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Transgenic models :

Increasing predictability of in vivo studies:

Alexandre Fraichard, CSO & CEO

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• Transgenic animals : overexpression of transgene

• KO mice : inactivation of a gene

Gene function / Gene validation

Genetically modified models

• Genetically modified models are research tools

• They help to obtain a better answer

=> Tools for a more efficient research

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Two majors axes

• Improve the read out of the experiment– Increased sensitivity– Earlier read out– Higher throughput

• Increase the predictability of the response obtained through “Humanization”

– Human protein

– Humanized regulation

– Humanized pathway

Genetically modified models

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Develop the most predictable and reliable animal model

• Consulting: Each model is different, fully adapt the model to the project

expectations and constraints.

• Innovation: New technologies for better models.

• Reliability: a GM models is always important, it must rely on the most robust

and validated technological plate form.

genOway’s mission

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A focused tool provider

• Focused: Design and develop animal models.

– Animal facility is subcontracted to professional breeders

– No phenotyping activity but a network of European biotechs

• Customized services: Flexible offers with the most adapted technologies

• Quality: A fully dedicated laboratory and experienced scientists.

– SOP

– Quality plan

A track record of satisfied customers … … with more and more repeat business

genOway’s mission

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A few figures

• Created in 1999

• Staff: 38

• Customers in 15 countries

• Export > 75%

• A fully dedicated facility of 1 300 m2 in Lyon

• The European leader in the “Transgenic business”

genOway’s mission

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Genetically modified models: tools for a better research

• Transgenesis: key technologies

• Case studies

– Read out and monitoring of physiological response

– Humanization

• Next step

Agenda

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DNA pronuclear injection

DNA microinjection

1- Ovocyte re-implantation

2- Birth

Founders breeding

3- ScreeningPCR Then Southern Blot

Transgene

PCR Southern Blot

Ovocytes

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DNA pronuclear injection

CONS– Expression pattern– Several trangenic lines required– Comparative studies not feasible

PROS– Molecular biology work is simple– Development time: 6 to 9 months

The insertion locus is unknown: random integration

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Endogenous locus

3 ’5 ’Exon 1

Homologous recombination

Targeting vector

Homologous recombination

PGK Neo -Tk

3 ’5 ’PGK Neo -Tk

Targeted locus

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Model development

Electroporation

Screening

Selection

BlastocystsChimeric mice

HeterozygousHomozygous

animals

PGK

Neo

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Endogenous locus

3 ’5 ’Exon 1

Targeting vector

Homologous recombination

PGK Neo -Tk

3 ’5 ’PGK Neo -Tk

Inactivated locus

Targeted insertion: Knock out

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Targeted insertion: Knock out

PROS– gene function analysis: broad spectrum– source of -/- cells

CONS– Deletion occurs at the ovocyte stage– Artefactual genetic compensation– Development time: 12 months

=> « Rapid Kin Technology »TM developed by genOway

NB: siRNA

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Targeted insertion: Knock-in

Endogenous locusTarget gene

Human gene

Targeted locus Human gene

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Targeted insertion: Knock-in

PROS

• Expression pattern mastered

• One transgenic line per transgene

• Relevant comparative studies

CONS

• Development time: 12 months

=> « Quick Kin Technology »TM developed by genOway

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Targeted insertion: 3’end Knock-in

Reporter gene expression mirrors the biomarker expression

XFPIRES

PGKNeo Recombined locus Bio marker

Locus of interest

Bio marker

Homologous recombination

XFPIRES

PGKNeo

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Applications

• Case study 1: Knockout

• Case study 2: Monitoring of cell response

• Case study 3: Humanization by BAC

• Case study 4: Humanization by Kin

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Case study 1: MDR1 knock-out

• Deletion of the Mdr1a gene Schinkel et al, Cell 1994

– Elevated drug levels in many tissues (brain …)

– Decreased drug elimination

• Deletion of both Mdr1a+b genes Schinkel et al, PNAS 1997

– No major phenotype

– Genetic compensation: normal or not?

• Interaction Mdr1 - CYP3A Schuetz et al,Mol. Pharm. 2000

– Up-regulation of CYP3A in Mdr -/- mice

– Environment can suppress this result

• A knockout is physiologically very complex to understand

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Case study 2

Monitoring of gene response - cellular response

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Case study 2: classical analysis

.

BiochemicalAnalysis

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 2 3 4

Intracellular Staining

In vitro steps

CK

CK

Detection

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Case study 2: 3’end Knock-in

XFPIRES

PGKNeo recombined locus Bio marker

Locus of interest

Bio marker

Homologous recombination

XFPIRES

PGKNeo

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Case study 2: Principle

Gene 1 R1

Gene 2 R2Stimuli Detection

R2

Protéine 2 +

R1

Protéine 1 +

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Case study 2: How is the model valuable

Usual analysis

.

Biochemical studiesSurface stainingIntracellular staining…

1 Stimuli

2 Cell recovery

3 Detection

4 Cells are dead

No In vitro step

Viable cells

genOway’s model

Direct identification of fluorescence

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Case study 3: Human “Acetylases”

• Project

– 210 Kb BAC project: 2 Human genes of interest

• Outcome of classical transgenesis- Not enough founders for a reliable scientific analysis

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Outcome

- 8 founders positive for the 4 PCRs: 5 ’ end, hu gene1 , hu gene2 and 3 ’ end- 11 founders positives for all PCRs except 3 ’ or 5’ end (# 3B)- 6 other situations- Integrity of the BAC is controlled- Copy number: from 1 to 5 - 10

Case study 3: Human “Acetylases”

Safe Large fragment TransgenesisTM

11 19 24

11 19 24

Hu gene1 + + +

Hu gene2 + +

#4A #8A #3B4A 8A 3B5 ’ + +

3 ’ + + +

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Case study 3: Human “Acetylases”

Experiments performed

• In vivo analysis

v In progress

• In vitro experiments based on primary culture

v Molecular mechanisms studies

v « Screening »

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Case study 4

Humanized xenobiotic response in miceNature, vol 406, pp435 - 439

Regulators of CYP3A: SXR versus PXR• Deletion of PXR (mouse gene)• Addition of SXR (Human protein)

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PXR null mice

• KO mice loose the CYP3A induction by PCN and DEX• CYP1A2 ... not altered

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SXR transgenic mice

Induction« Human »

« Human » properties are added to the mouse

RIF induction• Reversible• Dose dependent

Induction« Mouse »

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SXR Tg / PXR -/-

Induction« Human» No more induction

« Mouse»

« Humanized » mouse, no more mouse response

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Conclusion 1

The model is

• PXR -/-

• SXR Tg

The model could be used to screen molecules for SXR neutrality

• Higher predictability of the results obtained in vivo

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SXR Tg analysis

The model: PXR -/- & SXR Tg

The model could be used to screen molecules for SXR neutrality

=> A higher predictability of the results is obtained in vivo

CONS–Expression pattern: Albumin promoter–Level of expression–Copy number

PROS–Nice results …

A Knock-in approach should have been selected

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Targeted insertion: Knock-inGene substitution approaches

Reccombined locusSXR

IRES

Endogenous locusPXR gene

• PXR is inactivated: PXR -/-• SXR: one copy, PXR promoter and regulatory sequences• Genetic background, breeding ...

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Conclusion 2

Targeted insertion provides• A clear genetic understanding of the model

• Copy number• Insertion site• Exact sequence inserted

• Controlled characteristics• Expression level • Expression pattern

• Practical advantages• Breeding constraints• Opportunities for model evolution

Humanisation SXR-PXR is in development

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Applications

• Case study 1: Knockout

• Case study 2: Monitoring of cell response

• Case study 3: Humanization by BAC

• Case study 4: Humanization by Kin

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Rat is a key animal model for the biomedical research• Its physiology is closer to Human than most other species• Huge amount of data has been accumulated in the past decades• 25% of animal models are rat models

• More publications are done with rat than with mice

Rat cloning

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Genetically modified rat Genetically modified cloned

animal

Rat cloning

Foster mother

Genetic modification

Oocyte Nuclear transfer Activation

Cloned embryo

Nucleus donorcell

Cloned animal

CompetitorsCompetitors

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Oocyte Nuclear Transfer Activation Cloned embryo

Main steps:

DevelopmentDevelopmentabnormally abnormally

startedstarted

DeathDeathControlledControlleddevelopmentdevelopment

1er cloned embryos

New York, 2001

Rat cloning

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Cloned pups Male cloned rats Female cloned rats

Rat cloning

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Rat cloning & applications

• Development of Humanized rat models

v CNS

v Cardiovascular

v ADME - Toxicology

• Rat consortium in develoment

v One animal breeder: genetic & health status

v Pharmaceutical partners

v Academic laboratories.

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Conclusion

• Genetically modified modelsv Gene validationv Monitoring of physiological responsev Humanization for physiological studies

• Service provider: Customized models v Innovative technologiesv Flexibility v Reliability.

• genOway is developing a range of fully humanized models

for « metabolism » studies A consortium will be developed with pharmaceutical companies to validate and use these models.

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Customer portfolio

Biopharmaceutical companies

Altana Pharma, Aventis Pharma, Bayer, CellTech , Galderma, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, Laboratoires Servier, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Novusphrama, Pfizer, SangStat, sanofi-synthelabo, Schering, Schering-Plough, Syn-X Pharmaceuticals …

Non profit organisations

Advanced Biotechnology Center (Italy), Centro de Biologia Molecular (Spain), CNRS (France), DIBIT (Italy), Genethon (France), Imperial College of London (UK), Inserm (France), Institut Gustave Roussy (France), Institute for cancer Research and Treatment (Italy), Kimmel Cancer Center (USA), King's College of London (UK), Ludwig Institute For Cancer Research (Sweden), Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research (Italy), Mount Sinai (USA), Pasteur Institute (France), University College London (UK), University of Antwerp (Belgium), University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Cambridge (UK), University of Frankfurt am Main (Germany), University of Geneva (Switzerland), University of Konstanz (Germany), University of Lausanne (Switzerland), University of Oxford (UK), University of Tampere (Finland), University of Wageningen (The Netherlands) …