AAV5 vector for transducing brain cells and lung cells

[00002] 1. Field of the Invention

[00003] The present invention provides adeno-associated virus 5 (AAV5) and vectors derived therefrom. Thus, the present invention relates to AAV5 vectors for and methods of delivering nucleic acids to cells of subjects. More specifically, the present invention provides methods of delivering nucleic acids to cerebellar cells, ependymal cells, neurons astrocytes, airway epithelial cells and alveolar cells of subjects. More particularly, the invention provides methods of delivering nucleic acids to cerebellar cells, ependymal cells and alveolar cells.

[00004] 2. Background Art

[00005] Adeno associated virus (AAV) is a small nonpathogenic virus of the parvoviridae family (for review see 28). AAV is distinct from the other members of this family by its dependence upon a helper virus for replication. In the absence of a helper virus, AAV has been shown to integrate in a locus specific manner into the q arm of chromosome 19 (21). The approximately 5 kb genome of AAV consists of one segment of single stranded DNA of either plus or minus polarity. Physically, the parvovirus virion is nonenveloped and its icosohedral capsid is approximately 20-25 nm in diameter.

[00006] To date 8 serologically distinct AAVs have been identified and 6 have been isolated from humans or primates and are referred to as AAV types 1-6 (1). The most extensively studied of these isolates is AAV type 2 (AAV2). The genome of AAV2 is 4680 nucleotides in length and contains two open reading frames (ORFs), the right ORF and the left ORF. The left ORF encodes the non-structural Rep proteins, Rep40, Rep52, Rep68 and Rep78, which are involved in regulation of replication and transcription in addition to the production of single-stranded progeny genomes (5-8, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21-23, 25, 34, 37-40). Furthermore, two of the Rep proteins have been associated with the preferential integration of AAV genomes into a region of the q arm of human chromosome 19. Rep68/78 have also been shown to possess NTP binding activity as well as DNA and RNA helicase activities. The Rep proteins possess a nuclear localization signal as well as several potential phosphorylation sites. Mutation of one of these kinase sites resulted in a loss of replication activity.

[00007] The ends of the genome are short inverted terminal repeats which have the potential to fold into T-shaped hairpin structures that serve as the origin of viral DNA replication. Within the ITR region two elements have been described which are central to the function of the ITR, a GAGC repeat motif and the terminal resolution site (TRS). The repeat motif has been shown to bind Rep when the ITR is in either a linear or hairpin conformation (7, 8, 26).

[00008] This binding serves to position Rep68/78 for cleavage at the TRS which occurs in a site- and strand-specific manner. In addition to their role in replication, these two elements appear to be central to viral integration. Contained within the chromosome 19 integration locus is a Rep binding site with an adjacent TRS. These elements have been shown to be functional and necessary for locus specific integration.

[00009] The AAV2 virion is a non-enveloped, icosohedral particle approximately 20-25 nm in diameter. The capsid is composed of three related proteins referred to as VP 1,2 and 3 which are encoded by the right ORF. These proteins are found in a ratio of 1:1:10 respectively. The capsid proteins differ from each other by the use of alternative splicing and an unusual start codon. Deletion analysis of has shown that removal or alteration of AAV2 VP1 which is translated from an alternatively spliced message results in a reduced yield of infections particles (15, 16, 38). Mutations within the VP3 coding region result in the failure to produce any single-stranded progeny DNA or infectious particles (15, 16, 38).

[00010] The following features of the characterized AAVs have made them attractive vectors for gene transfer (16). AAV vectors have been shown in vitro to stably integrate into the cellular genome; possess a broad host range; transduce both dividing and non dividing cells in vitro and in vivo (13, 20, 30, 32) and maintain high levels of expression of the transduced genes (41). Viral particles are heat stable, resistant to solvents, detergents, changes in pH, temperature, and can be concentrated on CsCl gradients (1,2). Integration of AAV provirus is not associated with any long term negative effects on cell growth or differentiation (3,42). The ITRs have been shown to be the only cis elements required for replication, packaging and integration (35) and may contain some promoter activities (14).

[00011] AAV2 was originally thought to infect primate and non-primate cell types provided the appropriate helper virus was present. However, the inability of AAV2 to infect certain cell types is now known to be due to the particular cellular tropism exhibited by the AAV2 virus. Recent work has shown that some cell lines are transduced very poorly by AAV2 (30). Binding studies have indicated that heparin sulfate proteoglycans are necessary for high efficiency transduction with AAV2. AAV5 is a unique member of the parvovirus family. The present DNA hybridization data indicate a low level of homology with the published AAV1-4 sequences (31). The present invention shows that, unlike AAV2, AAV5 transduction is not effected by heparin as AAV2 is and therefore will not be restricted to the same cell types as AAV2.

[00012] The present invention provides a vector comprising the AAV5 virus or a vector comprising subparts of the virus, as well as AAV5 viral particles. While AAV5 is similar to AAV2, the two viruses are found herein to be physically and genetically distinct. These differences endow AAV5 with some unique properties and advantages which better suit it as a vector for gene therapy. For example, one of the limiting features of using AAV2 as a vector for gene therapy is production of large amounts of virus. Using standard production techniques, AAV5 is produced at a 10-50 fold higher level compared to AAV2. Because of its unique TRS site and rep proteins, AAV5 should also have a distinct integration locus compared to AAV2.

[00013] Furthermore, as shown herein, AAVS capsid protein, again surprisingly, is distinct from AAV2 capsid protein and exhibits different tissue tropism, thus making AAV5 capsid-containing particles suitable for transducing cell types for which AAV2 is unsuited or less well-suited. AAV2 and AAVS have been shown to be serologically distinct and thus, in a gene therapy application, AAV5, and AAV5-derived vectors, would allow for transduction of a patient who already possess neutralizing antibodies to AAV2 either as a result of natural immunological defense or from prior exposure to AAV2 vectors. Another advantage of AAV5 is that AAV5 cannot be rescued by other serotypes. Only AAV5 can rescue the integrated AAV5 genome and effect replication, thus avoiding unintended replication of AAV5 caused by other AAV serotypes. Thus, the present invention, by providing these new recombinant vectors and particles based on AAV5 provides a new and highly useful series of vectors.

[00014] The present invention provides methods of delivering a nucleic acid to specific regions, tissues and cell types of the central nervous system (CNS) such as ependymal cells, cerebellar cells, neurons, and astrocytes. In particular, the nucleic acids are delivered to specific regions and cells of the brain, particulary, ependymal cells and cerebellar cells.

[00015] The present invention also provides methods of delivering a nucleic acid to lung cells such as alveolar cells.

[00016] The present invention provides a nucleic acid vector comprising a pair of adeno-associated virus 5 (AAV5) inverted terminal repeats and a promoter between the inverted terminal repeats.

[00017] The present invention further provides an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising a pair of AAV2, AAV4 or AAV5 inverted terminal repeats.

[00018] Additionally, the instant invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (AAV5 genome). Furthermore, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (AAV5 genome).

[00019] The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding an AAV5 Rep protein, for example, the nucleic acid as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10. Additionally provided is an isolated full-length AAV5 Rep protein or a unique fragment thereof. Additionally provided is an isolated AAV5 Rep 40 protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, or a unique fragment thereof Additionally provided is an isolated AAV5 Rep 52 protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, or a unique fragment thereof. Additionally provided is an isolated AAV5 Rep 68 protein, having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:14 or a unique fragment thereof. Additionally provided is an isolated AAV5 Rep 78 protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, or a unique fragment thereof. The sequences for these proteins are provided below in the Sequence Listing and elsewhere in the application where the proteins are described.

[00020] The present invention further provides an isolated AAV5 capsid protein, VP1, having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, or a unique fragment thereof. Additionally provided is an isolated AAV5 capsid protein, VP2, having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, or a unique fragment thereof. Also provided is an isolated AAV5 capsid protein, VP3, having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, or a unique fragment thereof.

[00021] The present invention additionally provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding AAV5 capsid protein, for example, the nucleic acid set forth in SEQ ID NO:7, or a unique fragment thereof.

[00022] The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding an AAV5 inverted terminal repeat, for example, the nucleic acid set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 or SEQ ID NO: 20, or a unique fragment thereof.

[00023] The present invention further provides an AAV5 particle comprising a capsid protein consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, or a unique fragment thereof.

[00024] Additionally provided by the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid comprising an AAV5 p5 promoter having the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, or a unique fragment thereof.

[00025] The instant invention provides a method of screening a cell for infectivity by AAV5 comprising contacting the cell with AAVS and detecting the presence of AAV5 in the cells.

[00026] The present invention further provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell comprising administering to the cell an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the cell.

[00027] The present invention also provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a subject comprising administering to a cell from the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, and returning the cell to the subject, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the subject.

[00028] The present invention also provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to a cell in the subject.

[00029] The instant invention further provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell in a subject having antibodies to AAV2 comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to a cell in the subject.

[00054] As used in the specification and in the claims, “a” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. The terms “having” and “comprising” are used interchangeably herein, and signify open ended meaning.

[00055] The present application provides a recombinant adeno-associated virus 5 (AAV5). This virus has one or more of the characteristics described below. The compositions of the present invention do not include wild-type AAV5. The methods of the present invention can use either wild-type AAV5 or recombinant AAV5-based delivery.

[00056] The present invention provides novel AAV5 particles, recombinant AAV5 vectors, recombinant AAV5 virions and novel AAV5 nucleic acids and polypeptides.

[00057] An AAV5 particle is a viral particle comprising an AAV5 capsid protein. A recombinant AAV5 vector is a nucleic acid construct that comprises at least one unique nucleic acid of AAV5. A recombinant AAV5 virion is a particle containing a recombinant AAV5 vector, wherin the particle can be either an AAV5 particle as described herein or a non-AAV5 particle. Alternatively, the recombinant AAV5 virion is an AAV5 particle containing a recombinant vector, wherein the vector can be either an AAV5 vector as described herein or a non-AAV5 vector. These vectors, particles, virions, nucleic acids and polypeptides are described below.

[00058] The present invention provides the nucleotide sequence of the AAV5 genome and vectors and particles derived therefrom. Specifically, the present invention provides a nucleic acid vector comprising a pair of AAV5 inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and a promoter between the inverted terminal repeats. While the rep proteins of AAV2 and AAV5 will bind to either a type 2 ITR or a type 5 ITR, efficient genome replication only occurs when type 2 Rep replicates a type 2 ITR and a type 5 Rep replicates a type 5 ITR. This specificity is the result of a difference in DNA cleavage specificity of the two Reps which is necessary for replication. AAV5 Rep cleaves at CGGT^GTGA (SEQ ID NO: 21) and AAV2 Rep cleaves at CGGT^TGAG (SEQ ID NO: 22) (Chiorini et al., 1999. J. Virol. 73 (5) 4293-4298). Mapping of the AAV5 ITR terminal resolution site (TRS) identified this distinct cleavage site, CGGT^GTGA, which is absent from the ITRs of other AAV serotypes. Therefore, the minimum sequence necessary to distinguish AAV5 from AAV2 is the TRS site where Rep cleaves in order to replicate the virus. Examples of the type 5 ITRs are shown in SEQ ID NO: 19 and SEQ ID NO: 20, AAV5 ITR “flip” and AAV5 “flop”, respectively. Minor modifications in an ITR of either orientation are contemplated and are those that will not interfere with the hairpin structure formed by the AAV5 ITR as described herein. Furthermore, to be considered within the term “AAV5 ITR” the nucleotide sequence must retain one or more features described herein that distinguish the AAV5 ITR from the ITRs of other serotypes, e.g. it must retain the Rep binding site described herein.

[00059] The D− region of the AAV5 ITR (SEQ ID NO: 23), a single stranded region of the ITR, inboard of the TRS site, has been shown to bind a factor which depending on its phosphorylation state correlates with the conversion of the AAV from a single stranded genome to a transcriptionally active form that allows for expression of the viral DNA. This region is conserved between AAV2, 3, 4, and 6 but is divergent in AAV5. The D+ region is the reverse complement of the D− region.

[00060] The promoter can be any desired promoter, selected by known considerations, such as the level of expression of a nucleic acid functionally linked to the promoter and the cell type in which the vector is to be used. That is, the promoter can be tissue/cell-specific. Promoters can be prokaryotic, eukaryotic, fungal, nuclear, mitochondrial, viral or plant promoters. Promoters can be exogenous or endogenous to the cell type being transduced by the vector. Promoters can include, for example, bacterial promoters, known strong promoters such as SV40 or the inducible metallothionein promoter, or an AAV promoter, such as an AAV p5 promoter. Additionally, chimeric regulatory promoters for targeted gene expression can be utilized. Examples of these regulatory systems, which are known in the art, include the tetracycline based regulatory system which utilizes the tet transactivator protein (tTA), a chimeric protein containing the VP 16 activation domain fused to the tet repressor of Escherichia coli, the IPTG based regulatory system, the CID based regulatory system, and the Ecdysone based regulatory system (44). Other promoters include promoters derived from actin genes, immunoglobulin genes, cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus, bovine papilloma virus, adenoviral promoters, such as the adenoviral major late promoter, an inducible heat shock promoter, respiratory syncytial virus, Rous sarcomas virus (RSV), etc., specifically, the promoter can be AAV2 p5 promoter or AAV5 p5 promoter. More specifically, the AAV5 p5 promoter can be about same location in SEQ ID NO: 1 as the AAV2 p5 promoter, in the corresponding AAV2 published sequence. An example of an AAV5 p5 promoter is nucleotides 220-338 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Additionally, the p5 promoter may be enhanced by nucleotides 1-130 of SEQ ID NO:1. Furthermore, smaller fragments of p5 promoter that retain promoter activity can readily be determined by standard procedures including, for example, constructing a series of deletions in the p5 promoter, linking the deletion to a reporter gene, and determining whether the reporter gene is expressed, i.e., transcribed and/or translated. The promoter can be the promoter of any of the AAV serotypes, and can be the p19 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 16) or the p40 promoter set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO: 17.

[00061] It should be recognized that any errors in any of the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein can be corrected, for example, by using the hybridization procedure described below with various probes derived from the described sequences such that the coding sequence can be reisolated and resequenced. Rapid screening for point mutations can also be achieved with the use of polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism PCR-SSCP) (43). The corresponding amino acid sequence can then be corrected accordingly.

[00062] The AAV5-derived vector of the invention can further comprise a heterologous nucleic acid functionally linked to the promoter. By “heterologous nucleic acid” is meant that any heterologous or exogenous nucleic acid, i.e. not normally found in wild-type AAV5 can be inserted into the vector for transfer into a cell, tissue or organism. By “functionally linked” is meant that the promoter can promote expression of the heterologous nucleic acid, as is known in the art, and can include the appropriate orientation of the promoter relative to the heterologous nucleic acid. Furthermore, the heterologous nucleic acid preferably has all appropriate sequences for expression of the nucleic acid. The nucleic acid can include, for example, expression control sequences, such as an enhancer, and necessary information processing sites, such as ribosome binding sites, RNA splice sites, polyadenylation sites, and transcriptional terminator sequences.

[00063] The heterologous nucleic acid can encode beneficial proteins or polypeptides that replace missing or defective proteins required by the cell or subject into which the vector is transferred or can encode a cytotoxic polypeptide that can be directed, e.g., to cancer cells or other cells whose death would be beneficial to the subject. The heterologous nucleic acid can also encode antisense RNAs that can bind to, and thereby inactivate, mRNAs made by the subject that encode harmful proteins. The heterologous nucleic acid can also encode ribozymes that can effect the sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression by the cleavage of mRNAs. In one embodiment, antisense polynucleotides can be produced from a heterologous expression cassette in an AAV5 vector construct where the expression cassette contains a sequence that promotes cell-type specific expression (Wirak et al., EMBO 10:289 (1991)). For general methods relating to antisense polynucleotides, see Antisense RNA and DNA, D. A. Melton, Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1988).

[00064] Examples of heterologous nucleic acids which can be administered to a cell or subject as part of the present AAV5 vector can include, but are not limited to the following: nucleic acids encoding secretory and nonsecretory proteins, nucleic acids encoding therapeutic agents, such as tumor necrosis factors (TNF), such as TNF-α; interferons, such as interferon-α, interferon-β, and interferon-γ; interleukins, such as IL-1, IL-1β, and ILs -2 through -14; GM-CSF; adenosine deaminase; cellular growth factors, such as lymphokines; soluble CD4; Factor VIII; Factor IX; T-cell receptors; LDL receptor; ApoE; ApoC; alpha-1 antitrypsin; ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC); cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR); insulin; anti-apoptotic gene products; proteins promoting neuronal survival, such as growth factors and glutamate receptors; Fc receptors for antigen binding domains of antibodies, such as immunoglobulins; anti-HIV decoy tar elements; and antisense sequences which inhibit viral replication, such as antisense sequences which inhibit replication of hepatitis B or hepatitis non-A, non-B virus. The nucleic acid is chosen considering several factors, including the cell to be transfected. Where the target cell is a blood cell, for example, particularly useful nucleic acids to use are those which allow the blood cells to exert a therapeutic effect, such as a gene encoding a clotting factor for use in treatment of hemophilia. Another target cell is the lung airway cell, which can be used to administer nucleic acids, such as those coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor, which could provide a gene therapeutic treatment for cystic fibrosis. Other target cells include muscle cells where useful nucleic acids, such as those encoding cytokines and growth factors, can be transduced and the protein the nucleic acid encodes can be expressed and secreted to exert its effects on other cells, tissues and organs, such as the liver. Furthermore, the nucleic acid can encode more than one gene product, limited only, if the nucleic acid is to be packaged in a capsid, by the size of nucleic acid that can be packaged.

[00065] Furthermore, suitable nucleic acids can include those that, when transferred into a primary cell, such as a blood cell, cause the transferred cell to target a site in the body where that cell's presence would be beneficial. For example, blood cells such as TIL cells can be modified, such as by transfer into the cell of a Fab portion of a monoclonal antibody, to recognize a selected antigen. Another example would be to introduce a nucleic acid that would target a therapeutic blood cell to tumor cells. Nucleic acids useful in treating cancer cells include those encoding chemotactic factors which cause an inflammatory response at a specific site, thereby having a therapeutic effect.

[00066] Cells, particularly blood cells, muscle cells, airway epithelial cells, brain cells and endothelial cells having such nucleic acids transferred into them can be useful in a variety of diseases, syndromes and conditions. For example, suitable nucleic acids include nucleic acids encoding soluble CD4, used in the treatment of AIDS and α-antitrypsin, used in the treatment of emphysema caused by a-antitrypsin deficiency. Other diseases, syndromes and conditions in which such cells can be useful include, for example, adenosine deaminase deficiency, sickle cell deficiency, brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, lysosomal storage diseases, Gaucher's disease, Hurler's disease, Krabbe's disease, motor neuron diseases such as amylotrophic lateral sclerosis and dominant spinal cerebellar ataxias (examples include SCA1, SCA2, and SCA3), thalassemia, hemophilia, diabetes, phenylketonuria, growth disorders and heart diseases, such as those caused by alterations in cholesterol metabolism, and defects of the immune system.

[00067] As another example, hepatocytes can be transfected with the present vectors having useful nucleic acids to treat liver disease. For example, a nucleic acid encoding OTC can be used to transfect hepatocytes (ex vivo and returned to the liver or in vivo) to treat congenital hyperammonemia, caused by an inherited deficiency in OTC. Another example is to use a nucleic acid encoding LDL to target hepatocytes ex vivo or in vivo to treat inherited LDL receptor deficiency. Such transfected hepatocytes can also be used to treat acquired infectious diseases, such as diseases resulting from a viral infection. For example, transduced hepatocyte precursors can be used to treat viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and non-A, non-B hepatitis, for example by transducing the hepatocyte precursor with a nucleic acid encoding an antisense RNA that inhibits viral replication. Another example includes transferring a vector of the present invention having a nucleic acid encoding a protein, such as α-interferon, which can confer resistance to the hepatitis virus.

[00068] For a procedure using transfected hepatocytes or hepatocyte precursors, hepatocyte precursors having a vector of the present invention transferred in can be grown in tissue culture, removed from the tissue culture vessel, and introduced to the body, such as by a surgical method. In this example, the tissue would be placed directly into the liver, or into the body cavity in proximity to the liver, as in a transplant or graft. Alternatively, the cells can simply be directly injected into the liver, into the portal circulatory system, or into the spleen, from which the cells can be transported to the liver via the circulatory system. Furthermore, the cells can be attached to a support, such as microcarrier beads, which can then be introduced, such as by injection, into the peritoneal cavity. Once the cells are in the liver, by whatever means, the cells can then express the nucleic acid and/or differentiate into mature hepatocytes which can express the nucleic acid.

[00069] The AAV5-derived vector can include any normally occurring AAV5 sequences in addition to an ITR and promoter. Examples of vector constructs are provided below.

[00070] The present vector or AAV5 particle or recombinant AAV5 virion can utilize any unique fragment of the present AAV5 nucleic acids, including the AAV5 nucleic acids set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 7-11, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18. To be unique, the fragment must be of sufficient size to distinguish it from other known sequences, most readily determined by comparing any nucleic acid fragment to the nucleotide sequences of nucleic acids in computer databases, such as GenBank. Such comparative searches are standard in the art. Typically, a unique fragment useful as a primer or probe will be at least about 8 or 10, preferable at least 20 or 25 nucleotides in length, depending upon the specific nucleotide content of the sequence. Additionally, fragments can be, for example, at least about 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 200 or 500 nucleotides in length and can encode polypeptides or be probes. The nucleic acid can be single or double stranded, depending upon the purpose for which it is intended. Where desired, the nucleic acid can be RNA.

[00071] The present invention further provides an isolated AAV5 capsid protein to contain the vector. In particular, the present invention provides not only a polypeptide comprising all three AAV5 coat proteins, i.e., VP1, VP2 and VP3, but also a polypeptide comprising each AAV5 coat protein individually, SEQ ID NOS: 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Thus an AAV5 particle comprising an AAV5 capsid protein comprises at least one AAV5 coat protein VP1, VP2 or VP3. An AAV5 particle comprising an AAV5 capsid protein can be utilized to deliver a nucleic acid vector to a cell, tissue or subject. For example, the herein described AAV5 vectors can be encapsidated in an AAV5 capsid-derived particle and utilized in a gene delivery method. Furthermore, other viral nucleic acids can be encapsidated in the AAV5 particle and utilized in such delivery methods. For example, an AAV1, 2,3,4, or 6 vector (e.g. AAV1,2,3,4, or 6 ITR and nucleic acid of interest) can be encapsidated in an AAV5 particle and administered. Furthermore, an AAV5 chimeric capsid incorporating both AAV2 capsid and AAV5 capsid sequences can be generated, by standard cloning methods, selecting regions from the known sequences of each protein as desired. For example, particularly antigenic regions of the AAV2 capsid protein can be replaced with the corresponding region of the AAV5 capsid protein. In addition to chimeric capsids incorporating AAV2 capsid sequences, chimeric capsids incorporating AAV1, 3, 4, or 6 and AAV5 capsid sequences can be generated, by standard cloning methods, selecting regions from the known sequences of each protein as desired.

[00072] The capsids can also be modified to alter their specific tropism by genetically altering the capsid to encode a specific ligand to a cell surface receptor. Alternatively, the capsid can be chemically modified by conjugating a ligand to a cell surface receptor. By genetically or chemically altering the capsids, the tropism can be modified to direct AAV5 to a particular cell or population of cells. The capsids can also be altered immunologically by conjugating the capsid to an antibody that recognizes a specific protein on the target cell or population of cells.

[00073] The capsids can also be assembled into empty particles by expression in mammalian, bacterial, fungal or insect cells. For example, AAV2 particles are known to be made from VP3 and VP2 capsid proteins in baculovirus. The same basic protocol can produce an empty AAV5 particle comprising an AAV5 capsid protein.

[00074] The herein described recombinant AAV5 nucleic acid derived vector can be encapsidated in an AAV particle. In particular, it can be encapsidated in an AAV1 particle, an AAV2 particle, an AAV3 particle, an AAV4 particle, an AAV5 particle or an AAV6 particle, a portion of any of these capsids, or a chimeric capsid particle as described above, by standard methods using the appropriate capsid proteins in the encapsidation process, as long as the nucleic acid vector fits within the size limitation of the particle utilized. The encapsidation process itself is standard in the art. The AAV5 replication machinery, i.e. the rep initiator proteins and other functions required for replication, can be utilized to produce the AAV5 genome that can be packaged in an AAV1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 capsid.

[00075] The recombinant AAV5 virion containing a vector can also be produced by recombinant methods utilizing multiple plasmids. In one example, the AAV5 rep nucleic acid would be cloned into one plasmid, the AAV5 ITR nucleic acid would be cloned into another plasmid and the AAV1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 capsid nucleic acid would be cloned on another plasmid. These plasmids would then be introduced into cells. The cells that were efficiently transduced by all three plasmids, would exhibit specific integration as well as the ability to produce recombinant AAV5 virion. Additionally, two plasmids could be used where the AAV5 rep nucleic acid would be cloned into one plasmid and the AAV5 ITR and AAV5 capsid would be cloned into another plasmid. These plasmids would then be introduced into cells. The cells that were efficiently transduced by both plasmids, would exhibit specific integration as well as the ability to produce recombinant AAV5 virion.

[00076] An AAV5 capsid polypeptide encoding the entire VP1, VP2, and VP3 polypeptide can have greater than 56% overall homology to the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by nucleotides in SEQ ID NOS:7,8 and 9, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The capsid protein can have about 70% homology, about 75% homology, 80% homology, 85% homology, 90% homology, 95% homology, 98% homology, 99% homology, or even 100% homology to the protein having the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:7, 8 or 9. The percent homology used to identify proteins herein, can be based on a nucleotide-by-nucleotide comparison or more preferable is based on a computerized algorithm as described herein. Variations in the amino acid sequence of the AAV5 capsid protein are contemplated herein, as long as the resulting particle comprising an AAV5 capsid protein remains antigenically or immunologically distinct from AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4 or AAV6 capsid, as can be routinely determined by standard methods.

[00077] Specifically, for example, ELISA and Western blots can be used to determine whether a viral particle is antigenically or immunologically distinct from AAV2 or the other serotypes. Furthermore, the AAV5 particle preferably retains tissue tropism distinction from AAV2, such as that exemplified in the examples herein, An AAV5 chimeric particle comprising at least one AAV5 coat protein may have a different tissue tropism from that of an AAV5 particle consisting only of AAV5 coat proteins, but is still distinct from the tropism of an AAV2 particle, in that it will infect some cells not infected by AAV2 or an AAV2 particle.

[00078] The invention further provides a recombinant AAV5 virion, comprising an AAV5 particle containing, i.e., encapsidating, a vector comprising a pair of AAV5 inverted terminal repeats. The recombinant vector can further comprise an AAV5 Rep-encoding nucleic acid. The vector encapsidated in the particle can further comprise an exogenous nucleic acid inserted between the inverted terminal repeats. AAV5 Rep confers targeted integration and efficient replication, thus production of recombinant AAV5, comprising AAV5 Rep, yields more particles than production of recombinant AAV2. Since AAV5 is more efficient at replicating and packaging its genome, the exogenous nucleic acid inserted, or in the AAV5 capsids of the present invention, between the inverted terminal repeats can be packaged in the AAV1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 capsids to achieve the specific tissue tropism conferred by the capsid proteins.

[00079] The invention further contemplates chimeric recombinant ITRs that contains a rep binding site and a TRS site recognized by that Rep protein. By “Rep protein” is meant all four of the Rep proteins, Rep 40, Rep 78, Rep 52, Rep 68. Alternatively, “Rep protein” could be one or more of the Rep proteins described herein. One example of a chimeric ITR would consist of an AAV5 D region (SEQ ID NO: 23), an AAV5 TRS site (SEQ ID NO: 21), an AAV2 hairpin and an AAV2 binding site. Another example would be an AAV5 D region, an AAV5 TRS site, an AAV3 hairpin and an AAV3 binding site. In these chimeric ITRs, the D region can be from AAV1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. The hairpin can be derived from AAV 1,2 3, 4, 5, 6. The binding site can be derived from any of AAV1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Preferably, the D region and the TRS are from the same serotype.

[00080] The chimeric ITRs can be combined with AAV5 Rep protein and any of the AAV serotype capsids to obtain recombinant virion. For example, recombinant virion can be produced by an AAV5 D region, an AAV5 TRS site, an AAV2 hairpin, an AAV2 binding site, AAV5 Rep protein and AAV1 capsid. This recombinant virion would possess the cellular tropism conferred by the AAV1 capsid protein and would possess the efficient replication conferred by the AAV5 Rep.

[00081] Other examples of the ITR, Rep protein and Capsids that will produce recombinant virion are provided in the list below:

• [00082] 5ITR+5Rep+5Cap=virion
• [00083] 5ITR+5Rep+1Cap=virion
• [00084] 5ITR+5Rep+2Cap=virion
• [00085] 5ITR+5Rep+3Cap=virion
• [00086] 5ITR+5Rep+4Cap=virion
• [00087] 5ITR+5Rep+6Cap=virion
• [00088] 1ITR+1Rep+5Cap=virion
• [00089] 2ITR+2Rep+5Cap=virion
• [00090] 3ITR+3Rep+5Cap=virion
• [00091] 4ITR+4Rep+5Cap=virion
• [00092] 6ITR+6Rep+5Cap=virion

[00093] In any of the constructs described herein, inclusion of a promoter is preferred. As used in the constructs herein, unless otherwise specified, Cap (capsid) refers to any of AAV5 VP1, AAV5 VP2, AAV5 VP3, combinations thereof, functional fragments of any of VP1, VP2 or VP3, or chimeric capsids as described herein. The ITRs of the constructs described herein, can be chimeric recombinant ITRs as described elsewhere in the application.

[00094] Conjugates of recombinant or wild-type AAV5 virions and nucleic acids or proteins can be used to deliver those molecules to a cell. For example, the purified AAV5 can be used as a vehicle for delivering DNA bound to the exterior of the virus. Examples of this are to conjugate the DNA to the virion by a bridge using poly-L-lysine or other charged molecule. Also contemplated are virosomes that contain AAV5 structural proteins (AAV5 capsid proteins), lipids such as DOTAP, and nucleic acids that are complexed via charge interaction to introduce DNA into cells.

[00095] Also provided by this invention are conjugates that utilize the AAV5 capsid or a unique region of the AAV5 capsid protein (e.g. VP1, VP2 or VP3 or combinations thereof) to introduce DNA into cells. For example, the type 5 VP3 protein or fragment thereof, can be conjugated to a DNA on a plasmid that is conjugated to a lipid. Cells can be infected using the targeting ability of the VP3 capsid protein to achieve the desired tissue tropism, specific to AAV5. Type 5 VP1 and VP2 proteins can also be utilized to introduce DNA or other molecules into cells. By further incorporating the Rep protein and the AAV TRS into the DNA-containing conjugate, cells can be transduced and targeted integration can be achieved. For example, if AAV5 specific targeted integration is desired, a conjugate composed of the AAV5 VP3 capsid, AAV5 rep or a fragment of AAV5 rep, AAV5 TRS, the rep binding site, the heterologous DNA of interest, and a lipid, can be utilized to achieve AAV5 specific tropism and AAV5 specific targeted integration in the genome.

[00096] Further provided by this invention are chimeric viruses where AAV5 can be combined with herpes virus, herpes virus amplicons, baculovirus or other viruses to achieve a desired tropism associated with another virus. For example, the AAV5 ITRs could be inserted in the herpes virus and cells could be infected. Post-infection, the ITRs of AAV5 could be acted on by AAV5 rep provided in the system or in a separate vehicle to rescue AAV5 from the genome. Therefore, the cellular tropism of the herpes simplex virus can be combined with AAV5 rep mediated targeted integration. Other viruses that could be utilized to construct chimeric viruses include, lentivirus, retrovirus, pseudotyped retroviral vectors, and adenoviral vectors.

[00097] The present invention farther provides isolated nucleic acids of AAV5. For example, provided is an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (AAV5 genome). This nucleic acid, or portions thereof, can be inserted into vectors, such as plasmids, yeast artificial chromosomes, or other viral vector (particle), if desired, by standard cloning methods. The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. The nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 can have minor modifications and still be contemplated by the present invention. For example, modifications that do not alter the amino acid encoded by any given codon (such as by modification of the third, “wobble,” position in a codon) can readily be made, and such alterations are known in the art. Furthermore, modifications that cause a resulting neutral (conserved) amino acid substitution of a similar amino acid can be made in a coding region of the genome. Additionally, modifications as described herein for the AAV5 components, such as the ITRs, the p5 promoter, etc. are contemplated in this invention. Furthermore, modifications to regions of SEQ ID NO:1 other than in the ITR, TRS Rep binding site and hairpin are likely to be tolerated without serious impact on the function of the nucleic acid as a recombinant vector.

[00098] As used herein, the term “isolated” refers to a nucleic acid separated or significantly free from at least some of the other components of the naturally occurring organism, for example, the cell structural components or viral components commonly found associated with nucleic acids in the environment of the virus and/or other nucleic acids. The isolation of the native nucleic acids can be accomplished, for example, by techniques such as cell lysis followed by phenol plus chloroform extraction, followed by ethanol precipitation of the nucleic acids. The nucleic acids of this invention can be isolated from cells according to any of many methods well known in the art.

[00099] As used herein, the term “nucleic acid” refers to single-or multiple stranded molecules which may be DNA or RNA, or any combination thereof, including modifications to those nucleic acids. The nucleic acid may represent a coding strand or its complement, or any combination thereof. Nucleic acids may be identical in sequence to the sequences which are naturally occurring for any of the novel genes discussed herein or may include alternative codons which encode the same amino acid as those provided herein, including that which is found in the naturally occurring sequence. These nucleic acids can also be modified from their typical structure. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, methylated nucleic acids, the substitution of a non-bridging oxygen on the phosphate residue with either a sulfur (yielding phosphorothioate deoxynucleotides), selenium (yielding phosphorselenoate deoxynucleotides), or methyl groups (yielding methylphosphonate deoxynucleotides).

[00100] The present invention additionally provides an isolated nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes with any nucleic acid disclosed herein, including the entire AAV5 genome and any unique fragment thereof, including the Rep and capsid encoding sequences (e.g. SEQ ID NOS: 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23). Specifically, the nucleic acid can selectively or specifically hybridize to an isolated nucleic acid consisting of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (AAV5 genome). The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid that selectively or specifically hybridizes with an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (AAV5 genome). By “selectively hybridizes” as used herein is meant a nucleic acid that hybridizes to one of the disclosed nucleic acids under sufficient stringency conditions without significant hybridization to a nucleic acid encoding an unrelated protein, and particularly, without detectably hybridizing to nucleic acids of AAV2. Thus, a nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes with a nucleic acid of the present invention will not selectively hybridize under stringent conditions with a nucleic acid encoding a different protein or the corresponding protein from a different serotype of the virus, and vice versa. A “specifically hybridizing” nucleic acid is one that hybridizes under stringent conditions to only a nucleic acid found in AAV5. Therefore, nucleic acids for use, for example, as primers and probes to detect or amplify the target nucleic acids are contemplated herein. Nucleic acid fragments that selectively hybridize to any given nucleic acid can be used, e.g., as primers and or probes for further hybridization or for amplification methods (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR)). Additionally, for example, a primer or probe can be designed that selectively hybridizes with both AAV5 and a gene of interest carried within the AAV5 vector (i.e., a chimeric nucleic acid).

[00101] Stringency of hybridization is controlled by both temperature and salt concentration of either or both of the hybridization and washing steps. Typically, the stringency of hybridization to achieve selective hybridization involves hybridization in high ionic strength solution (6×SSC or 6×SSPE) at a temperature that is about 12-25° C. below the Tm (the melting temperature at which half of the molecules dissociate from their hybridization partners) followed by washing at a combination of temperature and salt concentration chosen so that the washing temperature is about 5° C. to 20° C. below the T_m. The temperature and salt conditions are readily determined empirically in preliminary experiments in which samples of reference DNA immobilized on filters are hybridized to a labeled nucleic acid of interest and then washed under conditions of different stringencies. Hybridization temperatures are typically higher for DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA hybridizations. The washing temperatures can be used as described above to achieve selective stringency, as is known in the art. (Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989; Kunkel et al. Methods Enzymol. 1987:154:367, 1987). A preferable stringent hybridization condition for a DNA:DNA hybridization can be at about 68° C. (in aqueous solution) in 6× SSC or 6× SSPE followed by washing at 68° C. Stringency of hybridization and washing, if desired, can be reduced accordingly as the degree of complementarity desired is decreased, and further, depending upon the G-C or A-T richness of any area wherein variability is searched for. Likewise, stringency of hybridization and washing, if desired, can be increased accordingly as homology desired is increased, and further, depending upon the G-C or A-T richness of any area wherein high homology is desired, all as known in the art.

[00102] A nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes to any portion of the AAV5 genome is contemplated herein. Therefore, a nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes to AAV5 can be of longer length than the AAV5 genome, it can be about the same length as the AAV5 genome or it can be shorter than the AAV5 genome. The length of the nucleic acid is limited on the shorter end of the size range only by its specificity for hybridization to AAV5, i.e., once it is too short, typically less than about 5 to 7 nucleotides in length, it will no longer bind specifically to AAV5, but rather will hybridize to numerous background nucleic acids. Additionally contemplated by this invention is a nucleic acid that has a portion that specifically hybridizes to AAV5 and a portion that specifically hybridizes to a gene of interest inserted within AAV5.

[00103] The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding an adeno-associated virus 5 Rep protein. The AAV5 Rep proteins are encoded by open reading frame (ORF) 1 of the AAV5 genome. Examples of the AAV5 Rep genes are shown in the nucleic acid set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, and include nucleic acids consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:10 (Rep52), 11 (Rep78), 13 (Rep40), and 15 (Rep68), and nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:10, 11, 13, and 15. However, the present invention contemplates that the Rep nucleic acid can include any one, two, three, or four of the four Rep proteins, in any order, in such a nucleic acid. Furthermore, minor modifications are contemplated in the nucleic acid, such as silent mutations in the coding sequences, mutations that make neutral or conservative changes in the encoded amino acid sequence, and mutations in regulatory regions that do not disrupt the expression of the gene. Examples of other minor modifications are known in the art. Further modifications can be made in the nucleic acid, such as to disrupt or alter expression of one or more of the Rep proteins in order to, for example, determine the effect of such a disruption; such as to mutate one or more of the Rep proteins to determine the resulting effect, etc. However, in general, a modified nucleic acid encoding a Rep protein will have at least about 85%, about 90%, about 93%, about 95%, about 98% or 100% homology to the Rep nucleic sequences described herein e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 10, 11, 13 and 15, and the Rep polypeptide encoded therein will have overall about 93%, about 95%, about 98%, about 99% or 100% homology with the amino acid sequence described herein, e.g., SEQ ID NOS:2, 3, 12 and 14. Percent homology is determined by the techniques described herein.

[00104] The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid that selectively or specifically hybridizes with a nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOS:10, 11, 13 and 15, and an isolated nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes with a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOS:10, 11, 13 and 15. “Selectively hybridizing” and “stringency of hybridization” is defined elsewhere herein.

[00105] As described above, the present invention provides the nucleic acid encoding a Rep 40 protein and, in particular an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13, an isolated nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13, and a nucleic acid encoding the adeno-associated virus 5 protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12. The present invention also provides the nucleic acid encoding a Rep 52 protein, and in particular an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:10, an isolated nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:10, and a nucleic acid encoding the adeno-associated virus 5 Rep protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. The present invention further provides the nucleic acid encoding a Rep 68 protein and, in particular an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15, an isolated nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15, and a nucleic acid encoding the adeno-associated virus 5 protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14. And, further, the present invention provides the nucleic acid encoding a Rep 78 protein, and in particular an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:11, an isolated nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:11, and a nucleic acid encoding the adeno-associated virus 5 Rep protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3. As described elsewhere herein, these nucleic acids can have minor modifications, including silent nucleotide substitutions, mutations causing conservative amino acid substitutions in the encoded proteins, and mutations in control regions that do not or minimally affect the encoded amino acid sequence.

[00106] The present invention further provides a nucleic acid encoding the entire AAV5 Capsid polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention provides a nucleic acid encoding each of the three AAV5 coat proteins, VP1, VP2, and VP3. Thus, the present invention provides a nucleic acid encoding AAV5 VP1, a nucleic acid encoding AAV5 VP2, and a nucleic acid encoding AAV5 VP3. Thus, the present invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 (VP1); a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 (VP2), and a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 (VP3). The present invention also specifically provides a nucleic acid comprising SEQ ID NO:7 (VP1 gene); a nucleic acid comprising SEQ ID NO:8 (VP2 gene); and a nucleic acid comprising SEQ ID NO:9 (VP3 gene). The present invention also specifically provides a nucleic acid consisting essentially of SEQ ID NO:7 (VP1 gene), a nucleic acid consisting essentially of SEQ ID NO:8 (VP2 gene), and a nucleic acid consisting essentially of SEQ ID NO:9 (VP3 gene). Minor modifications in the nucleotide sequences encoding the capsid, or coat, proteins are contemplated, as described above for other AAV5 nucleic acids. However, in general, a modified nucleic acid encoding a capsid protein will have at least about 85%, about 90%, about 93%, about 95%, about 98% or 100% homology to the capsid nucleic sequences described herein e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 7, 8, and 9, and the capsid polypeptide encoded therein will have overall about 93%, about 95%, about 98%, about 99% or 100% homology with the amino acid sequence described herein, e.g., SEQ ID NOS:4, 5, and 6. Nucleic acids that selectively hybridize with the nucleic acids of SEQ ID NOS:7,8 and 9 under the conditions described above are also provided.

[00107] The present invention also provides a cell containing one or more of the herein described nucleic acids, such as the AAV5 genome, AAV5 ORF1 and ORF2, each AAV5 Rep protein gene, or each AAV5 capsid protein gene. Such a cell can be any desired cell and can be selected based upon the use intended. For example, cells can include bacterial cells, yeast cells, insect cells, human HeLa cells and simian Cos cells as well as other human and mammalian cells and cell lines. Primary cultures as well as established cultures and cell lines can be used. Nucleic acids of the present invention can be delivered into cells by any selected means, in particular depending upon the target cells. Many delivery means are well-known in the art. For example, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, microinjection, cationic or anionic liposomes, and liposomes in combination with a nuclear localization signal peptide for delivery to the nucleus can be utilized, as is known in the art. Additionally, if the nucleic acids are in a viral particle, the cells can simply be transduced with the virion by standard means known in the art for AAV transduction. Small amounts of the recombinant AAV5 virus can be made to infect cells and produce more of itself.

[00108] The invention provides purified AAV5 polypeptides. The term “polypeptide” as used herein refers to a polymer of amino acids and includes full-length proteins and fragments thereof Thus, “protein,” “polypeptide,” and “peptide” are often used interchangeably herein. Substitutions can be selected by known parameters to be neutral (see, e.g., Robinson W E Jr, and Mitchell W M., AIDS 4:S151-S162 (1990)). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention also includes those polypeptides having slight variations in amino acid sequences or other properties. Such variations may arise naturally as allelic variations (e.g., due to genetic polymorphism) or may be produced by human intervention (e.g., by mutagenesis of cloned DNA sequences), such as induced point, deletion, insertion and substitution mutants. Minor changes in amino acid sequence are generally preferred, such as conservative amino acid replacements, small internal deletions or insertions, and additions or deletions at the ends of the molecules. Substitutions may be designed based on, for example, the model of Dayhoff, et al. (in Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure 1978, Nat'l Biomed. Res. Found., Washington, D.C.). These modifications can result in changes in the amino acid sequence, provide silent mutations, modify a restriction site, or provide other specific mutations. The location of any modifications to the polypeptide will often determine its impact on function. Particularly, alterations in regions non-essential to protein function will be tolerated with fewer effects on function. Elsewhere in the application regions of the AAV5 proteins are described to provide guidance as to where substitutions, additions or deletions can be made to minimize the likelihood of disturbing the function of the variant.

[00109] A polypeptide of the present invention can be readily obtained by any of several means. For example, the polypeptide of interest can be synthesized chemically by standard methods. Additionally, the coding regions of the genes can be recombinantly expressed and the resulting polypeptide isolated by standard methods. Furthermore, an antibody specific for the resulting polypeptide can be raised by standard methods (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988), and the protein can be isolated from a cell expressing the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide by selective hybridization with the antibody. This protein can be purified to the extent desired by standard methods of protein purification (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989).

[00110] Typically, to be unique, a polypeptide fragment of the present invention will be at least about 5 amino acids in length; however, unique fragments can be 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more amino acids in length. A unique polypeptide will typically comprise such a unique fragment; however, a unique polypeptide can also be determined by its overall homology. A unique polypeptide can be 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more amino acids in length. Uniqueness of a polypeptide fragment can readily be determined by standard methods such as searches of computer databases of known peptide or nucleic acid sequences or by hybridization studies to the nucleic acid encoding the protein or to the protein itself, as known in the art. The uniqueness of a polypeptide fragment can also be determined immunologically as well as functionally. Uniqueness can be simply determined in an amino acid-by-amino acid comparison of the polypeptides.

[00111] An antigenic or immunoreactive fragment of this invention is typically an amino acid sequence of at least about 5 consecutive amino acids, and it can be derived from the AAV5 polypeptide amino acid sequence. An antigenic AAV5 fragment is any fragment unique to the AAV5 protein, as described herein, against which an AAV5-specific antibody can be raised, by standard methods. Thus, the resulting antibody-antigen reaction should be specific for AAV5.

[00112] The present invention provides an isolated AAV5 Rep protein. An AAV5 Rep polypeptide is encoded by ORF1 of AAV5. The present invention also provides each individual AAV5 Rep protein. Thus the present invention provides AAV5 Rep 40 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 12), or a unique fragment thereof. The present invention provides AAV5 Rep 52 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2), or a unique fragment thereof. The present invention provides AAV5 Rep 68 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 14), or a unique fragment thereof. The present invention provides an example of AAV5 Rep 78 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3), or a unique fragment thereof. By “unique fragment thereof” is meant any smaller polypeptide fragment encoded by an AAV5 rep gene that is of sufficient length to be found only in the Rep polypeptide. Substitutions and modifications of the amino acid sequence can be made as described above and, farther, can include protein processing modifications, such as glycosylation, to the polypeptide.

[00113] The present invention further provides an AAV5 Capsid polypeptide or a unique fragment thereof. AAV5 capsid polypeptide is encoded by ORF 2 of AAV5. The present invention further provides the individual AAV5 capsid proteins, VP1, VP2 and VP3 or unique fragments thereof. Thus, the present invention provides an isolated polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 (VP1). The present invention additionally provides an isolated polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 (VP2). The present invention also provides an isolated polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 (VP3). By “unique fragment thereof” is meant any smaller polypeptide fragment encoded by any AAV5 capsid gene that is of sufficient length to be found only in the AAV5 capsid protein. Substitutions and modifications of the amino acid sequence can be made as described above and, further, can include protein processing modifications, such as glycosylation, to the polypeptide. However, an AAV5 Capsid polypeptide including all three coat proteins will have greater than about 56% overall homology to the polypeptide encoded by the nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID) NOS:4,5 or 6. The protein can have about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, 93%, 95%, 97% or even 100% homology to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:4,5 or 6. An AAV5 VP1 polypeptide can have at least about 58%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, 93%, 95%, 97% or about 100% homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. An AAV5 VP2 polypeptide can have at least about 58%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, 93%, 95%, 97% or about I00% homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5. An AAV5 VP3 polypeptide can have at least about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, 93%, 95%, 97% or about 100% homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6.

[00114] The present invention further provides an isolated antibody that specifically binds an AAV5 Rep protein or a unique epitope thereof. Also provided are isolated antibodies that specifically bind the AAV5 Rep 52 protein, the AAV5 Rep 40 protein, the AAV5 Rep 68 protein and the AAV5 Rep 78 protein having the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 3, respectively or that specifically binds a unique fragment thereof. Clearly, any given antibody can recognize and bind one of a number of possible epitopes present in the polypeptide; thus only a unique portion of a polypeptide (having the epitope) may need to be present in an assay to determine if the antibody specifically binds the polypeptide.

[00115] The present invention additionally provides an isolated antibody that specifically binds any of the adeno-associated virus 5 Capsid proteins (VP1, VP2 or VP3), a unique epitope thereof, or the polypeptide comprising all three AAV5 coat proteins. Also provided is an isolated antibody that specifically binds the AAV5 capsid protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 (VP1), or that specifically binds a unique fragment thereof. The present invention further provides an isolated antibody that specifically binds the AAV5 Capsid protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 (VP2), or that specifically binds a unique fragment thereof. The invention additionally provides an isolated antibody that specifically binds the AAV5 Capsid protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 (VP3), or that specifically binds a unique fragment thereof Again, any given antibody can recognize and bind one of a number of possible epitopes present in the polypeptide; thus only a unique portion of a polypeptide (having the epitope) may need to be present in an assay to determine if the antibody specifically binds the polypeptide.

[00116] The antibody can be a component of a composition that comprises an antibody that specifically binds the AAV5 protein. The composition can further comprise, e.g., serum, serum-free medium, or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as physiological saline, etc.

[00117] By “an antibody that specifically binds” an AAV5 polypeptide or protein is meant an antibody that selectively binds to an epitope on any portion of the AAV5 peptide such that the antibody binds specifically to the corresponding AAV5 polypeptide without significant background. Specific binding by an antibody further means that the antibody can be used to selectively remove the target polypeptide from a sample comprising the polypeptide or and can readily be determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA), bioassay, or enzyme-linked immunosorbant (ELISA) technology. An ELISA method effective for the detection of the specific antibody-antigen binding can, for example, be as follows: (1) bind the antibody to a substrate; (2) contact the bound antibody with a sample containing the antigen; (3) contact the above with a secondary antibody bound to a detectable moiety (e.g., horseradish peroxidase enzyme or alkaline phosphatase enzyme); (4) contact the above with the substrate for the enzyme; (5) contact the above with a color reagent; (6) observe the color change.

[00118] An antibody can include antibody fragments such as Fab fragments which retain the binding activity. Antibodies can be made as described in, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1988). Briefly, purified antigen can be injected into an animal in an amount and in intervals sufficient to elicit an immune response. Antibodies can either be purified directly, or spleen cells can be obtained from the animal. The cells are then fused with an immortal cell line and screened for antibody secretion. Individual hybridomas are then propagated as individual clones serving as a source for a particular monoclonal antibody.

[00119] The present invention additionally provides a method of screening a cell for infectivity by AAV5 comprising contacting the cell with AAV5 and detecting the presence of AAV5 in the cells. AAV5 particles can be detected using any standard physical or biochemical methods. For example, physical methods that can be used for this detection include DNA based methods such as 1) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for viral DNA or RNA or 2) direct hybridization with labeled probes, and immunological methods such as by 3) antibody directed against the viral structural or non-structural proteins. Catalytic methods of viral detection include, but are not limited to, detection of site and strand specific DNA nicking activity of Rep proteins or replication of an AAV origin-containing substrate. Reporter genes can also be utilized to detect cells that transduct AAV-5. For example, β-gal, green flourescent protein or luciferase can be inserted into a recombinant AAV-5. The cell can then be contacted with the recombinant AAV-5, either in vitro or in vivo and a colorimetric assay could detect a color change in the cells that would indicate transduction of AAV-5 in the cell. Additional detection methods are outlined in Fields, Virology, Raven Press, New York, N.Y. 1996.

[00120] For screening a cell for infectivity by AAV5, wherein the presence of AAV5 in the cells is determined by nucleic acid hybridization methods, a nucleic acid probe for such detection can comprise, for example, a unique fragment of any of the AAV5 nucleic acids provided herein. The uniqueness of any nucleic acid probe can readily be determined as described herein. Additionally, the presence of AAV5 in cells can be determined by flourescence, antibodies to gene products, focus forming assays, plaque lifts, Western blots and chromogenic assays. The nucleic acid can be, for example, the nucleic acid whose nucleotide sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or a unique fragment thereof.

[00121] The present invention includes a method of determining the suitability of an AAV5 vector for administration to a subject comprising administering to an antibody-containing sample from the subject an antigenic fragment of an isolated AAV5 Rep or Capsid protein, and detecting neutralizing antibody-antigen reaction in the sample, the presence of a neutralizing reaction indicating the AAV5 vector may be unsuitable for use in the subject. The present method of determining the suitability of an AAV5 vector for administration to a subject can comprise contacting an antibody-containing sample from the subject with a unique antigenic or immunogenic fragment of an AAV5 Rep protein (e.g. Rep 40, Rep 52, Rep 68, Rep 78) and detecting an antibody-antigen reaction in the sample, the presence of a reaction indicating the AAV5 vector to be unsuitable for use in the subject. The AAV5 Rep proteins are provided herein, and their antigenic fragments are routinely determined. The AAV5 capsid protein can be used to select an antigenic or immunogenic fragment, for example from the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 (VP1), the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 (VP2) or the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 (VP3). Alternatively, or additionally, an antigenic or immunogenic fragment of an isolated AAV5 Rep protein can be utilized in this determination method. The AAV5 Rep protein from which an antigenic fragment is selected can have the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, or the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12, or the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:14.

[00122] The AAV5 polypeptide fragments can be analyzed to determine their anti genicity, immunogenicity and/or specificity. Briefly, various concentrations of a putative immunogenically specific fragment are prepared and administered to a subject and the immunological response (e.g., the production of antibodies or cell mediated immunity) of an animal to each concentration is determined. The amounts of antigen administered depend on the subject, e.g. a human, rabbit or a guinea pig, the condition of the subject, the size of the subject, etc. Thereafter an animal so inoculated with the antigen can be exposed to the AAV5 viral particle or AAV5 protein to test the immunoreactivity or the antigenicity of the specific immunogenic fragment. The specificity of a putative antigenic or immunogenic fragment can be ascertained by testing sera, other fluids or lymphocytes from the inoculated animal for cross reactivity with other closely related viruses, such as AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4 and AAV5.

[00123] The hemagglutination assay can also be used to rapidly identify and detect AAV5 viral particles. Detection of hemagglutination activity correlates with infectivity and can be used to titer the virus. This assay could also be used to identify antibodies in a patients serum which might interact with the virus. Hemagglutination has been shown to correlate with infectivity and therefore hemagglutination may be a useful assay for identify cellular receptors for AAV5.

[00124] By the “suitability of an AAV5 vector for administration to a subject” is meant a determination of whether the AAV5 vector will elicit a neutralizing immune response upon administration to a particular subject. A vector that does not elicit a significant immune response is a potentially suitable vector, whereas a vector that elicits a significant, neutralizing immune response (e.g. at least 90%) is thus likely to be unsuitable for use in that subject. Significance of any detectable immune response is a standard parameter understood by the skilled artisan in the field. For example, one can incubate the subject's serum with the virus, then determine whether that virus retains its ability to transduce cells in culture. If such virus cannot transduce cells in culture, the vector likely has elicited a significant immune response.

[00125] Alternatively, or additionally, one skilled in the art could determine whether or not AAV5 administration would be suitable for a particular cell type of a subject. For example, the artisan could culture muscle cells in vitro and transduce the cells with AAV5 in the presence or absence of the subject's serum. If there is a reduction in transduction efficiency, this could indicate the presence of a neutralizing antibody or other factors that may inhibit transduction. Normally, greater than 90% inhibition would have to be observed in order to rule out the use of AAV-5 as a vector. However, this limitation could be overcome by treating the subject with an immunosuppressant that could block the factors inhibiting transduction.

[00126] As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, numerous types of immunoassays are available for use in the present invention to detect binding between an antibody and an AAV5 polypeptide of this invention. For instance, direct and indirect binding assays, competitive assays, sandwich assays, and the like, as are generally described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,642,285; 4,376,110; 4,016,043; 3,879,262; 3,852,157; 3,850,752; 3,839,153; 3,791,932; and Harlow and Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Publications, N.Y. (1988). For example, enzyme immunoassays such as immunofluorescence assays (IFA), enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoblotting can be readily adapted to accomplish the detection of the antibody. An ELISA method effective for the detection of the antibody bound to the antigen can, for example, be as follows: (1) bind the antigen to a substrate; (2) contact the bound antigen with a fluid or tissue sample containing the antibody; (3) contact the above with a secondary antibody specific for the antigen and bound to a detectable moiety (e.g., horseradish peroxidase enzyme or alkaline phosphatase enzyme); (4) contact the above with the substrate for the enzyme; (5) contact the above with a color reagent; (6) observe color change.

[00127] The antibody-containing sample of this method can comprise any biological sample which would contain the antibody or a cell containing the antibody, such as blood, plasma, serum, bone marrow, saliva and urine.

[00128] The present invention also provides a method of producing the AAV5 virus by transducing a cell with the nucleic acid encoding the virus.

[00129] The present method further provides a method of delivering an exogenous (heterologous) nucleic acid to a cell comprising administering to the cell an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the cell.

[00130] The AAV ITRs in the vector for the herein described delivery methods can be AAV5 ITRs (SEQ ID NOS: 19 and 20). Furthermore, the AAV ITRs in the vector for the herein described nucleic acid delivery methods can also comprise AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, or AAV6 inverted terminal repeats.

[00131] The present invention also includes a method of delivering a heterologous nucleic acid to a subject comprising administering to a cell from the subject an AAV5 virion or particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, and returning the cell to the subject, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the subject. The AAV ITRs can be any AAV ITRs, including AAV5 ITRs and AAV2 ITRs. For example, in an ex vivo administration, cells are isolated from a subject by standard means according to the cell type and placed in appropriate culture medium, again according to cell type (see, e.g., ATCC catalog). Viral particles are then contacted with the cells as described above, and the virus is allowed to transduce the cells. Cells can then be transplanted back into the subject's body, again by means standard for the cell type and tissue (e. g., in general, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,346; for neural cells, Dunnett, S. B. and Björklund, A., eds., Transplantation: Neural Transplantation-A Practical Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford (1992)). If desired, prior to transplantation, the cells can be studied for degree of transduction by the virus, by known detection means and as described herein. Cells for ex vivo transduction followed by transplantation into a subject can be selected from those listed above, or can be any other selected cell including progenitor cells of the cells listed above. Preferably, a selected cell type is examined for its capability to be transfected by AAV5. Preferably, the selected cell will be a cell readily transduced with AAV5 particles; however, depending upon the application, even cells with relatively low transduction efficiencies can be useful, particularly if the cell is from a tissue or organ in which even production of a small amount of the protein or antisense RNA encoded by the vector will be beneficial to the subject.

[00132] The present invention further provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 virion or particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to a cell in the subject. Administration can be an ex vivo administration directly to a cell removed from a subject, such as any of the cells listed above, followed by replacement of the cell back into the subject, or administration can be in vivo administration to a cell in the subject. For ex vivo administration, cells are isolated from a subject by standard means according to the cell type and placed in appropriate culture medium, again according to cell type (see, e.g., ATCC catalog). Viral particles are then contacted with the cells as described above, and the virus is allowed to transfect the cells. Cells can then be transplanted back into the subject's body, again by means standard for the cell type and tissue (e. g., for neural cells, Dunnett, S. B. and Björklund, A., eds., Transplantation: Neural Transplantation—A Practical Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford (1992)). If desired, prior to transplantation, the cells can be studied for degree of transfection by the virus, by known detection means and as described herein.

[00133] The present invention further provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell in a subject having neutralizing antibodies to AAV2 comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 virion or particle comprising the nucleic acid, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to a cell in the subject. A subject that has neutralizing antibodies to AAV2 can readily be determined by any of several known means, such as contacting AAV2 protein(s) with an antibody-containing sample, such as blood, from a subject and detecting an antigen-antibody reaction in the sample. Delivery of the AAV5 particle can be by either ex vivo or in vivo administration as herein described. Thus, a subject who might have an adverse immunogenic reaction to a vector administered in an AAV2 viral particle can have a desired nucleic acid delivered using an AAV5 particle. This delivery system can be particularly useful for subjects who have received therapy utilizing AAV2 particles in the past and have developed antibodies to AAV2. An AAV5 regimen can now be substituted to deliver the desired nucleic acid.

[00134] In any of the methods of delivering heterologous nucleic acids to a cell or subject described herein, the AAV5-conjugated nucleic acid or AAV5 particle-conjugated nucleic acids described herein can be used.

[00135] In vivo administration to a human subject or an animal model can be by any of many standard means for administering viruses, depending upon the target organ, tissue or cell. Virus particles can be administered orally, parenterally (e.g., intravenously), by intramuscular injection, by direct tissue or organ injection, by intraperitoneal injection, topically, transdermally, via aerosol delivery, via the mucosa or the like. Viral nucleic acids (non-encapsidated) can also be administered, e.g., as a complex with cationic liposomes, or encapsulated in anionic liposomes. The present compositions can include various amounts of the selected viral particle or non-encapsidated viral nucleic acid in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, in addition, if desired, may include other medicinal agents, pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, diluents, etc. Parental administration, if used, is generally characterized by injection. Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions. Dosages will depend upon the mode of administration, the disease or condition to be treated, and the individual subject's condition, but will be that dosage typical for and used in administration of other AAV vectors, such as AAV2 vectors. Often a single dose can be sufficient; however, the dose can be repeated if desirable.

[00136] Administration methods can be used to treat brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and demyelination disease. Other diseases that can be treated by these methods include metabolic disorders such as, muscoloskeletal diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

[00137] Administration of this recombinant AAV5 virion or particle to the cell can be accomplished by any means, including simply contacting the particle, optionally contained in a desired liquid such as tissue culture medium, or a buffered saline solution, with the cells. The virion can be allowed to remain in contact with the cells for any desired length of time, and typically the virion is administered and allowed to remain indefinitely. For such in vitro methods; the virion can be administered to the cell by standard viral transduction methods, as known in the art and as exemplified herein. Titers of virus to administer can vary, particularly depending upon the cell type, but will be typical of that used for AAV transduction in general which is well known in the art. Additionally the titers used to transduce the particular cells in the present examples can be utilized.

[00138] The cells that can be transduced by the present recombinant AAV5 virion or particle can include any desired cell, such as the following cells and cells derived from the following tissues, human as well as other mammalian tissues, such as primate, horse, sheep, goat, pig, dog, rat, and mouse: Adipocytes, Adenocyte, Adrenal cortex, Airway epithelial cells, Alveolar cells, Amnion, Aorta, Ascites, Astrocyte, Bladder, Bone, Bone marrow, Brain, Breast, Bronchus, Cardiac muscle, Cecum, Cerebellar, Cervix, Chorion, Colon, Conjunctiva, Connective tissue, Cornea, Dermis, Duodenum, Endometrium, Endothelium, Endothelial cells, Ependymal cells, Epithelial tissue, Epithelial cells, Epidermis, Esophagus, Eye, Fascia, Fibroblasts, Foreskin, Gastric, Glial cells, Glioblast, Gonad, Hepatic cells, Histocyte, Ileum, Intestine, small Intestine, Jejunum, Keratinocytes, Kidney, Larynx, Leukocytes, Lipocyte, Liver, Lung, Lymph node, Lymphoblast, Lymphocytes, Macrophages, Mammary alveolar nodule, Mammary gland, Mastocyte, Maxilla, Melanocytes, Mesenchymal, Monocytes, Mouth, Myelin, Myoblasts Nervous tissue, Neuroblast, Neurons, Neuroglia, Osteoblasts, Osteogenic cells, Ovary, Palate, Pancreas, Papilloma, Peritoneum, Pituicytes, Pharynx, Placenta, Plasma cells, Pleura, Prostate, Rectum, Salivary gland, Skeletal muscle, Skin, Smooth muscle, Somatic, Spinal cord, Spleen, Squamous, Stomach, Submandibular gland, Submaxillary gland, Synoviocytes, Testis, Thymus, Thyroid, Trabeculae, Trachea, Turbinate, Umbilical cord, Ureter, and Uterus. Thus, the particles and virions of the present invention can be used to deliver a nucleic acid to these cells.

[00139] More specifically, the present invention provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an ependymal cell, comprising administering to the ependymal cell an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the ependymal cell.

[00140] Also provided by the present invention is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a neuron, comprising administering to the neuron an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the neuron.

[00141] Further provided by this invention is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an astrocyte, comprising administering to an astrocyte an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to an astrocyte.

[00142] The present invention also provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an airway epithelial cell, comprising administering to an airway epithelial cell an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the airway epithelial cell.

[00143] The present invention also provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an alveolar cell, comprising administering to an alveolar cell an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the alveolar cell.

[00144] The present invention also provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cerebellar cell, comprising administering to a cerebellar cell an AAV5 particle containing a vector comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to the cerebellar cell.

[00145] Also provided is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an ependymal cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to an ependymal cell in the subject.

[00146] Further provided is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a neuron in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to a neuron in the subject.

[00147] Also provided is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an astrocyte in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to an astrocyte in the subject.

[00148] Also provided is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an alveolar cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to an alveolar cell in the subject.

[00149] Also provided is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cerebellar cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to a cerebellar cell in the subject.

[00150] Further provided is a method of delivering a nucleic acid to an airway epithelial cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject an AAV5 particle comprising the nucleic acid inserted between a pair of AAV inverted terminal repeats, thereby delivering the nucleic acid to an airway epithelial cell in the subject.

[00151] The use of AAV5 to deliver genes to the airway epithelia would be of benefit in genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis, pseudohypoaldosteronism, and immotile cilia syndrome. Furthermore, delivering genes to the airway epithelia would be of impact in several non-genetic diseases. For example, delivering genes that make antibiotic like peptides would be useful to prevent or treat bronchitis; delivering genes that make growth factors would be of value in common diseases like chronic bronchitis. Also, AAV5 could be used to deliver genes that may play a role in asthma, like IL-10, or antibodies to IgE and interleukins. The use of AAV5 to deliver genes to the alveolar epithelia would be of benefit in genetic diseases like alpha-1-antitrypsin. Furthermore, delivering genes to the alveolar epithelia would be of significance in several pulmonary non-genetic diseases. For example, delivering surfactant protein to premature babies or patients with ARDS; delivering genes that make antibiotic like peptides would be useful to prevent or treat pneumonia (perhaps of antibiotic-resistant organisms); delivering genes that make growth factors would be of value in emphysema; delivering genes that over-express the epithelial sodium channel or the Na-K ATPase could be used to treat cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema; delivering genes that have an anti-fibrosis effect like interferon for pulmonary fibrosis would also be useful. Also, AAV5 could be used to deliver genes that may have a systemic effect like anti-hypertension drugs, insulin, coagulation factors, antibiotics, growth factors, hormones and others.

[00152] The present invention provides recombinant vectors based on AAV5. Such vectors may be useful for transducing erythroid progenitor cells or cells lacking heparin sulfate proteoglycans which is very inefficient with AAY2 based vectors. These vectors may also be useful for transducing cells with a nucleic acid of interest in order to produce cell lines that could be used to screen for agents that interact with the gene product of the nucleic acid of interest. In addition to transduction of other cell types, transduction of erythroid cells would be useful for the treatment of cancer and genetic diseases which can be corrected by bone marrow transplants using matched donors. Some examples of this type of treatment include, but are not limited to, the introduction of a therapeutic gene such as genes encoding interferons, interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, adenosine deaminase, cellular growth factors such as lymphokines, blood coagulation factors such as factor VIII and IX, cholesterol metabolism uptake and transport protein such as EpoE and LDL receptor, and antisense sequences to inhibit viral replication of, for example, hepatitis or HIV.

[00153] The present invention provides a vector comprising the AAV5 virus as well as AAV5 viral particles. While AAV5 is similar to AAV2, the two viruses are found herein to be physically and genetically distinct. These differences endow AAV5 with some unique advantages which better suit it as a vector for gene therapy.

[00154] Furthermore, as shown herein, AAV5 capsid protein is distinct from AAV2 capsid protein and exhibits different tissue tropism. AAV2 and AAV5 likely utilize distinct cellular receptors. AAV2 and AAV5 are serologically distinct and thus, in a gene therapy application, AAV5 would allow for transduction of a patient who already possess neutralizing antibodies to AAV2 either as a result of natural immunological defense or from prior exposure to AAV2 vectors.

[00155] The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples which are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[00156] To understand the nature of AAV5 virus and to determine its usefulness as a vector for gene transfer, it was cloned and sequenced.

[heading-00157] Cell Culture and Virus Propagation

[00158] Cos and HeLa cells were maintained as monolayer cultures in D10 medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, 100 μg/ml penicillin, 100 units/ml streptomycin and IX Fungizone as recommended by the manufacturer, (GIBCO, Gaithersburg, Md., USA). All other cell types were grown under standard conditions which have been previously reported.

[00159] Virus was produced as previously described for AAV2 using the Beta galactosidase vector plasmid and a helper plasmid containing the AAV5 Rep and Cap genes (9). The helper plasmid was constructed in such a way to minimize any homologous sequence between the helper and vector plasmids. This step was taken to minimize the potential for wild-type (wt) particle formation by homologous recombination.

[heading-00160] DNA Cloning and Sequencing and Analysis

[00161] In order to clone the genome of AAV5, infectious cell lysate was expanded in adherent cos cells and then suspension HeLa cells with the resulting viral particles isolated by CsCl isopynic gradient centrifugation. DNA dot blots of Aliquots of the gradient fractions indicated that the highest concentration of viral genomes were contained in fractions with a refractive index of approx. 1.372. While the initial description of the virus did not determine the density of the particles, this value is similar to that of AAV2. Analysis of annealed virion derived DNA obtained from these fractions indicated a major species of 4.6 kb in length which upon restriction analysis gave bands similar in size to those previously reported. Additional restriction mapping indicated a unique BssHII site at one end of the viral genome. This site was used to clone the major fragment of the viral genome. Additional overlapping clones were isolated and the sequence determined. Two distinct open reading frames (ORF) were identified. Computer analysis indicated that the left-hand ORF is approx 60% similar to that of the Rep gene of AAV2. Of the 4 other reported AAV serotypes, all have greater than 90% similarity in this ORF. The right ORF of the viral capsid proteins is also approximately 60% homologous to the Capsid ORF of AAV2. As with other AAV serotypes reported, the divergence between AAV5 and AAV2 is clustered in multiple blocks. By using the published three dimensional structure of the canine parvovirus and computer aided sequence comparisons, a number of these divergent regions have been shown to be on the exterior of the virus and thus suggest an altered tissue tropism.

[00162] Within the p5 promoter, a number of the core transcriptional elements are conserved such as the tataa box and YY1 site around the transcriptional start site. However the YY1 site at −60 and the upstream E-Box elements are not detectable suggesting an alternative method of regulation or activation.

[00163] The inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) of the virus were cloned as a fragment from the right end of the genome. The resulting fragment was found to contain a number of sequence changes compared to AAV2. However, these changes were found to be complementary and did not affect the ability of this region to fold into a hairpin structure. Within the stem region of the hairpin two sequence elements have been found to be critical for the function of the ITRs as origins of viral replication. A repeat motif of GAGC/T which serves as the recognition site of Rep and a GGTTGAG sequence downstream of the Rep binding site which is the position of Rep's site and strand specific cleavage reaction. This sequence is not conserved between AAV5 and the other cloned AAV's suggesting that the ITRs and Rep proteins of AAV5 cannot compliment the other known AAV's.

[00164] To test the cross complementarity of AAV2 ITR containing genome and AAV5 ITR containing genomes recombinant particles were packaged either using type 2 Rep and Cap or type 5 Rep and Cap expression plasmids as previously described. As shown in FIG. 2, viral particles were produced only when the respective expression plasmids were used to package the cognate ITRs. This result is distinct from that of other serotypes of AAV which have shown cross complementary in packaging.

[00165] This specificity of AAV5 Rep for AAV5 ITRs was confirmed using a terminal resolution assay which can identify the site within one ITR cleaved by the Rep protein. Incubation of the Type 5 Rep protein with a type 2 ITR did not produce any cleavage products. In contrast, addition of type 2 Rep cleaved the DNA at the expected site. However AAV5 Rep did produce cleavage products when incubated with a type 5 ITR. The site mapped to a region 21 bases from the Rep binding motif that is similar to AAV2 TRS. The site in AAV2 is CGGT TGAG (SEQ ID NO: 22) but in type 5 ITR is CGGT GTGA (SEQ ID NO: 21). The ability of AAV5 Rep to cleave at a different but similarly positioned site may result in integration of AAV5 at a distinct chromosomal locus compared to AAV2.

[00166] Recombinant virus produced using AAV5 Rep and Cap was obtained at a greater titer than type 2. For example, in a comparative study, virus was isolated from 8×10⁷ COS cells by CsCl banding and the distribution of the Beta galactosidase genomes across the gradient were determined by DNA dot blots of aliquots of gradient fractions. DNA dot blot titers indicated that AAV5 particles were produced at a 10-50 fold higher level than AAV2.

[00167] The sequence divergence in the capsid protein ORF implies that the tissue tropism of AAV2 and AAV5 would differ. To study the transduction efficiency of AAV5 and AAV2, a variety of cell lines were transduced with serial dilution's of the purified virus expressing the gene for nuclear localized Beta galactosidase activity. Approx. 2×10⁴ cells were exposed to virus in 1 ml of serum containing media for a period of 48-60 hrs. After this time the cells were fixed and stained for Beta-galactosidase activity with 5-Bromo4-chloro-3-indolyl-b-D-galactopyranoside (Xgal) (ICN Biochemicals). Biological titers were determined by counting the number of positive cells in the different dilutions using a calibrated microscope ocular then multiplying by the area of the well. Titers were determined by the average number of cells in a minimum of 10 fields/well. Transduction of cos, HeLa, and 293, and IB3 cells with a similar number of particles showed approximately 10 fold decrease in titer with AAV5 compared with AAV2. In contrast MCF7 cells showed a 50-100 fold difference in transduction efficiency. Furthermore, both vectors transduced NIH 3T3 cells relatively poorly.

[00168] A recent publication reported that heparin proteoglycans on the surface of cells are involved in viral transduction. Addition of soluble heparin has been shown to inhibit transduction by blocking viral binding. Since the transduction data suggested a difference in tissue tropism for AAV5 and AAV2, the sensitivity of AAV5 transduction to heparin was determined. At an MOI of 100, the addition of 20 μg/ml of heparin had no effect on AAV5 transduction. In contrast this amount of heparin inhibited 90% of the AAV2 transduction. Even at an MOI of 1000, no inhibition of AAV5 transduction was detected. These data support the conclusions of the tissue tropism study, i.e. that AAV2 and AAV5 may utilize a distinct cell surface molecules and therefore the mechanism of uptake may differ as well.

[00169] AAV5 is a distinct virus within the dependovirus family based on sequence analysis, tissue tropism, and sensitivity to heparin. While elements of the P5 promoter are retained between AAV2-6 some elements are absent in AAV5 suggesting alternative mechanism of regulation. The ITR and Rep ORF are distinct from those previously identified and fail to complement the packaging of AAV2 based genomes. The ITR of AAV5 contains a different TRS compared to other serotypes of AAV which is responsible for the lack of complementation of the ITRs. This unique TRS should also result in a different integration locus for AAV5 compared to that of AAV2. Furthermore the production of recombinant AAV5 particles using standard packaging systems is approx. 10-50 fold better than AAV2. The majority of the differences in the capsid proteins lies in regions which have been proposed to be on the exterior of the surface of the parvovirus. These changes are most likely responsible for the lack of cross reactive antibodies and altered tissue tropism compared to AAV2.

[00170] From the Rep ORF of AAV2, 4 proteins are produced; The p5 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 18) produces rep 68 (a spliced site mutant) and rep78 and the p19 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 16) produces rep 40 (a spliced site mutant) and rep 52. While these regions are not well conserved within the Rep ORF of AAV5 some splice acceptor and donor sites exist in approximately the same region as the AAV2 sites. These sites can be identified using standard computer analysis programs such as signal in the PCGENE program. Therefore the sequences of the Rep proteins can be routinely identified as in other AAV serotypes.

[heading-00171] Hemagglutination Assay

[00172] Hemagglutination activity was measured essentially as described previously (Chiorini et al 1997 J. Virol. Vol 71 6823-6833) Briefly 2 fold serial dilutions of virus in EDTA-buffered saline were mixed with an equal volume of 0.4% red blood cells in plastic U-bottom 96 well plates. The reaction was complete after a 2-h incubation at 8° C. Addition of purified AAV5 to a hemagglutination assay resulted in hemagglutination activity.

[heading-00173] Transduction of Airway Epithelial Cells

[00174] Primary airway epithilial cells were cultured and plated as previously described (Fasbender et al. J. Clin Invest. 1998 Jul. 1; 102 (1): 184-93). Cells were transducted with an equivalent number of rAAV2 or rAAV5 particles containing a nuclear localized β-gal transgene with 50 particles of virus/cell (MOI 50) and continued in culture for 10 days. β-gal activity was determined following the procedure of (Chiorini et al. 1995 HGT Vol: 6 1531-1541) and the relative transduction efficiency compared. As shown In FIG. 7, AAV5 transduced these cells 50- fold more efficiently than AAV2. This is the first time apical cells or cells exposed to the air have been shown to be infected by a gene therapy agent.

[heading-00175] Transduction of Striated Muscle

[00176] Chicken myoblasts were cultured and plated as previously described (Rhodes & Yamada 1995 NAR Vol 23 (12) 2305-13). Cells were allowed to fuse and then transduced with a similar number of particles of rAAV2 or rAAV5 containing a nuclear localized β-gal transgene as previously described above after 5 days in culture. The cells were stained for β-gal activity following the procedure of (Chiorini et al. 1995 HGT Vol: 6 1531-1541) and the relative transduction efficiency compared. As shown in FIG. 8, AAV5 transduced these cells approximately 16 fold more efficiently than AAV2.

[heading-00177] Transduction of Rat Brain Explants

[00178] Primary neonatal rat brain explants were prepared as previously described (Scortegagna et al. Neurotoxicology. 1997; 18 (2): 331-9). After 7 days in culture, cells were transduced with a similar number of particles of rAAV5 containing a nuclear localized β-gal transgene as previously described. After 5 days in culture, the cells were stained for β-gal activity following the procedure of (Chiorini et al. 1995 HGT Vol: 6 1531-1541). As shown in FIG. 9, transduction was detected in a variety of cell types including astroytes, neuronal cells and glial cells.

[heading-00179] Transduction of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

[00180] Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured and plated as previously described (Gnantenko et al. J Investig Med. 1997 Feb. 45(2): 87-98). Cells were transduced with rAAV2 or rAAV5 containing a nuclear localized β-gal transgene with 10 particles of virus/cell (MOI 5) in minimal media then returned to complete media After 24 hrs in culture the cells were stained for β-gal activity following the procedure of Chiorini et al. (1995 HGT Vol: 6 1531-1541), and the relative transduction efficiency compared. As shown in FIG. 10, AAV5 transduced these cell 5-10 fold more efficiently than AAV2.

[heading-00181] Transduction of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

[00182] Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured and plated as previously described (Gnantenko et al. J Investig Med. 1997 Feb. 45(2): 87-98). Cells were transduced with rAAV2 or rAAV5 containing a nuclear localized β-gal transgene with 10 particles of virus/cell (MOI 5) in minimal media then returned to complete media. After 24 hrs in culture the cells were stained for β-gal activity following the procedure of Chiorini et al. (1995 HGT Vol: 6 1531-1541), and the relative transduction efficiency compared. As shown in FIG. 10, AAV5 transduced these cell 5-10 fold more efficiently than AAV2.

[heading-00183] Vector Production

[00184] Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors based on AAV2, AAV4, or AAV5 were prepared using high efficiency electroporation and adenovirus infection as described previously (9). All three vectors contained a nucleus-targeted E. coli β-galactosidase gene with expression driven off the Rous sarcoma virus LTR promoter (RSV). The expression cassette was flanked by AAV2 ITR sequences for rAAV2βgal particles and rAAV4βgal particles. The expression cassette was flanked by AAV5 ITR's for rAAV5βgal particles. The number of recombinant particles were quantified by Southern dot blot, and the biological activity was tested by X-Gal histochemical staining in a serial dilution on Cos cells. The viral titers ranged between 2×10¹¹ to 3×10¹² particles/ml and the ratio of transducing to total particles was similar to that described previously for each of the types (9,10,45). The recombinant viruses used were screened for wild-type AAV contamination by PCR, and for wild-type adenovirus by a serial dilution assay using an FITC-hexon antibody (less than 10³ replication competent adenoviruses/ml) (46).

[heading-00185] Injections

[00186] Six to 8 week old adult male C57BU6 mice were purchased from Jackson Labs (Bar Harbor, Me.) and housed at the University of Iowa Animal Care facility. All animal procedures were approved by the University of Iowa Animal Care and Use Committee. Virion injections were performed as previously described (24). Briefly, mice were anaesthetized and virions were stereotactically injected into either the right lateral ventricle or the right striatum, using a 26 gauge Hamilton syringe driven by a microinjector (Micro 1, World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, Fla.) at 0.5 μl per minute. For ventricular injections, 10 μl volumes were injected at coordinates 0.4 mm rostral and 1.0 mm lateral to bregma, and at a 2 mm depth. For striatal injections, 5 μl volumes were injected at coordinates 0.4 mm rostral and 2 mm lateral to bregma, and at a 3 mm depth. The doses of virion injected into the striatum, given as particle doses, were as follows: rAAV2βgal, 4×10⁹ (n=5); rAAV4βgal, 2×10⁹ (n=4) or 8×10⁹ (n=3); rAAV5βgal, 1.5×10¹⁰ (n=6) or 3×10¹⁰ (n=2). For injections into the ventricle the doses were as follows: rAAV2βgal, 1×10⁹ (n=3) or 2×10⁹ (n=2); rAAV4βgal, 4×10⁹ (n=8); rAAV5βgal, 3×10¹⁰ (n=4). A minimum of two independent experiments was done for each virion and injection site.

[heading-00187] Histochemistry

[00188] Three or 15 weeks after injection groups of mice were perfused with 2% paraformaldehyde, the brains were removed and processed as previously described (47). 10 μm thick coronal sections were cut at 100 gm intervals and X-Gal histochemical staining performed to identify β-galactosidase expressing cells (48). For each mouse, the number of β-galactosidase-positive cells in every fourth section, spanning 1.3 mm of tissue rostral and 1.3 mm caudal to the injection site, were counted and summed. These sums allow quantitative comparisons among the three vectors, although they do not reflect the total number of transduced cells in vivo.

[heading-00189] Immunofluorescent Staining

[00190] Ten micrometer coronal cryosections of brains harvested 15 weeks after intrastriatal injection of rAAV5βgal were dual stained for β-galactosidase and either neuronal or astrocytic markers. The primary antibodies used were as follows: rabbit IgG specific for E. Coli β-galactosidase (BioDesign International, Saco Minn.); mouse monoclonal IgG specific for NeuN (Chemicon International, Inc., Temecula, Calif.), which strongly stains neuronal cell nuclei with lighter staining of the cytoplasm; and a Cy5 conjugated mouse monoclonal specific for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (Sigma Immunocytochemicals, St. Louis, Mo.), an intermediate filament of astrocytes. Secondary antibodies used were ALEXA 488 goat anti-rabbit IgG (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Ore.) and lissamine-rhodamine goat anti-mouse IgG (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, West Grove, Pa.). Sections were blocked for 2 h at room temperature in phoshate-buffered saline (PBS) with 3% bovine serum albumin, 10% normal goat serum and 0.1% Triton X-100. Sections were incubated overnight with primary antibodies diluted in PBS with 3% bovine serum albumin and 0.1% Triton X-100 at 4° C., then washed and incubated with secondary antibodies in PBS with 1% normal goat serum and 0.1% Triton X-100 for 2 h at room temperture. Confocal laser microscopy was performed using 63× and 40× oil-immersion objectives on a Zeiss LSM 510 and associated software. Z-series images (0.3 to 1.0 μm wide slices) were captured and analyzed for cellular co-localization of antigens. Colocalization of β-galactosidase and either NeuN or GFAP is represented in 2-color merged images from single slices within the series.

[heading-00191] Statistical Analysis

[00192] The data was analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance with the three factors consisting of rAAVβgal type, injection location, and time interval following virion injection. A log transformation was applied to the data to normalize the data distribution and reduce heterogeneity of group variances. Bonferroni's method was applied to each set of comparisons to adjust for the number of mice injected and to the p-values for each set of comparisons. A Bonferroni adjusted p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

[heading-00193] Quantification of Transduced Cells

[00194] The efficiency of transduction of rAAV2, rAAV4 and rAAV5 in the brain using recombinant virion expressing the β-galactosidase reporter gene under control of the RSV promoter (rAAV2βgal, rAAV4βgal and rAAV5βgal, respectively) was evaluated. Groups of mice received either 10 μl of vector in the right lateral ventricle, or 5 μl of vector into the right striatum, at the particle doses stated above. Three or 15 weeks later the brains were harvested and transgene positive cells in cryosections spanning 2.6 mm rostral-caudal were quantified (FIG. 11).

[00195] Three weeks after intraventricular injection, the number of rAAV4βgal-transduced cells was approximately 100- and 10-fold greater than for rAAV2βgal and rAAV5βgal, respectively. rAAV2βgal yielded the poorest results, with the rare positive cell observed. After 15 weeks the number of rAAV5βgal-transduced cells was increased compared to the 3 week time point, reaching numbers similar to that of rAAV4βgal. This increase in rAAV5βgal expression nearly reached statistical significance (p=0.055). The number of transduced cells also tended to increase from 3 to 15 weeks for rAAV2βgal, but remained significantly lower than for the rAAV4- and rAAV5βgal vectors (p-0.007 and 0.019 respectively).

[00196] After striatal injections, strikingly greater numbers of transgene-expressing cells were detected after injection of rAAV5βgal compared to both rAAV2βgal and rAAV4βgal (for both, p<0.0001). In turn, rAAV4βgal transduced more cells than rAAV2βgal by 15 weeks (p=0.001). Comparison of the 3 and 15 week timepoints showed complete loss of rAAV2βgal-mediated transgene expression, but stable expression after rAAV4βgal injection. In contrast, there was a trend toward increased numbers of β-galactosidase-expressing cells from 3 to 15 weeks following rAAV5βgal injections.

[heading-00197] Regional Distribution of Transduced Cells

[00198] To analyze potential regional tropisms, β-galactosidase-positive cells were categorized into ependyma/choroid, striatum, or other (septal area, corpus callosum, neocortex, and fornix) regions. FIG. 12 illustrates the distribution of transduced cells for each virion after intraventricular or intrastriatal injections. Following intraventricular injections, transgene expressing cells were localized predominantly to the ependyma for all rAAVβgal types at both 3 and 15 weeks (FIG. 12A). Striatal injections yielded several interesting results (FIG. 12B). First, rAAV2- and rAAV5βgal virions mediated transduction in multiple regions. Second, this data again demonstrates the global loss in rAAV2βgal-transduced cells in all cerebral regions from 3 to 15 weeks.

[00199] The patterns of transduction observed after striatal injections of the three virions are illustrated in FIG. 13, which shows representative images of X-gal-stained sections. Few blue-stained nuclei were evident in the striatum of rAAV2βgal -injected mice (injected dose =4×10⁹ particles), and only at the 3 week time point (FIGS. 13A and B), while rAAV4βgal (injected dose =4×10⁹ particles) selectively transduced the ependyma (FIG. 13C). rAAV5βgal injections (1.5×10₁₀ particles) resulted in diffuse transduction in multiple cerebral regions, including the striatum (FIG. 13D and E), septal region (FIG. 13D) and neocortex (FIG. 13F). Although the particle dose for rAAV5βgal was only 4 fold greater, the relative spread of cells transduced by rAAV5βgal was extensive; β-galactosidase-expressing cells were detected 4.0 mm in the rostral-caudal, 3.5 mm dorsal-ventral, and 3.2 mm laterally, to encompass much of the injected hemisphere and portions of the medial region.

[heading-00200] Characterization of rAAV5βgal-transduced Cells

[00201] Previous studies have characterized the cell types transduced after parenchymal injection of rAAV2βgal under control of the CMV immediate early enhancer/promoter (CMVp) to be predominantly neurons, with an occasional transgene-expressing astrocyte (20,49,51). To determine which cell types were transduced by rAAV5βgal representative sections of brains harvested 15 weeks after intrastriatal injection were immunofluorescently stained. Confocal microscopy was performed to assess co-localization of β-galactosidase and representative markers. Sections were dual stained for β-galactosidase and either GFAP (astrocyte marker) or NeuN (neuron marker). In the striatum, many transgene-expressing cells stained positive for NeuN, indicating substantial neuronal cell transduction (FIG. 14A). Transduced astrocytes were also evident in the striatum, with GFAP-positive cell processes enveloping β-galactosidase-positive nuclei (FIG. 14B). Analyses of cells transduced in regions outside the striatum revealed that transgene-expressing cells in the cortex were also a mix of neurons and astrocytes, while those in the septal area were predominantly neurons (FIG. 14C). In addition, although rAAV5βgal-transduced cells were noticeably more concentrated in gray matter areas, a minor proportion of transgene-positive nuclei were evident in the corpus callosum, sometimes far-removed from the injection site. In these instances, GFAP immunoreactivity identified these cells as astrocytes (FIG. 14D).

[00202] In this study, CNS cell transduction with rAAV2, rAAV4 and rAAV5 virions carrying an RSV-β-galactosidase expression cassette after intracerebral injections into the lateral ventricle or the striatum was assessed. After intraventricular injections, all three virions transduced primarily ependymal cells. Results with rAAV2βgal were similar to prior reports showing that transduced cells were few, and restricted to the ependyma/choroid plexus (49,50). Ependymal cell transduction was more impressive with rAAV4- and rAAV5βgal vectors. Since the rAAV2βgal and rAAV4βgal particles contain identical DNA sequences, differences in transduction efficiencies between these two vectors must be attributed to variations in their capsids. This implies that the rAAV4 capsid mediates more efficient entry into ependymal cells than rAAV2. rAAV5 capsid is also distinct and may likewise target ependyma more efficiently than rAAV2. Differences in the ITR region of rAAV5βgal may additionally influence expression. Interestingly, for rAAV5βgal, the number of β-galactosidase-positive ependymal cells increased significantly after 3 weeks, reaching levels similar to rAAV4βgal at 15 weeks.

[00203] Following intrastriatal injections, distinct regional patterns of transduction for all three virions were observed. With rAAV4βgal, numerous positive cells lined the ventricles, with very few transgene-expressing cells in the parenchyma. In contrast, rAAV2βgal and rAAV5βgal vectors transduced predominantly parenchymal cells, and unlike rAAV2βgal (20,49,51), rAAV5βgal transduced a significant proportion of astrocytes as well as neurons. Moreover, rAAV5βgal transduced a greater number of cells, over a larger volume of tissue compared to rAAV2βgal.

[00204] When compared to AAV2, heterogeneities in the capsid-encoding regions, heparin-insensitive transduction, and differential abilities to transduce cell lines in vitro together strongly implicate different receptor requirements for cell entry by AAV5 (10,45,56). The enhanced parenchymal cell transduction observed for rAAV5βgal compared to rAAV2βgal, as well as the diffuse and widespread pattern of transduction mediated by rAAV5βgal may similarly reflect distinct receptor requirements. In the rat brain, rAAV2βgal particles have been shown to preferentially bind neurons, but not glial cells, within minutes of injection, and be transported within 30 minutes to neuronal cell nuclei (57). Considering that neuronal subtypes in adult rodent brain express integral membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans such as syndecans (58,59) and glypican-1 (60), it is conceivable that AAV2 binds strongly to and enters neurons surrounding the injection site. Moreover AAV2 particles may become sequestered in extracellular HSPG in a way that limits vector diffusion and reduces transduction efficiency. An ability of rAAV5βgal to travel in a less restricted fashion may explain these observations of widespread transduction in comparison to rAAV2βgal.

[00205] Following intrastriatal injection loss of rAAV2βgal-transduced cells over time consistent with observations of others (20,49,50,51,62,63) was observed. In contrast, transgene expression after rAAV5βgal injection was stable over the time-course of our study. rAAV5 could target to cell subsets better able to sustain RSVp-driven transcription, or there could be positive influences of the AAV5 ITRS on either genome stability or RSV promoter activity.

[00206] These experiments explored the use of rAAV5 as a vector for gene transfer to the CNS. rAAV5βgal transduced large numbers of cells, with lasting expression in both neuronal and glial types. More importantly, rAAV5βgal exhibited an extensive transduction volume. Vector diffusion is an extremely valuable feature for gene therapy of CNS diseases exhibiting widespread pathology, such as the neurodegenerative aspect of the lysosomal storage diseases. This characteristic coupled to persistent expression could reduce the need for multiple injection sites and repeat injections, and their obvious associated risks.

[heading-00207] Human Airway Epithelia

[00208] Airway epithelial cells were obtained from surgical polypectomies of non-CF patients or from trachea and bronchi of lungs removed for organ donation. Cells were isolated by enzyme digestion as previously described (67). Freshly isolated cells were seeded at a density of 5×10⁵ cells/cm² onto collagen-coated, 0.6 cm² diameter Millicell polycarbonate filters (Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.). The cells were maintained at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 7% CO₂ and air. Twenty-four hours after plating, the mucosal media was removed and the cells were allowed to grow at the air-liquid interface (68, 69). The culture medium consisted of a 1:1 mix of DMEM/Ham's F12, 5% Ultroser G (Biosepra SA, Cedex, France), 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 1% nonessential amino acids, and 0.12 U/ml insulin. Airway epithelia were allowed to reach confluence and develop a transepithelial electrical resistance (Rt), indicating the development of tight junctions and an intact barrier. Epithelia were allowed to differentiate by culturing for at least 14 days after seeding and the presence of a ciliated surface was tested by scanning electron microscopy (70).

[heading-00209] Recombinant Adeno-associated Viruses

[00210] Recombinant AAV vectors expressing L3-galactosidase, AAV2/βGal, AAV4/62 Gal, AAV5/βGal, were prepared using high efficiency electroporation and packaging initiated by adenovirus infection and characterized as described previously (45). Briefly, rAAV particles were produced by electroporating 8×10⁸ exponentially growing Cos cells with 400 ug of a 1:1 mixture of pAAV2RnLacZ and pSV40oriAAV2 for production of AAV2, pAAV2RnLacZ and pSV40oriAAV4 for AAV4, or pAAV5RnLacZ and pSV40oriAAV5 for AAV5 in 1× RPMI (2.5 ml of 2× RPMI, 1 ml FCS, 1.5 ml HO₂, and 50 ul of 1M Hepes pH 7.4) and incubated on ice for 10 min prior to electroporation. Electroporation was performed in a 4 mm gap cuvette (BioRad Richmond Calif.) containing 0.5 mls of the cell DNA mixture using a BTX 600 electroporator. Conditions used for electroporation were 300 Volt, 2100 μF, 48 ohms. Following electroporation the cells were incubated on ice for 10 min then plated into ten 15 cm dishes. The following day the medium was replaced and the cells allowed to recover. Approximately 30-50% of the cells which were initially electroporated reattached to the plates and 90% of these cells show strong expression of the β-gal reporter gene. Two days latter, the plates were infected with approximately 5×10⁹ PFU (MOI of 10) of wild-type adenovirus type 5 for 1 h. in serum free media and then supplemented with D10 media. Seventy-two hours post infection the cells were harvested by scraping and the virus and the cells pelleted by low speed centrifugation. The pellet is resuspended in 7.5 ml of TD buffer for every 10 plates (TD=140 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 0.7 mM K₂HPO₄, 25 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.4). Trypsin (0.5 volumes of 0.25%) and sodium deoxycholate (0.5 volumes of 10%) are added to the suspension, gently mixed and incubated at 37° C. for 30 min. The lysate is then homogenized thoroughly (approximately 20 strokes in a Wheaton B homogenizer). CsCl is next added to a final density of 1.4 g/cm³ and the homogenate is distributed into two polyallomer tubes and centrifuged in a SW40.1 swinging bucket rotor at 38,000 RPM for 65 hr at 20° C. The pellicle at the top of the gradient is removed using a pasture pipette and the gradients fractionated by side puncture. Fractions with a refractive index of 1.373-1.371 were pooled for AAV2 and AAV5 and 1.378-1.376 for AAV4, and centrifuged again using an SW50.1 rotor, and fractionated as described above. Refractive indices were determined using a Zeiss refractometer.

[00211] Recombinant viruses were titered by Southern blot, and X-Gal staining in a serial dilution on COS-7 cells tested their biological activity. The viral titers ranged between 4×10¹² and 8×10¹² particles/ml. The particle to transduction unit ratio on these cells was similar to that previously reported for all 3 viruses on Cos cells (about 10⁴ to 1). The recombinant viruses used were screened for wild-type AAV contamination by PCR, and for wild-type adenovirus by a serial dilution assay using a FITC-hexon antibody (less than 10³ replication competent adenoviruses/ml) (70).

[heading-00212] Viral Infection and Binding Assays

[00213] Five hundred virions of the recombinant AAV/per cell (in phosphate-buffered saline) were added to the apical surface. Following the indicated incubation time, the viral suspension was removed and the epithelia were rinsed twice with PBS. After infection, the epithelia were incubated at 37° C. for an additional fourteen days.

[00214] To assess binding to airway epithelia, the epithelia were incubated for 30 min at 4° C. with 500 virions/cell of AAV2/βGal, AAV4/βGal or AAV5/βGal. The epithelia were then rinsed, and cell-associated AAV viral DNA was measured from cell lysates of seven epithelia per dot. Samples were subjected to 3 freeze/thaw cycles and then blotted onto a nylon membrane (Ambion, Austin, Tex.). Detection of the AAV viral DNA was done by hybridizing with a ³²P-labeled pCMVβgal. Unhybridized probe was washed as follows: two washes with 2% SSC and 0.1× SDS at room temperature for 15 min, one wash with 0.5×SSC and 0.1% SDS at 55° C. for 1 hr, and finally one wash with 0.5× SSC and 0.1% SDS at 65° C. for 30 min. Dot blots were developed and quantitated using a Phosphorimager (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.) (71).

[heading-00215] Measurement of β-galactosidase Activity

[00216] Total β-galactosidase activity was measure using a commercially available method (Galacto-Light, Tropix, Inc., Bedford, Mass.). Briefly, after rinsing with PBS, cells were removed from filters by incubation with 120 μl lysis buffer (25 mM Tris-phosphate, pH 7.8; 2 mM DTT; 2 mM 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid; 10% glycerol; and 1% Triton X-100) for 15 min. Light emission was quantified in a luminometer (Analytical Luminescence Laboratory, San Diego Calif.). To histochemically detect β-galactosidase activity, the chromogenic reagent XGal (5-bromo-4chloro-3-indonyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, Boehringer Mannheim) was used. Human airway epithelia and murine lungs were fixed with 1.8% formaldehyde and 2% glutaraldehyde, and then incubated for 16 hr at 37° C. with 313 μl of 40 mg/ml X-Gal in DMSO dissolved in 12.5 ml of PBS (pH 7.8).

[heading-00217] Studies in Mice

[00218] For in vivo analysis, 6-8 week old C57BL/6 mice (The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Mass.) were studied. Mice were lightly anesthetized using a methoxyflurane chamber. Recombinant AAV2 and AAV5 (1×10¹⁰ particles) were administered intranasally in two 62.5 μl instillations delivered 5 min apart. The experiment was performed with five animals per group. Twenty-eight days after vector administration, animals were sacrificed with CO₂. PBS (10 ml) was instilled into the right ventricle and then the lungs and heart were removed intact. The trachea was intubated and instilled at 10 cm of pressure with the following solutions in order: PBS, 4% paraformaldehyde, PBS, and stained overnight with X-Gal stain and finally rinsed with PBS. Lungs were cryosectioned and sections were analyzed by two independent reviewers that were unaware of the experimental identity of the samples. The reviewers counted the number of blue nuclei of βgal-expressing cells from a 5 μm slice obtained every 50 μm (n=20 fields/lung). The total number of airway epithelial cells was estimated by dividing the surface of the epithelia (π2r) by (4.9 μm), an estimate of the diameter of the airway epithelial cells (2425.3±20 airway cells/field).

[00219] AAV5 can mediate gene transfer through the apical surface of human airway epithelia. Because AAV2, AAV4, and AAV5 have different tropism in cell lines, the efficiency of these different serotypes on primary cultures of differentiated human airway epithelia was compared. Epithelia were transduced for 12 hours at a relatively low particle per cell ratio (500 particles/cell) with an estimated MOI of less than 1. To allow for maximal expression, the epithelia were studied 2 weeks after infection. Quantification of the β-galactosidase activity showed that AAV5-tranduced cells generated approximately 50 fold greater activity than AAV2 or AAV4 transduced cells (FIG. 15E). To histochemically detect the β-galactosidase activity, we stained the epithelia with a chromogenic reagent X-gal. Similar to the quantitative analysis, FIGS. 15B & 15C shows only minimal gene transfer in epithelia transduced by AAV2/βGal or AAV4/βGal compared to epithelia transduced with AAV5/βGal (FIG. 15D). To rule out the possibility of pseudo-transduction by protein transfer, the epithelia was assayed 1 hour after the application of the AAV vectors, no β-gal activity was detected over background.

[heading-00220] AA V5 Binds to the Apical Surface of Well-differentiated Human Airway Epithelia

[00221] The hypothesis that the improved transduction efficiency of AAV5/βGal relied on increased binding to well-differentiated airway epithelia was tested. Epithelia were incubated for 30 min with 500 particles per cell of AAV2/βGal, AAV4/βGal or AAV5/βGal, then rinsed. Cell-associated AAV was estimated by dot blot analysis. FIG. 16 shows that differentiated airway epithelia bound AAV5 derived vector approximately seven-fold better than AAV2/βGal. Of interest, AAV4/Gal also bound to the apical surface five times more efficiently than AAV2/Gal. These data may explain some of the advantage of AAV5 over AAV2-derived vectors in mediating gene transfer to the airway epithelia.

[heading-00222] Effect of Dose and Incubation Time on AAV5 Infection of the Apical Surface of Human Airway Epithelia

[00223] Since AAV5 appeared to bind and mediate gene transfer to the airway epithelia more efficiently than AAV2, the effect of dose of the virus was examined. FIG. 17 shows that in a range of 0.5 to 5000 particles/cell, AAV5 always outperformed AAV2/βGal. The course of AAV5-mediated expression of β-galactosidase in vitro over a month period was also tested. The level of &galactosidase expression was stable over 28 days (3.4×10⁷±1.4×10⁷L.U./mg and 3.18×10⁷±1.1×10⁷ L.U./mg for 10 and 28 days respectively.

[00224] The effect of incubation time for the virion (AAV5/βGal) on airway epithelia was tested. FIG. 18 shows that contrary to what is seen with recombinant adenovirus and AAV2, incubation of airway epithelia with recombinant AAV5 resulted in similar levels of gene transfer with short incubation, 30 min or a prolonged incubation, 12 h. This is in agreement with the increased affinity found for AAV5 compared to AAV2 and adenoviruses and more importantly it suggest there may be an apical receptor for AAV5.

[heading-00225] AA V5 Infection of the Apical Surface of Human Airway Epithelia Is not Sensitive to Heparin Competition

[00226] The low level transduction of airway epithelia by AAV2/βGal is thought to be the result of poor virus binding because the apical membrane of airway epithelia expresses very low levels of HSP and αVβ integrins that may mediate AAV2 binding (54,74). To test the effect of heparin competition on AAV2/βGal and AAV5/βGal transduction of human airway epithelia, the viruses were pre-incubated with 20 μg/ml of soluble heparin. Competition with soluble heparin had minimal effect on the already low level of AAV2/βGal-mediated gene transfer suggesting that the observed low level transduction was not receptor-mediated (FIG. 19A). However more importantly, heparin competition did not inhibit AAV5/βGal-mediated gene transfer to airway epithelia. These data show a novel receptor-mediated pathway for AAV5 binding and infection via the apical surface of human airway epithelia.

[heading-00227] AAV 5 Mediates Gene Transfer through the Basolateral Surface in a Heparin Sulfate Independent Manner

[00228] The binding of AAV5 to the apical membrane suggests a novel receptor. To test if the receptor for AAV5 is present on the basolateral surface, the transduction experiments were repeated as described in the previous section but vector was applied from the basolateral side. Because AAV2 can infect via the basolateral side, this experimental design also allowed investigation of whether or not AAV5 had an advantage over AAV2 once they were both in the cell. Briefly, the epithelia were turned upside down and 500 virions/cell of AAV5/βGal or AAV2/βGal was carefully applied in a volume of 25 μl to the bottom of the Millipore filter. After 30 min, the epithelia were rinsed thoroughly. To allow for maximal expression, the epithelia were studied 2 weeks after infection. FIG. 19B shows that similar levels of β-galactosidase activity were detected in airway epithelia transduced with either AAV2/βGal or AAV5/βGal. These data suggest that both viruses work equally well when applied to the basolateral side. To test the mechanism of uptake, the studies were repeated in the presence of soluble heparin. As previously reported, basolateral infection of the airway epithelia by AAV2 was competed off by soluble heparin (74). However, the AAV5/βGal transduction via the basolateral surface was not blocked by heparin competition. These data show that that AAV5 binds to a different receptor than AAV2 that is present both on the apical and basolateral surfaces of human airway epithelia.

[heading-00229] AAV 5 Mediated Gene Transfer to the Airways in vivo

[00230] These data demonstrate improved gene transfer of human ciliated airway epithelia with AAV5 compared to AAV2. To compare the transduction efficiency of AAV5 and AAV2 in vivo, administered either AAV2 or AAV5 (1×10¹⁰ particles) was administered to 6-8 week old C57BL/6 mice, in a total volume of 125 μl via nasal instillation. After 30 days the mice were sacrificed, and the lungs were fixed and stained with X-Gal as previously described (71). A relatively low viral input was chosen to maximize the difference between specific receptor binding and non-specific binding that may occur when the viral concentrations are very high (70,73,74,77). Only minimal transduction in mice treated with AAV2/βGal was observed (FIG. 20). In contrast, a significant increase in the number of blue cells in the lungs of mice treated with AAV5 was observed. A 15 fold increase over AAV2 transduction was observed when alveolar cells were transduced with AAV5. These data confirm the in vitro observation that AAV5 is more efficient at mediating gene transfer to the luminal surface of airway epithelia than AAV2 and suggest that murine airway epithelia express the receptor for AAV5.

[00231] The data presented in this Example suggest that the capsid of AAV5 is sufficiently different from that of AAV2 to allow for efficient binding and infection of human airway epithelia While previous research has demonstrated transduction of airway epithelial cells with AAV2 those studies have required either very high MOI's and/or prolonged incubation times. The present invention shows that human and murine airway epithelia can be more efficiently transduced by AAV5. Furthermore the data suggest a novel receptor present both in the apical and basolateral surface of airway epithelia.

[heading-00232] Preparation of Viral Vectors

[00233] AAV5 expressing nuclear targeted β-galactosidase driven off of a Rous sarcoma virus promoter was prepared. Virus was concentrated and suspended in 3% sucrose in phosphate buffered saline prior to in vivo use. AAV5 titres were approximately 1×10⁸ infectious units/ml as assessed by β-galactosidase histochemistry of COS cells transfected with serial dilutions of the viruses. For most of the experiments, the neuronal tracer cholera toxin subunit b (CTb) was added to the viral suspension at a concentration of 1 μg/μl so that CTb immunoreactivity could be used to independently visualize cerebellar injection sites and distinguish transport and spread of virus outside of the injection site from transduction within the primary injection site itself. CTb is the nontoxic, nonbiologically active subunit of cholera toxin and is presumed to be inert in neuronal tracing experiments. Nonetheless, to insure that CTb had no effects on results AAV5, several animals were injected with virus alone (no CTb).

[heading-00234] Cerebellar Injections and Preparation of Tissue

[00235] Young adult C57B16 mice weighing 20-25 g were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, a burr hole was drilled at the midline posterior occipital bone overlying the cerebellar anterior lobe and pressure injections totaling 2 μl were made into a single cerebellar lobule using a Hamilton syringe cemented with a glass micropipette tip. After survival periods, 7 weeks for AAV5, animals were reanesthetized and transcardially perfused with cold phosphate buffered saline followed by 4% paraformalehdye in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Cerebella, brainstems and thoracolumbar spinal cords were removed and postfixed in the 4% paraformaldehyde overnight at 4° C., cryoprotected for 1-3 days in 30% sucrose in phosphate buffered saline at 4° C. and then sectioned on a cryostat at 50 μm thickness (cerebellum/brainstem sagitally and spinal cord longitudinally).

[heading-00236] Histochemistry and Immunofluorescence

[00237] Gene transfer was determined by processing every other section for β-galactosidase staining with 5-bromo4-chloro4-indolyl β-D-galactoside (X-Gal) according to Terashima 1997. Transport and spread of virus was then determined by comparing the X-gal processed sections to adjacent sections that had been processed for CTb immunohistochemistry according to Alisky and Tolbert (1994). Finally, neuronal versus glial gene transduction was determined by dual staining immunofluoresence for β-galactosidase and neuronal and glial markers on selected cerebellar sections. Glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) was used as the glial marker and calbindin was used as the neuronal marker; colocalization was then determined by confocal microscopy.

[heading-00238] Injection Sites

[00239] As determined by CTb immunoreactivity, all injection sites were approximately the area of a single cerebellar lobule in the anterior lobe (lobules U, III, IV or V) encompassing most of the anteroposterior and mediolateral extent of the lobule within the vermis. In some cases, injections encompassed the dorsal half of one lobule and the ventral half of another lobule for a net injection of a single lobule. Injections filled the molecular layer, Purkinje cell layer, granule cell layer and white matter of the arbor vitae but did not extend to the deep cerebellar nucleic. Outside the injection site, the CTb retrogradely labeled precerebellar neurons in the cuneate, vestibular, olivary, reticular and spinal nuclei, thus mapping an extensive pool of neurons which could be potentially transfected via retrograde axonal transport of virus.

[heading-00240] AA V5βgal Transduction

[00241] There were 12 mice in the AAV arm, seven with AAV5-CTb and five with AAV5 alone, all sacrified at 7 weeks postinjection. Neuronal cell types could be unequivocally identified because of the unique morphology and position of different neuronal classes within the cerebellar cortex. Stellate neurons are always outermost in the molecular layer, basket cells are in the inner part of the molecular layer, Purkinje cells are always a monolayer and Golgi and granule neurons are exclusively in the granule cell layer. There was no difference between AAV5-CTb and AAV5 alone and tropism of the two vectors was similar. There was extensive AAV5-βgal gene transfer to Purkinje cells, stellate and basket cells and Golgi neurons but only minimal transduction of granule cell neurons (FIG. 21). By immunofluoresence, transduction was exclusively neuronal (FIGS. 22 and 23)

[00242] AAV5 showed little retrograde transport but much greater physical spread. The only retrograde transport was to deep cerebellar nuclei; the brainstem vestibular nuclei transduced by the FIV were not transduced by AAV5. However, AAV5-βgalactosidase expressing Purkinje cells could be seen in several lobules far beyond the single lobule injection sites, sometimes the entire anterior and posterior lobes. Moreover AAV5-βgal expressing cells could be seen in the overlying inferior colliculi in x of the animals, clearly diffusion rather than retrograde axonal transport as there are no axon projections from the inferior colliculus into the cerebellum.

[00243] Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

[00244] Although the present process has been described with reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

[none]

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