SB-728-T

Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) represents a valuable tool for genomic engineering due to its single-nucleotide precision, high nuclease activity, and low cytotoxicity. We report here systematic design and characterization of 28 novel TALENs targeting multiple regions of CCR5 gene (CCR5-TALEN) which encodes the co-receptor critical for entry of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1). By systemic characterization of these CCR5-TALENs, we have identified one (CCR5-TALEN-515) with higher nuclease activity, specificity, and lower cytotoxicity compared with zinc-finger nuclease (CCR5-ZFN) currently undergoing clinical trials. Sequence analysis of target cell line GHOST-CCR5-CXCR4 and human primary CD4+ T cells showed that the double-strand breaks at the TALEN targeted sites resulted in truncated or nonfunctional CCR5 proteins thereby conferring protection against HIV-1 infection in vitro. None of the CCR5-TALENs had detectable levels of off-target nuclease activity against the homologous region in CCR2 although substantial level was identified for CCR5-ZFN in the primary CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that the CCR5-TALENs identified here are highly functional nucleases that produce protective genetic alterations to human CCR5. Application of these TALENs directly to the primary CD4+ T cells and CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) of infected individuals could help to create an immune system resistant to HIV-1 infection, recapitulating the success of “Berlin patient” and serving as an essential first step towards a “functional” cure of AIDS.

To characterize a new zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) that targets close to the sequence of the 32 bp deletion polymorphism in the CCR5 gene, and to generate cells resistant to HIV-1 strains that use CCR5. CCR5Δ32 is a naturally occurring deletion that provides genetic resistance to R5-tropic HIV-1. The specificity and efficacy of a newly identified target for CCR5 gene editing, near the CCR5Δ32 sequence (ZFNCCR5Δ32), was assessed as well as its ability to generate cells resistant to HIV infection with reduced off-target effects.

ZFNCCR5Δ32 activity was evaluated by heteroduplex formation in human K562 cells. Assessment of ZFNCCR5Δ32 specificity was analysed in silico. The yield of ZFNCCR5Δ32 in cell culture was improved by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and the anti-HIV potency of ZFNCCR5Δ32 was measured in vitro in TZM-bl cells against HIV-1 strains.

ZFNCCR5Δ32 effectively recognized the CCR5Δ32 region, inducing a frameshift of the CCR5 coding region that resulted in the complete absence of CCR5 expression of mRNA and of protein at the cell surface. CCR5 knockout cells were refractory to HIV-1 infection by the R5-using strain BaL. Unlike previous CCR5 ZFN studies, the new ZFN has no detectable off-target activity.

ZFNCCR5Δ32 is a specific and efficient tool for the generation of CCR5 knockouts. Its ability to mimic the natural CCR5Δ32 phenotype in the absence of relevant off-site cutting events suggests that ZFNCCR5Δ32 might be safe in clinical research.