the first years of life with organomegaly and skeletal abnormalities. Some affected individuals experience a progressive loss of cognitive function, with most affected individuals dying of disease-associated complications in their first or second decade.
Compositions and methods of the present invention may be used to effectively treat individuals suffering from or susceptible to Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B. The terms, “treat” or “treatment,” as used herein, refers to amelioration of one or more symptoms associated with the disease, prevention or delay of the onset of one or more symptoms of the disease, and/or lessening of the severity or frequency of one or more symptoms of the disease.
In some embodiments, treatment refers to partially or complete alleviation, amelioration, relief, inhibition, delaying onset, reducing severity and/or incidence of neurological impairment in a Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B patient. As used herein, the term “neurological impairment” includes various symptoms associated with impairment of the central nervous system (e.g., the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms of neurological impairment may include, for example, e.g., cognitive impairment; white matter lesions; dilated perivascular spaces in the brain parenchyma, ganglia, corpus callosum, and/or brainstem; atrophy; and/or ventriculomegaly, among others.
The terms, “improve,” “increase” or “reduce,” as used herein, indicate values that are relative to a control. In some embodiments, a suitable control is a baseline measurement, such as a measurement in the same individual prior to initiation of the treatment described herein, or a measurement in a control individual (or multiple control individuals) in the absence of the treatment described herein. A “control individual” is an individual afflicted with a lysosomal storage disease (e.g., Sanfillipo Syndrome Type B), who is about the same age and/or gender as the individual suffering from the same lysosmal storage disease, who is being treated (to ensure that the stages of the disease in the treated individual and the control individual(s) are comparable).
The individual (also referred to as “patient” or “subject”) being treated is an individual (fetus, infant, child, adolescent, or adult human) having a lysosomal storage disease or having the potential to develop a lysosmal storage disease. In some embodiments, the lysosmal storage disease is Sanfilippo Syndrome. In some specific embodiments the lysosomal storage disease is Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B. The individual can have residual endogenous Naglu expression and/or activity, or no measurable activity. For example, the individual having Sanfilipo Syndrome Type B may have Naglu expression levels that are less than about 30-50%, less than about 25-30%, less than about 20-25%, less than about 15-20%, less than about 10-15%, less than about 5-10%, less than about 0.1-5% of normal Naglu expression levels.
In some embodiments, the individual is an individual who has been recently diagnosed with the disease. Typically, early treatment (treatment commencing as soon as possible after diagnosis) is important to minimize the effects of the disease and to maximize the benefits of treatment.
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following examples. They should not, however, be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
EXAMPLES Example 1: Creation of Naglu Fusion ProteinsSeveral proteins have been implicated in binding to different extracellular regions/domains within the CI-M6P receptor via a M6P-dependant manner, such as Leukemia Inhibitory Factor, Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes and Saposin, or via a M6P-independent manner, such as Insulin-like Growth Factor II. Therefore, a series of Naglu-fusion proteins were designed that might bind to CI-M6PR and therefore might facilitate CI-M6PR-mediated delivery of rhNaglu to the lysosome, as described below.
Naglu-SapDCThe Naglu-SapDC protein is a fusion of Naglu and portions of the saposin protein as described below. To create the Naglu-SapDC fusion protein, a nucleic acid construct was created by coupling the human Naglu gene to the sequence encoding the conserved C terminal region and D functional domain of Saposin (SapDC). A GAG3 linker was inserted between the two sequences to allow for rotation between the two peptides following translation. In the resulting Full-Length Naglu-SapDC fusion protein (SEQ ID NO:18), Full-Length Naglu constitutes the N-terminus and the SapDC peptide sequences the C-terminus.
The Naglu-LIF protein is a fusion of Naglu and portions of the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor protein as described below. To create the Naglu-LIF fusion protein, a nucleic acid construct was created by coupling the human Naglu gene to the sequence encoding the 102 amino acid sequence comprising the glycosylation sites, and helicies A, B, C and D of the 4 helix bundle of Leukcmia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). A GAG3 linker was inserted between the two sequences to allow for rotation between the two peptides following translation. In the resulting Full-Length Naglu-LIF fusion protein (SEQ ID NO:19), Full-Length Naglu constitutes the N-terminus and the LIF peptide sequences the C-terminus.
The Naglu-CREG protein is a fusion of Naglu and portions of the Cellular Repressor of E1A-stimulated Genes protein as described below. To create the Naglu-CREG fusion protein, a nucleic acid construct was created by coupling the human Naglu gene to the sequence encoding the CREG amino acid sequence. A GAG3 linker was inserted between the two sequences to allow for rotation between the two peptides following translation. In the resulting Full-Length Naglu-CREG fusion protein (SEQ ID NO:20), Full-Length Naglu constitutes the N-terminus and the CREG peptide sequences the C-terminus.
The Naglu-IGFII protein is a fusion of Naglu and portions of the Insulin-like Growth Factor II peptide as described below. To create the Naglu-IGFII fusion protein, a nucleic acid construct was created by coupling the human Naglu gene to the sequence encoding the amino acid residues 8-67 (SEQ ID NO:22) of the Insulin-like Growth Factor II peptide IGFII). A GAG3 linker was inserted between the two sequences to allow for rotation between the two peptides following translation. In the resulting Full-Length Naglu-IGFII fusion protein (SEQ ID NO:21), Full-Length Naglu constitutes the N-terminus and the IGFII peptide sequences the C-terminus. Compared to the full-length IGFII molecule, 8-67 IGFII is reported to bind to M6P/IGF II receptor with a 2-10 fold higher affinity while its ability to bind to the IGF I receptor is decreased 30 fold (Hashimoto R, JBC 1995 270(30):18013-18018).
SEQ ID NO:18-21 are the amino acid sequences of Full-Length Naglu fusion proteins, which still contain those 23 N-terminal amino acids of the Full-Length Naglu protein that are removed during intracellular processing. The amino acid sequences provided below (SEQ ID NO:23-26) are the corresponding sequences that do not include these 23 N-terminal amino acids.
The nucleic acid encoding each of the different Naglu fusion proteins was subcloned into a mammalian expression vector and transfected into HT-1080 cells using standard technologies. Transfectants were then screened to generate a HT-1080 overexpressing cell line, using technologies generally known in the art. For all in vitro protein based assays and receptor binding experiments, recombinant protein was produced in a wave bioreactor, using a mammalian cell culture expressing system. Following expression, each fusion protein was subjected to a three step purification process. First, the conditioned media was concentrated using an ultra-filtration (UF) device (Pall Corporation, Port Washington, N.Y. 11050). The concentrated media was then applied to a butyl sepharose chromatography column (Butyl), and the eluate of this purification step was then further purified using a Q sepharose chromatography column (Q). The purified protein was buffer exchanged into PBS (11.9 mM sodium phosphate, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 137 mM sodium chloride at pH 7.4) for storage. The resulting fusion proteins were purified to greater than 90% purity.
Following purification, ELISAs was performed with various concentrations of fusion proteins and with an antibody directed to human Naglu to evaluate the binding of the Naglu-fusion proteins to CI-M6PR. The data demonstrate that the Naglu-IGFII, Naglu-CREG, Naglu-SapDC and Naglu-LIF fusion proteins were able to bind to CI-M6PR (
In vitro CI-M6PR mediated targeting and cellular uptake of each Naglu-fusion protein was also evaluated. Briefly, cells overexpressing CI-M6PR were grown to confluence and treated with a solution of recombinant Naglu-IGFII, Naglu-CREG, Naglu-SapDC or Naglu-LIF at various concentrations, which contained additional mannose-6-phosphate or not (
Given the critical role GNPT plays in the post-translation modification of N-linked glycans, specifically the M6P-phosphorylation of soluble lysosomal enzymes, experiments were performed to evaluate if overexpression of the GNPT enzyme could result in increased M6P-phosphorylation levels on lysosomal emzymes.
N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GNTP) protein is a hexameric complex containing two copies each of three distinct subunits (α, β, γ). The nucleic acid encoding the alpha/beta subunits and the gamma subunit of the GNTP protein were cloned into one mammalian expression vector containing an expression cassette for the alpha/beta subunit and one expression cassette for the gamma subunit. The vector was transfected into human HT-1080 cells, which were then grown under selection pressure to establish cell lines overexpressing recombinant GNTP. A cell line overexpressing GNPT was selected and used for secondary transfection with a mammalian expression vector expressing Naglu-LTF, Naglu-CREG, Naglu-SapDC or Naglu-IGFII, or the native form of one of various lysosomal storage disease enzymes (ARSA, I2S, FINS, GAA, GCB). Overexpression of GNTP and of each co-expression product was confirmed by qPCR, ELISA, lysosomal enzyme activity assay and/or Western blot analysis.
The GNPT enzyme exists as a hexameric protein complex containing two copies each of three distinct subunits (α, β, γ). One construct was generated containing two expression cassettes, one encoding the alpha/beta subunits and a second one encoding the gamma subunit.
GNTP Alpha/BetaTo facilitate expression of the alpha and beta subunits of GNPT a nucleic acid construct was created using the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.
The resulting amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:28) included the alpha and beta subunits of GNPT along with the required cleavage recognition site.
To facilitate expression of the gamma subunit of GNPT a nucleic acid construct was created using the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:29.
The resulting amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:30) included the gamma subunit of GNPT.
Given the critical role GNPT plays in the post-translation modification of N-linked glycans, specifically the M6P-phosphorylation of soluble lysosomal enzymes, experiments were performed to evaluate if overexpression of the GNPT enzyme could result in increased M6P-phosphorylation levels on lysosomal emzymes. Briefly, recombinant HT-1080 cell lines, overexpressing a single lysosomal enzyme (GAA, LAL, ARSA, I2S, HNS or GCB) or co-overexpressing a lysosomal enzyme and GNPT (GAA-GNPT, ARSA-GNPT, I2S-GNPT, HNS-GNPT or GCB-GNPT) were generated using standard methodologies. Similar cell lines were generated overexpressing only Naglu-LIF (Naglu-LIF) or Naglu-LIF and GNPT (Naglu-LIF-GNPT). Each of the cell lines was grown to confluence and conditioned cell medium was collected and concentrated as described. For control purposes, fractions of the concentrated sample were then treated with Endoglycosidase H, and treated and untreated samples were separated by SDS-PAGE (proteins were quantified by ELISA or an enzymatic activity assay and 250 ng of each lysosomal enzyme were loaded) and analyzed by Western blotting using an anti-M6P antibody. As shown in
These data indicate that it is possible to use fusion proteins and/or co-expression of GNPT to increase M6P-phosporylation of lysosomal enzymes (e.g., Naglu).
Example 5: Increased M6P Receptor Binding and Cellular Uptake of Recombinant I2S Produced Using a GNPT Cell LineTo further evaluate if expression of recombinant lysosomal proteins in a GNPT overexpressing cell line results in increased M6P-phosphorylation, additional studies were performed regarding the lysosomal enzyme I2S. Recombinant HT-1080 cell lines overexpressing I2S alone or co-overexpressing I2S and GNPT were generated using standard methodologies. Each of the cell lines was grown to confluence and conditioned cell medium was collected and concentrated as described. Each protein was tested for any change in receptor affinity using the CI-M6PR binding assay described in Example 4. This analysis revealed that I2S from cells overexpressing this protein alone bound to CI-M6PR more weakly than I2S from cells also overexpressing GNPT (
In vitro M6P receptor mediated targeting and cellular uptake of recombinantly produced I2S proteins was also evaluated. Briefly, cells overexpressing CI-M6PR were grown to confluence and treated with a solution of recombinant I2S produced in HT-1080 cells only overexpressing this protein, or recombinant I2S produced in HT-1080 cells also overexpressing GNPT. After a specified period of time, the supernatant was removed and the cells were washed repeatedly. Following lysis, each cell sample was assayed for intracellular I2S enzyme activity. The data demonstrate that I2S produced in GNPT overexpressing cell line was internalized more quickly and displayed a higher affinity (KD=1.65 nM) for CI-M6PR than I2S produced in cells overexpressing I2S alone (KD=27.89 nM) (
As described above, the level of M6P-phosphorylation of recombinantly produced therapeutic glycoproteins could be increased by using GNPT overexpressing cell lines (
For the initial study, an in vitro assay was used to evaluate CI-M6PR binding. This analysis revealed that overexpression of rhNaglu alone resulted in an extremely low binding affinity for CI-M6PR, with a Kd below the assay's detection threshold (
In the second phase of our study, CI-M6PR binding of the remaining Naglu fusion proteins was evaluated, using the same in vitro binding assay as described above. Consistent with our previous findings, the data indicate that both Naglu-CREG and Naglu-SapDC fusion proteins were able to bind CI-M6PR. This demonstrated that therapeutic glycoproteins can be engineered as fusion proteins with lysosomal targeting moieties to facilitate binding to CI-M6PR. Naglu-SapDC and Naglu-CREG fusion proteins had a binding affinity for CI-M6PR of 2.90 nM and 2.50 nM, respectively (
To further confirm the increases of M6P on Naglu-LIF and Naglu-SapDC after coexpression with GNPT, a monosaccharide M6P quantitation assay was performed. This method used acid hydrolysis to break down all the glycans on the analyzed glycoproteins; the released monosaccharide, such as M6P, was then detected and quantified by PAD-HPLC (Pulsed Amperometric Detection High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Briefly, M6P disodium salt was used to identify the peak of the M6P liberated from the analyzed samples. The area under the curve for the M6P standard was used to generate a standard curve, allowing the quantification of the liberated M6P from the samples. The M6P content of Naglu-SapDC increased from 0.75 to 1.84 mol/mol (M6P/Protein) after co-expression with GNPT, and the M6P content of Naglu-LIF increased to 1.07 after co-expression with GNPT (
The procedure for mannose-6-phosphate quantitation by PAD-HPLC was adapted from Zhou et al. 2002, Anal Biochem. 15; 306(2):163-170). Protein samples were mixed with 13 M trifluoroacctic acid (TFA) to a final concentration of 6.75 M TFA. The mixture was then transferred to a 0.5 ml glass vial with a screw cap. Standards were prepared using mannose-6-phosphate disodium purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (St. Louis. Mo.). The standards were prepared in H2O/TFA in concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 pM, and were then transferred to glass vials with screw caps. All samples were heated at 100° C. for 1.5 hours in a heating block. After heating, the glass vials were placed on ice for 5 minutes, and the samples were transferred to Eppendorf tubes. The samples were centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 2 minutes and then dried in a SpeedVac® concentrator for ˜1.5 hours. 200 μl of water were then added to each sample and the samples were again dried as before. Then, 100 μl of water were added to each sample and the samples were filtered through a 0.45 μm Durapore® centrifugal filter unit (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) at 14,000 rpm for 5 minutes. 20 microliters of each sample and of the standards were injected in a chromatography system with a borate trap column in line with a CarboPac PA 10 analytical column (Dionex ICS-3000 Ion Chromatography System (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.)). An isocratic gradient was run with at 80% Eluent A (100 mM NaOH) and 20% Eluent B (1 M NaAc in 100 mM NaOH) for 15 minutes with a step up to 70% Eluent B for 5 minutes, then back to 20% Eluent B.
Example 8: Increased Cellular Uptake of Naglu-Fusion Proteins Produced Using a GNPT Cell LineIn vitro CI-M6PR mediated targeting and cellular uptake of Naglu-SapDC and Naglu-LIF produced in GNPT overexpression cell lines was also evaluated (
Briefly, cells overexpressing CI-M6PR were grown to confluence and treated with a solution of either recombinant Naglu-SapDC and Naglu-Lif produced in HT-1080 cells alone, or recombinant Naglu-SapDC and Naglu-Lif produced in HT-1080 cells also overexpressing GNPT. After a specified period of time, the supernatant was removed and the cells were washed repeatedly. Following lysis, each cell sample was assayed for intracellular Naglu enzyme activity, and the total protein was measured by a BCA protein assay. The x-axis of the graphs in
The data show that Naglu-SapDC produced in GNPT overexpressing cells has an affinity for CI-M6PR that is 14 times higher than the affinity of Naglu-SapDC produced in cells expressing Naglu-SapDC alone (KD=14.88 vs. KD=208.78 nM, respectively) (
Similarly, our data show that Naglu-LIF produced in GNPT overexpressing cells has an affinity for CI-M6PR that is higher than the affinity of Naglu-LIF produced in cells expressing Naglu-LIF alone (
For in vivo experiments described herein, Naglu-SapDC prepared in GNPT overexpressing cells was utilized.
To further evaluate intracellular accumulation of the Naglu-SapDC fusion protein, an in vivo study was performed using Naglu KO mice subjected to intrathecal administration of vehicle control (PBS) or Naglu-SapDC; in accordance with the experimental conditions described in Table 7.
Following each respective treatment, Naglu KO mice were sacrificed 24 hours after their final injection and assayed for Naglu enzyme activity in various tissues. Total Naglu activity was assayed using a well-established enzyme activity assay. Briefly, tissue homogenate was incubated in the presence of the Naglu specific substrate methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-α-D-glucosainide for a specified period of time, after which accumulation of cleavage product was measured by examining fluorescence intensity at 360/460 (excitation/emission) using a fluorescent plate reader. The data demonstrate that treatment with Naglu-SapDC resulted in a dramatic increase in Naglu activity in both liver (
Tissue samples were also collected from the treated mice, fixed in 10% NBF and processed for paraffin embedding. For each tissue assayed, 5 μm paraffin sections were subjected to immunostaining using an antibody specific for human Naglu. The data clearly demonstrate lysosomal delivery of Naglu-SapDC to neurons of the cerebral cortex (
The in vivo activity of Naglu enzyme in Naglu knockout mice treated by intrathecal administration of Naglu-SapDC was evaluated by examining the intracellular accumulation of different glycoproteins and their respective cleavage products. One such assay was designed to evaluate the amount of glucosoaminoglycan (GAG) in liver (
Briefly, liver tissues were homogenized and then assayed for GAG according to Jong et al. (Clin Chem 38(6):803-807, 1992). In the case of brain tissue, the homnogenized samples were further digested using pronase and benzonase to break down protein and nucleic acid. GAG was then extracted by passing the sample through a DEAE column. The buffer of the eluate was then exchanged by means of a desalting column, and the total amount of GAG was determined using dimethylmethylene blue staining (Lawrence et al., Nat Chem Biol. 2012 Jan. 8; 8(2):197-204). As shown in
A second assay was performed to evaluate the amount of heparan sulfate in brain tissue following intrathecal delivery of Naglu-SapDC fusion protein. Heparin sulfate is a specific type of GAG which has been shown to accumulate in the brain of San B patients. To measure heparan sulfate in brain tissue, a highly sensitive LC/MS method was used, as described by Lawrence et al. (Nat Chem Biol. 2012 Jan. 8; 8(2):197-204). Briefly, total GAG from brain tissue was extracted using a DEAE column and a desalting column, ad was then dried and weighted. The weighted GAG was then treated with heparin lyases that specifically release unique mono, di and tri saccharides from heparan sulfate. Released disaccharides were then analyzed, identified and quantified by LC/MS and comparison to commercially available disaccharide standards. As in the case of the GAG study described above, the data illustrate that, when compared to vehicle control, treatment with Naglu-SapDC leads to a strong reduction in the total amount of heparan sulfate accumulation in the brain over the duration of the three week treatment period (
Lastly, intracellular delivery of Naglu-SapDC was evaluated by assaying the presence of different biomarkers for San B, using the same LC/MS methodology used for the determination of heparin sulfate tissue content, described above. Deficiency of Naglu causes the accumulation of aberrant heparan sulfate cleavage products in tissues (presented in
To further elucidate and confirm the intracellular delivery of Naglu-SapDC to lysosomes, the inventors examined the distribution of the lysosomal marker Lamp-1 in each experimental treatment group. Vehicle control mice, when compared to Naglu-SapDC treated mice, showed an increased immunohistochemical staining for Lamp-1 over the entire 3 week period in the apparently enlarged lysosomes of neuronal and glia cells of the cerebral cortex (
In addition to Lamp-1, two additional cellular biomarkers were used to further evaluate lysosomal targeting and intracellular delivery of Naglu-SapDC. For this study, the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were chosen as markers. Each protein is a well-established indicator of cellular inflammatory response and can be used to gauge the level and intensity of inflammation in specific cell types. In particular, GFAP staining has been used extensively to demonstrate the size and number of processes in astrocytes, while Iba-1 staining is predominantly used for evaluating microglial cells. As demonstrated in
These data provide strong in vivo support that Naglu-SapDC is able to bind the CI-M6P receptor, which facilitates lysosomal targeting and entry in various tissues types. Surprisingly, intrathecal delivery of Naglu-SapDC resulted in extensive bioavailability throughout the body, demonstrating localization in neuronal tissue as well as various organ systems of the body, such as the liver. The data further suggest, that upon entry into the cell, the Naglu-SapDC fusion protein maintains enzyme activity and proper function, as demonstrated by the overall reduction in excess accumulation of glucosaminoglycans, heparin sulfate and San B specific biomarkers in Naglu knockout mice, which is a hallmark of Sanfilippo type B disease. Given the fusion protein's excellent efficacy, biodistribution and ability to target lysosomal delivery using the CI-M6P receptor meditated pathway, the data strongly suggest that such an approach could be extremely effective for enzyme replacement therapy. Despite the d little to no M6P-phosphorylation of rhNaglu, Naglu-SapDC fusion proteins can be M6P-phosphorylated and thus targeted for CI-M6P receptor mediated lysosomal delivery. Our data clearly suggest that the described lysosomal targeting approach is applicable not only to the treatment of Sanfillipo type B syndrome, but also to the treatment of any other lysosomal storage diseases in which, for example, the native protein lacks a proper M6P-phosphorylation site, or is poorly M6P-phosphorylated due competitive inhibition or steric hindrance of the GNPT enzymatic pocket.
Example 10: In Vivo Delivery of Naglu-LIF Fusion Protein Intracellular Accumulation of Naglu-LIFFor in vivo experiments described herein, Naglu-LIF prepared in GNPT overexpressing cells was utilized.
To further evaluate intracellular accumulation of the Naglu-LIF fusion protein, an in vivo study was performed using Naglu KO mice subjected to intrathecal administration of vehicle control (PBS) or Naglu-LIF; in accordance with the experimental conditions described in Table 8.
Following each respective treatment, Naglu KO mice were sacrificed 24 hours after their final injection and assayed for Naglu enzyme activity in various tissues. Total Naglu activity was assayed using a well-established enzyme activity assay. Briefly, total cell lysate was incubated in the presence of the Naglu specific substrate methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-α-D-glucosainide for a specified period of time, after which accumulation of cleavage product was measured by examining fluorescence intensity at 360/460 (excitation/emission) using a fluorescent plate reader. The data demonstrate that treatment with Naglu-LIF resulted in a dramatic increase in Naglu activity in both liver and brain tissue, when compared to vehicle control. This increase in enzyme activity was observed over the duration of the 3 week treatment period.
Biodistribution of Naglu-LIF Fusion ProteinTissue samples were also collected from the treated mice, fixed in 10% NBF and processed for paraffin embedding. For each tissue assayed, 5 μm paraffin sections was subjected to immunostaining using an antibody specific for human Naglu. The data clearly demonstrate lysosomal delivery of Naglu-LIF to neurons and glia cells of the spinal cord, meninges of the cerebellum, meninges of the cerebral cortex, and neurons and glia cells of limited areas in the cerebral cortex (
The in vivo activity of Naglu was evaluated by examining the intracellular accumulation of GAG and heparin sulfate, as described above in connection with the analysis of Naglu-SapDC treated knockout mice. As shown in
The data also illustrate that, when compared to vehicle control, treatment with Naglu-LIF leads to a strong reduction in the total amount of heparan sulfate accumulation in the brain over the duration of the three week treatment period (
To further elucidate and confirm the intracellular delivery of Naglu-LIF to lysosomes, the inventors examined the distribution of the lysosomal marker Lamp-1 in each each experimental treatment group. Vehicle control mice, when compared to Naglu-LIF treated mice, showed an increased immunohistochemical staining for Lamp-1 over the entire 3 week period in the apparently enlarged lysosomes of neuronal and glia cells of the cerebral cortex (
In addition to Lamp-1, two additional cellular biomarkers were used to further evaluate lysosomal targeting and intracellular delivery of Naglu-LIF. For this study, the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were chosen as markers. Each protein is a well-established indicator of cellular inflammatory response and can be used to gauge the level and intensity of inflammation in specific cell types. In particular, GFAP staining has been used extensively to demonstrate the size and number of processes in astrocytes, while Iba-1 staining is predominantly used for evaluating microglial cells. As demonstrated in
These data provide strong in vivo support that Naglu-LIF is able to bind the CI-M6P receptor, which facilitates lysosomal targeting and entry in various tissues types. Surprisingly, intrathecal delivery of Naglu-LIF resulted in extensive bioavailability throughout the body, demonstrating localization in neuronal tissue as well as various organ systems of the body, such as the liver. The data further suggest that upon entry into the cell the Naglu-LIF fusion protein maintains enzyme activity and proper function, as demonstrated by the overall reduction in excess accumulation of glucosaminoglycans and heparan sulfate in Naglu knockout mice, which is a hallmark of Sanfilippo type B disease. Given the fusion protein's excellent efficacy, biodistribution and ability to target lysosomal delivery using the CI-M6P receptor meditated pathway, the data strongly suggest that such an approach could be extremely effective for enzyme replacement therapy. Despite the poor M6P-phosphorylation of native Naglu and little to no M6P-phosphorylation of rhNaglu, Naglu-LIF fusion proteins can be M6P-phosphorylated and thus targeted for CI-M6P receptor mediated lysosomal delivery. Our data clearly suggest that that the described lysosomal targeting approach is applicable not only to the treatment of Sanfillipo type B syndrome, but also to the treatment of any other lysosomal storage diseases in which, for example, the native protein lacks a proper M6P-phosphorylation site, or is poorly M6P-phosphorylated due competitive inhibition or steric hindrance of the GNPT enzymatic pocket.
Claims
1. A targeted therapeutic comprising:
- a lysosomal enzyme; and
- a lysosomal targeting moiety, wherein the lysosomal targeting moiety is a peptide containing at least one N-linked glycosylation site.
2. (canceled)
3. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the peptide contains N-linked glycosylation containing a M6P group.
4. (canceled)
5. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the lysosomal enzyme is an N-Acetylglucosaminidase (Naglu) protein.
6. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the Naglu protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO.: 1.
7.-9. (canceled)
10. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the lysosomal targeting moiety is a peptide selected from the group consisting of prosaposin, cellular repressor of E1A-stimulate genes, leukemia inhibitory factor, and fragments thereof.
11.-12. (canceled)
13. The targeted therapeutic of claim 10, wherein the peptide comprises a sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO. 4, 6, or 9.
14.-17. (canceled)
18. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the lysosomal targeting moiety and the lysosomal enzyme is fused via a linker.
19. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the linker comprises a sequence of (SEQ ID NO.: 15) GAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAGGGGGGAPGGGGGAAAAAG GGGGGAP.
20. (canceled)
21. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18, 19 or 20.
22.-24. (canceled)
25. The targeted therapeutic of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises a sequence at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 23, 24 or 25.
26. (canceled)
27. A nucleic acid encoding the targeted therapeutic fusion protein of claim 1.
28. A vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence of claim 27.
29. A host cell comprising the vector of claim 28.
30.-33. (canceled)
34. The host cell of claim 29, wherein the host cell co-expresses N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphoTransferase (GNPT).
35. The host cell of claim 34, wherein the host cell comprises an exogenous nucleic acid encoding GNPT.
36. The host cell of claim 34, wherein the host cell has activated expression of endogenous GNPT.
37. A method for producing a targeted therapeutic fusion protein, comprising:
- a) culturing cells comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the cells co-express N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphoTransferase (GNPT); and
- b) recovering the fusion protein produced by the cells.
38. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the targeted therapeutic of claim 1, and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.
39. A method of treating a lysosomal storage disease comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a pharmaceutical composition of claim 38.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the lysosomal storage disease is Sanfilippo syndrome type B.
41. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2020
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2020
Inventors: Michael F. CONCINO (Lexington, MA), Bettina STRACK-LOGUE (Lexington, MA), Muthuraman MEIYAPPAN (Lexington, MA), Angela W. NORTON (Lexington, MA), Bohong ZHANG (Lexington, MA), Andrea ISKENDERIAN (Lexington, MA), Lieh Yoon LOW (Lexington, MA), Dianna LUNDBERG (Lexington, MA), Alla ROMASHKO (Lexington, MA), Hicham NAIMY (Lexington, MA)
Application Number: 16/904,943
