U.S. patent application number 14/765365 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-01 for cell lines for virus production and methods of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.. Invention is credited to Jon Michael Karpilow, Mark Steven Oberste, Stephen M. Tompkins, Ralph A. Tripp.
Application Number | 20170151322 14/765365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50159542 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170151322 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Karpilow; Jon Michael ; et
al. |
June 1, 2017 |
CELL LINES FOR VIRUS PRODUCTION AND METHODS OF USE
Abstract
Provided herein are engineered cell lines. In some embodiments,
cells of an engineered cell line have altered expression of a gene
and/or altered expression of an miRNA, wherein the altered
expression results in increased or decreased production of a virus.
The virus is a picomavirus, such as a poliovirus or Enterovirus 71.
Also provided herein are methods for using the engineered cells to
produce virus, and methods for treating a subject having or at risk
of having a viral infection.
Inventors: |
Karpilow; Jon Michael;
(Boulder, CO) ; Oberste; Mark Steven; (Johns
Creek, GA) ; Tripp; Ralph A.; (Watkinsville, GA)
; Tompkins; Stephen M.; (Watkinsville, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY,
DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC. |
Athens
Bethesda
Waltham |
GA
MD
MA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150374812 A1 |
December 31, 2015 |
|
|
Family ID: |
50159542 |
Appl. No.: |
14/765365 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 5, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/014813 PCKC 00 |
371 Date: |
August 3, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61760895 |
Feb 5, 2013 |
|
|
|
61885357 |
Oct 1, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12N 15/111 20130101;
A61P 31/14 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101; C12N 2770/32351 20130101;
C12N 2310/141 20130101; C12N 2310/14 20130101; C12N 2770/32034
20130101; C12N 2770/32021 20130101; A61P 31/12 20180101; C12N
2770/32651 20130101; C12N 2320/12 20130101; C12N 2770/32052
20130101; A61K 39/13 20130101; C12N 7/00 20130101; C12N 15/113
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/13 20060101
A61K039/13; C12N 7/00 20060101 C12N007/00; C12N 15/113 20060101
C12N015/113 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
[0002] The present invention was made with government support under
Federal budget line 5614A11101 "Emerging Infections." The
government has certain rights in this invention.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered cell
line comprise decreased expression of at least one coding region
selected from Table I compared to a control cell line, and
optionally wherein the at least one coding region is selected from
ZNF205, CNTD2, SEC61G, ETS1, TAF1L, MCCD1, LY6G6C, BTN2A1, GLXP3,
GCGR, or EP300.
3-4. (canceled)
5. The engineered cell line of claim 2 wherein the cells comprise
(i) a mutation in the at least one coding region or in a regulatory
region operably linked to the at least one coding region, (ii) an
exogenous polynucleotide that decreases the expression of the at
least one coding region, or (iii) an edited genome that results in
the decreased expression.
6-10. (canceled)
11. The engineered cell line of claim 2 wherein the cells further
comprise decreased expression of at least one additional coding
region selected from Table I, increased expression of an miRNA
selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p,
miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p,
and miR-9 compared to a control cell line, decreased expression of
an endogenous miRNA selected from Table IV, or a combination
thereof.
12-13. (canceled)
14. An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered cell
line comprise increased expression of at least one coding region
selected from Table II compared to a control cell line.
15. (canceled)
16. The engineered cell line of claim 14 wherein the cells further
comprise increased expression of at least one additional coding
region selected from Table II, decreased expression of an
endogenous miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p,
miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22,
miR-520c-3p, and miR-9 compared to a control cell line, decreased
expression of an endogenous miRNA selected from Table IV, or a
combination thereof.
17-18. (canceled)
19. An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered cell
line comprise increased expression of at least one miRNA selected
from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p,
miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9
compared to a control cell line.
20. (canceled)
21. The engineered cell line of claim 19 wherein the cells further
comprise increased expression of at least two miRNAs.
22. (canceled)
23. An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered cell
line comprise decreased expression of at least one endogenous miRNA
selected from Table IV compared to a control cell line.
24. The engineered cell line of claim 23 wherein the cells comprise
(i) a mutation in the coding region encoding the endogenous miRNA
or in a regulatory region operably linked to the coding region, or
(ii) an miRNA inhibitor that inhibits activity of the endogenous
miRNA.
25. (canceled)
26. The engineered cell line of claim 2 wherein the cells comprise
a picornavirus.
27. The engineered cell line of claim 26 wherein the picornavirus
is an enterovirus 71 or a poliovirus, chosen from either Sabin 1,
Sabin 2, Sabin 3, Mahoney, Brunhilde, MEF-1, or Saukett.
28-39. (canceled)
40. A lysate of the engineered cell line of claim 2.
41. A method for producing a virus comprising: providing an
engineered cell line wherein cells of the cell line comprise a
virus, wherein cells of the engineered cell line comprise (i)
decreased expression of at least one coding region selected from
Table I compared to a control cell line, (ii) increased expression
of at least one coding region selected from Table II compared to a
control cell line, (iii) increased expression of at least one miRNA
selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p,
miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p,
and miR-9 compared to a control cell line, or (iv) decreased
expression of at least one endogenous miRNA selected from Table IV
compared to a control cell line; incubating the engineered cell
line under conditions suitable for the production of the virus by
the cells; and harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein the incubating comprises a
medium comprising (i) an RNA polynucleotide that inhibits
expression of a coding region selected from Table I or (ii) a small
molecule that inhibits expression of a coding region selected from
Table I, or wherein the cells comprise an edited genome that
results in decreased expression of a coding region selected from
Table I.
43-46. (canceled)
47. The method of claim 41 wherein the virus is a picornavirus.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein the picornavirus is an
enterovirus 71 or a poliovirus, chosen from either Sabin 1, Sabin
2, Sabin 3, Mahoney, Brunhilde, MEF-1, or Saukett.
49-60. (canceled)
61. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of having a
viral infection comprising increasing, in cells of the subject,
expression of a coding region selected from Table I, (i)
inhibiting, in cells of the subject, expression of a coding region
selected from Table II, (ii) inhibiting expression, in cells of the
subject, of an endogenous miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256,
miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187,
miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9, or (iv) increasing, in
cells of the subject, expression of an miRNA selected from Table
IV.
62-64. (canceled)
65. The engineered cell line of claim 14 wherein the cells comprise
a picornavirus.
66. The engineered cell line of claim 65 wherein the picornavirus
is an enterovirus 71 or a poliovirus chosen from either Sabin 1,
Sabin 2, Sabin 3, Mahoney, Brunhilde, MEF-1, or Saukett.
67. The engineered cell line of claim 19 wherein the cells comprise
a picornavirus.
68. The engineered cell line of claim 67 wherein the picornavirus
is an enterovirus 71 or a poliovirus chosen from either Sabin 1,
Sabin 2, Sabin 3, Mahoney, Brunhilde, MEF-1, or Saukett.
69. The engineered cell line of claim 23 wherein the cells comprise
a picornavirus.
70. The engineered cell line of claim 69 wherein the picornavirus
is an enterovirus 71 or a poliovirus chosen from either Sabin 1,
Sabin 2, Sabin 3, Mahoney, Brunhilde, MEF-1, or Saukett.
71. A lysate of the engineered cell line of claim 14.
72. A lysate of the engineered cell line of claim 19.
73. A lysate of the engineered cell line of claim 23.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/760,895, filed Feb. 5, 2013, and
61/885,357, filed Oct. 1, 2013, each of which is incorporated by
reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to compositions and methods for
enhancing the production of a virus. Specifically, the compositions
may include genes (gene targets), effectors of said gene targets,
as well as cell lines and cell lysates in which the gene targets
have been altered to enhance virus production.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Vaccines are one of the chief strategies employed to prevent
human disease. Currently over two dozen vaccines are available to
combat diseases caused by viral (e.g., chickenpox, hepatitis B,
measles, polio) and bacterial contagions (e.g., cholera, tetanus,
typhoid, diphtheria). Similarly, vaccines are used to prevent a
host of afflictions in domesticated animals including but not
limited to poultry, horses, pigs, and other animals.
[0005] While several vaccines (including influenza vaccines) are
still produced in fertilized chicken eggs (Gallus gallus
domesticus), the greater number of vaccines are produced in cell
culture. In one instance, well characterized cell lines (e.g., Vero
Cells) are first infected with live or live-attenuated viruses.
Subsequently, the supernatant containing progeny viral particles is
collected and processed to create highly immunogenic doses of
vaccine that can then be distributed amongst the population.
[0006] Despite the demonstrated success of vaccines, the ability to
eradicate or manage disease outbreaks is repeatedly challenged by
the costs and manufacturing limitations of vaccine production. This
is best illustrated with polio vaccines. Poliovirus is a human
enterovirus and the causative agent of poliomyelitis, an acute
paralysis resulting from fecal-oral transmission of this
neuro-degenerative agent. At this time, vaccines have been created
to limit the spread of polio, and include the high effective (and
significantly more expensive) inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), the
less efficacious (and more economical) oral polio vaccine (OPV).
For technical reasons related to the reversion of attenuated OPV
virus particles to highly infectious neurovirulent poliovirus,
successful eradication of polio will be aided by the development of
new technologies that significantly decrease IPV manufacturing
costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Provided herein is a collection of genes, reagents, and cell
lines that can be used by polio vaccine manufacturers to
significantly reduce production costs of OPV and IPV vaccines. The
present invention provides a list of host genes (protein encoding
genes and non-coding RNAs) that when modulated (either
down-regulated or over-expressed) enhance poliovirus replication.
As such, the identified genes can be modulated to increase
poliovirus vaccine production. Furthermore, the inventors describe
a series of cell lines that can be generated to enhance the
production of poliovirus. All of the above can be used, separately
or in combination, to enhance the production of vaccines used to
combat polio and other picornavirus infections. Lastly, the
inventors describe a series of genes that can be modulated by a
number of means (e.g., siRNAs, miRNAs, small molecules) to limit
poliovirus production.
[0008] Provided herein are engineered cell lines. In one
embodiment, cells of the engineered cell line have decreased
expression of a coding region selected from Table I compared to a
control cell line, wherein the coding region is selected from
ZNF205, CNTD2, SEC61G, ETS1, TAF1L, MCCD1, LY6G6C, BTN2A1, GLXP3,
GCGR, EP300. In one embodiment, cells of the engineered cell line
have decreased expression of a coding region selected from Table I
compared to a control cell line. The decrease may be at least 5%
compared to the control cell line. The decrease in expression may
be determined by measuring the amount in the cells of polypeptide
or mRNA encoded by the coding region. In one embodiment, the cells
include a mutation in the coding region or in a regulatory region
operably linked to the coding region. In one embodiment, the cells
include an exogenous polynucleotide that decreases the expression
of the coding region. The exogenous polynucleotide may be an RNA
polynucleotide, such as a siRNA, a shRNA, or an antisense
polynucleotide. In one embodiment, the cells include an edited
genome that results in the decreased expression. For instance, the
genome may be edited by a zinc finger nuclease, a meganuclease, or
a transcription activator-like effector.
[0009] In one embodiment, the cells further include decreased
expression of at least one additional coding region selected from
Table I, increased expression of an miRNA selected from miR-520e,
miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2,
miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9 compared to a
control cell line, decreased expression of an miRNA selected from
Table IV, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the cells
include decreased expression of at least five coding regions
selected from Table I. In one embodiment, the cells further include
decreased expression of a combination of at least 2 coding regions,
wherein the combinations of coding regions are selected from Table
VI. In one embodiment, the cells include increased expression of a
coding region selected from Table II compared to a control cell
line. In one embodiment, the cells further include increased
expression of at least one additional coding region selected from
Table II, decreased expression of an miRNA selected from miR-520e,
miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2,
miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9 compared to a
control cell line, decreased expression of an miRNA selected from
Table IV, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the cells
include increased expression of at least five coding regions
selected from Table II.
[0010] In one embodiment, cells of the engineered cell line include
increased expression of an miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256,
miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187,
miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9 compared to a control
cell line. The cells may include an miRNA mimic that behaves like
one of the miRNAs. In one embodiment, the cells further include
increased expression of at least two miRNAs.
[0011] In one embodiment, cells of the engineered cell line include
decreased expression of an endogenous miRNA selected from Table IV
compared to a control cell line. In one embodiment, the cells
include a mutation in the coding region encoding the miRNA or in a
regulatory region operably linked to the coding region. In one
embodiment, the cells include an miRNA inhibitor that inhibits
activity of the endogenous miRNA.
[0012] The cells of an engineered cell line may include a
picornavirus. In one embodiment, the picornavirus is a poliovirus,
such as an attenuated polivirus, e.g., Sabin 1, Sabin 2, Sabin 3.
In one embodiment, the poliovirus is selected from Mahoney,
Brunhilde, MEF-1, Saukett, or a combination thereof. In one
embodiment, cells of the cell line include two or three
polioviruses. In one embodiment, the picornavirus is enterovirus
71.
[0013] The engineered cell line may be a mammalian cell line, an
avian cell line, or an insect cell line. In one embodiment, the
mammalian cell line is selected from a human cell line, a non-human
primate cell line, a canine cell line, or a hamster cell line. In
one embodiment, the mammalian cell line is HEp-2 or Vero P. In one
embodiment, the avian cell line is a chicken cell line, or a duck
cell line.
[0014] Further provided herein is a lysate of an engineered cell
line.
[0015] Provided herein are methods for producing a virus. In one
embodiment, the method includes providing the engineered cell line
described herein wherein cells of the cell line include a virus,
incubating the engineered cell line under conditions suitable for
the production of the virus by the cells, optionally, harvesting
the virus produced by the cells. In one embodiment, the method
includes providing a cell line wherein cells of the cell line
include a virus, incubating the cell line under conditions suitable
for the production of the virus by the cells, wherein the medium
includes an RNA polynucleotide that inhibits expression of a coding
region selected from Table I, and optionally harvesting the virus
produced by the cells. In one embodiment, the RNA polynucleotide
may be a siRNA, a shRNA, or an antisense polynucleotide, an miRNA
selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p,
miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p,
and miR-9, an mRNA inhibitor that inhibits activity of an miRNA
selected from Table IV, or a combination thereof.
[0016] In one embodiment, the method includes providing a cell line
wherein cells of the cell line include a virus, and wherein the
cells include an edited genome that results in decreased expression
of a coding region selected from Table I, incubating the cell line
under conditions suitable for the production of the virus by the
cells, and optionally harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
In one embodiment, the genome is edited by a zinc finger nuclease,
a meganuclease, or a transcription activator-like effector. In one
embodiment, the method includes providing a cell line wherein cells
of the cell line include a virus, incubating the cell line under
conditions suitable for the production of the virus by the cells,
wherein the medium includes a small molecule that inhibits
expression of a coding region selected from Table I, and optionally
harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
[0017] The cells used in a method may include a picornavirus. In
one embodiment, the picornavirus is a poliovirus, such as an
attenuated polivirus, e.g., Sabin 1, Sabin 2, Sabin 3. In one
embodiment, the poliovirus is selected from Mahoney, Brunhilde,
MEF-1, Saukett, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the
cells used include two or three polioviruses. In one embodiment,
the picornavirus is enterovirus 71.
[0018] The cells used in a method may be a mammalian cell line, an
avian cell line, or an insect cell line. In one embodiment, the
mammalian cell line is selected from a human cell line, a non-human
primate cell line, a canine cell line, or a hamster cell line. In
one embodiment, the mammalian cell line is HEp-2 or Vero P. In one
embodiment, the avian cell line is a chicken cell line, or a duck
cell line.
[0019] Also provided are methods for treating a subject having or
at risk of having a viral infection. In one embodiment, the method
includes increasing, in cells of the subject, expression of a
coding region selected from Table I. In one embodiment, the method
includes inhibiting, in cells of the subject, expression of a
coding region selected from Table II. In one embodiment, the method
includes inhibiting expression, in cells of the subject, of an
endogenous miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p,
miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22,
miR-520c-3p, and miR-9. In one embodiment, the method includes
increasing, in cells of the subject, expression of an miRNA
selected from Table IV.
[0020] The term "and/or" means one or all of the listed elements or
a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.
[0021] The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments
of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain
circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred,
under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation
of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other
embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other
embodiments from the scope of the invention.
[0022] The terms "comprises" and variations thereof do not have a
limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and
claims.
[0023] Unless otherwise specified, "a," "an," "the," and "at least
one" are used interchangeably and mean one or more than one.
[0024] Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by
endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1
to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).
[0025] For any method disclosed herein that includes discrete
steps, the steps may be conducted in any feasible order. And, as
appropriate, any combination of two or more steps may be conducted
simultaneously.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND TABLES
[0026] FIG. 1. Results of Primary Genome-wide siRNA Screen. Graph
shows the results of screening >18,200 genes using a
poliovirus-specific ELISA. The virus used in these screens was
Sabin 2. Y axis provides normalized Z-score. X-axis represents
genes screened.
[0027] FIG. 2. Results of CCID.sub.50 Assay. Graph shows how
knockdown of a collection of exemplary individual genes in Vero
Cells affects viral titer. Y-axis, viral titer normalized to
Non-Targeting Control (NTC). The virus used in these screens was
Sabin 2. X-axis provides gene names.
[0028] FIG. 3. Results of Plaque Assays. (A) Figure provides
examples of how knockdown of target genes identified in the primary
screen increases overall plaque number (virus titer, i.e., amount
of virus). Control=Non-Targeting Control siRNA. Supernatant
dilutions range from 10 -4 to 10 -6. (B) Graph shows the results
from a collection of hits identified in the primary ELISA screen.
NTC=Non-Targeting Control. siPolio=siRNAs targeting the poliovirus
genome. The virus used in these screens was Sabin 2.
[0029] FIG. 4. Results of Antigen Equivalency Studies. Antigen
equivalency studies were performed on virus produced in Vero cells
that were unmodified or modified with siRNA targeting specific
genes. The numbers indicate the dilution of a standardized human
serum pool that neutralizes the infectivity of virus derived from
the given gene knockdown.
[0030] FIG. 5. Results of Poliovirus Types 1 and 3 (Sabin Strains).
Vero cells transfected with siRNA targeting genes identified in the
primary (Sabin 2) screen were subsequently infected with (A)
poliovirus type 1 (Sabin strain), or (B) poliovirus type 3 (Sabin).
Subsequent supernatants were assessed using the poliovirus ELISA
described in Example 1. Vero cells transfected with siRNA targeting
genes identified in the primary screen were subsequently infected
with (C) poliovirus type 1 (Sabin strain), or (D) poliovirus type 3
(Sabin). Subsequent supernatants were assessed using the plaque
assay described in Example 1.
[0031] FIG. 6. Summary of miRNA mimics screen. Greater than 1,200
miRNA mimics were tested in the primary ELISA screen to identify
genes that enhanced and decreased poliovirus antigen.
[0032] FIG. 7. Performance of individual miRNA mimics in
CCID.sub.50 assay. Eleven miRNAs identified in the primary screen
induce two-fold or greater increases in viral titer.
[0033] FIG. 8. A. Exemplary gene knockdown (KD) data. q-RT-PCR was
used to assess the level of target gene knockdown following
transfection of individual siRNA into Vero cells. Results for nine
gene silencing experiments (ZNF205, SEC61G, ETS1, EP300, BTN21A,
GLRXP3, TAF1, MCCD1, and GCGR) show that 70% KD or greater is
typically observed. B. Graph shows the effects of single gene
knockdown events on seven different polioviruses. Twenty-nine
separate genes were individually silenced in Vero cells.
Subsequently, cells were infected with one of seven different polio
strains including Sabin 1, Sabin2, Sabin 3, Mahoney (wild type 1),
Brunhilde (wild type 1), MEF (wild type 2), and Saukett (wild type
3). Reported titers are relative to those observed when a
non-targeting control siRNA (NTC) is transfected into cells.
Additional controls include 1) a pool of siRNA targeting the
poliovirus (siPolio), mock infections (Mock), and cells treated
with lipid transfection reagents in the absence of siRNA (-siRNA).
Solid line indicates a four-fold increase in viral titer. Dotted
line indicates an increase of eight-fold (or better) in viral
titers. This data provides further support that knockdown of the
gene targets identified in the primary screen leads to enhancement
of poliovirus production.
[0034] FIGS. 9 A and B. Exemplary data of the effects of dual gene
knockdown on the titer of multiple poliovirus strains. Dark grey
bars represent actual increase in viral titers observed when both
genes were silenced simultaneously. Light grey bars represent
predicted titers based on sum of observed changes when individual
genes are silenced. "*" represents incidents where observed
increases in titer are greater than sum of individual events
(P<0.05).
[0035] FIG. 10. (A) Effects of gene silencing on EV71 virus
production. Vero cells were transfected with siRNA targeting one of
several genes identified during the poliovirus RNAi screen.
Following an appropriate period for gene silencing, EV71 was added
to the culture. Subsequently, relative titers were assessed by
examining cytopathic effects (CPE). (B) Plaque assay results
demonstrating how silencing the three different genes (ZNF205,
CNTD2, and MCCD1) affect EV71 titers. "RD cells"=rhabdomyosarcoma
cells. (C) Bar graph quantitating the results from plaque assays.
Experiments were performed in triplicate and incorporated a
non-targeting control siRNA (NTC), and an siRNA targeting the EV71
genome (siEV71).
[0036] Table I. Provides a list of the 124 genes that increased
poliovirus antigen and replication. Table provides gene names, KEGG
conversion number, and Z-score values from the primary
polio-specific ELISA.
[0037] Table II. Provides a list of greater than 100 genes that
when silenced, greatly reduce poliovirus antigen and virus
production.
[0038] Table III. Provides a list of the 68 genes (out of the 124
hits identified in Table I) that had two or more siRNA that induced
an increase in poliovirus antigen and virus production. Table
provides gene names as well as the number of siRNA that induced the
phenotype.
[0039] Table IV. Provides a list of host-encoded miRNAs that
greatly reduce poliovirus antigen and virus production.
[0040] Table V. List of genes, accession numbers, and siRNA
sequences that were used to generate data in FIG. 8.
[0041] Table VI. Forty-nine gene combinations that enhance
poliovirus production in an additive or synergistic fashion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The present disclosure will now be described in connection
with preferred embodiments. These embodiments are presented to aid
in an understanding of the present disclosure and are not intended,
and should not be construed, to limit the disclosure in any way.
All alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may become
apparent to those of ordinary skill upon reading this disclosure
are included within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
[0043] With regard to gene designations, single genes have often
been denoted by multiple symbols. For example, in the literature
the Cyclophilin B gene encoding peptidylprolyl isomerase B has been
dentoted as PPIB and CYPB. In the context of this document gene
symbols, whether they be human or non-human, may be designated by
either upper-case or lower case letters. Neither the use of one
particular symbol nor the adoption of lower or upper case symbols
is intended to limit the scope of the gene in the context of these
inventions. All gene identification numbers identified herein
(GeneID) are derived from the National Center for Biotechnology
Information "Entrez Gene" or KEGG web site unless identified
otherwise.
[0044] As used herein, the term "gene" refers to a transcription
unit and regulatory regions that are adjacent (e.g., located
upstream and downstream), and operably linked, to the transcription
unit. A transcription unit is a series of nucleotides that are
transcribed into an RNA molecule. A transcription unit may include
a coding region. A "coding region" is a nucleotide sequence that
encodes an unprocessed preRNA (i.e., an RNA molecule that includes
both exons and introns) that is subsequently processed to an mRNA.
A transcription unit may encode a non-coding RNA. A non-coding RNA
is an RNA molecule that is not translated into a protein. Examples
of non-coding RNAs include microRNA. The boundaries of a
transcription unit are generally determined by an initiation site
at its 5' end and a transcription terminator at its 3' end. A
"regulatory region" is a nucleotide sequence that regulates
expression of a transcription unit to which it is operably linked.
Nonlimiting examples of regulatory sequences include promoters,
enhancers, transcription initiation sites, translation start sites,
translation stop sites, transcription terminators, and poly(A)
signals. A regulatory region located upstream of a transcription
unit may be referred to as a 5' UTR, and a regulatory region
located downstream of a transcription unit may be referred to as a
3' UTR. A regulatory region may be transcribed and be part of an
unprocessed preRNA. The term "operably linked" refers to a
juxtaposition of components such that they are in a relationship
permitting them to function in their intended manner.
[0045] As used herein, "decreased expression of a coding region"
and "increased expression of a coding region" refer to a change in
the transcription of a coding region, a change in translation of an
mRNA encoded by a coding region, or a change in the activity of a
polypeptide encoded by the coding region.
[0046] In the context of this document the term "vaccine" refers to
an agent, including but not limited to a peptide or modified
peptide, a protein or modified protein, a live virus, a live
attenuated virus, an inactivated or killed virus, a virus-like
particle (VLP), or any combination thereof, that is used to
stimulate the immune system of an animal or human in order to
provide protection against e.g., an infectious agent. Vaccines
frequently act by stimulating the production of an antibody, an
antibody-like molecule, or a cellular immune response in the
subject(s) that receive such treatments.
[0047] The term "virus production" can refer to production of a
live virus, an attenuated virus, and/or a VLP. Production can occur
by routine methods including 1) production in an organism (e.g., an
egg), a cultured cell (e.g., Vero cells), or in vitro (e.g., via a
cell lysate).
[0048] The term "cell line" refers to a clonal population of cells
that are able to continue to divide and not undergo senescence.
[0049] The term "vaccine cell line" describes any cell, or modified
cell or any cell lysate or modified cell lysate derived in part or
in full from one or more cells, used to generate a vaccine. The
cell(s) can be derived from any number of sources including
mammalian (including but not limited to human, non-human primate,
hamster, dog), avian (e.g., chicken, duck), insect, and more. Cell
lysates used to generate vaccines can similarly be derived from any
number of cell types. In some instances the term "host cell" and
"vaccine cell line" are synonymous and include any cell that is 1)
the target for infection by a pathogenic agent (e.g., a virus), 2)
used for the production of a virus or a subunit of a vaccine (e.g.,
an immunogenic protein), and/or 3) used for the production of a
biomolecule.
[0050] The terms "enhanced vaccine cell line", "enhanced cell
line", "engineered vaccine cell line", or "engineered cell line"
all refer to cell lines or cell lysates that have been modified by
one or more means to modulate the expression or properties of one
or more endogenously expressed genes so as to augment the
production or properties of a vaccine or biomolecule.
[0051] As used herein, the term "control cell line" and "control
cell" refers to a cell line that is genetically similar to an
engineered cell line but has not been engineered in the same way.
For instance, an engineered cell line may have decreased expression
of a coding region selected from Table I when compared to a control
cell line that is not engineered in the same way.
[0052] Methods that can be used to modulate gene expression include
but are not limited to small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), small
hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), antisense molecules, zinc finger nucleases,
meganucleases, TAL (TALE) nucleases, triplexes, modified triplexes,
small molecules, altered expression of open reading frames (ORFs)
or cloned DNAs and more.
[0053] In the context of this document, the term "target" or
"target gene" or "hit" refers to any gene, including
protein-encoding genes and non-coding RNAs (e.g., a miRNA) that
(when modulated) positively or negatively alters some aspect of
virus or biomolecule production. Target genes include endogenous
host genes, pathogen (e.g., viral) genes, and transgenes.
[0054] The term "modulates" or "modulation" refers to the
alteration of the regulation, expression or activity of a gene. In
general, it is understood by those in the field that the term
"modulation" includes increasing the expression or activity of a
gene, decreasing the expression or activity of a gene, as well as
altering the specificity or function of a gene. Modulating the
expression or activity of a gene can be achieved by a number of
means including altering one or more of the following: 1) gene copy
number, 2) transcription or translation of a gene, 3) the
transcript stability or longevity, 4) the number of copies of an
mRNA or miRNA, 5) the availability of a non-coding RNA or
non-coding RNA target site, 6) the position or degree of
post-translational modifications on a protein, 7) the activity of a
protein, and other mechanisms. Modulation can result in a
significant reduction in target gene activity (e.g., at least 5%,
at least 10%, at least 20% or greater reduction) or an increase in
target gene activity (e.g., at least 10%, at least 20%, or greater
increase). Furthermore, it is understood by those in the field that
modulation of one or more genes can subsequently lead to the
modulation of multiple genes (e.g., miRNAs).
[0055] The term "microRNA" is used according to its ordinary and
plain meaning and refers to a microRNA molecule found in eukaryotes
that is involved in RNA-based gene regulation (see, e.g.,
Carrington et al., 2003, Science, 301:336-338). Individual miRNAs
have been identified and sequenced in different organisms, and have
been named based on submission to the miRNA Registry
(Griffiths-Jones, 2004, Nucl. Acids Res., 32(Suppl 1):D109-D111,
and see miRBase.org). Names of miRNAs are provided herein and their
sequences are readily available through miRBase.org. Additionally,
other miRNAs are known to those of skill in the art and can be
readily implemented in embodiments described herein. The methods
and compositions should not be limited to miRNAs identified in the
application, as they are provided as examples, not necessarily as
limitations of the embodiments described herein. An miRNA having an
miRNA region that is less than 100% identical to a natural miRNA
region may be referred to as a "mimic miRNA." Said molecules can be
modified or unmodified.
[0056] The term "bioprocessing" or "bioproduction" refers to
laboratory- and industrial-scale production of biological product
(e.g., a biotherapeutic, a vaccine) in 1) a cell line, 2) a cell
lysate, or 3) a model in vivo platform (e.g. an egg).
[0057] The term "picornavirus" refers to members of the family
Picornaviridae. Examples of members of the family Picornaviridae
include members of the genus Enterovirus. Examples of members of
the genus Enterovirus includes Enterovirus species A. An example of
an Enterovirus species A is Enterovirus 71, also referred to herein
as EV71. Examples of members of the genus Enterovirus includes
Enterovirus species C. An example of Enterovirus species C includes
poliovirus. Examples of wild type virulent poliovirus strains
include Mahoney, Brunhilde, MEF-1, and Saukett. Examples of
attenuated polivirus strains include Sabin 1, Sabin 2, and Sabin 3.
A poliovirus may be serotype 1 (e.g., Sabin 1, Mahoney, and
Brunhilde), serotype 2 (e.g., Sabin 2 and MEF-1), or serotype 3
(e.g., Sabin 3 and Saukett). The term "picornavirus" is intended to
include any of the current or future picornaviruses that can be
used in vaccine production. These include any and all wild type
strains, parental strains, attenuated strains (such as Sabin
strains of poliovirus serotypes 1, 2, and 3), VLPs, any member of
the family Picornaviridae other than the three known polioviruses,
as well as current or future recombinant or engineered strains.
[0058] Conditions that are "suitable" for an event to occur, such
as production of a virus, or "suitable" conditions are conditions
that do not prevent such events from occurring. Thus, these
conditions permit, enhance, facilitate, and/or are conducive to the
event.
Enhancing Picornavirus Production
[0059] The present disclosure is directed to compositions and
methods for generating vaccines. In a preferred application, the
compositions and methods are directed toward generating polio
vaccine. Through the use of the present disclosure, compositions
and methods that relate to modified cell lines, cell lysates and/or
in vivo systems (e.g., in ovo) that improve vaccine production can
be envisioned
[0060] Vaccines can be generated by a variety of means. In one
instance, cells from any number of sources including but not
limited to human, non-human primate, canine, and avian are first
cultured in an appropriate environment (e.g., a cell or tissue
culture plate or flask) to a desired density. Subsequently, viral
seed stocks (e.g., Sabin 2 poliovirus) are added to the culture
where they infect cells. Infected cells are then transferred to a
bioreactor (e.g., a single use bioreactor) where the virus
replicates and expands in number. After a suitable period of time,
the cells and cell particulate are separated from newly released
viral particles and additional steps (e.g., purification,
deactivation, concentration) are performed to further prepare the
material for use as a vaccine.
[0061] With regard to the growth of the virus, the host cell makes
a critical contribution to viral replication. By example,
host-encoded cell surface proteins are often used by viruses to
gain entry into the cell (Ramos, I et. al. (2012) Front Microbiol.
3:117). Similarly, host compartments (e.g., endocytic vesicles) are
frequently used by pathogens for transport to intra-cellular
regions that have essential functions for pathogen-related gene
processes (Karlas, A. et. al. (2010) Nature 463:818). Deletion of
functions that are essential to pathogen propagation can have a
detrimental effect on pathogen replication. Conversely, depletion
of functions that negatively affect pathogen replication or
over-expression of functions that are essential for pathogen
propagation can, in some cases, greatly enhance the production of
e.g., the virus (Kolokoltsov et. al. (2007) J. Virol. 81:7786).
[0062] While previous research has identified host-encoded gene
knockdown and over-expression events that facilitate viral
infection, it is well documented that these findings are often
poorly replicated in even closely related systems. By example,
several groups including Brass et al. (Science (2008) 319:921), and
Konig et al. (Cell (2008) 135:49) have used RNAi technology to
identify host-encoded genes that play a role in HIV replication.
Over the course of these investigations, each group identified over
two-hundred host-encoded genes that when modulated, altered one or
more aspects of HIV replication. Yet when the gene hit lists
generated by each group were compared, less than 10% of the genes
were common to both data sets. Experts in the field attribute these
results to subtle differences in a number of factors including the
viral strains, the cell lines, and the assays employed in each of
the studies. The inventors recognize the subtle importance of these
findings and for that reason have focused their current studies on
viruses and cell systems that are currently employed in vaccine
production.
[0063] In one embodiment, provided herein is a list of
protein-encoding genes that when modulated (individually or in
combinations) enhance the production of picornavirus or
picornavirus antigen, including, poliovirus or poliovirus antigen,
in a cell, cell line, or cell lysate (Table I). Preferably,
modulation of the gene(s) in the described list enhance the
production of the Sabin-2 vaccine strain of poliovirus. More
preferably, modulation of the gene(s) in the described list enhance
the production of Sabin-1, Sabin 2, and/or Sabin 3 poliovirus or
poliovirus antigen in a cell, cell line, or cell lysate that is
used in poliovirus vaccine manufacturing.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I List of genes that when silenced increase
poliovirus antigen and virus production Gene name Accession No.
Z-score SEC31L2 NM_015490 5.35 ZBTB12 NM_181842 4.78 UNQ3112
NM_212555 4.73 CETN1 NM_004066 4.72 LPAL2 NR_028092 4.71 ETS1
NM_001143820 4.70 HEPN1 NM_001037558 4.67 SNAP29 NM_004782 4.61 MLP
NM_023009.5 4.58 KIAA1862 NM_032534 4.58 STK25 NM_006374 4.52 EDD1
NM_015902 4.49 OR10A7 NM_001005280 4.48 UNG NM_003362 4.47 GLRXL
(also NM_001123388 4.41 known as GLRXP3) BCL9L NM_182557 4.35 VGLL2
NM_153453 4.33 IQGAP3 NM_178229 4.27 CHD5 NM_015557 4.22 RPL32
NM_000994 4.22 LOC164153 NM_203412 4.20 DKFZP434O047 NM_015594 4.16
ZFYVE19 NM_001077268 4.15 ACVR2B NM_001106 4.13 TREM5 NM_174892
4.11 CDR2 NM_001802 4.10 FLJ40121 NM_001038704 4.05 LOC201176
NM_199282 4.02 PKIG NM_007066 3.99 LOC389860 NM_001015038 3.95
CREB1 NM_004379 3.94 CHCHD7 NM_001011667 3.91 MAOA NM_000240 3.91
TUBB8 NM_177987 3.89 TMP21 NM_006827 3.87 BTN2A1 NM_001197233 3.85
LOC345778 NM_001167741 3.85 MGC52423 NM_001164829 3.82 SAST
XM_032034 3.80 EFCBP2 NM_019065 3.80 STAU NM_001037328 3.73
RP1-93H18.5 NM_001010919 3.69 SLC39A14 NM_001128431 3.63 ITPK1
NM_001142593 3.62 LY6G6C NM_025261 3.60 MUC1 NM_001018016 3.59
LOC120824 NM_001206625 3.58 SIN3B NM_015260 3.58 NEDD9 NM_001142393
3.56 EP300 NM_001429 3.55 PDCD1LG2 NM_025239 3.54 SIGLEC5 NM_003830
3.52 TMSB4Y NM_004202 3.52 HRI NM_001134335 3.52 MCCD1 (also
NM_001011700 3.51 known as LOC401250) TAF1 NM_004606 3.51 MGC5352
NM_001170543 3.50 OR10H1 NM_013940 3.48 CNTD2 (also NM_024877 3.47
known as FLJ13265) MKRN2 NM_014160 3.46 TAF1L NM_153809 3.46
FOXD4L2 NM_001099279 3.45 MED31 NM_016060 3.43 C20ORF129 NM_030919
3.43 BET1L NM_001098787 3.42 FLJ00193 NM_001080471 3.39 SLC1A2
NM_001195728 3.38 ZNF135 NM_001164527 3.35 ZDHHC4 NM_001134387 3.34
COLEC11 NM_024027 3.33 OR4K15 NM_001005486 3.33 RENT1 NM_002911
3.33 LOC126917 XM_375695 3.32 KIAA0459 NM_015207 3.31 HR NM_005144
3.31 DSP NM_004415 3.30 SYT7 NM_004200 3.28 MELL1 NM_033467 3.28
GTF3C2 NM_001035521 3.28 VILL NM_015873 3.27 RNF20 NM_019592 3.26
MYO3B NM_001083615 3.26 CCNL2 NM_001039577 3.26 ANKRD12
NM_001083625 3.25 LILRA2 NM_001130917 3.25 KRTAP4-4 NM_032524 3.25
CCL24 NM_002991 3.20 SEC61G NM_001012456 3.19 JUND NM_005354 3.19
DPM2 NM_003863 3.19 SIRT4 NM_012240 3.18 CTAGE4 NM_198495 3.17
PRAMEF8 NM_001012276 3.16 BOLL NM_033030 3.16 ZNF206 NM_032805 3.15
UGCG NM_003358 3.15 YBX1 NM_004559 3.14 KRT3 NM_057088 3.14 CCL7
NM_006273 3.14 MANSC1 NM_018050 3.13 SEC61A1 NM_013336 3.13 MICB
NM_005931 3.13 KPNA1 NM_002264 3.12 TFAP4 NM_003223 3.12 ARHGEF2
NM_001162383 3.11 SEMG1 NM_003007 3.11 SIK2 NM_015191 3.11 CCL16
NM_004590 3.11 RASSF4 NM_032023 3.10 MARCH3 NM_178450 3.10 DZIP1
NM_014934 3.10 FBXO42 NM_018994 3.09 GPR30 NM_001039966 3.09
SPATA13 NM_001166271 3.09 C20ORF177 NM_022106 3.08 FKBP14 NM_017946
3.07 IRS4 NM_003604 3.05 DTYMK NM_001165031 3.04 VDR NM_001017536
3.03 ZNF205 NM_001042428 3.03 GALNACT-2 NM_018590 3.02 PIAS2
NM_004671 3.02 BRMS1L NM_032352 3.02 CYP1A2 NM_000761 3.01 BRD4
NM_014299 3.01 SLC12A3 NM_000339 3.00 CELSR3 NM_001407 2.53 GCGR
NM_000160 2.83 OPN3 NM_014322 2.21 PAK1 NM_002576 2.95
[0064] The list includes genes that fall into multiple
classes/families and functions including but not limited to
kinases, proteases, ubiquitination, innate immunity, apoptosis, and
more. As shown in the Examples, down-regulation of certain genes
significantly enhances the production of viral proteins and/or the
overall titer of live infectious picornavirus. At the same time,
the screen used in this study also identified a collection of genes
that, when silenced, reduced poliovirus replication (Table II,
Examples). It is recognized that this latter class of genes
represent a valuable collection of potential therapeutic targets
for the treatment of polio and other viral diseases. This list is
also valuable from the perspective of vaccine manufacturing in that
over-expression of these genes should enhance picornavirus
production.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II List of genes that when silenced reduce
poliovirus antigen and virus production Gene name Accession number
Z-score PTPN9 NM_002833 -2.7385 TDP1 NM_001008744 -2.62421678 GLRA1
NM_000171 -2.5816 RAB7 NM_004637 -2.56473341 KLF15 NM_014079
-2.56065162 COPA NM_001098398 -2.54894774 C9ORF123 NM_033428
-2.5480179 RAN NM_006325 -2.51979459 SOX2 NM_003106 -2.50782291
ARL2 NM_001199745 -2.50310843 SCAMP2 NM_005697 -2.49992908 UBE2I
NM_003345 -2.48383828 RPS13 NM_001017 -2.47448119 ASB14
NM_001142733 -2.465731 DLEC1 NM_007335 -2.45854856 KIF11 NM_004523
-2.44757255 CHRDL1 NM_001143981 -2.43765162 ARCN1 NM_001142281
-2.43253991 RPL27 NM_000988 -2.43177109 CCT8 NM_006585 -2.42916239
FBXO24 NM_001163499 -2.42305456 FABP2 NM_000134 -2.41676419 FLNC
NM_001127487 -2.4057734 APOC1 NM_001645 -2.39426297 TSTA3 NM_003313
-2.39391153 OR4F15 NM_001001674 -2.39213505 LSM11 NM_173491
-2.39060755 CAGLP NM_138705 -2.36202792 KISS1 NM_002256 -2.36122944
SON NM_032195 -2.35523255 PHC3 NM_024947 -2.34996112 PSMD1
NM_001191037 -2.34541941 STMN1 NM_001145454 -2.34328443 FBXO5
NM_001142522 -2.34003556 BCL2 NM_000633 -2.3380053 RPL10L NM_080746
-2.33109113 KRTAP9-4 NM_033191 -2.32159817 NHP2L1 NM_001003796
-2.32069813 RPL37A NM_000998 -2.31999381 ARL5 NM_001037174
-2.31751988 B3GALT1 NM_020981 -2.31702776 WBSCR20C NR_033323
-2.31475549 RPS9 NM_001013 -2.30446216 IRF7 NM_001572 -2.30052295
CREB3L4 NM_130898 -2.29956619 RP6- NM_173571 -2.2977916 166C19.2
FLJ12969 NM_001168478 -2.29695985 MGC22960 NM_199044 -2.29376515
ALOX5AP NM_001204406 -2.29200518 DNCI1 NM_001135556 -2.29028039 BDH
NM_004051 -2.28814336 RPS29 NM_001030001 -2.28744101 PBX1
NM_001204961 -2.28732916 RPS3A NM_001006 -2.28572015 TOP1 NM_003286
-2.2816158 LRRC29 NM_001004055 -2.28002183 SYPL2 NM_001040709
-2.27983961 SMC1L1 NM_006306 -2.2784245 LOC283726 XM_208809
-2.27820228 RPS12 NM_001016 -2.27817208 FLJ44838 XR_110819
-2.2754257 ZNF483 NM_001007169 -2.26406815 NGFR NM_002507
-2.25743873 OR3A4 NR_024128 -2.2556918 GRIN2D NM_000836 -2.2539
SERPINB3 NM_006919 -2.25196492 AADAC NM_001086 -2.24957667 CCNDBP1
NM_012142 -2.24930977 TAS1R2 NM_152232 -2.24745014 HIP-55
NM_001014436 -2.24645872 RPL19 NM_000981 -2.24281714 C10ORF58
NM_001243778 -2.2385437 GPR108 NM_001080452 -2.2369 FURIN NM_002569
-2.2363797 ST6GAL2 NM_001142351 -2.23591802 ZCCHC5 NM_152694
-2.23459361 SS18L2 NM_016305 -2.23407679 LOC343066 NM_001013630
-2.23364666 FBXO17 NM_024907 -2.23101061 LOC374768 NM_199339
-2.23025699 BCORL1 NM_021946 -2.22956861 TMEM39A NM_018266
-2.22894485 FAM3A NM_001171132 -2.22848498 JAG2 NM_002226
-2.22829405 AGTRAP NM_001040194 -2.22616538 CDC14B NM_003671
-2.2259 PFDN5 NM_002624 -2.22392308 FLJ22160 NM_024585 -2.22034258
NEUROG3 NM_020999 -2.21936819 MANEA NM_024641 -2.21500772 GBF1
NM_004193 -2.21445835 ITGAX NM_000887 -2.21374414 ARNT NM_001197325
-2.20970503 SFXN4 NM_213649 -2.20937048 SLC7A5 NM_003486
-2.20816642 FBXW9 NM_032301 -2.20800534 LOC145741 NM_207322
-2.20441572 PPAN- NM_001040664 -2.20373508 P2RY11 SP192 NM_021639
-2.20211573 FABP7 NM_001446 -2.20003134 EPB41L4A NM_022140
-2.19856942 NARG2 NM_001018089 -2.19771971 RPL17 NM_000985
-2.19671437 CFC1 NM_032545 -2.19564617 SGOL1 NM_001012409
-2.19538426 FAM83G NM_001039999 -2.18828344 OR2A14 NM_001001659
-2.18730703 PSMB1 NM_002793 -2.18716256 PGLYRP4 NM_020393
-2.18711354 LNK NM_005475 -2.18537639 HLA-E NM_005516 -2.18281657
FLJ38984 NM_152374 -2.18050259 PTGIS NM_000961 -2.17764803 RASIP1
NM_017805 -2.17751021 LRRC6 NM_012472 -2.17671453 DCDC1 NM_181807
-2.17260641 GPR3 NM_005281 -2.1712 FLJ21148 NM_001160305
-2.17066839 TBX3 NM_005996 -2.16946992 ZMPSTE24 NM_005857
-2.16936496 TNNT1 NM_001126132 -2.16882365 POF1B NM_024921
-2.16476494 LTB4DH NM_001146108 -2.16474877 MGC57858 NM_001008703
-2.16473473 FLJ31978 NM_144669 -2.16258788 P8 NM_012385 -2.16131498
KCNN1 NM_002248 -2.1606 DDX20 NM_007204 -2.16006 HSPA12A NM_025015
-2.15973918 ATP1A1 NM_000701 -2.15928943 GPS2 NM_004489 -2.1588529
KIAA1856 NM_001080495 -2.15796869 LOC196394 NM_207337 -2.15341867
C17ORF32 NM_152464 -2.15287003 KRT10 NM_000421 -2.14871198 FLJ41287
NM_207381 -2.14830576 GASP2 NM_001004051 -2.1472978 HIST1H2BB
NM_021062 -2.14710744 LOC134145 NM_199133 -2.14682343 MSX2
NM_002449 -2.14552263 C21ORF5 NM_005128 -2.14443549 FAM47E
NM_001136570 -2.1419783 FZD8 NM_031866 -2.1411 SOCS1 NM_003745
-2.1410 NOD3 NM_178844 -2.14095033 IL17E NM_022789 -2.14064682
MRPL16 NM_017840 -2.14007036 TOP1MT NM_052963 -2.14005861 LOC400451
NM_207446 -2.13874052 OSR2 NM_001142462 -2.13571264 CSPG6 NM_005445
-2.13550418 RPL3 NM_000967 -2.13454843 CLIC6 NM_053277 -2.1343
KPNB1 NM_002265 -2.13122511 TRPV3 NM_145068 -2.1312 NTN2L NM_006181
-2.12927563 FLJ22679 NM_017698 -2.12847611 UBL3 NM_007106
-2.12815984 CAST NM_173060 -2.1279535 LOC338761 XM_290558
-2.12713854 LASS6 NM_203463 -2.12338518 SMC4L1 NM_001002800
-2.12268232 FSTL4 NM_015082 -2.12172329 STMN4 NM_030795 -2.12022558
MS4A2 NM_000139 -2.1197 ADAM22 NM_004194 -2.11914011 ADAM33
NM_025220 -2.11843593 FLJ35725 NM_152544 -2.11682691 LOC392360
XM_373303 -2.11474669 GPBAR1 NM_001077191 -2.1140 RAD52 NM_134424
-2.1140303 PTGFR NM_000959 -2.1131 ASB4 NM_016116 -2.1127 PCDHB11
NM_018931 -2.11212725 LOC153328 NM_145282 -2.11151638 KIAA1163
NM_020703 -2.11134711 YME1L1 NM_014263 -2.11134157 NAT9 NM_015654
-2.1100198 PFN1 NM_005022 -2.11001738 CYP2C19 NM_000769 -2.10853909
SHOX2 NM_001163678 -2.10762676 BCAP31 NM_001139441 -2.10561247 DARS
NM_001349 -2.10523242 CAMK1D NM_020397 -2.1037 DHRS10 NM_016246
-2.10291597 MGC11335 NM_001243650 -2.10215399 SVIL NM_003174
-2.10192469 COPB2 NM_004766 -2.09992745 FLJ35954 NM_152622
-2.09958754 GPR NM_007223 -2.0996 MS4A5 NM_023945 -2.09954455
FLJ90575 NM_153376 -2.09576913 NUDT2 NM_001161 -2.0936 PSMA5
NM_001199772 -2.09227158 IFNA16 NM_002173 -2.09196505 C6ORF168
NM_032511 -2.09161864 LOC200373 NM_001029996 -2.09127336 LAX1
NM_001136190 -2.08983415 MOX2 NM_005924 -2.08936807 ZNF445
NM_181489 -2.08931855 ZNF70 NM_021916 -2.08917296 PPP1R15B
NM_032833 -2.0870 SNX1 NM_001242933 -2.08675257 CCDC7 NM_001026383
-2.08292088 PSMD11 NM_002815 -2.08251537 NUP62 NM_001193357 -2.0823
MGC4825 NM_024122 -2.08228284 UNC13B NM_006377 -2.07996457 ZNF403
NM_024835 -2.07959828 CD1B NM_001764 -2.0767713 KRTAP10-10
NM_181688 -2.07669081 LIN28 NM_024674 -2.07497392 SSTR4 NM_001052
-2.0732 LILRA1 NM_006863 -2.0719926 FLJ10379 NM_018079 -2.07189426
IGSF3 NM_001007237 -2.07131291 GRINA NM_000837 -2.0709 VDAC2
NM_001184783 -2.0706 UTP14C NM_021645 -2.06937615 FLJ13615
NM_025114 -2.06826692 TEX9 NM_198524 -2.06672242 TAPBPL NM_018009
-2.06621575 NUP85 NM_024844 -2.06390811 LOC138046 NM_173848
-2.05981937 GRASP NM_181711 -2.05795653 DAAM2 NM_001201427
-2.05764456 LR8 NM_001101311 -2.05695923 FBXO33 NM_203301 -2.0561
EPPB9 NM_001243473 -2.0554743 MUC13 NM_033049 -2.05457618 C6ORF80
NM_015439 -2.0540694 CNKSR1 NM_006314 -2.05370393 GGT1 NM_001032364
-2.05346804 C21ORF7 NM_020152 -2.05203521 ET NM_001168319
-2.05187728 SERPINE1 NM_000602 -2.04966409 SPEC1 NM_001038707
-2.04931329 C7ORF9 NM_022150 -2.04784542 FBXO41 NM_001080410
-2.04630167 RPL30 NM_000989 -2.04587416 BPY2 NM_004678 -2.04444691
KIAA1441 NM_020832 -2.0437645
RPL35A NM_000996 -2.04280134 CD37 NM_001040031 -2.04198632 PIK4CB
NM_001198773 -2.0417 RPS28 NM_001031 -2.0399029 PIP5K1A
NM_001135636 -2.0398 ANXA10 NM_007193 -2.03941415 AP2S1 NM_004069
-2.03839463 OXER1 NM_148962 -2.0381 PSMB3 NM_002795 -2.03807125
THY28 NM_001037304 -2.03786968 LRIG3 NM_001136051 -2.03703198 CGB
NM_000737 -2.03585165 UNC13D NM_199242 -2.03574454 OBFC1 NM_024928
-2.03545065 WASPIP NM_001077269 -2.03521021 ACP1 NM_001040649
-2.0350 STRAP NM_007178 -2.03426288 CDY1B NM_001003894 -2.03368024
FLJ20422 NM_017814 -2.03350425 FAU NM_001997 -2.03202082 FLJ14624
NM_001079669 -2.03185235 PDCL3 NM_024065 -2.03097313 RLN3 NM_080864
-2.02980741 ECHDC1 NM_001002030 -2.02944487 FLJ46481 XM_003118524
-2.02884842 RINT-1 NM_021930 -2.02877638 KRTHA1 NM_002277
-2.02819748 TJP2 NM_001170414 -2.0271 LOC253982 NM_181718
-2.02604517 PPRC1 NM_015062 -2.02577162 ACTG1 NM_001199954
-2.02493498 SHD NM_020209 -2.02492758 RPS24 NM_001026 -2.02480869
IL28B NM_172139 -2.02451469 PSMD6 NM_014814 -2.02447849 LOC51058
NM_015911 -2.0225011 LOC154907 NM_001024607 -2.02248766 KCNA2
NM_001204269 -2.0224 LOC92235 XM_043739 -2.022006 MGC12197
NM_016625 -2.01939695 LOC284123 NM_203392 -2.01860474 PSMA3
NM_002788 -2.01815147 FBXO7 NM_001033024 -2.01796185 SFI1
NM_001007467 -2.0178263 RASGRP3 NM_001139488 -2.01736034 COPZ1
NM_016057 -2.0171775 MGC42090 NM_152774 -2.01709049 KATNAL2
NM_031303 -2.01581373 SLC5A9 NM_001011547 -2.01549479 MAP7
NM_001198608 -2.01483677 MGC10820 NM_032648 -2.01452268 SFRS14
NM_001017392 -2.01368004 KIAA1912 NM_001080433 -2.01364824 URB1
NM_014825 -2.01325122 SYCN NM_001080468 -2.01317113 ABI1
NM_001012750 -2.01297548 C10ORF119 NM_001256378 -2.01273666 MGC3040
NM_001136469 -2.01269528 MYO1F NM_012335 -2.01201535 EPM2A
NM_001018041 -2.0108 FLJ31052 NM_001002901 -2.01052556 FLJ32830
NM_152781 -2.01003276 ZNF499 NM_032792 -2.00957103 CHRNA2 NM_000742
-2.0085 KIAA0431 NM_015251 -2.00569093 TIMM13 NM_012458 -2.00545588
PRKWNK2 NM_006648 -2.0032 RIPK2 NM_003821 -2.0027 SSTR5 NM_001053
-2.0025 OR2AG1 NM_001004489 -2.002257 RPS27A NM_002954 -2.00143551
TNFRSF6B NM_003823 -2.00134172
[0065] The mechanisms by which picornavirus production is enhanced
are likely to be diverse. In some cases, genes identified in the
screen have direct negative interactions with one or more
components of the virus. For instance, the host gene product may be
a direct mediator of the cell's innate immunity and therefore have
anti-viral properties by e.g., detecting the viral genome and
subsequently inducing an apoptotic state. In other instances, the
gene's action may be indirect, where modulation of the gene product
positively affects viral replication by modifying a pathway, a
compartment, or a cellular state that the virus relies upon for
e.g., replication. For instance, it is conceivable that particular
modulation events enhance a host-protein post-translational
modification and in doing so, positively augment one or more host
cell secretion pathways that are essential for viral replication.
Alternatively, modulation of one or more of the genes may increase
cell viability, thereby increasing the number of cells capable of
supporting viral replication. In yet another scenario, modulation
of one or more genes may lock the cell into a stage of the cell
cycle that is more conducive to viral growth. In these instances,
the inventors foresee that the benefits of the invention may not be
limited to poliovirus vaccine production but may extend to other
picornaviruses or biomolecules (e.g., therapeutic antibodies).
[0066] Modulation of the genes identified herein can be achieved by
multiple methods including techniques that manipulate genomic DNA,
messenger and/or non-coding RNA and/or proteins. As such, the
technologies or mechanisms that can be employed to modulate a gene
of interest include but are not limited to 1) technologies and
reagents that target genomic DNA to result in an edited genome
(e.g., homologous recombination to introduce a mutation such as a
deletion into a gene, zinc finger nucleases, meganucleases,
transcription activator-like effectors (e.g., TALENs), triplexes,
mediators of epigenetic modification, and CRISPR and rAAV
technologies), 2) technologies and reagents that target RNA (e.g.
agents that act through the RNAi pathway, antisense technologies,
ribozyme technologies), and 3) technologies that target proteins
(e.g., small molecules, aptamers, peptides, auxin- or FKBP-mediated
destabilizing domains, antibodies).
[0067] In one embodiment for targeting DNA, gene modulation is
achieved using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs). Synthetic ZFNs are
composed of a custom designed zinc finger binding domain fused with
e.g. a FokI DNA cleavage domain. As these reagents can be
designed/engineered for editing the genome of a cell, including,
but not limited to, knock out or knock in gene expression, in a
wide range of organisms, they are considered one of the standards
for developing stable engineered cell lines with desired traits.
Meganucleases, triplexes, CRISPR, and recombinant adeno-associated
viruses have similarly been used for genome engineering in a wide
array of cell types and are viable alternatives to ZFNs. The
described reagents can be used to target promoters,
protein-encoding regions (exons), introns, 5' and 3' UTRs, and
more.
[0068] Another embodiment for modulating gene function utilizes the
cell's endogenous RNA interference (RNAi) pathways to target
cellular messenger RNA. In this approach, gene targeting reagents
include small interfering RNAs (siRNA) as well as microRNAs
(miRNA). These reagents can incorporate a wide range of chemical
modifications, levels of complementarity to the target transcript
of interest, and designs (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,060) to enhance
stability, cellular delivery, specificity, and functionality. In
addition, such reagents can be designed to target diverse regions
of a gene (including the 5' UTR, the open reading frame, the 3' UTR
of the mRNA), or (in some cases) the promoter/enhancer regions of
the genomic DNA encoding the gene of interest. Gene modulation
(e.g., knockdown) can be achieved by introducing (into a cell) a
single siRNA or miRNA or multiple siRNAs or miRNAs (i.e., pools)
targeting different regions of the same mRNA transcript. Synthetic
siRNA/miRNA delivery can be achieved by any number of methods
including but not limited to 1) self-delivery (US Patent
Application No 2009/0280567A1), 2) lipid-mediated delivery, 3)
electroporation, or 4) vector/plasmid-based expression systems. An
introduced RNA molecule may be referred to as an exogenous
nucleotide sequence or polynucleotide.
[0069] Another gene targeting reagent that uses RNAi pathways
includes small hairpin RNA, also referred to as shRNA. shRNAs
delivered to cells via e.g., expression constructs (e.g., plasmids,
lentiviruses) have the ability to provide long term gene knockdown
in a constitutive or regulated manner, depending upon the type of
promoter employed. In one preferred embodiment, the genome of a
lentiviral particle is modified to include one or more shRNA
expression cassettes that target a gene (or genes) of interest.
Such lentiviruses can infect a cell intended for vaccine
production, stably integrate their viral genome into the host
genome, and express the shRNA(s) in a 1) constitutive, 2)
regulated, or (in the case where multiple shRNA are being
expressed) constitutive and regulated fashion. In this way, cell
lines having enhanced picornavirus production capabilities can be
created. It is worth noting, that approaches that use siRNA or
shRNA have the added benefit in that they can be designed to target
individual variants of a single gene or multiple closely related
gene family members. In this way, individual reagents can be used
to modulate larger collections of targets having similar or
redundant functions or sequence motifs. The skilled person will
recognize that lentiviral constructs can also incorporate cloned
DNA, or ORF expression constructs.
[0070] In another embodiment, modulation takes place at the protein
level. By example, knockdown of gene function at the protein level
can be achieved by a number of means including but not limited to
targeting the protein with a small molecule, a peptide, an aptamer,
destabilizing domains, or other methods that can e.g.,
down-regulate the activity or enhance the rate of degradation of a
gene product. In one preferred instance, a small molecule that
binds e.g. an active site and inhibits the function of a target
protein can be added to e.g., the cell culture media and thereby
introduced into the cell. Alternatively, target protein function
can be modulated by introducing e.g. a peptide into a cell that
(for instance) prevents protein-protein interactions (see for
instance, Shangary et. al., (2009) Annual Review of Pharmacology
and Toxicology 49:223). Such peptides can be introduced into a cell
by transfection or electroporation, or introduced via an expression
construct. Alternatively, peptides can be introduced into cells by
1) adding (e.g., through conjugation) one or more moieties that
facilitate cellular delivery, or 2) supercharging molecules to
enhance self-delivery (Cronican, J. J. et al (2010) ACS Chem. Biol.
5(8):747-52). Techniques for expressing a peptide include, but are
not limited to 1) fusion of the peptide to a scaffold, or 2)
attachment of a signal sequence, to stabilize or direct the peptide
to a position or compartment of interest, respectively.
[0071] While genes provided herein were identified in a screen
designed to identify gene knockdown events that enhance Sabin-2
capsid antigen and poliovirus production, work presented in the
Examples section demonstrate that modulation of these targets also
enhances the production of other serotypes of poliovirus (e.g.,
Sabin 1, Sabin 3), and of Enterovirus 71. This is of particular
importance from the perspective of vaccine manufacturers since
current poliovirus vaccines include all three serotypes (e.g. Sabin
1, Sabin 2, and Sabin 3, or wild type strains of each of the three
serotypes). For this reason, an additional embodiment includes a
list of genes that when modulated enhance the production of
picornaviruses or picornavirus antigens other than Sabin 2
poliovirus or Sabin 2 poliovirus antigen, including but not limited
to viruses and antigens derived from Sabin 1, Sabin 3, other
poliovirus strains, and enterovirus 71.
[0072] The original screen for genes that enhanced poliovirus
production took place in a HEp-2C cell line. HEp-2C cells are human
in origin and for this reason, the original screen identified human
genes that when modulated, enhance poliovirus production. As
described in the Examples section below, validation studies
utilized Vero cells which are derived from the African Green Monkey
kidney. As hits identified in the primary screen also increase
poliovirus titers in Vero cells, an additional embodiment includes
a list of genes that are orthologs of those identified in the
primary screen (Table I). Such orthologs can be modulated in human
or non-human cells, cell lines, or cell lysates to increase
picornavirus or picornavirus antigen production, including
poliovirus or poliovirus antigen production. Examples of cells and
cell lines useful in the methods described herein include primate
cells that are known to support replication of picornavirus. Such
cells can be human, chimpanzee, and monkey cells. Specific examples
include, but are not limited to, WI-38, MRC-5, HEK293, PERC6, HeLa,
and African Green Monkey kidney cells, such as Vero cells.
[0073] Separately, the inventors recognize that the list of genes
identified in Table I are also potential drug targets to increase
polio virus replication. For this reason, in a separate embodiment,
genes listed in Table I can be modulated to increase picornavirus
replication, and thereby enhance the production of picornavirus,
including poliovirus. Examples of small molecules that may be used
to increase replication of poliovirus include, but are not limited
to, SU1489, PD98059, Retinoic acid, curcumin, ly294002, DL-TBOA
(DL-threo-.beta.-Benzyloxyaspartic acid), and
DL-threo-.beta.-Hydroxyaspartic acid.
[0074] Another embodiment includes knockout animals (e.g., knockout
mice) having one or more of the genes identified in the Tables
below modified to enhance or diminish picornavirus replication.
[0075] Another embodiment includes a list of microRNAs (miRNAs)
that enhance picornavirus antigen and picornavirus production. As
shown in the Examples section, a microRNA (miRNA) mimic screen was
performed to identify miRNAs that (when upregulated) enhance the
production of poliovirus. The miRNA mimic screen identified
multiple, host-encoded miRNAs that facilitated Sabin 2 poliovirus
production. The proviral miRNAs identified were miR-520e, miR-1256,
miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187,
miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9. miRNAs miR-520e,
miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, and miR-519c-3p, increase
poliovirus antigen and virus production by two- to four-fold
compared to a control cell. miRNAs miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p,
miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9 increase live poliovirus production
by four- to twelve-fold. These miRNAs can be modulated
individually, in combination with other miRNAs, or in combination
with one or more protein-encoding genes to boost picornavirus or
picornavirus antigen production. As this collection of miRNAs boost
poliovirus production, the addition of a microRNA inhibitor is
expected to greatly reduce picornavirus production in cells where
the endogenous miRNA is present. As such, another embodiment
includes a list of microRNA inhibitors designed to target the list
of pro-viral miRNAs that can be used as potential therapeutic
agents against polio.
[0076] miRNA inhibitors (also referred to in the art as anti-miRs,
antagomirs, and/or blockmirs) are engineered nucleotide sequences
that, when introduced into a cell, silence endogenous miRNAs. The
production, identification, and use of miRNA inhibitors is known to
the person skilled in the art and is routine. Exemplary designs of
miRNA inhibitors include but are not limited to those described by
1) Hutvagner et al., 2004, PLoS Biol., 2:E98, 2) Meister et al.,
2004, RNA 10:544-550, 3) and Vermeulen et al., 2007, RNA,
13:723-730.
[0077] Importantly, the screen also identified miRNA mimics that
decrease poliovirus antigen and/or virus production (see Examples
and Table IV). As such, another embodiment includes the list of
antiviral miRNAs as potential therapeutic agents to treat polio
infection. Moreover, inhibition of these antiviral miRNAs (by, for
instance, a miRNA inhibitor) is predicted to increase picornavirus
antigen and virus production. As such, another embodiment includes
the list of inhibitors targeting the list of antiviral miRNAs to
facilitate picornavirus antigen and virus production. In cases
where a miRNA inhibitor(s) could be implemented (for therapeutic or
vaccine production) a variety of designs can be employed including
but not limited to modified and unmodified single site linear
molecules, modified or unmodified molecules that incorporate
hairpin structures, and modified or unmodified designs that have
concatemers of full or partial miRNA target sites.
[0078] The original screen for miRNAs that enhanced poliovirus
production took place in a HEp-2C cell line. HEp-2C cells are human
in origin and for this reason, the original screen identified human
miRNAs that when modulated, enhance poliovirus production. As
miRNAs found in one species often exist in other species in
identical or closely related forms, an additional embodiment
includes a list of miRNAs that are orthologs of those identified in
the primary screen that can be modulated in human or non-human
cells, cell lines, or cell lysates to increase picornavirus or
picornavirus antigen production.
[0079] Another embodiment provides a cell line (human or non-human)
that has one or more genes identified in the Examples (or orthologs
to genes identified in the Examples) modified to enhance
picornavirus or picornavirus antigen production. A cell line
includes i) a modification of at least one coding region present in
a gene described in Table I (or an ortholog thereof) so that there
is a decrease in expression of the coding region, ii) a
modification of at least one coding region present in a gene
described in Table II (or an ortholog thereof) so that there is an
increase in expression of the coding region, iii) increased
expression of at least one miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256,
miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187,
miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9, iv) an inhibitor that
targets an antiviral miRNA described in Table IV, or v) a
combination thereof. The modification of at least one coding region
present in a gene described in Table I may be achieved through an
alteration of the gene in the genome of the cell, or the presence
of siRNA, shRNA, or antisense RNA in the cell. An alteration of a
gene includes, but is not limited to, a mutation in the coding
region or a regulatory region operably linked to the coding region.
In one embodiment, the modified genes enhance Sabin 1, Sabin 2,
and/or Sabin 3 production or production of wild type poliovirus
strains used to produce IPV. In one embodiment, the modified genes
enhance EV71 production. Preferably, the cell line and the
poliovirus or polio antigen are employed in poliovirus vaccine
production. The inventors perceive that the cell lines can be
eukaryotic or engineered prokaryotic. Alternatively, the cells can
be synthetic (i.e., artificially generated) in nature (Gibson et
al. (2010) Science 329:52-56). In the case where the cells are
eukaryotic or modified eukaryotic cells, said cells may be primary
cells, continuous cells, immortalized cell (cell lines), or stem
cells. Cells may be derived from human, non-human primates, mouse,
rat, hamster, insect, and more. In one embodiment, the cells may be
HEp-2C or a derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the cells may be
Vero or a derivative thereof.
[0080] Another embodiment provides a cell lysate (human or
non-human) that is derived from a cell line described herein. For
instance, in one embodiment the cell lysate has one or more genes
identified in the Examples (or orthologs to genes identified in the
Examples) modified to enhance virus or viral antigen production.
Preferably, the modified genes enhance Sabin 1, Sabin 2, and/or
Sabin 3 virus or virus antigen production or production of wild
type poliovirus strains used to produce IPV. Preferably, the cell
lysates are employed in poliovirus vaccine production.
[0081] In another embodiment, the timing of target gene modulation
can vary. In some cases it is envisioned that gene modulation may
occur prior to picornavirus infection. For instance, if the gene
target of choice locks the cell in a particular phase of the cell
cycle that is highly productive for picornavirus replication or
picornavirus antigen production, initiating gene modulation prior
to viral infection may be beneficial. In other cases, it may be
beneficial for picornavirus infection/replication or antigen
production to be initiated prior to modulating the target gene of
interest. For instance, if a particular host gene modulation event
is essential at the later stages of viral replication or antigen
production, but deleterious at the early stages, the inventors
envision that gene modulation would be initiated after infection.
In cases where two or more gene modulation events are required for
optimized picornavirus or picornavirus antigen production, some of
the genes may be modified before viral infection while others are
modified after viral infection. Regardless of the timing of gene
modulation, multiple methods (including, for instance, applications
of shRNA in conjunction with regulatable (e.g., Tet-sensitive)
promoter) can be employed to time the expression of gene
modulation.
[0082] The pathway analysis studies performed on validated hits
from the poliovirus screen identified genes that reside in the same
pathway. Simultaneously, these studies also identified genes that
reside in non-overlapping or unrelated pathways. In some instances,
targeting two or more genes in a single pathway may provide
additive or synergistic effects. In other instances, targeting two
or more genes from unrelated pathways may significantly increase
viral protein and/or virus production beyond what is achieved by
modulation of any single gene (or pathway). Furthermore, modulating
combinations of genes, some residing in the same pathway while
others residing in unrelated pathways, can enhance virus and/or
virus protein production. For this reason, in a separate embodiment
two or more genes identified herein may be modulated to provide
additive or synergistic effects on picornavirus or picornavirus
antigen production. In such cases, any of the methods/technologies
described above or employed by life scientists currently or in the
future can be employed to modulate the two or more genes.
[0083] It should be noted that in the course of the screen it was
observed that knockdown of certain host-encoded genes led to a
decrease in polio virus replication (Table II). As such, in one
embodiment, the inventors envision that over-expression of one or
more of the genes listed in Table II can also enhance picornavirus
or picornavirus antigen production. Over-expression of the genes
listed in Table II can be achieved by a variety of methods
including, but not limited to increasing gene copy number (i.e.,
introducing a cloned DNA or ORF expression construct), increasing
promoter strength, altering epigenetic modifications, reducing mRNA
degradation, enhancing protein function, or transfecting an mRNA,
protein, protein domain, or peptide into the cell. Importantly,
over-expression of any gene(s) listed in Table II can be done while
simultaneously down-regulating one or more genes listed in Table
I.
[0084] In a separate embodiment, the invention provides a method of
producing picornavirus vaccine, such as poliovirus vaccine, in
which cells or cell lysates having one or more genes or gene
products modulated, are employed.
[0085] Separately, the inventors recognize that the list of genes
identified in Table II are also potential therapeutic drug targets
to fight picornavirus infection, including polio virus infection.
For this reason, in a separate embodiment, genes listed in Table II
can be modulated to reduce picornavirus replication, and thereby
reduce the infection and the symptoms associated with picornavirus
infection. Targeting of the genes in Table II can be achieved by a
wide range of methods including small molecules, RNAi technologies,
ribozymes (and more) using art-recognized delivery
technologies.
[0086] Examples of small molecules that may be used to inhibit
replication of poliovirus include, but are not limited to, Riluzole
hydrochloride, Ceftriaxone disodium salt hemi(heptahydrate),
pasireotide, lanreotide, octreotide, ABT-089, ABT 418, isoflurane,
mecamylamine, succinylcholine, rocuronium, doxacurium, mivacurium,
pipecuronium, rapacuronium, metocurine, atracurium, cisatracurium,
acetylcholine, nicotine, D-tubocurarine, arecoline, enflurane,
pancuronium, vecuronium, drotrecogin alfa, octreotide, tafluprost,
travoprost, isopropyl unoprostone, bimatoprost, latanoprost,
digoxin, omeprazole, ethacrynic acid, perphenazine,
hexa-D-arginine, nona-D-arginine amide,
dextromethorphan/guaifenesin, morphine/dextromethorphan,
neramexane, bicifadine, delucemine, CR 2249, besonprodil,
UK-240455, ketamine, felbamate, memantine, orphenadrine,
cycloserine, N-(2-indanyl)glycinamide, dextromethorphan,
brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine,
chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine,
carbinoxamine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine,
dextromethorphan/promethazine, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic
acid, elsamitrucin, T 0128, CT-2106, BN 80927, tafluposide,
TAS-103, beta-lapachone, irinotecan, topotecan,
9-amino-20-camptothecin, rubitecan, gimatecan, karenitecin,
oblimersen, (-)-gossypol, calcipotriene, vitamin D2, ILX-23-7553,
alendronate/cholecalciferol, 2-(3-hydroxypropoxy)calcitriol,
betamethasone dipropionate/calcipotriene, paricalcitol,
doxercalciferol, cholecalciferol, 1-alpha, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3,
N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin, N-butyldeoxynojirimycin, riluzole,
HuHMFG1, ladostigil, 1-ethylphenoxathiin 10,10-dioxide,
moclobemide, dextroamphetamine, procainamide, tranylcypromine,
phenelzine, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, benzphetamine,
N-(2-indanyl)glycinamide
[0087] Also provided herein is a kit that includes an engineered
cell line described herein. In one embodiment, cells of the
engineered cell line may be used as a host cell for infection by at
least one picornavirus. In one embodiment, cells of the engineered
cell line include at least one picornavirus. The cells may be used
for production of virus. The engineered cell line may be present in
a suitable packaging material in an amount sufficient for at least
one use. Optionally, other reagents such as medium may be included.
Instructions for use of the engineered cell line may also be
included.
[0088] As used herein, the phrase "packaging material" refers to
one or more physical structures used to house the contents of the
kit. The packaging material is constructed by known methods,
preferably to provide a sterile, contaminant-free environment, and
may include a container, such as a tube, bottle, vial, syringe, or
other suitable container means. The packaging material has a label
which indicates how the engineered cell line can be used.
ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0089] An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered
cell line comprise decreased expression of a coding region selected
from Table I compared to a control cell line, wherein the coding
region is selected from ZNF205, CNTD2, SEC61G, ETS1, TAF1L, MCCD1,
LY6G6C, BTN2A1, GLXP3, GCGR, EP300.
Embodiment 2
[0090] An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered
cell line comprise decreased expression of a coding region selected
from Table I compared to a control cell line
Embodiment 3
[0091] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
decrease is at least 5% compared to the control cell line.
Embodiment 4
[0092] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
decrease in expression is determined by measuring the amount in the
cells of polypeptide or mRNA encoded by the coding region.
Embodiment 5
[0093] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
cells comprise a mutation in the coding region or in a regulatory
region operably linked to the coding region.
Embodiment 6
[0094] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
cells comprise an exogenous polynucleotide that decreases the
expression of the coding region.
Embodiment 7
[0095] The engineered cell line of embodiment 5 wherein the
exogenous polynucleotide is an RNA polynucleotide.
Embodiment 8
[0096] The engineered cell line of embodiment 7 wherein the RNA
polynucleotide is a siRNA, a shRNA, or an antisense
polynucleotide.
Embodiment 9
[0097] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
cells comprise an edited genome that results in the decreased
expression.
Embodiment 10
[0098] The engineered cell line of embodiment 9 wherein the genome
is edited by a zinc finger nuclease, a meganuclease, or a
transcription activator-like effector.
Embodiment 11
[0099] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
cells further comprise decreased expression of at least one
additional coding region selected from Table I, increased
expression of an miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256,
miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187,
miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9 compared to a control
cell line, decreased expression of an miRNA selected from Table IV,
or a combination thereof.
Embodiment 12
[0100] The engineered cell line of embodiment 11 wherein the cells
comprise decreased expression of at least five coding regions
selected from Table I.
Embodiment 13
[0101] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the
cells further comprise decreased expression of a combination of at
least 2 coding regions, wherein the combinations of coding regions
are selected from Table VI.
Embodiment 14
[0102] An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered
cell line comprise increased expression of a coding region selected
from Table II compared to a control cell line.
Embodiment 15
[0103] The engineered cell line of embodiment 14 wherein the
increase in expression is determined by measuring the amount in the
cells of polypeptide or mRNA encoded by the coding region.
Embodiment 16
[0104] The engineered cell line of embodiment 14 wherein the cells
further comprise increased expression of at least one additional
coding region selected from Table II, decreased expression of an
miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p,
miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p,
and miR-9 compared to a control cell line, decreased expression of
an miRNA selected from Table IV, or a combination thereof.
Embodiment 17
[0105] The engineered cell line of embodiment 14 wherein the cells
comprise increased expression of at least five coding regions
selected from Table II.
Embodiment 18
[0106] The engineered cell line of embodiment 14 wherein the
increase is at least 5% compared to the control cell line.
Embodiment 19
[0107] An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered
cell line comprise increased expression of an miRNA selected from
miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p,
miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9
compared to a control cell line.
Embodiment 20
[0108] The engineered cell line of embodiment 19 wherein the cells
comprise an miRNA mimic that behaves like one of the endogenous
miRNAs.
Embodiment 21
[0109] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1 wherein the cells
further comprise increased expression of at least two miRNAs. 9
Embodiment 22
[0110] The engineered cell line of embodiment 19 wherein the
increase is at least 5% compared to the control cell line.
Embodiment 23
[0111] An engineered cell line, wherein cells of the engineered
cell line comprise decreased expression of an endogenous miRNA
selected from Table IV compared to a control cell line.
Embodiment 24
[0112] The engineered cell line of embodiment 23 wherein the cells
comprise a mutation in the coding region encoding the endogenous
miRNA or in a regulatory region operably linked to the coding
region.
Embodiment 25
[0113] The engineered cell line of embodiment 23 wherein the cells
comprise an miRNA inhibitor that inhibits activity of the
endogenous miRNA.
Embodiment 26
[0114] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1, 2, 14, 19, or 23
wherein the cells comprise a picornavirus.
Embodiment 27
[0115] The engineered cell line of embodiment 26 wherein the
picornavirus is a poliovirus
Embodiment 28
[0116] The engineered cell line of embodiment 27 wherein the
poliovirus is chosen from either Sabin 1, Sabin 2, or Sabin 3.
Embodiment 29
[0117] The engineered cell line of embodiment 27 wherein the
poliovirus is selected from Mahoney or Brunhilde.
Embodiment 30
[0118] The engineered cell line of embodiment 27 wherein the
poliovirus is MEF-1.
Embodiment 31
[0119] The engineered cell line of embodiment 27 wherein the
poliovirus is Saukett.
Embodiment 32
[0120] The engineered cell line of embodiment 28 wherein cells of
the cell line comprise two or three polioviruses.
Embodiment 33
[0121] The engineered cell line of embodiment 26 wherein the
picornavirus is enterovirus 71.
Embodiment 35
[0122] The engineered cell line of embodiment 1, 2, 14, 19, or 23
wherein the cell line is a mammalian cell line, an avian cell line,
or an insect cell line.
Embodiment 36
[0123] The engineered cell line of embodiment 35 wherein the
mammalian cell line is selected from a human cell line, a non-human
primate cell line, a canine cell line, or a hamster cell line
Embodiment 37
[0124] The engineered cell line of embodiment 36 wherein the
mammalian cell line is HEp-2 or Vero P.
Embodiment 38
[0125] The engineered cell line of embodiment 35 wherein the avian
cell line is a chicken cell line, or a duck cell line.
Embodiment 39
[0126] The engineered cell line of embodiment 19 or embodiment 23
wherein the change in expression is determined by measuring the
amount in the cells of the miRNA.
Embodiment 40
[0127] A lysate of the engineered cell line of embodiment 1, 2, 14,
19, or 23.
Embodiment 41
[0128] A method for producing a virus comprising: providing the
engineered cell line of embodiment 1, 2, 14, 19, or 23 wherein
cells of the cell line comprise a virus; incubating the engineered
cell line under conditions suitable for the production of the virus
by the cells; and harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
Embodiment 42
[0129] A method for producing a virus comprising: providing a cell
line wherein cells of the cell line comprise a virus; incubating
the cell line under conditions suitable for the production of the
virus by the cells, wherein the medium comprises an RNA
polynucleotide that inhibits expression of a coding region selected
from Table I; and harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
Embodiment 43
[0130] The cell line of embodiment 42 wherein the RNA
polynucleotide is a siRNA, a shRNA, or an antisense polynucleotide,
an miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p,
miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p, miR-22,
miR-520c-3p, and miR-9, an mRNA inhibitor that inhibits activity of
an endogenous miRNA selected from Table IV, or a combination
thereof.
Embodiment 44
[0131] A method for producing a virus comprising: providing a cell
line wherein cells of the cell line comprise a virus, and wherein
the cells comprise an edited genome that results in decreased
expression of a coding region selected from Table I; incubating the
cell line under conditions suitable for the production of the virus
by the cells; and harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
Embodiment 45
[0132] The engineered cell line of embodiment 43 wherein the genome
is edited by a zinc finger nuclease, a meganuclease, or a
transcription activator-like effector.
Embodiment 46
[0133] A method for producing a virus comprising: providing a cell
line wherein cells of the cell line comprise a virus; incubating
the cell line under conditions suitable for the production of the
virus by the cells, wherein the medium comprises a small molecule
that inhibits expression of a coding region selected from Table I;
and harvesting the virus produced by the cells.
Embodiment 47
[0134] The method of embodiment 34, 35, 37, or 39 wherein the virus
is a picornavirus.
Embodiment 48
[0135] The method of embodiment 47 wherein the picornavirus is a
poliovirus
Embodiment 49
[0136] The method of embodiment 48 wherein the poliovirus is chosen
from either Sabin 1, Sabin 2, or Sabin 3.
Embodiment 50
[0137] The method of embodiment 48 wherein the poliovirus is
selected from Mahoney or Brunhilde.
Embodiment 51
[0138] The method of embodiment 48 wherein the poliovirus is
MEF-1.
Embodiment 52
[0139] The method of embodiment 48 wherein the poliovirus is
Saukett.
Embodiment 53
[0140] The method of embodiment 49 wherein cells of the cell line
comprise two or three polioviruses.
Embodiment 54
[0141] The method of embodiment 47 wherein the picornavirus is
enterovirus 71.
Embodiment 55
[0142] The method of embodiment 34, 35, 37, or 39 wherein the cell
line is a mammalian cell line, an avian cell line, or an insect
cell line.
Embodiment 56
[0143] The method of embodiment 55 wherein the mammalian cell line
is selected from a human cell line, a non-human primate cell line,
a canine cell line, or a hamster cell line
Embodiment 57
[0144] The method of embodiment 56 wherein the mammalian cell line
is HEp-2 or Vero P.
Embodiment 58
[0145] The method of embodiment 55 wherein the avian cell line is a
chicken cell line, or a duck cell line.
Embodiment 59
[0146] A method for making an engineered cell comprising:
introducing into a cell a molecule for editing the genome of the
cell; incubating the cell comprising the molecule under conditions
suitable for editing of the genome to occur; obtaining an
engineered cell comprising an edited genome, wherein the editing
results in decreased expression of a coding region selected from
Table I compared to a control cell line.
Embodiment 60
[0147] The method of embodiment 60 wherein the molecule for editing
the genome of the cell is a zinc finger nuclease, a meganuclease,
or a transcription activator-like effector.
Embodiment 61
[0148] A method of treating a subject having or at risk of having a
viral infection comprising increasing, in cells of the subject,
expression of a coding region selected from Table I.
Embodiment 62
[0149] A method of treating a subject having or at risk of having a
viral infection comprising inhibiting, in cells of the subject,
expression of a coding region selected from Table II.
Embodiment 63
[0150] A method for treating a subject having or at risk of having
a viral infection comprising inhibiting expression, in cells of the
subject, of an endogenous miRNA selected from miR-520e, miR-1256,
miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-519c-3p, miR-1270-2, miR-3187,
miR-5763p, miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9.
Embodiment 64
[0151] A method for treating a subject having or at risk of having
a viral infection comprising increasing, in cells of the subject,
expression of an miRNA selected from Table IV.
[0152] The present invention is illustrated by the following
examples. It is to be understood that the particular examples,
materials, amounts, and procedures are to be interpreted broadly in
accordance with the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth
herein.
Example 1
General Methods
[0153] Both HEp-2C (also referred to as "HEp-2" cells in this
document) and Vero P cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified
Eagle's medium (DMEM, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. # Sh30243.01)
supplemented with 10% calf serum (HyClone, Cat. # Sh30396.03) and
containing 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Cellgro, Cat. #30-004-CI)
during propagation. The human epidermoid cell line, HEp-2C, used
for primary screening was derived from a single batch at passage
166. Vero cells (African Green Monkey kidney cells) were received
from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
(p.12).
[0154] For HTS siRNA transfections in the primary screen,
On-TARGETplus (OTP)-siRNAs (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dharmacon
Products) were reverse transfected into HEp-2C cells at a final
siRNA concentration of 50 nM in 0.3% DharmaFECT4 (DF4, Thermo
Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. T-2004-01s) with 7,500 HEp-2C cells/per
well in a 96-well plate. To achieve this, DF4 was first diluted in
serum-free medium (OPTI-MEM) for 5 minutes. This material was then
added to 96-well culture plates containing 5 .mu.l of a 1 .mu.M
siRNA solution. The DF4-siRNA mixture was then incubated for 20
minutes (room temperature) prior to the addition of cells in
Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with 10% calf
serum. Transfected cells were then cultured for 48 hrs at
37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2. Subsequently, the media was removed and
cells were infected at an MOI of 0.05 using a Sabin 2 Poliovirus
Vaccine Strain that was diluted in DMEM containing 2% calf serum
and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. For the primary screen, plates
containing the virus-infected HEp-2C cells were removed from the
culture incubator 24 hrs after virus infection and stored at
-80.degree. C. Each plate also contained multiple controls
including: 1) siTox (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. #
D-001500-01-05), 2) siNon-targeting control (Thermo Fisher
Scientific, Cat. No. D-001810-10-50), 3) poliovirus-specific siRNAs
as a positive control targeting VP1 &3D (Thermo Fisher
Scientific), and 4) a mock control.
[0155] For validation experiments a similar protocol that utilized
Vero P cells was followed. Briefly, OTP-siRNAs were reverse
transfected into Vero P cells at a final siRNA concentration of 50
nM in 0.3% DF4, with 7,500 cells/well. As described above, DF4 was
diluted in serum-free OPTI-MEM for 5 minutes prior to adding the
transfection reagent to 96-well culture plates containing 5 ul of a
1 .mu.M siRNA solution. The DF4-siRNA cocktail was then incubated
for 20 minutes at room temperature prior to addition of Vero P
cells in DMEM supplemented with 10% calf serum. Transfected cells
were then cultured for 48 hrs at 37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2. The
media was then removed and cells were infected at an MOI of 0.05
using the Sabin 2 Poliovirus Vaccine Strain diluted in DMEM
containing 2% calf serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. The plates
containing the virus-infected Vero P cells were removed from
culture 48 hrs later and stored at -80.degree. C. before ELISA
experiment.
Silencing Reagents
[0156] siRNAs
[0157] The ON-TARGETplus siRNA (OTP-siRNA) library (Thermo Fisher
Scientific) was used for the primary RNAi screen. OTP silencing
reagents are provided as a pool of siRNA targeting each gene. Each
pool contains 4 individual siRNAs targeting different regions of
the open reading frame (ORF).
[0158] For validation experiments, each of the individual siRNA
comprising the OTP pool was tested individually to determine if two
or more siRNA generated the observed phenotype. Similarly,
individual, unmodified siRNA derived from the siGENOME collection
(Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dharmacon Products) and targeting gene
hits identified in the primary screen were also tested for the
ability to induce the desired phenotype. Non-targeting controls
used in this work were purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific
(siGenome NTC, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No.
D-001210-10-01-05).
miRNA Mimics and Inhibitors
[0159] The miRIDIAN library (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dharmacon
Products) of miRNA mimics was employed to identify host-encoded
miRNAs that modulated poliovirus infection. Mimics were introduced
into HEp-2C cells by transfection with DharmaFECT4.
Cell Viability Assay and Cell Proliferation Assay
[0160] To examine whether the transfection of siRNA negatively
affected screen results by inducing cellular toxicity, we
incorporated the ToxiLight.TM. bioassay (LONZA Inc.) in both the
primary screen and hit validation studies. ToxiLight.TM. is a
non-destructive bioluminescent cytotoxicity assay designed to
measure toxicity in cultured mammalian cells and cell lines. The
method, which quantitatively measures the release of adenylate
kinase (AK) from damaged cells, was employed by assessing the
culture supernatant 48 hours after siRNA transfection. To examine
whether knockdown of the identified target genes affected cell
growth, we employed the CellTiter 96.RTM. Assay (PROMEGA Inc., Kit
cat. # G3580) to determine viable cell numbers. The CellTiter
96.RTM. Assay has been shown to provide greater signal sensitivity
and stability compared to other MTT assays. In our studies, 48 or
72 hrs after siRNA transfection, the substrate for the CellTiter
96.RTM. Assay assay was added directly to the culture plates.
Following a 4 hr incubation at 37.degree. C., the culture
absorbance was measured at OD495 nm.
The Poliovirus Type 2 ELISA
[0161] The poliovirus type 2 antigen-capture ELISA was designed to
detect authentic poliovirus antigen ("D-antigen"), using a
"sandwich" assay format. Briefly, the poliovirus type 2-specific
mouse monoclonal antibody (HYB294-06, Thermo Scientific/Pierce) was
diluted 1:500 in 0.05 M carbonate-bicarbonate buffer, pH 9.6. 50
.mu.l of the diluted antibody was then dispensed into Immunlon 2HB
high-binding 96-well plates (NUNC, Inc.) which were then incubated
for 16 hours (overnight) at 4.degree. C. in a moist chamber. The
antibody-coated plates were then washed four times with
phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.2, supplemented with 0.05% Tween-20
(PBS-T), followed by incubation with 100 .mu.l of a blocking buffer
(PBS containing 0.5% gelatin and 0.25% Tween-20, 60 min at
37.degree. C.). The plates were then subjected to four (4) washes
with PBS-T. In the siRNA Hep-2C screen where the samples were
treated with siRNA and subsequently infected with poliovirus for 24
hrs, 50 .mu.l of the supernatant was added to each well of the
antibody-coated plates and incubated for 60 min at 37.degree. C. in
a moist chamber. The plates were then washed four times with PBS-T,
followed by incubation with 50 .mu.l of HRP-conjugated monoclonal
antibody (HYB 293-06, 1:1000 dilution) for 60 minutes at 37.degree.
C. in a moist chamber. Following four additional washes with PBS-T,
50 .mu.l of the substrate (SureBlue Reserve, Kirkegaard and Perry
Laboratories, 50-85-31) was added to each well. The plates were
then incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes and the reaction
was stopped by addition of 50 .mu.l of TMB BlueSTOP Solution
(Kirkegaard and Perry Laboratories, 50-85-31). Plates were then
evaluated on a spectrophotometer at wavelength of 620 nm.
[0162] For the Sabin 1 and Sabin 3 testing, Vero cells transfected
with siRNAs targeting various genes were infected with the Sabin 1
or Sabin 3 viruses. Subsequently, the supernatant was tested by
ELISA, as above, using monoclonal antibodies specific for
poliovirus type 1 (NBP1-05101, Novus Biologicals) or poliovirus
type 3 (HYB 300-06, Thermo Scientific/Pierce), as appropriate,
substituted for the type 2-specific antibody in the capture and
conjugate steps.
Data Analysis Methods Used in the HTS Screening
[0163] Quality control was assessed using Z'-factor where a
Z'-factor score between 0.5 and 1.0 is indicative of a highly
robust assay whereas scores between 0 and 0.5 are deemed acceptable
(see Zhang et al. (1999) J. Biomol Screen 4(2): 67-73). Data was
normalized across the entire plate allowing us to set the mean
(.mu.) of the data to zero and the standard deviation (SD) to 1.
Positive hits from the primary screen are scored by Z-score.
Plaque and Cell Culture Infective Dose (CCID.sub.50) Assays
[0164] CCID.sub.50 and plaque assays were performed to assess the
effects of gene knockdown on live virus production. To achieve
this, Vero cells (African Green Monkey Kidney cells) were
transfected with siRNA targeting genes identified in the primary
screen. Cultures were then infected with Sabin 2 poliovirus and the
resultant supernatant was assessed in either the CCID.sub.50 or
plaque assays using HEp-2C cells. To study the effect of gene
silencing events on the amounts of infectious virus particles, the
50% cell culture infective dose (CCID.sub.50) was determined for
Sabin-2 viruses produced in siRNA transfected Vero cells by means
of end point dilution. In a 96-well format, ten-fold serial
dilutions of the virus-containing supernatant (dilutions: 10.sup.-2
to 10.sup.-9, with 11 replicates per dilution) were incubated with
HEp-2C cells (7,500/well). On each plate, eight virus-negative cell
controls were included. Plates were incubated at 37.degree. C., 5%
CO.sub.2 for 5 days, after which remaining live cells were
visualized by removing the cell culture medium and staining with
crystal violet reagent. The CCID.sub.50 was calculated using the
Spearman-Karber method (Karber G (1931) Beitrag zur kollektiven
behandlung pharmakologischer reihenversuche. Archiv fur
Experimentalische Pathologie and Pharmakologie 162:480-483). Plaque
assays were performed to determine the effect of hit gene silencing
on the amount of infectious virus particles produced. In a 6-well
format, monolayers of HEp-2C cells (confluency of 80 to 90%) were
incubated at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour with ten-fold serial
dilutions of Sabin 2 virus-containing supernatants from siRNA
transfected Vero cells (10.sup.-4 to 10.sup.-9 dilutions).
Virus-containing supernatants from cells transfected with a
non-targeting siRNA and from cells transfected with a poliovirus
targeting siRNA were included as negative and positive controls,
respectively. Cells were subsequently covered by agarose and
incubated for 48 hours at 37.degree. C., in 5% CO.sub.2. Plaques
were visualized by removing the agarose and staining of viable
cells with formalin containing crystal violet reagent. Plaques were
counted and used to calculate the amount of infectious virus
particles in terms of plaque forming units per 1 ml of the selected
supernatants. Plaque numbers and sizes were analyzed in comparison
to those from the non-targeting control and the control with the
Sabin 2-targeting siRNA.
Antigen Equivalency
[0165] To study the effect of silencing expression of hit genes on
the antigenicity of viruses produced, a microneutralization assay
was performed with Sabin 2 viruses from Vero cells transfected with
siRNAs against selected genes and a pool of human sera collected
from individuals previously exposed to poliovirus vaccine. In a
96-well format, 100 CCID.sub.50 of Sabin 2 viruses from selected
cell supernatants were combined with two-fold serial dilutions of
the anti-polio serum, starting with a 1:8 dilution up to 1:1024.
Sabin 2 viruses from cells not transfected with any siRNA were
included as a control. Viruses and serum were incubated for 3 hours
after which HEp-2C cells were added. After 5 days of incubation at
37.degree. C., in 5% CO.sub.2, cells were stained with crystal
violet and endpoint serum neutralization titers calculated by the
Spearman-Karber formula (Karber G (1931) Beitrag zur kollektiven
behandlung pharmakologischer reihenversuche. Archiv fur
Experimentalische Pathologie and Pharmakologie 162:480-483).
Example 2
Primary Screen Results
[0166] Using the techniques described above, >18,200 genes from
the human genome, including genes from the protease, ion channel,
ubiqutin, kinase, phosphatase, GPCR, and drug target collections
were screened (in triplicate) to identify gene knockdown events
that enhanced poliovirus replication. FIG. 1 shows a plot of the
Z-scores obtained from the primary screen. As indicated, only a
small fraction of the total gene knockdown events gave scores equal
to or greater than 3.0 standard deviation (SD) from the mean (124
genes, 0.68% of the total number of genes screened). The genes
contained in this collection were distributed across multiple
functional families (kinases, proteases, phosphatases, etc.) and
included a significant number of targets not previously identified
as "antiviral". In addition, over 100 gene silencing events were
identified that greatly reduced poliovirus replication. These genes
represent a potentially valuable collection of therapeutic targets
in future anti-viral drug discovery efforts.
[0167] Table I identifies 128 gene knockdown events. A total of 124
gene knockdown events gave ELISA scores that were three (3) or more
standard deviations above the mean. Twenty-eight (28) of these
genes gave SD values greater than 4.0, and a single gene gave an SD
value of 5 or greater. Four of these genes gave SD values between 2
and 3. Table I also presents the KEGG gene accession numbers (NM_),
and Z score values. Table II identifies the list of gene knockdown
events that gave ELISA scores that were two (2) SD or more below
the mean.
Example 3
Pool Deconvolution Validation Studies
[0168] The first step in validating the gene targets identified in
the primary screen involved demonstrating that two or more
individual siRNAs targeting the same gene (but having non-identical
seed sequences, i.e., nucleotides 2-7 of the antisense strand)
generated the same phenotype. To perform this study, the four siRNA
making up the OTP pool used in the primary screen were tested
individually. Separately, a collection of unrelated siRNA reagents
targeting the same gene(s) and derived from the siGENOME siRNA
collection (Dharmacon Products, Thermo Fisher Scientific) were also
tested.
[0169] Results from the validation study are presented in Table III
and show that for 54% (68 genes) of the primary screen hits that
gave SD values of 3.0 or greater, two or more siRNA targeting a
given gene induced the same phenotype as the original OTP pool.
These findings strongly support the conclusion that knockdown of
the target genes in this list enhance poliovirus antigen and virus
production. It should be noted that while only a single siRNA
induced the desired phenotype for the remaining genes, this result
does not eliminate the possibility that the identified gene(s) play
an anti-viral role during poliovirus infection.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III List of 68 genes where two or more siRNA
were shown to increase poliovirus replication. Accession number
provided in previous tables. # of Gene name siRNAs NEDD9 7 PKIG 6
ARHGEF2 5 EP300 5 MUC1 5 RNF20 5 SEC61A1 5 CHD5 4 ETS1 4 IQGAP3 4
MAOA 4 ZNF205 4 BCL9L 3 BET1L 3 C1orf210 3 CD300LB 3 CETN1 3 CHCHD7
3 CYP1A2 3 IRS4 3 LOC120824 3 LY6G6C 3 OR10A7 3 OR10H1 3 PEAR1 3
RASSF4 3 SEC31B 3 SIN3B 3 SLC39A14 3 SPATA13 3 UGCG 3 VGLL2 3 VILL
3 YBX1 3 ZDHHC4 3 SLC1A2 2 BOLL 2 BTN2A1 2 C17orf47 2 CCL7 2 CDR2 2
CNTD2 2 COLEC11 2 DPM2 2 DZIP1 2 FAM83D 2 GALNACT-2 2 GLRXL 2 HEPN1
2 HR 2 KRTAP4-4 2 MANSC1 2 MCCD1 2 MED31 2 MELL1 2 MTX3 2 NECAB2 2
PAGE2B 2 PATE2 2 PRAMEF8 2 SEC61G 2 SIGLEC5 2 STAU 2 TBC1D29 2
TMSB4Y 2 TUBB8 2 VDR 2 ZNF135 2
Example 4
Effects of Gene Knockdown on Live Poliovirus Production in Vero
Cells
[0170] As further validation of the hits identified in the primary
screen, CCID.sub.50 and plaque assays were performed. Example
results from these studies are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. CCID.sub.50
findings (FIG. 2) showed that several of the hits identified in the
primary screen greatly increase live poliovirus titer by four- to
twenty seven-fold (4-27.times.). These findings not only support
prior deconvolution studies but also show 1) the identified gene
knockdown events increase live virus production, and 2) gene
knockdown events increase live virus production in a non-human
(Vero) cell line currently used in poliovirus vaccine
manufacturing.
[0171] Plaque assays support the CCID.sub.50 findings. As
exemplified in FIG. 3A, knockdown of multiple genes including but
not limited to SLC1A2, ETS1, EP300, and PKIG results in dramatic
increases in viral production as measured by the number of viral
plaques. FIG. 3B provides results for over a dozen genes.
siRNA-mediated knockdown of six of the genes (BCL9, GLRXP3, LY6G6C,
ETS1, GPR30, and PATE2) increased live virus titer between five-
and ten-fold (5-10.times.). Silencing of five other genes including
BTN2A1, SEC61A1, Collec11, Sin3B, and SLC1A2 increased live viral
titers by ten- to twenty-fold (10-20.times.) in Vero cells.
Remarkably, two gene knockdown events (PKIG and EP300) enhanced
viral titers by greater than twenty-fold (>20.times.) in the
plaque assay. As described previously, gene functions fall into
multiple families/functions including histone acetylases (EP300),
protein kinase inhibitors (PKIG), solute carriers (SLC1A2) and
more. Overall, these findings, in conjunction with the reported
deconvolution studies, strongly support the conclusion that single
gene knockdown/knockout events can significantly increase
poliovirus antigen and replication.
Example 5
Antigen Equivalency
[0172] To study the effect of silencing expression of hit genes on
the antigenicity of viruses produced, a microneutralization assay
was performed with Sabin 2 viruses from Vero cells transfected with
siRNAs against selected genes and a pool of human sera collected
from individuals previously exposed to poliovirus vaccine. In a
96-well format, 100 CCID.sub.50 of Sabin 2 viruses from selected
cell supernatants were combined with two-fold serial dilutions of
the anti-polio serum, starting with a 1:8 dilution up to 1:1024.
Sabin 2 viruses from cells not transfected with any siRNA were
included as a control. Viruses and serum were incubated for 3 hours
after which HEp-2C cells were added. After 5 days of incubation at
37.degree. C., in 5% CO.sub.2, cells were stained with crystal
violet and endpoint serum neutralization titers calculated by the
Karber formula (Karber G (1931) Beitrag zur kollektiven behandlung
pharmakologischer reihenversuche. Archiv fur Experimentalische
Pathologie and Pharmakologie 162:480-483).
[0173] As shown in FIG. 4, of the 18 gene targets tested, all
demonstrate equivalent or better cross-reactivity. These findings
support the notion that vaccine cell lines modified with siRNA to
enhance poliovirus production generate viral particles that are
recognized by antibodies present in serum taken from individuals
previously exposed to the poliovirus (i.e., antigenic
equivalency).
Example 6
Sabin 1 and Sabin 3 Studies
[0174] The virulent parental strains of the three poliovirus
vaccine (Sabin) strains are LSc/2ab (serotype 1), P712 (serotype
2), and Leon (serotype 3). Sabin 1 has 57 nucleotide substitutions
that distinguish it from the parental LSc/2ab virus. Similarly,
Sabin 2 and Sabin 3 have two and 10 nucleotide substitutions
(respectively) that distinguish them from the P712 and Leon
strains, respectively.
[0175] As current vaccines incorporate all three attenuated
serotypes (Sabin 1, 2, and 3), we tested how target genes
identified in our Sabin 2 primary screen affected Sabin 1 and 3. To
achieve this, siRNA targeting twenty-one of the genes 1) identified
in the Sabin 2 screen, and 2) validated were introduced into Vero
cells. Cells were then infected with either Sabin-1 or Sabin 3
virus and supernatants were subsequently assessed using ELISA.
Results of these studies showed that for both Sabin 1 and Sabin 3,
fourteen of the twenty-one genes tested increased ELISA absorbance
scores by two-fold or more (FIG. 5A, 5B). The highest absorbance
increases for both viruses (for Sabin 1 and Sabin 3, 7.times. and
5.times., respectively) resulted from knockdown of ZNF205. Overall,
because a significant overlap existed between the list of gene
targets that increased viral production for all three serotypes,
these findings show that hits identified in Sabin 2 viral screen
can be extended to other picornaviruses.
[0176] Using the techniques described previously, plaque assays
were also performed using Sabin 1 and Sabin 3 viruses. The results
support those found in the ELISA assay, and demonstrate that
several of the hits identified in the Sabin 2 screen also elevate
Sabin 1 and Sabin 3 production (FIGS. 5c and 5d, respectively).
[0177] Using the techniques described above, antigen equivalency
studies were performed on Sabin 1 and Sabin 3 viruses produced in
cells that had been modified with siRNA targeting genes identified
in the primary Sabin 2 screen. As observed in the Sabin 2 antigen
equivalency studies, gene knockdown had little or no effect on
Sabin 1 and Sabin 3 antibody titers (data not shown), supporting
the conclusion that virus produced in cells that had been modified
with siRNA targeting the genes of interest are indistinguishable
from those produced in control cells.
Example 7
miRNA Mimic Screening
[0178] To identify host-encoded miRNAs that enhance poliovirus
production, HEp-2C cells were transfected with over 1,200 different
miRNA mimics and subsequently infected with Sabin 2 virus. The
resultant supernatants were then analyzed with the
poliovirus-specific ELISA described in Example 1.
[0179] As was the case for the siRNA screen (Example 2), only a
small fraction of the total miRNA population enhanced viral
production (FIG. 6). To further assess the value of miRNA mimics in
the production of live virus, CCID.sub.50 validation studies were
performed in Vero cells. From this collection, eleven miRNAs
enhanced poliovirus production by two-fold or more (FIG. 7). Five
genes including miR-520e, miR-1256, miR-520d-3p, miR-513a-5p, and
miR-519c-3p, enhance poliovirus antigen and virus production by
two- to four-fold. Six miRNAs (miR-1270-2, miR-3187, miR-5763p,
miR-22, miR-520c-3p, and miR-9) were shown to increase live
poliovirus production by four- to twelve-fold (4-12.times.). The
nucleotide sequence of these miRNAs is available from the microRNA
database, the miR Base, which is available at mirbase.org. These
miRNAs can be used individually or in combination with other
miRNAs, miRNA inhibitors, siRNAs targeting protein encoding genes,
and/or cloned DNA or ORF expression constructs to increase
poliovirus protein and/or virus production.
[0180] In addition to identifying multiple miRNAs that enhanced
poliovirus antigen and virus production, the primary miRNA screen
identified multiple miRNAs that decreased poliovirus production
(see Table IV). These miRNAs can be used individually or in
combination with other miRNAs, miRNA inhibitors, siRNAs targeting
protein encoding genes, and/or cloned DNA or ORF expression
constructs to 1) decrease poliovirus replication in a therapeutic
setting, or 2) identify therapeutic targets to combat poliovirus
infection.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE IV List of miRNAs that decrease poliovirus
antigen and virus replication. miR mimics Normalized Z hsa-miR-138
-2.4403 hsa-miR-134 -2.3096 hsa-miR-509-3p -2.1850 hsa-miR-1250
-2.1730 hsa-miR-29b -2.0564 hsa-mir-3132 -2.0313 hsa-miR-7-2*
-2.0278 hsa-miR-769-3p -1.9770 hsa-miR-16 -1.9572 hsa-miR-342-5p
-1.8980 hsa-miR-323-5p -1.8961 hsa-mir-3140 -1.8811 hsa-miR-1909
-1.8725 hsa-miR-522 -1.8432 hsa-miR-330-5p -1.8413 hsa-miR-29c
-1.8369 hsa-miR-1275 -1.8306 hsa-mir-3118-1 -1.8229 hsa-miR-29a
-1.8126 hsa-mir-3661 -1.7807 hsa-miR-1255b -1.7509 hsa-miR-424
-1.7503 hsa-miR-1182 -1.7367 hsa-miR-421 -1.7236 hsa-miR-26b
-1.7231 hsa-miR-129-3p -1.7159 hsa-mir-4265 -1.6974 hsa-miR-663
-1.6806 hsa-miR-544 -1.6514 hsa-miR-450b-3p -1.6297 hsa-miR-432
-1.6267 hsa-miR-523 -1.6170 hsa-miR-555 -1.5986 hsa-miR-1908
-1.5895 hsa-miR-320d -1.5835 hsa-miR-1181 -1.5697 hsa-miR-801
-1.5610 hsa-miR-924 -1.5341 hsa-miR-218-2* -1.5341 hsa-let-7d
-1.5057
Example 8
Broader Testing of Validated Targets in Vero Cells
[0181] The top 29 gene silencing events that increased poliovirus
titers in HEp-2C cells, were further validated in Vero cells with
seven different polio strains including three attenuated vaccine
strains (Sabin 1, Sabin2, and Sabin 3), Mahoney (wild type 1),
Brunhilde (wild type 1), MEF (wild type 2), and Saukett (wild type
3). To achieve this, individual siRNAs targeting the gene of choice
were reverse transfected into Vero cells (6,000 cells/well, 96 well
format, in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, Hyclone)
supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS, Hyclone) at a final
concentration of 50 nM. Gene targets and siRNA sequences are
provided in Table V. Transfection was performed using DharmaFECT 4
Transfection reagent (0.35%). All transfections were performed in
triplicate. Quantitative PCR experiments were performed to estimate
the level of gene silencing for each of the siRNA used in these
experiments. Control studies for these experiments included 1)
cells transfected with a poliovirus-specific siRNA targeting the
poliovirus capsid encoding region, and 2) a non-targeting control
siRNA (NTC). Cells were then incubated at 37.degree. C., 5%
CO.sub.2 and 16 to 24 hours after siRNA transfection the cell
culture medium was refreshed. Forty-eight hours after transfection,
cells were infected with 60 CCID.sub.50 of a Sabin-1 virus stock
(10.sup.8.6 CCID.sub.50/ml), 30 CCID.sub.50 of Sabin-2 (10.sup.7.3
CCID.sub.50/ml), 9.5 CCID.sub.50 of Sabin-3 (10.sup.6.8
CCID.sub.50/ml), 8.4 CCID.sub.50 of wild type 1 Mahoney virus
(10.sup.7.75 CCID.sub.50/ml), 1 CCID.sub.50 of wild type 1
Brunhilde virus (10.sup.7.84 CCID.sub.50/ml), 6.4 of wild type 2
MEF virus (10.sup.7.63 CCID.sub.50/ml), or 3.8 CCID.sub.50 of wild
type 3 Saukett virus (10.sup.7.4 CCID.sub.50/ml) in 150 .mu.l DMEM
supplemented with 2% FCS. Uninfected cells were included as a
negative control. The cells were then incubated at 37.degree. C.,
5% CO.sub.2 for 21 to 36 hours, depending on the type of virus, and
subsequently frozen at -80.degree. C. The supernatant was used to
determine the virus titer by means of end point dilution. Briefly,
in a 96-well format, 10-fold serial dilutions of the virus
supernatant (starting with a 10.sup.-2 dilution up to 10.sup.-9)
were incubated with HEp-2C cells (7,500/well, 11 replicates per
virus dilution) at 37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2 for 5 days. The cells
were stained with crystal violet and CCID.sub.50 was calculated by
scoring the cytopathic effect (CPE) in all wells using the
Spearman-Karber formula. In line with the generally accepted 0.5
log.sub.10 variation observed among CCID.sub.50 values in replicate
experiments, the cut-off value for identifying hits was set at a
3.16 fold increase in virus titer compared to the NTC.
TABLE-US-00005 Table V List of genes, accession numbers, and siRNA
sequences that were used to generate data in FIG. 8 Candidate gene
Accession No Sequence (5' --> 3') BCL9L NM_182557
AACCAGAUCUCGCCUAGCA BTN2A1 NM_007049 GGGAGAGCGUGCCUGACAA COLEC11
NM_024027 UGUCCAAGCUAUACAAUAA DPM2 NM_003863 UGCCAUUCAUCGACAGUCA
CNTD2 NM_024877 AAACUGAGGUCCGGAACUU MCCD1 NM_001011700
AAGAGUUGUUGGAGCAGCA LY6G6C NM_025261 GGACAGCAAUGCCUGACAA MED31
NM_016060 GUUUAGCCAACCCAAAUUA PATE2 NM_212555 GGGUUAUGCUAUGGUGUCA
ZNF205 NM_001042428 GCGCACAACCGCACACACA GLRXP3 NM_001123388
GAUUGGAGCUCUGCAGUAA SEC61G NM_014302 UGAAAUUGAUCCAUAUUCC KRTAP4-4
NM_032524 GCUGAGUUAUGGGAAGCUA ZNF135 NM_003436 CGGAACAGCUCGGCACUUA
SEC31B NM_015490 CCUACAGGGUCACUCAGUA SIN3B NM_015260
GCCAAGCGGUCUCUGUUCA ACVR2B NM_001106 ACGAGAACCUGCUACAGUU GCGR
NM_000160 CCACGGAGCUGGUGUGCAA OPN3 NM_001030011 AAAAGAAACUGGCCAAAAU
TAF1 NM_004606 CCAAGCAACUUCUACGUAA CELSR3 NM_001407
GCCGAAAGCUAGACAAUAA DTYMK NM_012145 GGGAACAAGUGCCGUUAAU GPER
NM_001031682 GGGUGAAGCGCCUCAGUUA PAK1 NM_002576 UCAAAUAACGGCCUAGACA
TAF1L NM_153809 CCAAGCAACUUCUACGUAA SLC1A2 NM_004171
GAUGAGUGCUAGAGAUGAA ETS1 NM_005238 CAGAAUGACUACUUUGCUA PKIg
NM_007066 AGACAAGGAAGCUGGCAAC EP300 NM_001429
GGACUACCCUAUCAAGUAA
[0182] Results for these experiments are found in FIG. 8. FIG. 8a
provides exemplary results from the quantitative PCR studies.
Findings show that transfection of the siRNA typically induces
.about.70% or greater knockdown of target gene expression. FIG. 8b
shows that when silenced, several of the top hits (e.g. ZNF205,
CNTD2 (also referred to as FLJ13265), SEC61G, ETS1, MCCD1 (also
referred to as LOC401250), LY6G6C, EP300, BTN2A1, GLRXP3 (also
known as GLRXL), GCGR, KRTAP4-4, TAF1) significantly increase the
titer of one or more of the polio strains.
Example 9
Identifying the Effects of Multigene Knockdown on Poliovirus
Titers
[0183] Multiple genes from Example 8 were selected for subsequent
studies to determine whether simultaneous knockdown of two separate
genes further enhanced viral titers. To achieve this, pairs of
siRNAs (targeting two separate genes) were reverse transfected into
Vero cells (7,250 cells/well) at a final concentration of 50 nM (25
nM of each individual siRNA) using DharmaFECT 4 reagent (0.35%).
Cells transfected with each combination of siRNA were then tested
(in triplicate) with each of the seven viruses (Sabin 1 (vaccine),
Sabin2 (vaccine), Sabin 3 (vaccine), Mahoney (wild type 1),
Brunhilde (wild type 1), MEF (wild type 2), and Saukett (wild type
3)). As an internal experimental control, the individual siRNAs
targeting each gene were also reverse transfected (in triplicate,
25 nM) on each plate to facilitate accurate assessment of the
effects of dual gene knockdown.
[0184] The results of these studies are reported in FIG. 9 and
Table VI. FIGS. 9A and 9B shows exemplary data from our dual gene
knockdown experiments and identifies multiple combinations that
significantly enhance the production of one or more poliovirus
strains in additive or synergistic (see "*") fashion. Table VI
identifies 49 gene combinations that when simultaneously silenced,
induced 1) synergistic effects (i.e., increases in viral titer that
are greater than those predicted if both individual gene knockdown
results were combined/added), or 2) additive effects (increases in
viral titer that are equivalent or near-equivalent to the increases
one would expect if the effects of the individual genes were
combined) for at least one of the seven viruses tested. For
instance, based on individual knockdown experiments performed
alongside the dual knockdown investigations, simultaneous silencing
of ZNF205 and EP300 are expected to increase MEF titers by roughly
28-fold if the effects were additive. Instead, simultaneous
knockdown of these two genes resulted in (on average) a 65-fold
increase in MEF titers. Similarly, based on individual knockdown
experiments, silencing of EP300+GCGR is expected to give an 18 fold
increase in Saukett titers if an additive effect occurred. Instead,
when these two genes were simultaneously silenced, we observed (on
average) a 40-45-fold increase. These findings and others identify
previously unknown gene combinations that (when silenced) further
enhance poliovirus production. The inventors predict that silencing
three or four genes from this list could enhance poliovirus
production even further. For example, a combination of
[ZNF205+EP300+GLRXP3], or [ZNF205+EP300+ETS] are predicted to
further increase poliovirus titers.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE VI 49 gene combinations that enhance
poliovirus production in an additive or synergistic fashion. Number
Gene Combinations 1 ZNF205 + EP300 2 EP300 + GCGR 3 EP300 + MCCD1 4
ZNF205 + BTN2A1 5 ZNF205 + GLRXP3 6 ZNF205 + SEC61g 7 BTN2A1 +
TAF1L 8 BTN2A1 + GLRXP3 9 EP300 + BTN2A1 10 EP300 + GLRXP3 11 CNTD2
+ EP300 12 ZNF205 + CNTD2 13 BTN2A1 + ETS1 14 ZNF205 + ETS1 15
ZNF205 + MCCD1 16 ZNF205 + GCGR 17 CNTD2 + GCGR 18 CNTD2 + MCCD1 19
SEC61G + ETS1 20 CNTD2 + GLRXP3 21 ZNF205 + TAF1L 22 ZNF205 +
LY6G6C 23 LY6G6C + BTN2A1 24 TAF1L + GCGR 25 GCGR + GLRXP3 26 TAF1L
+ ETS1 27 LY6G6C + TAF1L 28 SEC61G + GCGR 29 BTN2A1 + GCGR 30 CNTD2
+ BTN2A1 31 CNTD2 + TAF1L 32 SEC61G + MCCD1 33 EP300 + ETS1 34
EP300 + SEC61G 35 GCGR + ETS1 36 ETS1 + GLRXP3 37 CNTD2 + ETS1 38
SEC61G + TAF1L 39 LY6G6C + EP300 40 TAF1L + GLRXP3 41 LY6G6C + ETS1
42 EP300 + TAF1L 43 CNTD2 + SEC61g 44 ETS1 + MCCD1 45 GLRXP3 +
MCCD1 46 SEC61G + BTN2A1 47 LY6G6C + GLRXP3 48 LY6G6C + GCGR 49
GCGR + MCCD1
Example 10
[0185] Poliovirus is a member of the Picornaviridae family. To test
how hits identified in our poliovirus screen affected other viruses
belonging to the Picornaviridae family, experiments were performed
with Enterovirus 71 (EV71). To achieve this, siRNAs targeting one
of several genes identified during the PV RNAi screen were reverse
transfected into Vero Cells (7,200 cells/well, 96 well format) at a
concentration of 50 nM. Following a 64-72 hour period to allow for
gene silencing, cells were infected with 3981 CCID.sub.50 (50% cell
culture infectious dose) of EV71, sub-genotype C2 (stock
10.sup.6.45 CCID.sub.50/ml) in 150 microliters DMEM supplemented
with 2% fetal calf serum. Cells were then incubated at 37.degree.
C., 5% CO.sub.2 for 66 hours and subsequently frozen (-80.degree.
C.) before cultures were examined to determine the level of
cytopathic effects (CPE) in each of the cultures. Experiments were
performed in triplicate and incorporated a non-targeting control
siRNA (NTC), an siRNA targeting the EV71 genome (siEV71), and mock
transfection controls (-siRNA).
[0186] Results of these studies demonstrate that hits identified
during the poliovirus screen also enhance the production of EV71.
As shown in FIG. 10A, several of the gene knockdown events,
including but not limited to MCCD1, ZNF205, GCGR and others,
greatly enhance cytopathic effects, supporting the conclusion that
gene silencing has significantly increased EV71 virus production.
Additional experiments at the 66 hours post-infection time points
support these conclusions (data not shown). Plaque assays were also
performed to quantitate the observed increases in EV71 titers. As
shown in a 1.times.10.sup.5 (i.e., 1 in 10.sup.5) dilution of viral
supernatants from these experiments, knockdown of ZNF205, CNTD2 and
MCCD1 significantly increase the number of EV71 viral particles
(see FIG. 10B). The bar graph shown in FIG. 10C shows that while
CNTD2 and MCCD1 knockdown increase viral titers by approximately
ten fold (10.times.), knockdown of ZNF205 increased titers by
roughly 60 fold. Based on the results with poliovirus, the
inventors believe combinations of these gene knockdown events would
further enhance EV71 titers.
[0187] The complete disclosure of all patents, patent applications,
and publications, and electronically available material (including,
for instance, nucleotide sequence submissions in, e.g., GenBank and
RefSeq, and amino acid sequence submissions in, e.g., SwissProt,
PIR, PRF, PDB, and translations from annotated coding regions in
GenBank and RefSeq) cited herein are incorporated by reference in
their entirety. Supplementary materials referenced in publications
(such as supplementary tables, supplementary figures, supplementary
materials and methods, and/or supplementary experimental data) are
likewise incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event
that any inconsistency exists between the disclosure of the present
application and the disclosure(s) of any document incorporated
herein by reference, the disclosure of the present application
shall govern. The foregoing detailed description and examples have
been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary
limitations are to be understood therefrom. The invention is not
limited to the exact details shown and described, for variations
obvious to one skilled in the art will be included within the
invention defined by the claims.
[0188] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing
quantities of components, molecular weights, and so forth used in
the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified
in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless otherwise
indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in
the specification and claims are approximations that may vary
depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the
present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to
limit the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each
numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the
number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary
rounding techniques.
[0189] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters
setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations,
the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are
reported as precisely as possible. All numerical values, however,
inherently contain a range necessarily resulting from the standard
deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0190] All headings are for the convenience of the reader and
should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows
the heading, unless so specified.
* * * * *