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Tessier N, Moawad F, Amri N, Brambilla D, Martel C. Focus on the Lymphatic Route to Optimize Drug Delivery in Cardiovascular Medicine. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1200. [PMID: 34452161 PMCID: PMC8398144 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
While oral agents have been the gold standard for cardiovascular disease therapy, the new generation of treatments is switching to other administration options that offer reduced dosing frequency and more efficacy. The lymphatic network is a unidirectional and low-pressure vascular system that is responsible for the absorption of interstitial fluids, molecules, and cells from the peripheral tissue, including the skin and the intestines. Targeting the lymphatic route for drug delivery employing traditional or new technologies and drug formulations is exponentially gaining attention in the quest to avoid the hepatic first-pass effect. The present review will give an overview of the current knowledge on the involvement of the lymphatic vessels in drug delivery in the context of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwenn Tessier
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (N.T.); (N.A.)
- Montreal Heart Institute Research Center, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada
| | - Fatma Moawad
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Nada Amri
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (N.T.); (N.A.)
- Montreal Heart Institute Research Center, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada
| | - Davide Brambilla
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
| | - Catherine Martel
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (N.T.); (N.A.)
- Montreal Heart Institute Research Center, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada
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Recino A, Gan SU, Sia KC, Sawyer Y, Trendell J, Kay R, Gribble FM, Reimann F, Foale R, Notaridou M, Holmes N, Lever A, Lee KO, Nathwani A, Cooke A, Calne R, Wallberg M. Immunosuppression overcomes insulin- and vector-specific immune responses that limit efficacy of AAV2/8-mediated insulin gene therapy in NOD mice. Gene Ther 2019; 26:40-56. [PMID: 30514969 PMCID: PMC6514884 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-018-0052-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We report the restoration of euglycaemia in chemically induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice and spontaneously diabetic Non Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice by intravenous systemic administration of a single-stranded adeno-associated virus (ssAAV2/8) codon optimised (co) vector encoding furin cleavable human proinsulin under a liver-specific promoter. There were no immunological barriers to efficacy of insulin gene therapy in chemically induced C57BL/6 mice, which enjoyed long-lasting correction of hyperglycaemia after therapy, up to 250 days. Euglycaemia was also restored in spontaneously diabetic NOD mice, although these mice required a 7-10-fold higher dose of vector to achieve similar efficacy as the C57BL/6 mice and the immunodeficient NODscid mice. We detected CD8+ T cell reactivity to insulin and mild inflammatory infiltration in the livers of gene therapy recipient NOD mice, neither of which were observed in the treated C57BL/6 mice. Efficacy of the gene therapy in NOD mice was partially improved by targeting the immune system with anti-CD4 antibody treatment, while transfer of NOD mouse AAV2/8-reactive serum to recipients prevented successful restoration of euglycaemia in AAV2/8-HLP-hINSco-treated NODscid mice. Our data indicate that both immune cells and antibodies form a barrier to successful restoration of euglycaemia in autoimmune diabetic recipient mice with insulin gene therapy, but that this barrier can be overcome by increasing the dose of vector and by suppressing immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asha Recino
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
| | - Shu Uin Gan
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kian Chuan Sia
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yvonne Sawyer
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Jenny Trendell
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Richard Kay
- Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona M Gribble
- Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Frank Reimann
- Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rob Foale
- Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, UK
| | | | - Nick Holmes
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Andrew Lever
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kok Onn Lee
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amit Nathwani
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Anne Cooke
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Roy Calne
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maja Wallberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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Thulé PM, Campbell AG, Jia D, Lin Y, You S, Paveglio S, Olson DE, Kozlowski M. Long-term glycemic control with hepatic insulin gene therapy in streptozotocin-diabetic mice. J Gene Med 2016; 17:141-52. [PMID: 26190010 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin self-administration is burdensome and can produce dangerous hypoglycemia. Insulin gene therapy may improve and simplify the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In rats, metabolically responsive hepatic insulin gene therapy (HIGT) delivered by adenovirus normalizes random blood sugars but with a limited duration. To prolong glycemic control, we delivered a metabolically regulated insulin transgene by adeno-associated virus (AAV). METHODS We administered increasing doses of self-complementary (SC), pseudotyped AAV8 expressing the (GlRE)3 BP1-2xfur insulin transgene to streptozotocin-diabetic CD-1 mice, and monitored blood sugar and body weight. We also compared responses to intraperitoneal glucose and chow withdrawal, assessed for viral genomes in liver by Southern blotting, and measured hepatic glycogen. RESULTS Glucose lowering required the combination of SC genomes and AAV capsid pseudotyping. HIGT controlled glycemia in diabetic mice (DM) for > 1 year. However, glycemic responses were variable. Approximately 30% of mice succumbed to hypoglycemia, and approximately 30% of mice again became hyperglycemic. During an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, blood sugars declined to normal within 180 min in HIGT-treated DM compared to 90 min in control mice. Hypoglycemia was common among HIGT-treated mice during a 24-h fast. However, HIGT mice lost less weight than either diabetic or nondiabetic controls as a result of increased water intake. HIGT treatment reduced the hepatic glycogen content of fed mice. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate the possibility for long-term glycemic correction following AAV-mediated HIGT in mice. However, the dose-response relationship is irregular, and metabolic responsiveness may be less than that observed in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Thulé
- Section Endocrinology and Metabolism, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, & Lipids, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Adam G Campbell
- Section Endocrinology and Metabolism, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Dingwu Jia
- Section Endocrinology and Metabolism, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Yulin Lin
- Section Endocrinology and Metabolism, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Shou You
- Department of Endocrinology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Darin E Olson
- Section Endocrinology and Metabolism, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, & Lipids, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Miroslaw Kozlowski
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Handorf AM, Sollinger HW, Alam T. Genetic Engineering of Surrogate <i>β</i> Cells for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.4236/jdm.2015.54037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
Current therapies for the treatment of type 1 diabetes include daily administration of exogenous insulin and, less frequently, whole-pancreas or islet transplantation. Insulin injections often result in inaccurate insulin doses, exposing the patient to hypo- and/or hyperglycemic episodes that lead to long-term complications. Islet transplantation is also limited by lack of high-quality islet donors, early graft failure, and chronic post-transplant immunosuppressive treatment. These barriers could be circumvented by designing a safe and efficient strategy to restore insulin production within the patient's body. Porcine islets have been considered as a possible alternative source of transplantable insulin-producing cells to replace human cadaveric islets. More recently, embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells have also been examined for their ability to differentiate in vitro into pancreatic endocrine cells. Alternatively, it may be feasible to generate new β-cells by ectopic expression of key transcription factors in endogenous non-β-cells. Finally, engineering surrogate β-cells by in vivo delivery of the insulin gene to specific tissues is also being studied as a possible therapy for type 1 diabetes. In the present review, we discuss these different approaches to restore insulin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tudurí
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Abstract
Despite the fact that insulin injection can protect diabetic patients from developing diabetes-related complications, recent meta-analyses indicate that rapid and long-acting insulin analogues only provide a limited benefit compared with conventional insulin regarding glycemic control. As insulin deficiency is the main sequel of type-1 diabetes (T1D), transfer of the insulin gene-by-gene therapy is becoming an attractive treatment modality even though T1D is not caused by a single genetic defect. In contrast to human insulin and insulin analogues, insulin gene therapy targets to supplement patients not only with insulin but also with C-peptide. So far, insulin gene therapy has had limited success because of delayed and/or transient gene expression. Sustained insulin gene expression is now feasible using current gene-therapy vectors providing patients with basal insulin coverage, but management of postprandial hyperglycaemia is still difficult to accomplish because of the inability to properly control insulin secretion. Enteroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal track (K cells and L cells) may be ideal targets for insulin gene therapy, but cell-targeting difficulties have limited practical implementation of insulin gene therapy for diabetes treatment. Therefore, recent gene transfer technologies developed to generate authentic beta cells through transdifferentiation are also highlighted in this review.
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Reversal of diabetes through gene therapy of diabetic rats by hepatic insulin expression via lentiviral transduction. Mol Ther 2012; 20:918-26. [PMID: 22354377 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to shortage of donor tissue a cure for type 1 diabetes by pancreas organ or islet transplantation is an option only for very few patients. Gene therapy is an alternative approach to cure the disease. Insulin generation in non-endocrine cells through genetic engineering is a promising therapeutic concept to achieve insulin independence in patients with diabetes. In the present study furin-cleavable human insulin was expressed in the liver of autoimmune-diabetic IDDM rats (LEW.1AR1/Ztm-iddm) and streptozotocin-diabetic rats after portal vein injection of INS-lentivirus. Within 5-7 days after the virus injection of 7 × 10(9) INS-lentiviral particles the blood glucose concentrations were normalized in the treated animals. This glucose lowering effect remained stable for the 1 year observation period. Human C-peptide as a marker for hepatic release of human insulin was in the range of 50-100 pmol/ml serum. Immunofluorescence staining of liver tissue was positive for insulin showing no signs of transdifferentiation into pancreatic β-cells. This study shows that the diabetic state can be efficiently reversed by insulin release from non-endocrine cells through a somatic gene therapy approach.
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Effects of intrahepatic bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells autotransplantation on the diabetic Beagle dogs. J Surg Res 2009; 168:213-23. [PMID: 20097376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2009] [Revised: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 10/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the effects of intrahepatic autotransplantation of bone-derived Beagle canine mesenchymal stem cells (BcMSCs) containing human insulin and EGFP in diabetic Beagle dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS BcMSCs were isolated from Beagle canine bone marrow, expanded, and transfected with a recombinant retrovirus MSCV carrying human insulin and EGFP. Animals were made diabetic by an intravenous administration of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) and alloxan (50 mg/kg), followed by intrahepatic autotransplantation of transfected BcMSCs. The variations of body weight, blood glucose, serum insulin levels, and plasma C-peptide were determined after autotransplantation. BcMSCs' survival and human insulin expression in liver and serum were examined by fluorescent microscopy, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS The body weight of diabetic Beagle dogs received BcMSCs transplantation increased by 11.09% within 16 wk after treatment, and the average blood glucose levels were 19.80±3.13 mmol/L (d 7) and 9.78±3.11 mmol/L (d 112), while in untreated animals, the average values were 21.20±3.26 mmol/L (d 7) and 22.5±3.22 mmol/L (d 112), showing a significant difference (P<0.05). The detection of C-peptide excluded the possible function of regenerative β cells. However, glucose tolerance test revealed BcMSCs group response was not as efficient as that of normal islets, although they could respond to the glucose challenge. CONCLUSION Experimental diabetes could be relieved effectively for up to 16 wk by intrahepatic autotransplantation of BcMSCs expressing human insulin, which implies a novel approach of gene therapy for type I diabetes.
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Lee Y, Kwon MK, Kang ES, Park YM, Choi SH, Ahn CW, Kim KS, Park CW, Cha BS, Kim SW, Sung JK, Lee EJ, Lee HC. Adenoviral vector-mediated glucagon-like peptide 1 gene therapy improves glucose homeostasis in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J Gene Med 2008; 10:260-8. [PMID: 18085721 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut-derived incretin hormone that plays an important role in glucose homeostasis. Its functions include glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, suppression of glucagon secretion, deceleration of gastric emptying, and reduction in appetite and food intake. Despite the numerous antidiabetic properties of GLP-1, its therapeutic potential is limited by its short biological half-life due to rapid enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The present study aimed to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of constitutively expressed GLP-1 in an overt type 2 diabetic animal model using an adenoviral vector system. METHODS A novel plasmid (pAAV-ILGLP-1) and recombinant adenoviral vector (Ad-ILGLP-1) were constructed with the cytomegalovirus promoter and insulin leader sequence followed by GLP-1(7-37) cDNA. RESULTS The results of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed significantly elevated levels of GLP-1(7-37) secreted by human embryonic kidney cells transfected with the construct containing the leader sequence. A single intravenous administration of Ad-ILGLP-1 into 12-week-old Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which have overt type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), achieved near normoglycemia for 3 weeks and improved utilization of blood glucose in glucose tolerance tests. Circulating plasma levels of GLP-1 increased in GLP-1-treated ZDF rats, but diminished 21 days after treatment. When compared with controls, Ad-ILGLP-1-treated ZDF rats had a lower homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance score indicating amelioration in insulin resistance. Immunohistochemical staining showed that cells expressing GLP-1 were found in the livers of GLP-1-treated ZDF rats. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that GLP-1 gene therapy can improve glucose homeostasis in fully developed diabetic animal models and may be a promising treatment modality for T2DM in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongho Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Olson DE, Campbell AG, Porter MH, Freeman KG, Kelso E, Flatt WP, Thulé PM. Hepatic insulin gene therapy normalizes diurnal fluctuation of oxidative metabolism in diabetic BB/Wor rats. Mol Ther 2008; 16:1235-42. [PMID: 18500248 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2008.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies of hepatic insulin gene therapy (HIGT) focused on glycemic effects of insulin produced from hepatocytes. In this study, we extend the observations of glycemic control with metabolically regulated HIGT to include systemic responses and whole-body metabolism. An insulin transgene was administered with an adenoviral vector [Ad/(GlRE)(3)BP1-2xfur] to livers of BB/Wor rats made diabetic with polyinosinic polycytidilic acid (poly-I:C) (HIGT group), and results compared with nondiabetic controls (non-DM), and diabetic rats receiving different doses of continuous-release insulin implants (DM-low BG and DM-high BG). Blood glucose and growth normalized in HIGT, with lower systemic insulin levels, elevated glucagon, and increased heat production compared with non-DM. Minimal regulation of systemic insulin levels were observed with HIGT, yet the animals maintained normal switching from carbohydrate to lipid metabolism determined by respiratory quotients (RQs), and tolerated 24-hour fasts without severe hypoglycemia. HIGT did not restore serum lipids as we observed increased triglycerides (TGs) and increased free fatty acids, but reduced weight of visceral fat pads despite normal total body fat content and retroperitoneal fat depots. HIGT favorably affects blood glucose, normalizes metabolic switching in diabetic rats, and reduces intra-abdominal fat deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darin E Olson
- Research Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia 30033, USA
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Hua QX, Nakagawa SH, Jia W, Huang K, Phillips NB, Hu SQ, Weiss MA. Design of an active ultrastable single-chain insulin analog: synthesis, structure, and therapeutic implications. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:14703-16. [PMID: 18332129 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m800313200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-chain insulin (SCI) analogs provide insight into the inter-relation of hormone structure, function, and dynamics. Although compatible with wild-type structure, short connecting segments (<3 residues) prevent induced fit upon receptor binding and so are essentially without biological activity. Substantial but incomplete activity can be regained with increasing linker length. Here, we describe the design, structure, and function of a single-chain insulin analog (SCI-57) containing a 6-residue linker (GGGPRR). Native receptor-binding affinity (130 +/- 8% relative to the wild type) is achieved as hindrance by the linker is offset by favorable substitutions in the insulin moiety. The thermodynamic stability of SCI-57 is markedly increased (DeltaDeltaG(u) = 0.7 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol relative to the corresponding two-chain analog and 1.9 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol relative to wild-type insulin). Analysis of inter-residue nuclear Overhauser effects demonstrates that a native-like fold is maintained in solution. Surprisingly, the glycine-rich connecting segment folds against the insulin moiety: its central Pro contacts Val(A3) at the edge of the hydrophobic core, whereas the final Arg extends the A1-A8 alpha-helix. Comparison between SCI-57 and its parent two-chain analog reveals striking enhancement of multiple native-like nuclear Overhauser effects within the tethered protein. These contacts are consistent with wild-type crystal structures but are ordinarily attenuated in NMR spectra of two-chain analogs, presumably due to conformational fluctuations. Linker-specific damping of fluctuations provides evidence for the intrinsic flexibility of an insulin monomer. In addition to their biophysical interest, ultrastable SCIs may enhance the safety and efficacy of insulin replacement therapy in the developing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-xin Hua
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Ren B, O'Brien BA, Swan MA, Koina ME, Nassif N, Wei MQ, Simpson AM. Long-term correction of diabetes in rats after lentiviral hepatic insulin gene therapy. Diabetologia 2007; 50:1910-1920. [PMID: 17598085 PMCID: PMC1975734 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-007-0722-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2007] [Accepted: 04/23/2007] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Type 1 diabetes results from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Exogenous insulin therapy cannot achieve precise physiological control of blood glucose concentrations, and debilitating complications develop. Lentiviral vectors are promising tools for liver-directed gene therapy. However, to date, transduction rates in vivo remain low in hepatocytes, without the induction of cell cycling. We investigated long-term transgene expression in quiescent hepatocytes in vitro and determined whether the lentiviral delivery of furin-cleavable insulin to the liver could reverse diabetes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS To improve transduction efficiency in vitro, we optimised hepatocyte isolation and maintenance protocols and, using an improved surgical delivery method, delivered furin-cleavable insulin alone or empty vector to the livers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by means of a lentiviral vector. Rats were monitored for changes in body weight and blood glucose, and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed. Expression of insulin was determined by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS We achieved long-term transgene expression in quiescent hepatocytes in vitro (87 +/- 1.2% transduction efficiency), with up to 60 +/- 3.2% transduction in vivo. We normalised blood glucose for 500 days-a significantly longer period than previously reported-making this the first successful study using a lentiviral vector. This procedure resulted in the expression of genes encoding several beta cell transcription factors, some pancreatic endocrine transdifferentiation, hepatic insulin storage in granules, and restoration of glucose tolerance. Liver function tests remained normal. Importantly, pancreatic exocrine transdifferentiation did not occur. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Our data suggest that this regimen may ultimately be employed for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ren
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - B A O'Brien
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - M A Swan
- Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M E Koina
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - N Nassif
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - M Q Wei
- Gene Therapy Unit, University Department of Medicine, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - A M Simpson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Can gene therapy make pancreas and islet transplantation obsolete? Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2006. [DOI: 10.1097/01.mot.0000209297.87535.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kim YD, Park KG, Morishita R, Kaneda Y, Kim SY, Song DK, Kim HS, Nam CW, Lee HC, Lee KU, Park JY, Kim BW, Kim JG, Lee IK. Liver-directed gene therapy of diabetic rats using an HVJ-E vector containing EBV plasmids expressing insulin and GLUT 2 transporter. Gene Ther 2005; 13:216-24. [PMID: 16177820 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Insulin gene therapy in clinical medicine is currently hampered by the inability to regulate insulin secretion in a physiological manner, the inefficiency with which the gene is delivered, and the short duration of gene expression. To address these issues, we injected the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with hemagglutinating virus of Japan-envelope (HVJ-E) vectors containing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plasmids encoding the genes for insulin and the GLUT 2 transporter. Efficient delivery of the genes was achieved with the HVJ-E vector, and the use of the EBV replicon vector led to prolonged hepatic gene expression. Blood glucose levels were normalized for at least 3 weeks as a result of the gene therapy. Cotransfection of GLUT 2 with insulin permitted the diabetic rats to regulate their blood glucose levels upon exogenous glucose loading in a physiologically appropriate manner and improved postprandial glucose levels. Moreover, cotransfection with insulin and GLUT 2 genes led to in vitro glucose-stimulated insulin secretion that involved the closure of K(ATP) channels. The present study represents a new way to efficiently deliver insulin gene in vivo that is regulated by ambient glucose level with prolonged gene expression. This may provide a basis to overcome limitations of insulin gene therapy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y D Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine & Institute for Medical Sciences, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
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Morley J. Inflammation and asthma therapy: a false dawn. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2005; 19:200-4. [PMID: 16011901 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2005.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2005] [Accepted: 05/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Morley
- Kings College Sackler Institute of pulmonary Pharmacology, Guys Campus Fifth floor Hodgkin, London, UK.
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