Epstein-Barr virus/human vector provides high-level, long-term expression of alpha1-antitrypsin in mice

A vector system encoding histone H3 mutants facilitates manipulations of the neuronal epigenome

The differentiation of developmental cell lineages is associated with genome-wide modifications in histone H3 methylation. However, the causal role of histone H3 methylation in transcriptional regulation and cell differentiation has been difficult to test in mammals. The experimental overexpression of histone H3 mutants carrying lysine-to-methionine (K-to-M) substitutions has emerged as an alternative tool for inhibiting the endogenous levels of histone H3 methylation at specific lysine residues. Here, we leverage the use of histone K-to-M mutants by creating Enhanced Episomal Vectors that enable the simultaneous depletion of multiple levels of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) or lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation in projection neurons of the mouse cerebral cortex. Our approach also facilitates the simultaneous depletion of H3K9 and H3K27 trimethylation (H3K9me3 and H3K27me3, respectively) in cortical neurons. In addition, we report a tamoxifen-inducible Cre-FLEX system that allows the activation of mutant histones at specific developmental time points or in the adult cortex, leading to the depletion of specific histone marks. The tools presented here can be implemented in other experimental systems, such as human in vitro models, to test the combinatorial role of histone methylations in developmental fate decisions and the maintenance of cell identity.

Early Subcellular Hepatocellular Alterations in Mice Post Hydrodynamic Transfection: An Explorative Study

Hydrodynamic transfection (HT) or hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVi) is among the leading technique that is used to deliver plasmid genes mainly into the liver of live mice or rats. The DNA constructs are composed of coupled plasmids, while one contains the gene of interest that stably integrate into the hepatocyte genome with help of the other consisting sleeping beauty transposase system. The rapid injection of a large volume of DNA-solution through the tail vein induces an acute cardiac congestion that refluxed into the liver, mainly in acinus zone 3, also found through our EM study. Although, HT mediated hydrodynamic force can permeabilizes the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium of liver, but the mechanism of plasmid incorporation into the hepatocytes remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we have hydrodynamically injected 2 mL volume of empty plasmid (transposon vector) or saline solution (control) into the tail vein of anesthetized C57BL/6J/129Sv mice. Liver tissue was resected at different time points from two animal group conditions, i.e., one time point per animal (1, 5, 10-20, 60 min or 24 and 48 hrs after HT) or multiple time points per animal (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 min) and quickly fixed with buffered 4% osmium tetroxide. The tissues fed with only saline solution was also resected and fixed in the similar way. EM evaluation from the liver ultrathin sections reveals that swiftly after 1 min, the hepatocytes near to the central venule in the acinus zone 3 shows cytoplasmic membrane-bound vesicles. Such vesicles increased in both numbers and size to vacuoles and precisely often found in the proximity to the nucleus. Further, EM affirm these vacuoles are also optically empty and do not contain any electron dense material. Although, some of the other hepatocytes reveals sign of cell damage including swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and disrupted plasma membrane, but most of the hepatocytes appeared normal. The ultrastructural findings in the mice injected with empty vector or saline injected control mice were similar. Therefore, we have interpreted the vacuole formation as nonspecific endocytosis without specific interactions at the plasma membrane.

Prospects Of Non-Coding Elements In Genomic Dna Based Gene Therapy

Gene therapy has made significant development since the commencement of the first clinical trials a few decades ago and has remained a dynamic area of research regardless of obstacles such as immune response and insertional mutagenesis. Progression in various technologies like next-generation sequencing (NGS) and nanotechnology has established the importance of non-coding segments of a genome, thereby taking gene therapy to the next level. In this review, we have summarized the importance of non-coding elements, highlighting the advantages of using full-length genomic DNA loci (gDNA) compared to complementary DNA (cDNA) or minigene, currently used in gene therapy. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the advances and the future of potential use of gDNA loci in gene therapy, expanding the therapeutic repertoire in molecular medicine.

In Vivo Electroporation-Mediated, Intrahepatic Alpha1 Antitrypsin Gene Transfer Reduces Pulmonary Emphysema in Pallid Mice

Rationale: Mutation in the alpha1 antitrypsin (AAT) gene leads to low circulating levels of AAT, which is associated with several disease processes including pulmonary emphysema. The standard of care relies on substitution with plasma-purified AAT. We studied a novel approach to obtain sustained therapeutic levels of circulating AAT using nonviral in vivo electroporation-mediated gene transfer to the liver. Methods: In vivo intrahepatic electroporation-mediated human AAT gene transfer was performed in C57 Bl/6J mice carrying a genetic deficiency of murine AAT (pallid mice) and suffering from pulmonary emphysema. The animals were evaluated for lung function using flexiVent and detailed stereological assessments. Lung neutrophilic burden was assessed. Results: Pallid mice showed morphologically detectable pulmonary emphysema. Thirty days after in vivo electroporation-mediated gene transfer directly aimed at the liver, circulating human AAT was elevated and lung function was significantly improved compared to non-treated pallid mice. Stereological analysis revealed a reduction in pulmonary emphysema. Conclusion: Our data indicate that in vivo intrahepatic electroporation-mediated gene transfer of AAT is a safe and efficient procedure resulting in reduction of pulmonary emphysema in pallid mice.

Gene Therapy in Rare Respiratory Diseases: What Have We Learned So Far?

Gene therapy is an alternative therapy in many respiratory diseases with genetic origin and currently without curative treatment. After five decades of progress, many different vectors and gene editing tools for genetic engineering are now available. However, we are still a long way from achieving a safe and efficient approach to gene therapy application in clinical practice. Here, we review three of the most common rare respiratory conditions-cystic fibrosis (CF), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)-alongside attempts to develop genetic treatment for these diseases. Since the 1990s, gene augmentation therapy has been applied in multiple clinical trials targeting CF and AATD, especially using adeno-associated viral vectors, resulting in a good safety profile but with low efficacy in protein expression. Other strategies, such as non-viral vectors and more recently gene editing tools, have also been used to address these diseases in pre-clinical studies. The first gene therapy approach in PCD was in 2009 when a lentiviral transduction was performed to restore gene expression in vitro; since then, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) technology has also been applied in primary cell culture. Gene therapy is an encouraging alternative treatment for these respiratory diseases; however, more research is needed to ensure treatment safety and efficacy.

Technical Improvement and Application of Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery in Study of Liver Diseases

Development of an safe and efficient in vivo gene delivery method is indispensable for molecular biology research and the progress in the following gene therapy. Over the past few years, hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD) with naked DNA has drawn increasing interest in both research and potential clinic applications due to its high efficiency and low risk in triggering immune responses and carcinogenesis in comparison to viral vectors. This method, involving intravenous injection (i.v.) of massive DNA in a short duration, gives a transient but high in vivo gene expression especially in the liver of small animals. In addition to DNA, it has also been shown to deliver other substance such as RNA, proteins, synthetic small compounds and even viruses in vivo. Given its ability to robustly mimic in vivo hepatitis B virus (HBV) production in liver, HGD has become a fundamental and important technology on HBV studies in our group and many other groups. Recently, there have been interesting reports about the applications and further improvement of this technology in other liver research. Here, we review the principle, safety, current application and development of hydrodynamic delivery in liver disease studies, and discuss its future prospects, clinical potential and challenges.

Pulmonary vasculature directed adenovirus increases epithelial lining fluid alpha-1 antitrypsin levels

BACKGROUND

Gene therapy for inherited serum deficiency disorders has previously been limited by the balance between obtaining adequate expression and causing hepatic toxicity. Our group has previously described modifications of a replication deficient human adenovirus serotype 5 that increase pulmonary vasculature transgene expression.

METHODS

In the present study, we use a modified pulmonary targeted adenovirus to express human alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in C57BL/6 J mice.

RESULTS

Using the targeted adenovirus, we were able to achieve similar increases in serum A1AT levels with less liver viral uptake. We also increased pulmonary epithelial lining fluid A1AT levels by more than an order of magnitude compared to that of untargeted adenovirus expressing A1AT in a mouse model. These gains are achieved along with evidence of decreased systemic inflammation and no evidence for increased inflammation within the vector-targeted end organ.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to comprising a step towards clinically viable gene therapy for A1AT, maximization of protein production at the site of action represents a significant technical advancement in the field of systemically delivered pulmonary targeted gene therapy. It also provides an alternative to the previous limitations of hepatic viral transduction and associated toxicities.

The infectious BAC genomic DNA expression library: a high capacity vector system for functional genomics

Gene dosage plays a critical role in a range of cellular phenotypes, yet most cellular expression systems use heterologous cDNA-based vectors which express proteins well above physiological levels. In contrast, genomic DNA expression vectors generate physiologically-relevant levels of gene expression by carrying the whole genomic DNA locus of a gene including its regulatory elements. Here we describe the first genomic DNA expression library generated using the high-capacity herpes simplex virus-1 amplicon technology to deliver bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) into cells by viral transduction. The infectious BAC (iBAC) library contains 184,320 clones with an average insert size of 134.5 kb. We show in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) disease model cell line and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells that this library can be used for genetic rescue studies in a range of contexts including the physiological restoration of Ldlr deficiency, and viral receptor expression. The iBAC library represents an important new genetic analysis tool openly available to the research community.

Lipopolyplex for Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Its Application for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Lipopolyplex is a core-shell structure composed of nucleic acid, polycation and lipid. As a non-viral gene delivery vector, lipopolyplex combining the advantages of polyplex and lipoplex has shown superior colloidal stability, reduced cytotoxicity, extremely high gene transfection efficiency. Following intravenous administration, there are many strategies based on lipopolyplex to overcome the complex biological barriers in systemic gene delivery including condensation of nucleic acids into nanoparticles, long circulation, cell targeting, endosomal escape, release to cytoplasm and entry into cell nucleus. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and severely influences the patients' life quality. Current gene therapy clinical trials for PD employing viral vectors didn't achieve satisfactory efficacy. However, lipopolyplex may become a promising alternative approach owing to its stability in blood, ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and specific targeting to diseased brain cells.

Close-field electroporation gene delivery using the cochlear implant electrode array enhances the bionic ear

The cochlear implant is the most successful bionic prosthesis and has transformed the lives of people with profound hearing loss. However, the performance of the "bionic ear" is still largely constrained by the neural interface itself. Current spread inherent to broad monopolar stimulation of the spiral ganglion neuron somata obviates the intrinsic tonotopic mapping of the cochlear nerve. We show in the guinea pig that neurotrophin gene therapy integrated into the cochlear implant improves its performance by stimulating spiral ganglion neurite regeneration. We used the cochlear implant electrode array for novel "close-field" electroporation to transduce mesenchymal cells lining the cochlear perilymphatic canals with a naked complementary DNA gene construct driving expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter. The focusing of electric fields by particular cochlear implant electrode configurations led to surprisingly efficient gene delivery to adjacent mesenchymal cells. The resulting BDNF expression stimulated regeneration of spiral ganglion neurites, which had atrophied 2 weeks after ototoxic treatment, in a bilateral sensorineural deafness model. In this model, delivery of a control GFP-only vector failed to restore neuron structure, with atrophied neurons indistinguishable from unimplanted cochleae. With BDNF therapy, the regenerated spiral ganglion neurites extended close to the cochlear implant electrodes, with localized ectopic branching. This neural remodeling enabled bipolar stimulation via the cochlear implant array, with low stimulus thresholds and expanded dynamic range of the cochlear nerve, determined via electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses. This development may broadly improve neural interfaces and extend molecular medicine applications.

Molecular-genetic imaging of cancer

Molecular-genetic imaging of cancer using nonviral delivery systems has great potential for clinical application as a safe, efficient, noninvasive tool for visualization of various cellular processes including detection of cancer, and its attendant metastases. In recent years, significant effort has been expended in overcoming technical hurdles to enable clinical adoption of molecular-genetic imaging. This chapter will provide an introduction to the components of molecular-genetic imaging and recent advances on each component leading to safe, efficient clinical applications for detecting cancer. Combination with therapy, namely, generating molecular-genetic theranostic constructs, will provide further impetus for clinical translation of this promising technology.

Expanding the clinical indications for α(1)-antitrypsin therapy

α(1)-Antitrypsin (AAT) is a 52-kDa circulating serine protease inhibitor. Production of AAT by the liver maintains 0.9-1.75 mg/mL circulating levels. During acute-phase responses, circulating AAT levels increase more than fourfold. In individuals with one of several inherited mutations in AAT, low circulating levels increase the risk for lung, liver and pancreatic destructive diseases, particularly emphysema. These individuals are treated with lifelong weekly infusions of human plasma-derived AAT. An increasing amount of evidence appears to suggest that AAT possesses not only the ability to inhibit serine proteases, such as elastase and proteinase-3 (PR-3), but also to exert antiinflammatory and tissue-protective effects independent of protease inhibition. AAT modifies dendritic cell maturation and promotes T regulatory cell differentiation, induces interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist and IL-10 release, protects various cell types from cell death, inhibits caspases-1 and -3 activity and inhibits IL-1 production and activity. Importantly, unlike classic immunosuppressants, AAT allows undeterred isolated T-lymphocyte responses. On the basis of preclinical and clinical studies, AAT therapy for nondeficient individuals may interfere with disease progression in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, acute myocardial infarction, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, transplant rejection, graft versus host disease and multiple sclerosis. AAT also appears to be antibacterial and an inhibitor of viral infections, such as influenza and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and is currently evaluated in clinical trials for type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis and graft versus host disease. Thus, AAT therapy appears to have advanced from replacement therapy, to a safe and potential treatment for a broad spectrum of inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.

Non-integrating lentiviral vectors for specific killing of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1-positive B cell lymphoma cells

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes a range of life-threatening B-lymphocyte malignancies but, despite the use of various strategies, treatment remains problematic.

METHODS

In the present study, we developed a non-integrating lentiviral vector (NILV) that mediates specific killing of EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)-expressing cells with minimal toxicity to EBNA1-negative cells. The EBV family of repeats (FR) was cloned intok the NILV genome upstream of various transgenes.

RESULTS

The presence of the FR in the NILV genome induced transcriptional up-regulation and prolonged the expression of a transgene specifically in EBNA1-positive B cells. Transgene expression from an FR-containing NILV was also prolonged in EBV-transformed cells compared to an FR-negative NILV. We found that the delivery of an FR-containing NILV encoding herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (TK) lead to the killing of more than 99% of EBNA1-positive B cells with minimal toxicity to EBNA1-negative cells in the presence of gancyclovir. EBNA1-positive cells were not killed by an FR-negative vector containing the TK gene. An FR-TK-containing NILV also specifically killed EBNA1-containing cells in a mixed population of EBNA1-positive and EBNA1-negative cells, thus confirming that NILV-FR-TK-mediated killing is specific for EBNA1-expressing cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Transgene expression from our NILVs is both EBNA1-specific and dependent upon the presence of the FR. The results obtained in the present study indicate that NILVs have potential use in the treatment of EBV-associated B cell malignancies.

α-1-antitrypsin gene delivery reduces inflammation, increases T-regulatory cell population size and prevents islet allograft rejection

Antiinflammatory clinical-grade, plasma-derived human α-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) protects islets from allorejection as well as from autoimmune destruction. hAAT also interferes with disease progression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse models. hAAT increases IL-1 receptor antagonist expression in human mononuclear cells and T-regulatory (Treg) cell population size in animal models. Clinical-grade hAAT contains plasma impurities, multiple hAAT isoforms and various states of inactive hAAT. We thus wished to establish islet-protective activities and effect on Treg cells of plasmid-derived circulating hAAT in whole animals. Islet function was assessed in mice that received allogeneic islet transplants after mice were given hydrodynamic tail-vein injection with pEF-hAAT, a previously described Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plasmid construct containing the EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and the family of repeat EBNA1 binding site components (designated "EF") alongside the hAAT gene. Sera collected from hAAT-expressing mice were added to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages to assess macrophage responsiveness. Also, maturation of peritoneal cells from hAAT-expressing mice was evaluated. hAAT-expressing mice accepted islet allografts (n = 11), whereas phosphate-buffered saline-injected animals (n = 11), as well as mice treated with truncated-hAAT-plasmid (n = 6) and untreated animals (n = 20) rapidly rejected islet allografts. In hAAT-expressing animals, local Treg cells were abundant at graft sites, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist was elevated in grafts and circulation. Sera from hAAT-expressing mice, but not control mice, inhibited macrophage responses. Finally, peritoneal cells from hAAT-expressing mice exhibited a semimature phenotype. We conclude that plasmid-derived circulating hAAT protects islet allografts from acute rejection, and human plasma impurities are unrelated to islet protection. Future studies may use this in vivo approach to examine the structure-function characteristics of the protective activities of AAT by manipulation of the hAAT plasmid.

Analysis of metabolic and gene expression changes after hydrodynamic DNA injection into mouse liver

The hydrodynamic injection in mice tail vein of a plasmid (40 µg DNA) bearing the human α1-antitrypsin gene mediates: a) good liver gene transfer resulting in therapeutic plasma levels of human protein (1 mg/ml, approximately) from days 1-10 after injection; b) low liver injury as demonstrated by a poor and transient increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in mouse plasma; 3) limited expression and metabolic changes in host liver genes and metabolites as evaluated on days 2 and 10 after injection. Groups of three mice were uninjected (control) or hydrodynamically injected with saline or plasmid DNA and then sacrificed on days 2 and 10 after injection. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) show, both in expression microarray and metabolomic analysis, that changes between control and hydrodynamically injected groups are not dramatic and tend to normalize after 10 d. The differences are even smaller between DNA and saline hydrodynamically injected mice. Hydrodynamic injection induces a complex but limited gene expression and metabolic change which includes variations in molecules related to energy metabolism and stress response. The results contribute to support that hydrodynamic method is a safe procedure of liver gene transfer but the long-term effect of hydrodynamic gene transfer procedure, remains to be studied.

Hydrodynamic gene delivery and its applications in pharmaceutical research

Hydrodynamic delivery has emerged as the simplest and most effective method for intracellular delivery of membrane-impermeable substances in rodents. The system employs a physical force generated by a rapid injection of large volume of solution into a blood vessel to enhance the permeability of endothelium and the plasma membrane of the parenchyma cells to allow delivery of substance into cells. The procedure was initially established for gene delivery in mice, and its applications have been extended to the delivery of proteins, oligo nucleotides, genomic DNA and RNA sequences, and small molecules. The focus of this review is on applications of hydrodynamic delivery in pharmaceutical research. Examples are provided to highlight the use of hydrodynamic delivery for study of transcriptional regulation of CYP enzymes, for establishment of animal model for viral infections, and for gene drug discovery and gene function analysis.

Delivery of an EBV episome by a self-circularizing helper-dependent adenovirus: long-term transgene expression in immunocompetent mice

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) evolved an episomal system for maintaining life-long, latent infection of human B lymphocytes. Circular episomes engineered from EBV components required for this latent form of infection have the capacity to persist in most types of replicating mammalian cells without DNA integration and the pitfalls of insertional mutagenesis. EBV episomes are typically transduced using low-efficiency methods. Here we present a method for efficient delivery of EBV episomes to nuclei of hepatocytes in living mice using a helper-dependent adenoviral vector and Cre-mediated recombination in vivo to generate circular EBV episomes following infection. Cre is transiently expressed from a hepatocyte-specific promoter so that vector generation and transgene expression are tissue specific. We show long-term persistence of the circularized vector DNA and expression of a reporter gene in hepatocytes of immunocompetent mice.

Long-term physiologically regulated expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor in vivo using genomic DNA mini-gene constructs

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a condition caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Expression of LDLR is highly regulated and excess receptor expression is cytotoxic. To incorporate essential gene regulation into a gene therapy vector for FH, we generated vectors in which the expression of therapeutic human LDLR gene, or luciferase reporter gene, is driven by 10 kb of human LDLR genomic DNA encompassing the promoter region including elements essential for physiologically regulated expression. Using luciferase expression and specific LDL binding and internalization assays, we have shown in vitro that the genomic promoter element confers long-term, physiologically regulated gene expression and complementation of receptor deficiency in culture for 240 cell-generations. This was demonstrated in the presence of sterols or statins, modifiers of LDLR promoter activity. In vivo, we demonstrate efficient liver-specific delivery and expression of luciferase following hydrodynamic tail-vein injection and confirm that expression from the LDLR promoter element is sensitive to statin administration. We also demonstrate long-term LDLR expression from the 10-kb promoter element up to 9 months following delivery. The vector system that we describe provides the efficient delivery, long-term expression, and physiological regulation required for a successful gene therapy intervention for FH.

Lipid-based systemic delivery of siRNA

RNAi technology has brought a new category of treatments for various diseases including genetic diseases, viral diseases, and cancer. Despite the great versatility of RNAi that can down regulate almost any protein in the cells, the delicate and precise machinery used for silencing is the same. The major challenge indeed for RNAi-based therapy is the delivery system. In this review, we start with the uniqueness and mechanism of RNAi machinery and the utility of RNAi in therapeutics. Then we discuss the challenges in systemic siRNA delivery by dividing them into two categories-kinetic and physical barriers. At the end, we discuss different strategies to overcome these barriers, especially focusing on the step of endosome escape. Toxicity issues and current successful examples for lipid-based delivery are also included in the review.

Effects of carriers on transgene expression from plasmids containing a DNA sequence with high histone affinity

The intranuclear disposition of plasmid DNA is highly important for transgene expression. The effects of a left-handedly curved sequence with high histone affinity on transgene expression were examined in COS-7 cells with two kinds of carriers (Lipofectamine Plus and TransIT-LT1). Three plasmids containing the curved sequence at different positions were transfected. The transgene expression was affected by the position of the left-handedly curved sequence, and the sequence at appropriate locations enhanced the expression from plasmid DNAs. However, the position effects on the expression differed from those obtained by electroporation of the same plasmid DNAs in a naked form. In addition, the degree of expression enhancement seemed to depend on the carriers. These results suggest that the left-handedly curved sequence with high histone affinity could increase the transgene expression from a plasmid delivered with carriers.

A single EBV-based vector for stable episomal maintenance and expression of GFP in human embryonic stem cells

Aim: Stable expression of transgenes in stem cells has been a challenge due to the nonavailability of efficient transfection methods and the inability of transgenes to support sustained gene expression. Several methods have been reported to stably modify both embryonic and adult stem cells. These methods rely on integration of the transgene into the genome of the host cell, which could result in an expression pattern dependent on the number of integrations and the genomic locus of integration. To overcome this issue, site-specific integration methods mediated by integrase, adeno-associated virus or via homologous recombination have been used to generate stable human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines. In this study, we describe a vector that is maintained episomally in hESCs. Methods: The vector used in this study is based on components derived from the Epstein–Barr virus, containing the Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 expression cassette and the OriP origin of replication. The vector also expresses the drug-resistance marker gene hygromycin, which allows for selection and long-term maintenance of cells harboring the plasmid. Results: Using this vector system, we show sustained expression of green fluorescent protein in undifferentiated hESCs and their differentiating embryoid bodies. In addition, the stable hESC clones show comparable expression with and without drug selection. Consistent with this observation, bulk-transfected adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells showed persistent marker gene expression as they differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondroblasts. Conclusions: Episomal vectors offer a fast and efficient method to create hESC reporter lines, which in turn allows one to test the effect of overexpression of various genes on stem cell growth, proliferation and differentiation.

Robust in vivo transduction of a genetically stable Epstein-Barr virus episome to hepatocytes in mice by a hybrid viral vector

To make a safe, long-lasting gene delivery vehicle, we developed a hybrid vector that leverages the relative strengths of adenovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A fully gene-deleted helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd) is used as the delivery vehicle for its scalability and high transduction efficiency. Upon delivery, a portion of the HDAd vector is recombined to form a circular plasmid. This episome includes two elements from EBV: an EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) expression cassette and an EBNA1 binding region. Along with a human replication origin, these elements provide considerable genetic stability to the episome in replicating cells while avoiding insertional mutagenesis. Here, we demonstrate that this hybrid approach is highly efficient at delivering EBV episomes to target cells in vivo. We achieved nearly 100% transduction of hepatocytes after a single intravenous injection in mice. This is a substantial improvement over the transduction efficiency of previously available physical and viral methods. Bioluminescent imaging of vector-transduced mice demonstrated that luciferase transgene expression from the hybrid was robust and compared well to a traditional HDAd vector. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that the EBV episome was stable at approximately 30 copies per cell for up to 50 weeks and that it remained circular and extrachromosomal. Approaches for adapting the HDAd-EBV hybrid to a variety of disease targets and the potential benefits of this approach are discussed.

Sustained liver-specific transgene expression from the albumin promoter in mice following hydrodynamic plasmid DNA delivery

BACKGROUND

To properly study gene expression in vivo, often long-term expression is desired. Previous studies using plasmid DNA (pDNA) vectors have typically resulted in short-term expression. Here, we evaluated combinations of the albumin promoter with different enhancers and untranslated regions for liver-specific expression in mice.

METHODS

A series of pDNA secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene expression vectors was constructed using the albumin promoter and various other expression cassette elements. Each was evaluated for level and duration of SEAP expression in mice following hydrodynamic tail vein delivery.

RESULTS

Sustained liver expression was obtained from vectors combining the albumin promoter with an albumin 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). The level of expression was increased by inclusion of enhancers and a 5' intron. The optimal expression vector consisted of the albumin promoter combined with an alpha-fetoprotein MERII enhancer, 5' intron from the factor IX gene, and the 3'UTR from the albumin gene including intron 14. With this vector, SEAP reporter gene expression levels remained high for 1 year, at levels comparable to those obtained from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter on day 1. Expression of human apolipoprotein E3 (hApoE) in ApoE knockout mice provided a dose-dependent correction of their hypercholesterolemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver-specific sustained transgene expression can be obtained at very high levels from optimized pDNA vectors, without the use of integration systems. Such vectors will further facilitate biological studies of genes in vivo and may find application in gene therapy.

Persistent episomal transgene expression in liver following delivery of a scaffold/matrix attachment region containing non-viral vector

An ideal gene therapy vector should enable persistent transgene expression without limitations of safety and reproducibility. Here we report the development of a non-viral episomal plasmid DNA (pDNA) vector that appears to fulfil these criteria. This pDNA vector combines a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) with a human liver-specific promoter (alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT)) in such a way that long-term expression is enabled in murine liver following hydrodynamic injection. Long-term expression is demonstrated by monitoring the longitudinal luciferase expression profile for up to 6 months by means of in situ bioluminescent imaging. All relevant control pDNA constructs expressing luciferase are unable to sustain significant transgene expression beyond 1 week post-administration. We establish that this shutdown of expression is due to promoter methylation. In contrast, the S/MAR element appears to inhibit methylation of the AAT promoter thereby preventing transgene silencing. Although this vector appears to be maintained as an episome throughout, we have no evidence for its establishment as a replicating entity. We conclude that the combination of a mammalian, tissue-specific promoter with the S/MAR element is sufficient to drive long-term episomal pDNA expression of genes in vivo.

Advances in high-capacity extrachromosomal vector technology: episomal maintenance, vector delivery, and transgene expression

Recent developments in extrachromosomal vector technology have offered new ways of designing safer, physiologically regulated vectors for gene therapy. Extrachromosomal, or episomal, persistence in the nucleus of transduced cells offers a safer alternative to integrating vectors which have become the subject of safety concerns following serious adverse events in recent clinical trials. Extrachromosomal vectors do not cause physical disruption in the host genome, making these vectors safe and suitable tools for several gene therapy targets, including stem cells. Moreover, the high insert capacity of extrachromosomal vectors allows expression of a therapeutic transgene from the context of its genomic DNA sequence, providing an elegant way to express normal splice variants and achieve physiologically regulated levels of expression. Here, we describe past and recent advances in the development of several different extrachromosomal systems, discuss their retention mechanisms, and evaluate their use as expression vectors to deliver and express genomic DNA loci. We also discuss a variety of delivery systems, viral and nonviral, which have been used to deliver episomal vectors to target cells in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we explore the potential for the delivery and expression of extrachromosomal transgenes in stem cells. The long-term persistence of extrachromosomal vectors combined with the potential for stem cell proliferation and differentiation into a wide range of cell types offers an exciting prospect for therapeutic interventions.

Computer-assisted hydrodynamic gene delivery

The recently developed hydrodynamic delivery method makes it possible to deliver DNA and RNA into parenchyma cells by intravascular injection of nucleic acid-containing solution. While this procedure is effective in rodents, it is difficult to perform in large animals, because manual control while delivering the injection cannot be sufficiently reliable for achieving a just-right hydrodynamic pressure in targeted tissue. In order to overcome this problem, we have developed a computer-controlled injection device that uses real-time intravascular pressure as a regulator. Using the new injection device, and mouse liver as the model organ, we demonstrated continuous injection at a single pressure and different pressures, and also serial (repeated) injections at intervals of 250 ms, by programming the computer according to the need. When assessed by reporter plasmids, the computer-controlled injection device exhibits gene delivery efficiency similar to that of conventional hydrodynamic injection. The device is also effective in gene delivery to kidney and muscle cells in rats, with plasmids or adenoviral vectors as gene carriers. Successful gene delivery to liver and kidney was also demonstrated in pigs, with the computer-controlled injection being combined with image-guided catheterization. These results represent a significant advance in in vivo gene delivery research, with potential for use in gene therapy in humans.

The promise of gene therapy for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

In the last 13 years, three gene therapy trials for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency have been conducted. The first trial delivered plasmid encoding the alpha-1 antitrypsin cDNA to the nasal epithelium using cationic liposomes. The last two trials delivered recombinant adeno-associated vectors encoding the alpha-1 antitrypsin cDNA by intramuscular injection. In this review, the progress of ongoing clinical trials and new gene therapy technologies is discussed.

Hydrodynamic gene delivery: its principles and applications

Efficient and safe methods for delivering genetic materials into cells must be developed before the clinical potential of gene therapy can be fully realized. Recently, hydrodynamic gene delivery using a rapid injection of a relatively large volume of DNA solution has opened up a new avenue for gene therapy studies in vivo. This method is superior to the existing delivery systems because of its simplicity, efficiency, and versatility. Wide success in applying hydrodynamic principles to delivery of DNA, RNA, proteins, and synthetic compounds, into the cells in various tissues of small animals, has inspired the recent attempts at establishing a hydrodynamic procedure for clinical use. In this review, we provide an overview of the theory and practice of hydrodynamic gene delivery so as to aid researchers for the use of this method in their pre-clinical and translational gene therapy studies.

Factor VIII mRNA expression from a BAC carrying the intact locus made by homologous recombination

Hemophilia A is caused by mutations in the gene encoding factor VIII (F8) and is an important target for gene therapy. The F8 gene contains 26 exons spread over approximately 186 kb and no work using the intact genomic locus has been carried out. We have constructed a 250-kb BAC carrying all 26 exons, the introns, and more than 40 kb of upstream and 20 kb of downstream DNA. This F8 BAC was further retrofitted with either the oriP/EBNA-1 elements from Epstein-Barr virus, which allow episomal maintenance in mammalian cells, or alphoid DNA, which allows human artificial chromosome formation in some human cell lines. Lipofection of the oriP/EBNA-1-containing version into mouse Hepa1-6 cells resulted in expression of F8 mRNA spanning the F8 gene. The >300-kb BAC carrying alphoid DNA was successfully delivered to 293A and HT1080 cells using bacterial delivery, resulting in greater than endogenous levels of F8 mRNA expression.

Transient activation of transgene expression by hydrodynamics-based injection may cause rapid decrease in plasmid DNA expression

The intranuclear disposition of exogenous DNA is quite important for the therapeutic effects of the administered DNA. The expression efficiency from one copy of exogenous DNA delivered by hydrodynamics-based injection dramatically decreases over time, and this 'silencing' occurs without CpG methylation. In this study, naked luciferase-plasmid DNA was delivered into mouse liver by hydrodynamics-based injection, and modifications of the histones bound to the plasmid DNA were analyzed by a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis. In addition, the effects of a second hydrodynamics-based injection on the expression from the plasmid DNA were examined. The ChIP analysis revealed that the modification status of histone H3 remained constant from 4 h to 4 weeks. Surprisingly, the injection of saline without DNA enhanced the luciferase expression from the preexisting DNA administered 4 and 14 days previously. Our results suggest that histone modification plays no role in the silencing. Instead, our data suggest that the transgene expression is activated by the hydrodynamics-based injection manipulation, and that the return from the activated status causes the silencing.

Nonviral gene delivery: what we know and what is next

Gene delivery using nonviral approaches has been extensively studied as a basic tool for intracellular gene transfer and gene therapy. In the past, the primary focus has been on application of physical, chemical, and biological principles to development of a safe and efficient method that delivers a transgene into target cells for appropriate expression. This review summarizes the current status of the most commonly used nonviral methods, with an emphasis on their mechanism of action for gene delivery, and their advantages and limitations for gene therapy applications. The technical aspects of each delivery system are also reviewed, with a focus on how to achieve optimal delivery efficiency. A brief discussion of future development and further improvement of the current systems is intended to stimulate new ideas and encourage rapid advancement in this new and promising field.

Structural impact of hydrodynamic injection on mouse liver

The impact of hydrodynamic injection on liver structure was evaluated in mice using various microscopic techniques. Upon hydrodynamic injection of approximately 9% of body weight by volume, the liver rapidly expanded, reaching maximal size at the end of the injection and returned to its original size in 30 min. Histological analysis revealed a swollen appearance in the peri-central region of the liver where delivery of genes and fluorescence-labeled markers was observed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed enlargement and rupture of endothelium that in about 24-48 h regains its morphology and normal function as a barrier against infection by adenovirus viral particles. At the cellular level in hydrodynamically treated animals, four types of hepatocytes were seen: cells with normal appearance; cells with enriched vesicles in the cytoplasm; cells with lightly stained cytosol; and cells with significant dilution of the cytoplasm. In addition, red blood cells and platelets were observed in the space of Disse and even inside hepatocytes. Vesicle formation is triggered by hydrodynamic injection and resembles the process of macropinocytosis. These results, whereas confirming the physical nature of hydrodynamic delivery, are important for a better understanding of this efficient method for intrahepatic gene and small interfering RNA delivery.

Update on research, diagnosis and management of alphal-antitrypsin deficiency

Formed in response to a World Health Organization recommendation, the Alpha One International Registry (AIR) is a multinational research program focused on alphal-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Each of the nearly 20 participating countries maintains a National Registry of patients with AAT deficiency and contributes to an international database in Malmö, Sweden, that is designed to increase understanding of AAT deficiency as well as safeguard patient confidentiality. AIR members are engaged in active and wide-ranging investigations to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of the disease. The AIR membership meets biennially to exchange views and research findings. The third biennial meeting was held in Barcelona, Spain, June 11 -13, 2003. A wide range of AAT deficiency-related topics were addressed, encompassing molecular and cellular pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical epidemiology, diagnostic advances, current and investigational therapeutic approaches, and progress in registry development. Valuable cross-fertilization of concepts and scientific observations was apparent between AAT deficiency research and other fields of biomedicine. The proceedings of the meeting are summarized in this report.

Designing nonviral vectors for efficient gene transfer and long-term gene expression

Although the genetic therapy of human diseases has been conceptually possible for many years we still lack a vector system that allows safe and reproducible genetic modification of eukaryotic cells and ensures faithful long-term expression of transgenes. There is increasing agreement that vectors that are based exclusively on chromosomal elements, which replicate autonomously in human cells, could fulfill these criteria. The rational construction of such vectors is still hindered by our limited knowledge of the factors that regulate chromatin function in eukaryotic cells. This review sets out to summarize how our current knowledge of nuclear organization can be applied to the design of extrachromosomal gene expression vectors that can be used for human gene therapy. Within the past years a number of episomal nonviral constructs have been designed and their replication strategies, expression of transgenes, mitotic stability, and delivery strategies and the mechanisms required for their stable establishment will be discussed. To date, these nonviral vectors have not been used in clinical trials. Even so, many compelling arguments can be developed to support the view that nonviral vector systems will play a major role in future gene therapy protocols.

Gene therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: twilight or triumph?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome presenting as progressive airflow limitation that is poorly reversible as a result of bronchitis and emphysema. The prevalence of COPD is alarming and even more so its current and projected impact on morbidity and mortality. To date, there are no effective treatments for emphysema, nor are there efficient clinical management strategies. Existing and prospective therapies, although promising, have yet to demonstrate their efficacy to slow, halt or reverse the disease. Novel approaches using gene therapy and stem cell technologies may offer new opportunities. However, this will remain almost entirely dependent on a more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of COPD. This review is not aimed at highlighting the vast effort of studying COPD, but rather describing the state of the field in an abstract fashion to expose the focus of research efforts to date, which has primarily been limited to predisposing factors and inflammation. We would like to draw attention to other elements of the disease, such as the alveolar remodelling that characterises emphysema. Although the main cause may prove to be elusive, carefully designed clinical treatment and management may deliver the required therapeutic outcome.

Evaluation of viral and mammalian promoters for driving transgene expression in mouse liver

Fifteen luciferase plasmid constructs driven by various promoters including cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), human serum albumin (SA), alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), cytochrome P450 CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C18, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, mouse CYP2b10, human amyloid precursor protein (APP), chicken beta actin (ACT), nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB), and heat shock protein 70 (HS) promoters were hydrodynamically introduced into mouse hepatocytes, and the level and persistence of luciferase gene expression were examined. Eight hours post-gene transfer, the CMV and AAT promoters showed the highest activity, followed by the CYP2D6, HS, and RSV promoters which were slightly less active. The human serum albumin promoter exhibited the lowest activity among the promoters examined. The time course of gene expression showed a two-phase decline in luciferase activity with a rapid phase within the first 5-7 days and a slower decline thereafter. Results from Southern and Northern blot analyses revealed a good correlation between the decline of luciferase activity and the decrease in mRNA level, suggesting promoter silencing as the possible mechanism for the observed transient luciferase gene expression. Inclusion of EBN1 and oriP sequences of Epstein-Barr virus into the plasmid extended the period of active transcription for about one week. These results provide important information concerning the role of promoters in regulating transgene expression and for the proper design of plasmids for gene expression and gene therapy.

Hydrodynamic liver gene transfer mechanism involves transient sinusoidal blood stasis and massive hepatocyte endocytic vesicles

The present study contributes to clarify the mechanism underlying the high efficacy of hepatocyte gene transfer mediated by hydrodynamic injection. Gene transfer experiments were performed employing the hAAT gene, and the efficacy and differential identification in mouse plasma of human transgene versus mouse gene was assessed by ELISA and proteomic procedures, respectively. By applying different experimental strategies such as cumulative dose-response efficacy, hemodynamic changes reflected by venous pressures, intravital microscopy, and morphological changes established by transmission electron microscopy, we found that: (a) cumulative multiple doses of transgene by hydrodynamic injection are efficient and well tolerated, resulting in therapeutic plasma levels of hAAT; (b) hydrodynamic injection mediates a transient inversion of intrahepatic blood flow, with circulatory stasis for a few minutes mainly in pericentral vein sinusoids; (c) transmission electron microscopy shows hydrodynamic injection to promote massive megafluid endocytic vesicles among hepatocytes around the central vein but not in hepatocytes around the periportal vein. We suggest that the mechanism of hydrodynamic liver gene transfer involves transient inversion of intrahepatic flow, sinusoidal blood stasis, and massive fluid endocytic vesicles in pericentral vein hepatocytes.

The hydrodynamics-based procedure for controlling the pharmacokinetics of gene medicines at whole body, organ and cellular levels

Hydrodynamics-based gene delivery, involving a large-volume and high-speed intravenous injection of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA), gives a significantly high level of transgene expression in vivo. This has attracted a lot of attention and has been used very frequently as an efficient, simple and convenient transfection method for laboratory animals. Until recently, however, little information has been published on the pharmacokinetics of the injected DNA molecules and of the detailed mechanisms underlying the efficient gene transfer. We and other groups have very recently demonstrated that the mechanism for the hydrodynamics-based gene transfer would involve, in part, the direct cytosolic delivery of pDNA through the cell membrane due to transiently enhanced permeability. Along with the findings in our series of studies, this article reviews the cumulative reports and other intriguing information on the controlled pharmacokinetics of naked pDNA in the hydrodynamics-based gene delivery. In addition, we describe various applications reported so far, as well as the current attempts and proposals to develop novel gene medicines for future gene therapy using the concept of the hydrodynamics-based procedure. Furthermore, the issues associated with the clinical feasibility of its seemingly invasive nature, which is probably the most common concern about this hydrodynamics-based procedure, are discussed along with its future prospects and challenges.

A novel gene expression system: non-viral gene transfer for hemophilia as model systems

It is highly desirable to generate tissue-specific and persistently high-level transgene expression per genomic copy from gene therapy vectors. Such vectors can reduce the cost and preparation of the vectors and reduce possible host immune responses to the vector and potential toxicity. Many gene therapy vectors have failed to produce therapeutic levels of transgene because of inefficient promoters, loss of vector or gene expression from episomal vectors, or a silencing effect of integration sites on integrating vectors. Using in vivo screening of vectors incorporating many different combinations of gene regulatory sequences, liver-specific, high-expressing vectors to accommodate factor IX, factor VIII, and other genes for effective gene transfer have been established. Persistent and high levels of factor IX and factor VIII gene expression for treating hemophilia B and A, respectively, were achieved in mouse livers using hydrodynamics-based gene transfer of naked plasmid DNA incorporating these novel gene expression systems. Some other systems to prolong or stabilize the gene expression following gene transfer are also discussed.

Gene transfer into hepatocytes mediated by herpes simplex virus–Epstein-Barr virus hybrid amplicons

Gene transfer into hepatocytes is highly desirable for the long-term goal of replacing deficient proteins and correcting metabolic disorders. Vectors based on herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) have been demonstrated to mediate efficient gene transfer into hepatocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Large transgene capacity and extrachromosomal persistence make HSV-1/EBV hybrid amplicon vectors an attractive candidate for hepatic gene replacement therapy. To assess liver-directed gene transfer, we constructed (i) a conventional HSV-1 amplicon vector encoding a secreted reporter protein (secreted alkaline phosphatase, SEAP) under the control of the HSV-1 immediate-early 4/5 promoter; (ii) a HSV-1 amplicon encoding SEAP under the control of the artificial CAG promoter (the chicken beta-actin promoter and cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early enhancer); and (iii) a HSV-1/EBV hybrid amplicon, also encoding SEAP under the control of the CAG promoter. While all three vector constructs yielded high SEAP concentrations in vitro and in vivo, use of HSV-1/EBV hybrid amplicon vectors significantly prolonged the duration of gene expression. Using conventional amplicon vectors in cultured hepatocytes, SEAP was detected for two weeks, whereas SEAP was detected for at least six weeks when HSV-1/EBV amplicons were used. Intraparenchymal injection into the liver of SICD mice yielded high (up to 77 ng of SEAP per milliliter serum) and sustained (greater than three weeks) expression of SEAP. Serum transaminases (ALT/AST) were measured at different time points to monitor for hepatocellular damage. While initially elevated four times above baseline, the transaminase levels returned to normal after three to seven days. These results demonstrate the usefulness of HSV-1-based amplicons and SEAP for the evaluation of gene replacement strategies in the liver.

Hydrodynamic Delivery

Hydrodynamic delivery has emerged as a near-perfect method for intracellular DNA delivery in vivo. For gene delivery to parenchymal cells, only essential DNA sequences need to be injected via a selected blood vessel, eliminating safety concerns associated with current viral and synthetic vectors. When injected into the bloodstream, DNA is capable of reaching cells in the different tissues accessible to the blood. Hydrodynamic delivery employs the force generated by the rapid injection of a large volume of solution into the incompressible blood in the circulation to overcome the physical barriers of endothelium and cell membranes that prevent large and membrane-impermeable compounds from entering parenchymal cells. In addition to the delivery of DNA, this method is useful for the efficient intracellular delivery of RNA, proteins, and other small compounds in vivo. This review discusses the development, current application, and clinical potential of hydrodynamic delivery.

Naked DNA for Liver Gene Transfer

The majority of acquired and inherited genetic disorders, including most inborn errors of metabolism, are manifested in the liver. Therefore, it is hardly any surprise to see a large number of Medline reports describing gene therapy efforts in preclinical settings directed toward this organ (Inoue et al., 2004; Oka and Chen, 2004). Of late, non-viral vectors have garnered a lot of attention from the biomedical research community engaged in liver gene therapy (Gupta et al., 2004). However, the first initiative toward gene transfer to the liver using a non-viral approach was taken by Hickman et al. (1994), who applied the technique of naked DNA injection pioneered by Wolff (1990) for skeletal muscle. Direct injection of naked DNA resulted in low, variable and localized gene expression in the rat liver. Consequently, several developments reported in the literature since then aimed to improve hepatic gene expression by employing both surgical and nonsurgical methods. These developments include the exploitation of the unique vasculature of liver as well as the use of electric and mechanical force as an adjunct to the systemic administration of the naked plasmid gene. This chapter focuses on these developments reported from various laboratories, including ours. In addition, the underlying mechanism responsible for the dramatic increase in gene expression using these latest approaches for non-viral gene transfer to the liver is also discussed.

Mechanism of liver gene transfer by mechanical massage

Many metabolic diseases are caused by defects in the metabolic pathways in the liver. Others result from the absence of specific proteins normally produced and secreted by the liver. Because these metabolic disorders are usually caused by single gene defect, they are ideal candidates for gene therapy. We have previously shown that mouse liver can be transfected by mechanically massaging the liver (MML) after intravenous injection of naked plasmid DNA. We now show a significant linear relationship between the level of liver gene expression and the venous blood pressure, supporting the idea that gene transfer by MML is due, at least in part, to pressure-mediated effect. Liver transfection could not be blocked by co-injection of excess irrelevant DNA or poly I, suggesting that there is no involvement of receptors, including the scavenger receptor, in MML. Moreover, the level of gene expression could be further enhanced by a combination of MML and an increase in DNA retention-time in the liver. Persistence of gene expression could be significantly improved using an EBV-based plasmid vector. Our data suggest the mechanical massage produces transient membrane defects through which naked DNA can enter into the liver cells by simple diffusion.

Infectious delivery of the 132 kb CDKN2A/CDKN2B genomic DNA region results in correctly spliced gene expression and growth suppression in glioma cells

The expression of genes from genomic loci can be relatively complex, utilizing exonic, intronic and flanking sequences to regulate tissue and developmental specificity. Infectious bacterial artificial chromosomes (iBACs) have been shown to deliver and express large genomic loci (up to 135 kb) into primary cells for functional analyses. The delivery of large genomic DNA inserts allows the expression of complex loci and of multiple splice variants. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that an iBAC will deliver and correctly express in human glioma cells the entire CDKN2A/CDKN2B genomic region, which encodes for at least three important cell-cycle regulatory proteins (p16(INK4a), p14(ARF) and p15(INK4b)). Two of these proteins are expressed from overlapping genes, utilizing alternative splicing and promoter usage. The delivered locus expresses each gene at physiological levels and cellular responses (apoptosis versus growth arrest) occur dependent on cellular p53 status, as expected. The work further demonstrates the potential of the iBAC system for the delivery of genomic loci whose expression is mediated by complex splicing and promoter usage both for gene therapy applications and functional genomics studies.

Functional delivery of large genomic DNA to human cells with a peptide-lipid vector

BACKGROUND

Nonviral gene transfer vectors have the potential to deliver much larger DNA constructs than current viral vectors but suffer from a low transfection efficiency. The LID vector, composed of Lipofectin (L), an integrin-targeting peptide (I) and DNA (D), is a highly efficient synthetic vector, both in vitro and in vivo, which may allow the transfer of genomic loci for gene therapy.

METHODS

Transfection efficiencies were quantitated using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter. Expression of a large genomic locus (NBS1 [Nijmegen breakage syndrome], encoding nibrin) was assessed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

We report a systematic study of the parameters influencing delivery of BAC-based plasmids ranging in size from 12 to 242 kb using the LID vector. We showed 60% of cells were transfected with the smaller plasmids while plasmids up to 242 kb were consistently delivered to over 10% of cells. The number of transfected cells was related to number of plasmids in the transfection complex independent of plasmid size. Atomic force microscopy showed that LID particle size increased with plasmid size consistent with one plasmid molecule per particle. When LID vectors were used to deliver the NBS1 gene as a 143 kb construct to primary NBS cells, at least 57% of cells expressing GFP also expressed functional nibrin.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that LID vectors represent a promising tool for the transfer of complete genomic loci.

Insulin expression in livers of diabetic mice mediated by hydrodynamics-based administration

AIM: Transfer and expression of insulin gene in vivo are an alternative strategy to improve glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. Hydrodynamics-based procedure has been proved to be very efficient to transfer naked DNA to mouse livers. The basal hepatic insulin production mediated by this rapid tail vein injection was studied to determine its effect on the resumption of glycemic control in type 1 diabetic mice.

METHODS: Engineered insulin cDNA was inserted into plasmid vectors under a CMV promoter, and transferred into STZ induced diabetic mice by hydrodynamic procedure. Glucose levels, body weight of treated mice, insulin levels, immunohistology of the liver, and quantity of insulin mRNA in the liver were assayed to identify the improvement of hyperglycemic complication after plasmid administration. Sleeping Beauty, a transposon system, was also used to prolong the insulin expression in the liver.

RESULTS: After plasmid administration, Plasma insulin was significantly increased in the diabetic mice and the livers were insulin-positive by immunostaining. At the same time the hyperglycemic complication was improved. The blood glucose levels of mice were reduced to normal. Glucose tolerance of the treated diabetic mice was improved. Body weight loss was also ameliorated. The rapid tail vein injection did not cause any fatal result.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that insulin gene could be efficiently transferred into the livers of diabetic mice via rapid tail vein injection and it resulted in high level of insulin expression. The basal hepatic insulin production mediated by hydrodynamics-based administration improved the glycemic control in type 1 diabetes dramatically and ameliorated diabetic syndromes. Hydrodynamics-based administration offers a simple and efficient way in the study of gene therapy for type 1 diabetes.