Manipulating adenovirus hexon hypervariable loops dictates immune neutralisation and coagulation factor X-dependent cell interaction in vitro and in vivo

Duffy, M., Ma, J., Deng, L., Dakin, R. S., Uil, T., Custers, J., Kelly, S. M. , McVey, J. H., Nicklin, S. A. and Baker, A. H. (2015) Manipulating adenovirus hexon hypervariable loops dictates immune neutralisation and coagulation factor X-dependent cell interaction in vitro and in vivo. PLoS Pathogens, 11(2), e1004673. (doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004673) (PMID:25658827) (PMCID:PMC4450073)

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Abstract

Adenoviruses are common pathogens, mostly targeting ocular, gastrointestinal and respiratory cells, but in some cases infection disseminates, presenting in severe clinical outcomes. Upon dissemination and contact with blood, coagulation factor X (FX) interacts directly with the adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) hexon. FX can act as a bridge to bind heparan sulphate proteoglycans, leading to substantial Ad5 hepatocyte uptake. FX “coating” also protects the virus from host IgM and complement-mediated neutralisation. However, the contribution of FX in determining Ad liver transduction whilst simultaneously shielding the virus from immune attack remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the FX protection mechanism is not conserved amongst Ad types, and identify the hexon hypervariable regions (HVR) of Ad5 as the capsid proteins targeted by this host defense pathway. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we manipulate Ad5 HVR interactions to interrogate the interplay between viral cell transduction and immune neutralisation. We show that FX and inhibitory serum components can co-compete and virus neutralisation is influenced by both the location and extent of modifications to the Ad5 HVRs. We engineered Ad5-derived HVRs into the rare, native non FX-binding Ad26 to create Ad26.HVR5C. This enabled the virus to interact with FX at high affinity, as quantified by surface plasmon resonance, FX-mediated cell binding and transduction assays. Concomitantly, Ad26.HVR5C was also sensitised to immune attack in the absence of FX, a direct consequence of the engineered HVRs from Ad5. In both immune competent and deficient animals, Ad26.HVR5C hepatic gene transfer was mediated by FX following intravenous delivery. This study gives mechanistic insight into the pivotal role of the Ad5 HVRs in conferring sensitivity to virus neutralisation by IgM and classical complement-mediated attack. Furthermore, through this gain-of-function approach we demonstrate the dual functionality of FX in protecting Ad26.HVR5C against innate immune factors whilst determining liver targeting.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nicklin, Professor Stuart and Baker, Professor Andrew and Ma, Dr Jiangtao and Duffy, Ms Margaret and Dakin, Dr Rachel and Kelly, Dr Sharon
Authors: Duffy, M., Ma, J., Deng, L., Dakin, R. S., Uil, T., Custers, J., Kelly, S. M., McVey, J. H., Nicklin, S. A., and Baker, A. H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:PLoS Pathogens
Publisher:Public Library of Science
ISSN:1553-7366
ISSN (Online):1553-7374
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 The Authors
First Published:First published in PLoS Pathogens 11(2):e1004673
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
547341Refinement and assessment of a novel adenovirus targeting platform for application to human gene therapyAndrew BakerBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/I005927/1RI CARDIOVASCULAR & MEDICAL SCIENCES
583361BHF Chair of Translational Cardiovascular SciencesAndrew BakerBritish Heart Foundation (BHF)CH/11/2/28733RI CARDIOVASCULAR & MEDICAL SCIENCES
519431Interrogation and manipulation of miRNA in acute vascular injuryAndrew BakerBritish Heart Foundation (BHF)RG/09/005/27915RI CARDIOVASCULAR & MEDICAL SCIENCES