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Alferiev IS, Hooshdaran B, Pressly BB, Zoltick PW, Stachelek SJ, Chorny M, Levy RJ, Fishbein I. Intraprocedural endothelial cell seeding of arterial stents via biotin/avidin targeting mitigates in-stent restenosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19212. [PMID: 36357462 PMCID: PMC9649779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired endothelialization of endovascular stents has been established as a major cause of in-stent restenosis and late stent thrombosis. Attempts to enhance endothelialization of inner stent surfaces by pre-seeding the stents with endothelial cells in vitro prior to implantation are compromised by cell destruction during high-pressure stent deployment. Herein, we report on the novel stent endothelialization strategy of post-deployment seeding of biotin-modified endothelial cells to avidin-functionalized stents. Acquisition of an avidin monolayer on the stent surface was achieved by consecutive treatments of bare metal stents (BMS) with polyallylamine bisphosphonate, an amine-reactive biotinylation reagent and avidin. Biotin-modified endothelial cells retain growth characteristics of normal endothelium and can express reporter transgenes. Under physiological shear conditions, a 50-fold higher number of recirculating biotinylated cells attached to the avidin-modified metal surfaces compared to bare metal counterparts. Delivery of biotinylated endothelial cells to the carotid arterial segment containing the implanted avidin-modified stent in rats results in immediate cell binding to the stent struts and is associated with a 30% reduction of in-stent restenosis in comparison with BMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan S Alferiev
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Stanley J Stachelek
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael Chorny
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert J Levy
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ilia Fishbein
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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2
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Ikkala K, Raatikainen S, Koivula H, Michon F. Zebrafish cornea formation and homeostasis reveal a slow maturation process, similarly to terrestrial vertebrates' corneas. Front Physiol 2022; 13:906155. [PMID: 36388116 PMCID: PMC9663661 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.906155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Corneal blindness is the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide. The superficial position of cornea on the eye makes this tissue prone to environmental aggressions, which can have a strong impact on sight. While most corneal pathology studies utilize terrestrial models, the knowledge on zebrafish cornea is too scarce to comprehend its strategy for the maintenance of a clear sight in aquatic environment. In this study, we deciphered the cellular and molecular events during corneal formation and maturation in zebrafish. After describing the morphological changes taking place from 3 days post fertilization (dpf) to adulthood, we analyzed cell proliferation. We showed that label retaining cells appear around 14 to 21dpf. Our cell proliferation study, combined to the study of Pax6a and krtt1c19e expression, demonstrate a long maturation process, ending after 45dpf. This maturation ends with a solid patterning of corneal innervation. Finally, we demonstrated that corneal wounding leads to an intense dedifferentiation, leading to the recapitulation of corneal formation and maturation, via a plasticity period. Altogether, our study deciphers the maturation steps of an aquatic cornea. These findings demonstrate the conservation of corneal formation, maturation and wound healing process in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and they will enhance the use of zebrafish as model for corneal physiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Ikkala
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sini Raatikainen
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henri Koivula
- Zebrafish Unit, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederic Michon
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, University Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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3
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Yung NK, Maassel NL, Ullrich SJ, Ricciardi AS, Stitelman DH. A narrative review of in utero gene therapy: advances, challenges, and future considerations. Transl Pediatr 2021; 10:1486-1496. [PMID: 34189107 PMCID: PMC8192997 DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of in utero gene therapy (IUGT) represents a crossroad of technologic advancements and medical ethical boundaries. Several strategies have been developed for IUGT focusing on either modifying endogenous genes, replacing missing genes, or modifying gene transcription products. The list of candidate diseases such as hemoglobinopathies, cystic fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders continues to grow with new strategies being developed as our understanding of their respective underlying molecular pathogenesis increases. Treatment in utero has several distinct advantages to postnatal treatment. Biologic and physiologic phenomena enable the delivery of a higher effective dose, generation of immune tolerance, and the prevention of phenotypic onset for genetic diseases. Therapeutic technology for IUGT including CRISPR-Cas9 systems, zinc finger nucleases (ZFN), and peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) has already shown promise in animal models and early postnatal clinical trials. While the ability to detect fetal diagnoses has dramatically improved with developments in ultrasound and next-generation sequencing, treatment options remain experimental, with several translational gaps remaining prior to implementation in the clinical realm. Complicating this issue, the potential diseases targeted by this approach are often debilitating and would otherwise prove fatal if not treated in some manner. The leap from small animals to large animals, and subsequently, to humans will require further vigorous testing of safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas K Yung
- Department of General Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nathan L Maassel
- Department of General Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah J Ullrich
- Department of General Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Adele S Ricciardi
- Department of General Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David H Stitelman
- Department of General Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Rodriguez M, Porada CD, Almeida-Porada G. Mechanistic Insights into Factor VIII Immune Tolerance Induction via Prenatal Cell Therapy in Hemophilia A. CURRENT STEM CELL REPORTS 2019; 5:145-161. [PMID: 32351874 DOI: 10.1007/s40778-019-00165-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Prenatal stem cell and gene therapy approaches are amongst the few therapies that can promise the birth of a healthy infant with specific known genetic diseases. This review describes fetal immune cell signaling and its potential influence on donor cell engraftment, and summarizes mechanisms of central T cell tolerance to peripherally-acquired antigen in the context of prenatal therapies for Hemophilia A. Recent Findings During early gestation, different subsets of antigen presenting cells take up peripherally-acquired, non-inherited antigens and induce the deletion of antigen-reactive T-cell precursors in the thymus, demonstrating the potential for using prenatal cell and gene therapies to induce central tolerance to FVIII in the context of prenatal diagnosis/therapy of Hemophilia A. Summary Prenatal cell and gene therapies are promising approaches to treat several genetic disorders including Hemophilia A and B. Understanding the mechanisms of how FVIII-specific tolerance is achieved during ontogeny could help develop novel therapies for HA and better approaches to overcome FVIII inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Rodriguez
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Christopher D Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Graҫa Almeida-Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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5
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Ahn NJ, Stratigis JD, Coons BE, Flake AW, Nah-Cederquist HD, Peranteau WH. Intravenous and Intra-amniotic In Utero Transplantation in the Murine Model. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30371676 DOI: 10.3791/58047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In utero transplantation (IUT) is a unique and versatile mode of therapy that can be used to introduce stem cells, viral vectors, or any other substances early in the gestation. The rationale behind IUT for therapeutic purposes is based on the small size of the fetus, the fetal immunologic immaturity, the accessibility and proliferative nature of the fetal stem or progenitor cells, and the potential to treat a disease or the onset of symptoms prior to birth. Taking advantage of these normal developmental properties of the fetus, the delivery of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) via an IUT has the potential to treat congenital hematologic disorders such as sickle cell disease, without the required myeloablative or immunosuppressive conditioning required for postnatal HSC transplants. Similarly, the accessibility of progenitor cells in multiple organs during development potentially allows for a more efficient targeting of stem/progenitor cells following an IUT of viral vectors for gene therapy or genome editing. Additionally, IUT can be used to study normal developmental processes including, but not limited to, the development of immunologic tolerance. The murine model provides a valuable and affordable means to understanding the potential and limitations of IUT prior to pre-clinical large animal studies and an eventual clinical application. Here, we describe a protocol for performing an IUT in the murine fetus through intravenous and intra-amniotic routes. This protocol has been used successfully to elucidate the necessary conditions and mechanisms behind in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, tolerance induction, and in utero gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Ahn
- Division of General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - John D Stratigis
- Division of General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Barbara E Coons
- Division of General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Alan W Flake
- Division of General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Hyun-Duck Nah-Cederquist
- Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - William H Peranteau
- Division of General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia;
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Sato M, Ohtsuka M, Nakamura S, Sakurai T, Watanabe S, Gurumurthy CB. In vivo genome editing targeted towards the female reproductive system. Arch Pharm Res 2018; 41:898-910. [PMID: 29974342 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-018-1053-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of sequence specific nucleases such as ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized genome editing. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has particularly emerged as a highly simple and efficient approach towards generating genome-edited animal models of most of the experimental species. The limitation of these novel genome editing tools is that, till date, they depend on traditional pronuclear injection (PI)-based transgenic technologies developed over the last three decades. PI requires expensive micromanipulator systems and the equipment operators must possess a high level of skill. Therefore, since the establishment of PI-based transgenesis, various research groups worldwide have attempted to develop alternative and simple gene delivery methods. However, owing to the failure of chromosomal integration of the transgene, none of these methods gained the level of confidence as that by the PI method in order to be adapted as a routine approach. The recently developed genome editing systems do not require complicated techniques. Therefore, presently, attention is being focused on non-PI-based gene delivery into germ cells for simple and rapid production of genetically engineered animals. For example, a few reports during the previous 1-2 years demonstrated the use of electroporation (EP) in isolated zygotes that helped to overcome the absolute dependency on PI techniques. Recently, another breakthrough technology called genome editing via oviductal nucleic acids delivery (GONAD) that directly delivers nucleic acids into zygotes within the oviducts in situ was developed. This technology completely relieves the bottlenecks of animal transgenesis as it does not require PI and ex vivo handling of embryos. This review discusses in detail the in vivo gene delivery methods targeted towards female reproductive tissues as these methods that have been developed over the past 2-3 decades can now be re-evaluated for their suitability to deliver the CRISPR/Cas9 components to produce transgenic animals. This review also provides an overview of the latest advances in CRISPR-enabled delivery technologies that have caused paradigm shifts in animal transgenesis methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sato
- Section of Gene Expression Regulation, Frontier Science Research Center, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan.
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.,Center for Matrix Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamura
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sakurai
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.,Basic Research Division for Next-Generation Disease Models and Fundamental Technology, Research Center for Next Generation Medicine, Shinshu University, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Animal Genome Research Unit, Division of Animal Science, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan
| | - Channabasavaiah B Gurumurthy
- Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.,Developmental Neuroscience, Munro Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
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Vortex Pattern of Corneal Deposits in Granular Corneal Dystrophy Associated With the p.(Arg555Trp) Mutation in TGFBI. Cornea 2017; 36:210-216. [PMID: 28060069 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000001045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe 2 unrelated families with multiple members demonstrating a less commonly recognized vortex pattern of corneal deposits confirmed to be granular corneal dystrophy type 1 (GCD1) after identification of the p.(Arg555Trp) mutation in the transforming growth factor β-induced gene (TGFBI). METHODS A slit-lamp examination was performed on individuals from 2 families, one of Mexican descent and a second of Italian descent. After DNA extraction from affected individuals and their unaffected relatives, TGFBI screening was performed. RESULTS Eight of 20 individuals in the Mexican family and 20 of 55 in the Italian family demonstrated corneal stromal opacities. Seven of the 8 affected individuals in the Mexican family and 4 of the 20 affected individuals in the Italian family demonstrated a phenotype characterized by a "sea fan" or vortex pattern of superficial stromal corneal deposits originating from the inferior aspect of the cornea. Screening of TGFBI in both families revealed a heterozygous missense mutation [p.(Arg555Trp)] in exon 12, confirming the diagnosis of GCD1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that GCD1 may present with a vortex pattern of anterior stromal deposits. Although this pattern of dystrophic deposits is not recognized by clinicians as a typical phenotype of GCD1, it is consistent with the production of the majority of the TGFBI protein by the corneal epithelium.
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8
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Comparison of two related lines of tauGFP transgenic mice designed for lineage tracing. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2017; 17:8. [PMID: 28662681 PMCID: PMC5492368 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-017-0149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background The tauGFP reporter fusion protein is produced nearly ubiquitously by the TgTP6.3 transgene in TP6.3 mice and its localisation to microtubules offers some advantages over soluble GFP as a lineage marker. However, TgTP6.3Tg/Tg homozygotes are not viable and TgTP6.3Tg/− hemizygotes are smaller than wild-type. TP6.4 mice carry the TgTP6.4 transgene, which was produced with the same construct used to generate TgTP6.3, so we investigated whether TgTP6.4 had any advantages over TgTP6.3. Results Although TgTP6.4Tg/Tg homozygotes died before weaning, TgTP6.4Tg/− hemizygotes were viable and fertile and only males were significantly lighter than wild-type. The TgTP6.4 transgene produced the tauGFP fusion protein by the 2-cell stage and it was widely expressed in adults but tauGFP fluorescence was weak or absent in several tissues, including some neural tissues. The TgTP6.4 transgene expression pattern changed over several years of breeding and mosaic transgene expression became increasingly common in all expressing tissues. This mosaicism was used to visualise clonal lineages in the adrenal cortex of TgTP6.4Tg/− hemizygotes and these were qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to lineages reported previously for other mosaic transgenic mice, X-inactivation mosaics and chimaeras. Mosaicism occurred less frequently in TP6.3 than TP6.4 mice and was only observed in the corneal epithelium and adrenal cortex. Conclusions Mosaic expression makes the TgTP6.4 transgene unsuitable for use as a conventional cell lineage marker but such mosaicism provides a useful system for visualising clonal lineages that arise during development or maintenance of adult tissues. Differences in the occurrence of mosaicism between related transgenic lines, such as that described for lines TP6.3 and TP6.4, might provide a useful system for investigating the mechanism of transgene silencing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12861-017-0149-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Almeida-Porada G, Atala A, Porada CD. In utero stem cell transplantation and gene therapy: rationale, history, and recent advances toward clinical application. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 5:16020. [PMID: 27069953 PMCID: PMC4813605 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in high-throughput molecular testing have made it possible to diagnose most genetic disorders relatively early in gestation with minimal risk to the fetus. These advances should soon allow widespread prenatal screening for the majority of human genetic diseases, opening the door to the possibility of treatment/correction prior to birth. In addition to the obvious psychological and financial benefits of curing a disease in utero, and thereby enabling the birth of a healthy infant, there are multiple biological advantages unique to fetal development, which provide compelling rationale for performing potentially curative treatments, such as stem cell transplantation or gene therapy, prior to birth. Herein, we briefly review the fields of in utero transplantation (IUTx) and in utero gene therapy and discuss the biological hurdles that have thus far restricted success of IUTx to patients with immunodeficiencies. We then highlight several recent experimental breakthroughs in immunology, hematopoietic/marrow ontogeny, and in utero cell delivery, which have collectively provided means of overcoming these barriers, thus setting the stage for clinical application of these highly promising therapies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graça Almeida-Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christopher D Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
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10
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Dorà NJ, Hill RE, Collinson JM, West JD. Lineage tracing in the adult mouse corneal epithelium supports the limbal epithelial stem cell hypothesis with intermittent periods of stem cell quiescence. Stem Cell Res 2015; 15:665-677. [PMID: 26554513 PMCID: PMC4686565 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2015.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) hypothesis proposes that LESCs in the corneal limbus maintain the corneal epithelium both during normal homeostasis and wound repair. The alternative corneal epithelial stem cell (CESC) hypothesis proposes that LESCs are only involved in wound repair and CESCs in the corneal epithelium itself maintain the corneal epithelium during normal homeostasis. We used tamoxifen-inducible, CreER-loxP lineage tracing to distinguish between these hypotheses. Clones of labelled cells were induced in adult CAGG-CreER;R26R-LacZ reporter mice and their distributions analysed after different chase periods. Short-lived clones, derived from labelled transient amplifying cells, were shed during the chase period and long-lived clones, derived from stem cells, expanded. At 6 weeks, labelled clones appeared at the periphery, extended centripetally as radial stripes and a few reached the centre by 14 weeks. Stripe numbers depended on the age of tamoxifen treatment. Stripes varied in length, some were discontinuous, few reached the centre and almost half had one end at the limbus. Similar stripes extended across the cornea in CAGG-CreER;R26R-mT/mG reporter mice. The distributions of labelled clones are inconsistent with the CESC hypothesis and support the LESC hypothesis if LESCs cycle between phases of activity and quiescence, each lasting several weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Dorà
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Robert E Hill
- Medical and Developmental Genetics Section, MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - J Martin Collinson
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - John D West
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.
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McClain LE, Flake AW. In utero stem cell transplantation and gene therapy: Recent progress and the potential for clinical application. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2015; 31:88-98. [PMID: 26483174 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in prenatal diagnosis have led to the prenatal management and treatment of a variety of congenital diseases. Although surgical treatment has been successfully applied to specific anatomic defects that place the fetus at a risk of death or life-long disability, the indications for fetal surgical intervention have remained relatively limited. By contrast, prenatal stem cell and gene therapy await clinical application, but they have tremendous potential to treat a broad range of genetic disorders. If there are biological advantages unique to fetal development that favor fetal stem cell or gene therapy over postnatal treatment, prenatal therapy may become the preferred approach to the treatment of any disease that can be prenatally diagnosed and cured by stem cell or gene therapy. Here, we review the field including recent progress toward clinical application and imminent clinical trials for cellular and gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E McClain
- Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alan W Flake
- Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Moving epithelia: Tracking the fate of mammalian limbal epithelial stem cells. Prog Retin Eye Res 2015; 48:203-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Stitelman DH, Brazelton TR, Endo M, Bora A, Traas J, Zoltick PW, Flake AW. Life-Long Transgene Expression in Skeletal Muscle Without Transduction of Satellite Cells Following Embryonic Myogenic Progenitor Transduction by Lentivirus Administered in Utero. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:1878-87. [PMID: 25915576 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryologic events in mammalian myogenesis remain to be fully defined. Recent evidence supports the presence of a common progenitor arising in the dermomyotome that gives rise to both embryologic and adult muscle and postnatal myogenic stem cells (satellite cells). In this study, we utilize the technique of early intra-amniotic gene transfer to target nascent muscle progenitors as they traverse the primitive streak before formation of the dermomyotome. This technique robustly transduced both epaxial and hypaxial muscle groups. Marker gene expression is observed in up to 100% muscle fibers in the lower extremities and is sustained for the lifetime of the mouse. We next analyzed transduced muscle for satellite cell transduction using highly sensitive methodology. Surprisingly, despite high levels of sustained transgene expression in muscle fibers, satellite cells lacked the marker transgene. Our data suggest that dermatomyotome is a heterogeneous structure and that not all myogenic progenitors of dermatomyotome give rise to satellite cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Stitelman
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Tim R Brazelton
- 2 Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Masayuki Endo
- 2 Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Archana Bora
- 2 Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeremy Traas
- 2 Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Philip W Zoltick
- 2 Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alan W Flake
- 2 Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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14
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Jahan E, Rafiq AM, Otani H. In utero and exo utero fetal surgery on histogenesis of organs in animals. World J Surg Proced 2015; 5:198-207. [DOI: 10.5412/wjsp.v5.i2.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Until recently, fetal surgery was only used for fetuses with very poor prognosis who were likely to die without intervention. With advances in imaging, endoscopic techniques, anesthesia and novel interventions, fetal surgery is becoming a realistic option for conditions with less severe prognoses, where the aim is now to improve quality of life rather than simply allow survival. Until forty years ago, the uterus shielded the fetus from observation and therapy. Rapid changes in the diagnosis and treatment of human fetal anatomical abnormalities are due to improved fetal imaging studies, fetal sampling techniques (e.g., amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling), and a better understanding of fetal pathophysiology derived from laboratory animals. Fetal therapy is the logical culmination of progress in fetal diagnosis. In other words, the fetus is now a patient. Now-a-days, in utero (IU) and exo utero (EU) surgical methods are popular for experimental analyses of the histogenesis of organ development. Using these surgical methods, developmental anomalies can be created and then repaired. By applying microinjection and/or fetal surgery with these methods, models of developmental anomalies such as neural tube defects, temporomandibular joint defects, hip joint defects, digit amputation, limb and digit development and regeneration, and tooth germ transplantation in the jaw could be created and later observed. After observing different types of anomalies, novel IU and EU surgical techniques would be the best approach for repairing or treating those anomalies or diseases. This review will focus on the rationale for the IU and EU creation of animal models of different organ defects or anomalies and their repair, based on analyses of organ histogenesis and pathologic observations. It will also focus in detail on the surgical techniques of both IU and EU methods.
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Burnight ER, Wiley LA, Mullins RF, Stone EM, Tucker BA. Gene therapy using stem cells. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2014; 5:cshperspect.a017434. [PMID: 25395375 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a017434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Viral-mediated gene augmentation therapy has recently shown success in restoring vision to patients with retinal degenerative disorders. Key to this success was the availability of animal models that accurately presented the human phenotype to test preclinical efficacy and safety. These exciting studies support the use of gene therapy in the treatment of devastating retinal degenerative diseases. In some cases, however, in vivo gene therapy for retinal degeneration would not be effective because the cell types targeted are no longer present. The development of somatic cell reprogramming methods provides an attractive source of autologous cells for transplantation and treatment of retinal degenerative disease. This article explores the development of gene therapy and patient-derived stem cells for the purpose of restoring vision to individuals suffering from inherited retinal degenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin R Burnight
- The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Luke A Wiley
- The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Robert F Mullins
- The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Edwin M Stone
- The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Budd A Tucker
- The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
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Stitelman DH, Brazelton T, Bora A, Traas J, Merianos D, Limberis M, Davey M, Flake AW. Developmental stage determines efficiency of gene transfer to muscle satellite cells by in utero delivery of adeno-associated virus vector serotype 2/9. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:14040. [PMID: 26015979 PMCID: PMC4362369 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Efficient gene transfer to muscle stem cells (satellite cells) has not been achieved despite broad transduction of skeletal muscle by systemically administered adeno-associated virus serotype 2/9 (AAV-9) in mice. We hypothesized that cellular migration during fetal development would make satellite cells accessible for gene transfer following in utero intravascular injection. We injected AAV-9 encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker gene into the vascular space of mice ranging in ages from post-coital day 12 (E12) to postnatal day 1 (P1). Satellite cell transduction was examined using: immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, satellite cell migration assay, myofiber isolation and FACS analysis. GFP positive myofibers were detected in all mature skeletal muscle groups and up to 100% of the myofibers were transduced. We saw gestational variation in cardiac and skeletal muscle expression. E16 injection resulted in 27.7 ± 10.0% expression in satellite cells, which coincides with the timing of satellite cell migration, and poor satellite cell expression before and after satellite cell migration (E12 and P1). Our results demonstrate that efficient gene expression is achieved in differentiated myofibers and satellite cells after injection of AAV-9 in utero. These findings support the potential of prenatal gene transfer for muscle based treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Stitelman
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tim Brazelton
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Archana Bora
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeremy Traas
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Demetri Merianos
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maria Limberis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Gene Therapy Program, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marcus Davey
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alan W Flake
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Dhouailly D, Pearton DJ, Michon F. The vertebrate corneal epithelium: From early specification to constant renewal. Dev Dyn 2014; 243:1226-41. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Dhouailly
- University Joseph Fourier; AGIM FRE CNRS 3405 Site Santé Centre Jean Roget La Tronche France
| | - David J. Pearton
- Oceanographic Research Institute; Marine Parade Durban South Africa
| | - Frederic Michon
- Institute of Biotechnology; Developmental Biology Program; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
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18
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Joyeux L, Danzer E, Limberis MP, Zoltick PW, Radu A, Flake AW, Davey MG. In utero lung gene transfer using adeno-associated viral and lentiviral vectors in mice. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2014; 25:197-205. [PMID: 24660751 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2013.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-mediated gene transfer to the fetal lung epithelium holds considerable promise for the therapeutic management of prenatally diagnosed, potentially life-threatening inherited lung diseases. In this study we hypothesized that efficient and life-long lung transduction can be achieved by in utero gene therapy, using viral vectors. To facilitate diffuse entry into the lung, viral vector was injected into the amniotic sac of C57BL/6 mice on embryonic day 16 (term, ∼ 20 days) in a volume of 10 μl. Vectors investigated included those based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) (serotypes 5, 6.2, 9, rh.64R1) and vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV-G)-pseudotyped HIV-1-based lentivirus (LV). All vectors expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the transcriptional control of various promoters including chicken β-actin (CB) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) for AAV and CMV or MND (myeloproliferative sarcoma virus enhancer, negative control region deleted) for LV. Pulmonary GFP gene expression was detected by fluorescence stereoscopic microscopy and immunohistochemistry for up to 9 months after birth. At equivalent vector doses (mean, 12 × 10(10) genome copies per fetus) three AAV vectors resulted in long-term (up to 9 months) pulmonary epithelium transduction. AAV2/6.2 transduced predominantly cells of the conducting airway epithelium, although transduction decreased 2 months after vector delivery. AAV2/9-transduced cells of the alveolar epithelium with a type 1 pneumocyte phenotype for up to 6 months. Although minimal levels of GFP expression were observed with AAV2/5 up to 9 months, the transduced cells immunostained positive for F480 and were retrievable by bronchoalveolar lavage, confirming an alveolar macrophage phenotype. No GFP expression was observed in lung epithelial cells after AAV2/rh.64R1 and VSV-G-LV vector-mediated gene transfer. We conclude that these experiments demonstrate that prenatal lung gene transfer with AAV vectors engineered to target pulmonary epithelial cells may provide sustained long-term levels of transgene expression, supporting the therapeutic potential of prenatal gene transfer for the treatment of congenital lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Joyeux
- 1 Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, PA 19104
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19
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Abstract
Prenatal gene therapy aims to deliver genes to cells and tissues early in prenatal life, allowing correction of a genetic defect, before irreparable tissue damage has occurred. In contrast to postnatal gene therapy, prenatal application may target genes to a large population of stem cells, and the smaller fetal size allows a higher vector to target cell ratio to be achieved. Early gestation delivery may allow the development of immune tolerance to the transgenic protein, which would facilitate postnatal repeat vector administration if needed. Moreover, early delivery would avoid anti-vector immune responses which are often acquired in postnatal life. The NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee considered that a candidate disease for prenatal gene therapy should pose serious morbidity and mortality risks to the fetus or neonate, and not have any effective postnatal treatment. Prenatal gene therapy would therefore be appropriate for life-threatening disorders, in which prenatal gene delivery maintains a clear advantage over cell transplantation or postnatal gene therapy. If deemed safer and more efficacious, prenatal gene therapy may be applicable for nonlethal conditions if adult gene transfer is unlikely to be of benefit. Many candidate diseases will be inherited congenital disorders such as thalassaemia or lysosomal storage disorders. However, obstetric conditions such as fetal growth restriction may also be treated using a targeted gene therapy approach. In each disease, the condition must be diagnosed prenatally, either via antenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis, for example, in the case of hemophilias, or by ultrasound assessment of the fetus, for example, congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In this chapter, we describe some examples of the candidate diseases and discuss how a prenatal gene therapy approach might work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L David
- Prenatal Cell and Gene Therapy Group, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
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Animal models for prenatal gene therapy: rodent models for prenatal gene therapy. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2012; 891:201-18. [PMID: 22648774 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-873-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fetal gene transfer has been studied in various animal models, including rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and nonhuman primate; however, the most common model is the rodent, particularly the mouse. There are numerous advantages to mouse models, including a short gestation time of around 20 days, large litter size usually of more than six pups, ease of colony maintenance due to the small physical size, and the relatively low expense of doing so. Moreover, the mouse genome is well defined, there are many transgenic models particularly of human monogenetic disorders, and mouse-specific biological reagents are readily available. One criticism has been that it is difficult to perform procedures on the fetal mouse with suitable accuracy. Over the past decade, accumulation of technical expertise and development of technology such as high-frequency ultrasound have permitted accurate vector delivery to organs and tissues. Here, we describe our experiences of gene transfer to the fetal mouse with and without ultrasound guidance from mid to late gestation. Depending upon the vector type, the route of delivery and the age of the fetus, specific or widespread gene transfer can be achieved, making fetal mice excellent models for exploratory biodistribution studies.
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Abstract
The relative inaccessibility of the brain compared with other major organs, the highly regulated transfer of molecules across the blood-brain barrier and the limited capacity of neurons to regenerate, make efficient gene delivery to the CNS both challenging and imperative. Perinatal gene delivery to the CNS represents a powerful tool for the investigation of genes in development and disease. However, it may also hold immense therapeutic value for neonatal lethal neurodegenerative diseases for which no treatment is available. This article will focus on the use of perinatal gene delivery as a research tool and the potential it has to develop into a realistic therapy that can be translated to the clinic.
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22
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Abstract
Over the first decade of this new millennium gene therapy has demonstrated clear clinical benefits in several diseases for which conventional medicine offers no treatment. Clinical trials of gene therapy for single gene disorders have recruited predominantly young patients since older subjects may have suffered irrevocablepathological changes or may not be available because the disease is lethal relatively early in life. The concept of fetal gene therapy is an extension of this principle in that diseases in which irreversible changes occur at or beforebirth can be prevented by gene supplementation or repair in the fetus or associated maternal tissues. This article ccnsiders the enthusiasm and skepticism held for fetal gene therapy and its potential for clinical application. It coversa spectrum of candidate diseases for fetal gene therapy including Pompe disease, Gaucher disease, thalassemia, congenital protein C deficiency and cystic fibrosis. It outlines successful and not-so-successful examples of fetal gene therapy in animal models. Finally the application and potential of fetal gene transfer as a fundamental research tool for developmental biology and generation of somatic transgenic animals is surveyed.
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23
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Lee HS, Stachelek SJ, Tomczyk N, Finley MJ, Composto RJ, Eckmann DM. Correlating macrophage morphology and cytokine production resulting from biomaterial contact. J Biomed Mater Res A 2012; 101:203-12. [PMID: 22847892 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.34309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The morphological and inflammatory responses of adherent macrophages are correlated to evaluate the biocompatibility of surfaces. Monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM), THP-1, and THP-1 cells expressing GFP-actin chimeric protein were seeded onto glass, polyurethane (PU), and glass surface modified with quaternary ammonium salt functionalized chitosan (CH-Q) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Using confocal microscopy, the surface area, volume and 3D shape factor of adherent macrophages was quantified. For comparison, functional consequences of cell-surface interactions that activate macrophages and thereby elicit secretion of a proinflammatory cytokine were evaluated. Using an enzyme linked immune sorbent assay, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was measured. On glass, macrophages exhibited mainly an amoeboid shape, exhibited the largest surface area, volume, and 3D shape factor and produced the most TNF-α. On PU, macrophages displayed mainly a hemispherical shape, exhibited an intermediate volume, surface area and 3D shape factor, and produced moderate TNF-α. In contrast, on CH-Q and HA surfaces, macrophages were spherical, exhibited the smallest volume, surface area, and 3D shape factor, and produced the least TNF-α. These studies begin to validate the use of GFP-actin-modified MDM as a novel tool to correlate cell morphology with inflammatory cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Su Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6802, USA
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24
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Endo M, Zoltick PW, Radu A, Qiujie J, Matsui C, Marinkovich PM, McGrath J, Tamai K, Uitto J, Flake AW. Early intra-amniotic gene transfer using lentiviral vector improves skin blistering phenotype in a murine model of Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Gene Ther 2012; 19:561-9. [PMID: 21938019 PMCID: PMC6541916 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Revised: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of the LAMB3 gene cause a lethal form of junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). We hypothesized that early intra-amniotic gene transfer in a severe murine model of JEB would improve or correct the skin phenotype. Time-dated fetuses from heterozygous LAMB3(IAP) breeding pairs underwent ultrasound guided intra-amniotic injection of lentiviral vector encoding the murine LAMB3 gene at embryonic day 8 (E8). Gene expression was monitored by immunohistochemistry. The transgenic laminin-β3 chain was shown to assemble with its endogenous partner chains, resulting in detectable amounts of laminin-332 in the basement membrane zone of skin and mucosa. Ultrastructually, the restoration of ∼60% of hemidesmosomal structures was also noted. Although we could correct the skin phenotype in 11.9% of homozygous LAMB3(IAP) mice, none survived beyond 48 h. However, skin transplants from treated E18 homozygous LAMB3(IAP) fetuses maintained normal appearance for 6 months with persistence of normal assembly of laminin-332. These results demonstrate for the first time long-term phenotypic correction of the skin pathology in a severe model of JEB by in vivo prenatal gene transfer. Although survival remained limited due to the limitations of this mouse model, this study supports the potential for treatment of JEB by prenatal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Endo
- Department of Surgery, The Children’s Center for Fetal Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - PW Zoltick
- Department of Surgery, The Children’s Center for Fetal Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Radu
- Department of Surgery, The Children’s Center for Fetal Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Qiujie
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C Matsui
- Department of Dermatology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - PM Marinkovich
- Department of Medical Dermatology, Stanford University, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - J McGrath
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Genetic Skin Disease Group, St John’s Institute of Dermatology, The Guy’s, King’s College, and St Thomas’ School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - K Tamai
- Division of Gene Therapy Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - J Uitto
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - AW Flake
- Department of Surgery, The Children’s Center for Fetal Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Douvaras P, Liu W, Mort RL, McKie L, West KM, Cross SH, Morley SD, West JD. Normal X-inactivation mosaicism in corneas of heterozygous FlnaDilp2/+ female mice--a model of human filamin A (FLNA) diseases. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5:122. [PMID: 22369496 PMCID: PMC3305671 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Some abnormalities of mouse corneal epithelial maintenance can be identified by the atypical mosaic patterns they produce in X-chromosome inactivation mosaics and chimeras. Human FLNA/+ females, heterozygous for X-linked, filamin A gene (FLNA) mutations, display a range of disorders and X-inactivation mosaicism is sometimes quantitatively unbalanced. FlnaDilp2/+ mice, heterozygous for an X-linked filamin A (Flna) nonsense mutation have variable eye, skeletal and other abnormalities, but X-inactivation mosaicism has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether X-inactivation mosaicism in the corneal epithelia of FlnaDilp2/+ mice was affected in any way that might predict abnormal corneal epithelial maintenance. Results X-chromosome inactivation mosaicism was studied in the corneal epithelium and a control tissue (liver) of FlnaDilp2/+ and wild-type (WT) female X-inactivation mosaics, hemizygous for the X-linked, LacZ reporter H253 transgene, using β-galactosidase histochemical staining. The corneal epithelia of FlnaDilp2/+ and WT X-inactivation mosaics showed similar radial, striped patterns, implying epithelial cell movement was not disrupted in FlnaDilp2/+ corneas. Corrected stripe numbers declined with age overall (but not significantly for either genotype individually), consistent with previous reports suggesting an age-related reduction in stem cell function. Corrected stripe numbers were not reduced in FlnaDilp2/+ compared with WT X-inactivation mosaics and mosaicism was not significantly more unbalanced in the corneal epithelia or livers of FlnaDilp2/+ than wild-type Flna+/+ X-inactivation mosaics. Conclusions Mosaic analysis identified no major effect of the mouse FlnaDilp2 mutation on corneal epithelial maintenance or the balance of X-inactivation mosaicism in the corneal epithelium or liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Douvaras
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Genes and Development Group, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
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Mort RL, Douvaras P, Morley SD, Dorà N, Hill RE, Collinson JM, West JD. Stem cells and corneal epithelial maintenance: insights from the mouse and other animal models. Results Probl Cell Differ 2012; 55:357-94. [PMID: 22918816 PMCID: PMC3471528 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-30406-4_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of the corneal epithelium is essential for vision and is a dynamic process incorporating constant cell production, movement and loss. Although cell-based therapies involving the transplantation of putative stem cells are well advanced for the treatment of human corneal defects, the scientific understanding of these interventions is poor. No definitive marker that discriminates stem cells that maintain the corneal epithelium from the surrounding tissue has been discovered and the identity of these elusive cells is, therefore, hotly debated. The key elements of corneal epithelial maintenance have long been recognised but it is still not known how this dynamic balance is co-ordinated during normal homeostasis to ensure the corneal epithelium is maintained at a uniform thickness. Most indirect experimental evidence supports the limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) hypothesis, which proposes that the adult corneal epithelium is maintained by stem cells located in the limbus at the corneal periphery. However, this has been challenged recently by the corneal epithelial stem cell (CESC) hypothesis, which proposes that during normal homeostasis the mouse corneal epithelium is maintained by stem cells located throughout the basal corneal epithelium with LESCs only contributing during wound healing. In this chapter we review experimental studies, mostly based on animal work, that provide insights into how stem cells maintain the normal corneal epithelium and consider the merits of the alternative LESC and CESC hypotheses. Finally, we highlight some recent research on other stem cell systems and consider how this could influence future research directions for identifying the stem cells that maintain the corneal epithelium.
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Mort RL, Bentley AJ, Martin FL, Collinson JM, Douvaras P, Hill RE, Morley SD, Fullwood NJ, West JD. Effects of aberrant Pax6 gene dosage on mouse corneal pathophysiology and corneal epithelial homeostasis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28895. [PMID: 22220198 PMCID: PMC3248408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Altered dosage of the transcription factor PAX6 causes multiple human eye pathophysiologies. PAX6+/− heterozygotes suffer from aniridia and aniridia-related keratopathy (ARK), a corneal deterioration that probably involves a limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) deficiency. Heterozygous Pax6+/Sey-Neu (Pax6+/−) mice recapitulate the human disease and are a good model of ARK. Corneal pathologies also occur in other mouse Pax6 mutants and in PAX77Tg/− transgenics, which over-express Pax6 and model human PAX6 duplication. Methodology/Principal Findings We used electron microscopy to investigate ocular defects in Pax6+/− heterozygotes (low Pax6 levels) and PAX77Tg/− transgenics (high Pax6 levels). As well as the well-documented epithelial defects, aberrant Pax6 dosage had profound effects on the corneal stroma and endothelium in both genotypes, including cellular vacuolation, similar to that reported for human macular corneal dystrophy. We used mosaic expression of an X-linked LacZ transgene in X-inactivation mosaic female (XLacZTg/−) mice to investigate corneal epithelial maintenance by LESC clones in Pax6+/− and PAX77Tg/− mosaic mice. PAX77Tg/− mosaics, over-expressing Pax6, produced normal corneal epithelial radial striped patterns (despite other corneal defects), suggesting that centripetal cell movement was unaffected. Moderately disrupted patterns in Pax6+/− mosaics were corrected by introducing the PAX77 transgene (in Pax6+/−, PAX77Tg/− mosaics). Pax6Leca4/+, XLacZTg/− mosaic mice (heterozygous for the Pax6Leca4 missense mutation) showed more severely disrupted mosaic patterns. Corrected corneal epithelial stripe numbers (an indirect estimate of active LESC clone numbers) declined with age (between 15 and 30 weeks) in wild-type XLacZTg/− mosaics. In contrast, corrected stripe numbers were already low at 15 weeks in Pax6+/− and PAX77Tg/− mosaic corneas, suggesting Pax6 under- and over-expression both affect LESC clones. Conclusions/Significance Pax6+/− and PAX77Tg/− genotypes have only relatively minor effects on LESC clone numbers but cause more severe corneal endothelial and stromal defects. This should prompt further investigations of the pathophysiology underlying human aniridia and ARK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L. Mort
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J. Bentley
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Francis L. Martin
- Centre for Biophotonics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - J. Martin Collinson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Panagiotis Douvaras
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. Hill
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Steven D. Morley
- School of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel J. Fullwood
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - John D. West
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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28
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Early gestational gene transfer with targeted ATP7B expression in the liver improves phenotype in a murine model of Wilson's disease. Gene Ther 2011; 19:1085-94. [PMID: 22158007 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ideal gene therapy for metabolical liver disorders would target hepatocytes before the onset of disease and be durable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic. Early gestational gene transfer can achieve such goals. Here, we demonstrate that prenatal gene transfer of human Atp7b reduces liver pathology and improves biochemical markers in Atp7b(-/-) mice, a murine model of Wilson's disease (WD). Following prenatal injection of lentivirus vector containing the human Atp7b gene under the transcriptional control of a liver-specific promoter, the full-length ATP7B was detectable in mouse livers for the entire duration of experiments (20 weeks after birth). In contrast to a marked pathology in non-injected animals, livers from age-matched treated mice consistently demonstrated normal gross and histological morphology. Hepatic copper content was decreased in the majority of treated mice, although remaining copper levels varied. Improvement of hepatic copper metabolism was further apparent from the presence of copper-bound ceruloplasmin in the sera and normalization of the mRNA levels for HMG CoA-reductase. With this approach, the complete loss of copper transport function can be ameliorated, as evident from phenotypical improvement in treated Atp7b(-/-) mice. This study provides proof of principle for in utero gene therapy in WD and other liver-based enzyme deficiencies.
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29
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Douvaras P, Webb S, Whitaker DA, Dorà N, Hill RE, Dorin JR, West JD. Rare corneal clones in mice suggest an age-related decrease of stem cell activity and support the limbal epithelial stem cell hypothesis. Stem Cell Res 2011; 8:109-19. [PMID: 22099025 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2011.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2010] [Revised: 08/05/2011] [Accepted: 08/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior ocular surface comprises the cornea, conjunctiva and a narrow intermediate region called the limbus. It is widely accepted that the corneal epithelium is maintained by stem cells but different hypotheses propose that the stem cells that maintain the mouse corneal epithelium during normal homeostasis are located either in the basal limbal epithelium or throughout the basal corneal epithelium. There are no specific markers to help test these alternatives and new methods are required to distinguish between them. We observed that KRT5(LacZ/-) transgenic mice produced rare β-galactosidase (β-gal)-positive radial stripes in the corneal epithelium. These stripes are likely to be clonal lineages of cells derived from stem cells, so they provide a lineage marker for actively proliferating stem cells. The distributions of the β-gal-positive radial stripes suggested they extended centripetally from the limbus, supporting the limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) hypothesis. Stripe frequency declined between 15 and 30 weeks, which predicts a reduction in stem cell function with age. Pax6(+/-), KRT5(LacZ/-) corneas had small patches rather than stripes, which confirms that corneal maintenance is abnormal in Pax6(+/-) mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Douvaras
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Genes and Development Group, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, Scotland, UK
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30
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Davey MG, Zoltick PW, Todorow CA, Limberis MP, Ruchelli ED, Hedrick HL, Flake AW. Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus pseudotyped lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer to fetal ovine lung. Gene Ther 2011; 19:201-9. [PMID: 21654824 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Viral vector-mediated gene transfer to the postnatal respiratory epithelium has, in general, been of low efficiency due to physical and immunological barriers, non-apical location of cellular receptors critical for viral uptake and limited transduction of resident stem/progenitor cells. These obstacles may be overcome using a prenatal strategy. In this study, HIV-1-based lentiviral vectors (LVs) pseudotyped with the envelope glycoproteins of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV-LV), baculovirus GP64 (GP64-LV), Ebola Zaire-LV or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVg-LV) and the adeno-associated virus-2/6.2 (AAV2/6.2) were compared for in utero transfer of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene to ovine lung epithelium between days 65 and 78 of gestation. GFP expression was examined on day 85 or 136 of gestation (term is ∼145 days). The percentage of the respiratory epithelial cells expressing GFP in fetal sheep that received the JSRV-LV (3.18 × 10(8)-6.85 × 10(9) viral particles per fetus) was 24.6±0.9% at 3 weeks postinjection (day 85) and 29.9±4.8% at 10 weeks postinjection (day 136). Expression was limited to the surface epithelium lining fetal airways <100 μm internal diameter. Fetal airways were amenable to VSVg-LV transduction, although the percentage of epithelial expression was low (6.6±0.6%) at 1 week postinjection. GP64-LV, Ebola Zaire-LV and AAV2/6.2 failed to transduce the fetal ovine lung under these conditions. These data demonstrate that prenatal lung gene transfer with LV engineered to target apical surface receptors can provide sustained and high levels of transgene expression and support the therapeutic potential of prenatal gene transfer for the treatment of congenital lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Davey
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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31
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Mattar CN, Choolani M, Biswas A, Waddington SN, Chan JKY. Fetal gene therapy: recent advances and current challenges. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 11:1257-71. [PMID: 21623703 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2011.585153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal gene therapy (FGT) can potentially be applied to perinatally lethal monogenic diseases for rescuing clinically severe phenotypes, increasing the probability of intact neurological and other key functions at birth, or inducing immune tolerance to a transgenic protein to facilitate readministration of the vector/protein postnatally. As the field is still at an experimental stage, there are several important considerations regarding the practicality and the ethics of FGT. AREAS COVERED Here, through a review of FGT studies, the authors discuss the role and applications of FGT, the progress made with animal models that simulate human development, possible adverse effects in the recipient fetus and the mother and factors that affect clinical translation. EXPERT OPINION Although there are valid safety and ethical concerns, the authors argue that there may soon be enough convincing evidence from non-human primate models to take the next step towards clinical trials in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citra N Mattar
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228 Singapore
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32
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Mehta V, Abi Nader K, Waddington S, David AL. Organ targeted prenatal gene therapy--how far are we? Prenat Diagn 2011; 31:720-34. [PMID: 21618255 DOI: 10.1002/pd.2787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Revised: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal gene therapy aims to deliver genes to cells and tissues early in prenatal life, allowing correction of a genetic defect, before long-term tissue damage has occurred. In contrast to postnatal gene therapy, prenatal application can target genes to a large population of dividing stem cells, and the smaller fetal size allows a higher vector-to-target cell ratio to be achieved. Early-gestation delivery may allow the development of immune tolerance to the transgenic protein which would facilitate postnatal repeat vector administration if needed. Targeting particular organs will depend on manipulating the vector to achieve selective tropism and on choosing the most appropriate gestational age and injection method for fetal delivery. Intra-amniotic injection reaches the skin, and other organs that are bathed in the fluid however since gene transfer to the lung and gut is usually poor more direct injection methods will be needed. Delivery to the liver and blood can be achieved by systemic delivery via the umbilical vein or peritoneal cavity. Gene transfer to the central nervous system in the fetus is difficult but newer vectors are available that transduce neuronal tissue even after systemic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedanta Mehta
- Prenatal Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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Abstract
The cellular and molecular environment present in the fetus and early newborn provides an excellent opportunity for effective gene transfer. Innate and pre-existing anti-vector immunity may be attenuated or absent and the adaptive immune system predisposed to tolerance towards xenoproteins. Stem cell and progenitor cell populations are abundant, active and accessible. In addition, for treatment of early lethal genetic diseases of the nervous system, the overarching advantage may be that early gene supplementation prevents the onset of irreversible pathological changes. Gene transfer to the fetal mouse nervous system was achieved, albeit inefficiently, as far back as the mid-1980s. Recently, improvements in vector design and production have culminated in near-complete correction of a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. In the present article, we review perinatal gene transfer from both a therapeutic and technological perspective.
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Early gestational gene transfer of IL-10 by systemic administration of lentiviral vector can prevent arthritis in a murine model. Gene Ther 2011; 18:719-26. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Nijagal A, Le T, Wegorzewska M, Mackenzie TC. A mouse model of in utero transplantation. J Vis Exp 2011:2303. [PMID: 21307829 DOI: 10.3791/2303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of stem cells and viruses in utero has tremendous potential for treating congenital disorders in the human fetus. For example, in utero transplantation (IUT) of hematopoietic stem cells has been used to successfully treat patients with severe combined immunodeficiency. In several other conditions, however, IUT has been attempted without success. Given these mixed results, the availability of an efficient non-human model to study the biological sequelae of stem cell transplantation and gene therapy is critical to advance this field. We and others have used the mouse model of IUT to study factors affecting successful engraftment of in utero transplanted hematopoietic stem cells in both wild-type mice and those with genetic diseases. The fetal environment also offers considerable advantages for the success of in utero gene therapy. For example, the delivery of adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, retroviral, and lentiviral vectors into the fetus has resulted in the transduction of multiple organs distant from the site of injection with long-term gene expression. in utero gene therapy may therefore be considered as a possible treatment strategy for single gene disorders such as muscular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis. Another potential advantage of IUT is the ability to induce immune tolerance to a specific antigen. As seen in mice with hemophilia, the introduction of Factor IX early in development results in tolerance to this protein. In addition to its use in investigating potential human therapies, the mouse model of IUT can be a powerful tool to study basic questions in developmental and stem cell biology. For example, one can deliver various small molecules to induce or inhibit specific gene expression at defined gestational stages and manipulate developmental pathways. The impact of these alterations can be assessed at various timepoints after the initial transplantation. Furthermore, one can transplant pluripotent or lineage specific progenitor cells into the fetal environment to study stem cell differentiation in a non-irradiated and unperturbed host environment. The mouse model of IUT has already provided numerous insights within the fields of immunology, and developmental and stem cell biology. In this video-based protocol, we describe a step-by-step approach to performing IUT in mouse fetuses and outline the critical steps and potential pitfalls of this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Nijagal
- Department of Surgery, University of California, USA
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Mishra S, Wang X, Smiley N, Xia P, Hong CM, Senadheera D, Bui KC, Lutzko C. Genetic modification of airway progenitors after lentiviral gene delivery to the amniotic fluid of murine fetuses. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2010; 44:562-70. [PMID: 20581098 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2009-0235oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors with the firefly luciferase or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenes were delivered to the amniotic fluid of murine fetuses at Embryonic Day (E) 14.5 or E16.5. Whole-body imaging of luciferase recipients after birth demonstrated transgene expression in the peritoneal and thoracic regions. Organ imaging showed luciferase expression in lung, skin, stomach, and/or intestine. Histological immunofluorescence analysis of EGFP recipients demonstrated that small clusters (≤ three cells) of EGFP-positive epithelial cells were present in the large and small airways of recipients at up to 7 months (n = 11). There was no difference in the frequency of transgene expression in mice injected at E14.5 or E16.5 in respiratory or nonrespiratory organs. Analysis of the bronchoalveolar duct junctions on tissue sections of recipient mice identified multiple EGFP-positive epithelial cells. Cells coexpressing EGFP, Clara cell 10-kd protein, and surfactant protein C (SPC) were also found in lungs, consistent with the transduction of bronchoalveolar stem cells. Next, naphthalene lung injury in both luciferase and EGFP recipients was performed to determine whether transduced cells could contribute to tissue repair. In luciferase recipients, the whole-body luciferase signal increased 2- to 20-fold at 2 weeks after naphthalene treatment. Remarkably, immunohistological analysis of the lungs of EGFP recipients after lung injury repair demonstrated repopulation of airways with long stretches of EGFP-positive epithelial cells (n = 4). Collectively, these data demonstrate that lentiviral gene delivery to the amniotic fluid of murine fetuses genetically modifies long-lived epithelial progenitors capable of contributing to lung injury repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suparna Mishra
- Saban Research Institute, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Stitelman DH, Endo M, Bora A, Muvarak N, Zoltick PW, Flake AW, Brazelton TR. Robust in vivo transduction of nervous system and neural stem cells by early gestational intra amniotic gene transfer using lentiviral vector. Mol Ther 2010; 18:1615-23. [PMID: 20571539 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Presently, in vivo methods to efficiently and broadly transduce all major cell types throughout both the central (CNS) and peripheral adult nervous system (PNS) are lacking. In this study, we hypothesized that during early fetal development neural cell populations, including neural stem cells (NSCs), may be accessible for gene transfer via the open neural groove. To test this hypothesis, we injected lentiviral vectors encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker gene into the murine amniotic cavity at embryonic day 8. This method (i) efficiently and stably transduced the entire nervous system for at least 80% of the lifespan of the mice, (ii) transduced all major neural cell types, and (iii) transduced adult NSCs of the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zones (SGZs). This simple approach has broad applications for the study of gene function in nervous system development and adult NSCs and may have future clinical applications for treatment of genetic disorders of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Stitelman
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Endo M, Henriques-Coelho T, Zoltick PW, Stitelman DH, Peranteau WH, Radu A, Flake AW. The developmental stage determines the distribution and duration of gene expression after early intra-amniotic gene transfer using lentiviral vectors. Gene Ther 2009; 17:61-71. [PMID: 19727133 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene transfer after intra-amniotic injection has, in general, been of low efficiency and limited to epithelial cells in the skin, pulmonary and gastrointestinal system. We have recently shown that early gestational administration results in a more efficient gene transfer to developmentally accessible stem cell populations in the skin and eye. In this study we present a comprehensive analysis of patterns of tissue expression seen after early intra-amniotic gene transfer (IAGT) using lentiviral vectors. To assess the influence of developmental stage on tissue expression, injections were administered from the late head fold/early somite stage (E8) to E18. In early gestation (E8-10), green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed in multiple organs, derived from all three germ layers. Remarkably, GFP expression was observed in tissues derived from mesoderm and neural ectoderm at E8, whereas expression was limited to only epithelial cells of ectoderm- and endoderm-derived organs after E11. The amount and duration of gene expression was much higher after IAGT at early gestational time points. The observed temporal patterns of gene expression correspond to the predicted developmental accessibility of organ-specific cell populations. This model may be useful for the analyses of mechanisms of genetic and/or developmental disease and for the development of prenatal gene therapy for specific disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Endo
- The Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4318, USA
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Abstract
At the present time, the most likely and eminent application of stem cell therapy to the fetus is in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHCT), and this stem cell type will be discussed as a paradigm for all prenatal stem cell therapy. The authors feel that the most likely initial application of IUHCT will use adult HSC derived from bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB), and will focus this article on this specific approach. The article also reviews the experimental data that support the capacity of IUHCT to induce donor-specific tolerance.
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Correction of ADAMTS13 deficiency by in utero gene transfer of lentiviral vector encoding ADAMTS13 genes. Mol Ther 2008; 17:34-41. [PMID: 18957966 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2008.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin (ADAMTS13) results in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Plasma infusion or exchange is the only effective treatment to date. We show in this study that an administration of a self-inactivating lentiviral vector encoding human full-length ADAMTS13 and a variant truncated after the spacer domain (MDTCS) in mice by in utero injection at embryonic days 8 and 14 resulted in detectable plasma proteolytic activity (approximately 5-70%), which persisted for the length of the study (up to 24 weeks). Intravascular injection via a vitelline vein at E14 was associated with significantly lower rate of fetal loss than intra-amniotic injection, suggesting that the administration of vector at E14 may be a preferred gestational age for vector delivery. The mice expressing ADAMTS13 and MDTCS exhibited reduced sizes of von Willebrand factor (vWF) compared to the Adamts13(-/-) mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Moreover, the mice expressing both ADAMTS13 and MDTCS showed a significant prolongation of ferric chloride-induced carotid arterial occlusion time as compared to the Adamts13(-/-) expressing eGFP. The data demonstrate the successful correction of the prothrombotic phenotypes in Adamts13(-/-) mice by a single in utero injection of lentiviral vectors encoding human ADAMTS13 genes, providing the basis for developing a gene therapy for hereditary TTP in humans.
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Crisan M, Yap S, Casteilla L, Chen CW, Corselli M, Park TS, Andriolo G, Sun B, Zheng B, Zhang L, Norotte C, Teng PN, Traas J, Schugar R, Deasy BM, Badylak S, Buhring HJ, Giacobino JP, Lazzari L, Huard J, Péault B. A perivascular origin for mesenchymal stem cells in multiple human organs. Cell Stem Cell 2008; 3:301-13. [PMID: 18786417 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2008.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2801] [Impact Index Per Article: 175.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2008] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 07/07/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the archetypal multipotent progenitor cells derived in cultures of developed organs, are of unknown identity and native distribution. We have prospectively identified perivascular cells, principally pericytes, in multiple human organs including skeletal muscle, pancreas, adipose tissue, and placenta, on CD146, NG2, and PDGF-Rbeta expression and absence of hematopoietic, endothelial, and myogenic cell markers. Perivascular cells purified from skeletal muscle or nonmuscle tissues were myogenic in culture and in vivo. Irrespective of their tissue origin, long-term cultured perivascular cells retained myogenicity; exhibited at the clonal level osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic potentials; expressed MSC markers; and migrated in a culture model of chemotaxis. Expression of MSC markers was also detected at the surface of native, noncultured perivascular cells. Thus, blood vessel walls harbor a reserve of progenitor cells that may be integral to the origin of the elusive MSCs and other related adult stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Crisan
- Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Research Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Efficient in vivo targeting of epidermal stem cells by early gestational intraamniotic injection of lentiviral vector driven by the keratin 5 promoter. Mol Ther 2007; 16:131-7. [PMID: 17923841 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
At the present time, no efficient in vivo method for gene transfer to skin stem cells exists. In this study, we hypothesized that early in gestation, specific epidermal stem cell populations may be accessible for gene transfer. To test this hypothesis, we injected lentiviral vectors encoding the green fluorescence protein marker gene driven by either the cytomegalovirus promoter or the keratin 5 (K5) promoter into the murine amniotic space at early developmental stages between embryonic days 8 and 12. This resulted in sustained green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in both basal epidermal stem cells and bulge cells in the hair follicles of the skin. Transduction of stem cell populations was dependent on the developmental stage, and confirmed by the prolonged duration of GFP expression in all skin elements into adulthood. In addition, transduced stem cell populations responded to regenerative signals after wounding and actively participated in wound healing. Finally, we quantified the fraction of epidermal stem cells transduced, and the distribution of transduction related to the promoters utilized, confirming improved efficiency with the K5 promoter. This simple approach has possible biological applications in our study of gene functions in skin, and perhaps future clinical applications for treatment of skin based disorders.
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