Stable human FIX expression after 0.9G intrauterine gene transfer of self-complementary adeno-associated viral vector 5 and 8 in macaques

Mol Ther. 2011 Nov;19(11):1950-60. doi: 10.1038/mt.2011.107. Epub 2011 May 31.

Abstract

Intrauterine gene transfer (IUGT) offers ontological advantages including immune naiveté mediating tolerance to the vector and transgenic products, and effecting a cure before development of irreversible pathology. Despite proof-of-principle in rodent models, expression efficacy with a therapeutic transgene has yet to be demonstrated in a preclinical nonhuman primate (NHP) model. We aimed to determine the efficacy of human Factor IX (hFIX) expression after adeno-associated-viral (AAV)-mediated IUGT in NHP. We injected 1.0-1.95 × 10(13) vector genomes (vg)/kg of self-complementary (sc) AAV5 and 8 with a LP1-driven hFIX transgene intravenously in 0.9G late gestation NHP fetuses, leading to widespread transduction with liver tropism. Liver-specific hFIX expression was stably maintained between 8 and 112% of normal activity in injected offspring followed up for 2-22 months. AAV8 induced higher hFIX expression (P = 0.005) and milder immune response than AAV5. Random hepatocellular integration was found with no hotspots. Transplacental spread led to low-level maternal tissue transduction, without evidence of immunotoxicity or germline transduction in maternal oocytes. A single intravenous injection of scAAV-LP1-hFIXco to NHP fetuses in late-gestation produced sustained clinically-relevant levels of hFIX with liver-specific expression and a non-neutralizing immune response. These data are encouraging for conditions where gene transfer has the potential to avert perinatal death and long-term irreversible sequelae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dependovirus / genetics*
  • Dependovirus / immunology
  • Factor IX / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics*
  • Genetic Vectors / pharmacokinetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hemophilia B / genetics
  • Hemophilia B / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Placenta / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Virus Integration

Substances

  • Factor IX