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Li G, Zeng M, Yan Z, Cai S, Ma Y, Wang Y, Li S, Li Y, Zhong K, Xiao M, Fu G, Weng J, Gao Y. HDAC inhibitors support long-term expansion of porcine hepatocytes in vitro. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116973. [PMID: 38908204 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, due to the limited supply of human hepatocytes, porcine hepatocytes have garnered attention as a potential alternative source. Nonetheless, traditional primary porcine hepatocytes exhibit certain limitations in function maintenance and in vitro proliferation. This study has discovered that by using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), primary porcine hepatocytes can be successfully reprogrammed into liver progenitor cells with high proliferative potential. This method enables porcine hepatocytes to proliferate over an extended period in vitro and exhibit increased susceptibility in lentivirus-mediated gene modification. These liver progenitor cells can readily differentiate into mature hepatocytes and, upon microencapsulation transplantation into mice with acute liver failure, significantly improve the survival rate. This research provides new possibilities for the application of porcine hepatocytes in the treatment of end-stage liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanhong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Min Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zhengming Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Shaoru Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Shao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Kebo Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Mingjia Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Quzhou People's Hospital, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou 324000, China.
| | - Gongbo Fu
- Department of Oncology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China.
| | - Jun Weng
- Department of Endoscopy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou 510000, China.
| | - Yi Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
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2
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Zabaleta N, Hommel M, Salas D, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Genetic-Based Approaches to Inherited Metabolic Liver Diseases. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1190-1203. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Zabaleta
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Hommel
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Salas
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Vivet Therapeutics, Pamplona, Spain
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3
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Sustained inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication in vivo using RNAi-activating lentiviruses. Gene Ther 2014; 22:163-71. [PMID: 25338920 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) puts individuals at high risk for complicating cirrhosis and liver cancer, but available treatment to counter the virus rarely eliminates infection. Although harnessing RNA interference (RNAi) to silence HBV genes has shown the potential, achieving efficient and durable silencing of viral genes remains an important goal. Here we report on the propagation of lentiviral vectors (LVs) that successfully deliver HBV-targeting RNAi activators to liver cells. Mono- and tricistronic artificial primary microRNAs (pri-miRs) derived from pri-miR-31, placed under transcriptional control of the liver-specific modified murine transthyretin (mTTR) promoter, caused efficient inhibition of HBV replication markers. The tricistronic cassette was capable of silencing a mutant viral target and the effects were observed without disrupting the function of an endogenous miR (miR-16). The mTTR promoter stably expressed a reporter transgene in mouse livers over a study period of 1 year. Good silencing of HBV genes, without evidence of toxicity, was demonstrated following intravenous injection of LVs into neonatal HBV transgenic mice. Collectively, these data indicate that LVs may achieve sustained inhibition of HBV replication that is appealing for their therapeutic use.
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4
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Marimani M, Hean J, Bloom K, Ely A, Arbuthnot P. Recent advances in developing nucleic acid-based HBV therapy. Future Microbiol 2014; 8:1489-504. [PMID: 24199806 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.13.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic HBV infection remains an important public health problem and currently licensed therapies rarely prevent complications of viral persistence. Silencing HBV gene expression using gene therapy, particularly with exogenous activators of RNAi, holds promise for developing an HBV gene therapy. However, immune stimulation, off-targeting effects and inefficient delivery of RNAi activators remain problematic. Several new approaches have recently been employed to address these issues. Chemical modifications to anti-HBV synthetic siRNAs have been investigated and a variety of vectors are being developed for delivery of RNAi effectors. In this article, we review the potential utility of gene therapy for treating HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa Marimani
- Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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5
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Dianat N, Steichen C, Vallier L, Weber A, Dubart-Kupperschmitt A. Human pluripotent stem cells for modelling human liver diseases and cell therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2013; 13:120-32. [PMID: 23444872 PMCID: PMC3882648 DOI: 10.2174/1566523211313020006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The liver is affected by many types of diseases, including metabolic disorders and acute liver failure. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is currently the only effective treatment for life-threatening liver diseases but transplantation of allogeneic hepatocytes has now become an alternative as it is less invasive than OLT and can be performed repeatedly. However, this approach is hampered by the shortage of organ donors, and the problems related to the isolation of high quality adult hepatocytes, their cryopreservation and their absence of proliferation in culture. Liver is also a key organ to assess the pharmacokinetics and toxicology of xenobiotics and for drug discovery, but appropriate cell culture systems are lacking. All these problems have highlighted the need to explore other sources of cells such as stem cells that could be isolated, expanded to yield sufficiently large populations and then induced to differentiate into functional hepatocytes. The presence of a niche of “facultative” progenitor and stem cells in the normal liver has recently been confirmed but they display no telomerase activity. The recent discovery that human induced pluripotent stem cells can be generated from somatic cells has renewed hopes for regenerative medicine and in vitro disease modelling, as these cells are easily accessible. We review here the present progresses, limits and challenges for the generation of functional hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells in view of their potential use in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Dianat
- INSERM UMR-S972, Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif, F-94807, France
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6
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Pichard V, Boni S, Baron W, Nguyen TH, Ferry N. Priming of hepatocytes enhances in vivo liver transduction with lentiviral vectors in adult mice. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2013; 23:8-17. [PMID: 22428976 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2011.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors are promising tools for liver disease gene therapy, because they can achieve protracted expression of transgenes in hepatocytes. However, the question as to whether cell division is required for optimal hepatocyte transduction has still not been completely answered. Liver gene-transfer efficiency after in vivo administration of recombinant lentiviral vectors carrying a green fluorescent protein reporter gene under the control of a liver-specific promoter in mice that were either hepatectomized or treated with cholic acid or phenobarbital was compared. Phenobarbital is known as a weak inducer of hepatocyte proliferation, whereas cholic acid has no direct effect on the cell cycle. This study shows that cholic acid is able to prime hepatocytes without mitosis induction. Both phenobarbital and cholic acid significantly increased hepatocyte transduction six- to ninefold, although cholic acid did not modify the mitotic index or cell-cycle entry. However, the effect of either compound was weaker than that observed after partial hepatectomy. In no cases was there a correlation between the expression of cell-cycle marker and transduction efficiency. We conclude that priming of hepatocytes should be considered a clinically applicable strategy to enhance in vivo liver gene therapy with lentiviral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Pichard
- INSERM U948, Biothérapies Hépatiques, CHU Hotel Dieu, 44093 Nantes Cedex, France
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7
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Goulinet-Mainot S, Tranchart H, Groyer-Picard MT, Lainas P, Saloum Diop P, Holopherne D, Gonin P, Benihoud K, Ba N, Gauthier O, Franco D, Guettier C, Pariente D, Weber A, Dagher I, Huy Nguyen T. Improved Hepatocyte Engraftment After Portal Vein Occlusion in LDL Receptor-Deficient WHHL Rabbits and Lentiviral-Mediated Phenotypic Correction In Vitro. CELL MEDICINE 2012; 4:85-98. [PMID: 26858856 DOI: 10.3727/215517912x647136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Innovative cell-based therapies are considered as alternatives to liver transplantation. Recent progress in lentivirus-mediated hepatocyte transduction has renewed interest in cell therapy for the treatment of inherited liver diseases. However, hepatocyte transplantation is still hampered by inefficient hepatocyte engraftment. We previously showed that partial portal vein embolization (PVE) improved hepatocyte engraftment in a nonhuman primate model. We developed here an ex vivo approach based on PVE and lentiviral-mediated transduction of hepatocytes from normal (New Zealand White, NZW) and Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits: the large animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia type IIa (FH). FH is a life-threatening human inherited autosomal disease caused by a mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene, which leads to severe hypercholesterolemia and premature coronary heart disease. Rabbit hepatocytes were isolated from the resected left liver lobe, and the portal branches of the median lobes were embolized with Histoacryl® glue under radiologic guidance. NZW and WHHL hepatocytes were each labeled with Hoechst dye or transduced with lentivirus expressing GFP under the control of a liver-specific promoter (mTTR, a modified murine transthyretin promoter) and were then immediately transplanted back into donor animals. In our conditions, 65-70% of the NZW and WHHL hepatocytes were transduced. Liver repopulation after transplantation with the Hoechst-labeled hepatocytes was 3.5 ± 2%. It was 1.4 ± 0.6% after transplantation with either the transduced NZW hepatocytes or the transduced WHHL hepatocytes, which was close to that obtained with Hoechst-labeled cells, given the mean transduction efficacy. Transgene expression persisted for at least 8 weeks posttransplantation. Transduction of WHHL hepatocytes with an LDLR-encoding vector resulted in phenotypic correction in vitro as assessed by internalization of fluorescent LDL ligands. In conclusion, our results have applications for the treatment of inherited metabolic liver diseases, such as FH, by transplantation of lentivirally transduced hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadrien Tranchart
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France
| | | | - Panagiotis Lainas
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; †Department of General Surgery, Univ. Paris-Sud, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France
| | - Papa Saloum Diop
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; †Department of General Surgery, Univ. Paris-Sud, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France
| | - Delphine Holopherne
- ‡ Department of Animal Surgery, Veterinary School of Nantes , Nantes , France
| | - Patrick Gonin
- ‡ Department of Animal Surgery, Veterinary School of Nantes , Nantes , France
| | - Karim Benihoud
- ¶ CNRS UMR 8203, Institut Gustave Roussy , Villejuif , France
| | - Nathalie Ba
- # IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France
| | - Olivier Gauthier
- ‡ Department of Animal Surgery, Veterinary School of Nantes , Nantes , France
| | - Dominique Franco
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; †Department of General Surgery, Univ. Paris-Sud, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France
| | - Catherine Guettier
- * Department of Pathology, Bicêtre Hospital , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France
| | - Danièle Pariente
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; ††Department of Pediatric Radiology, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anne Weber
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France
| | - Ibrahim Dagher
- INSERM U 972, Univ. Paris-Sud, IFR 93, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; †Department of General Surgery, Univ. Paris-Sud, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France
| | - Tuan Huy Nguyen
- ‡‡ INSERM U1064, CHU Hôtel Dieu, Université de Nantes , Nantes , France
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8
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Hirayama S, Sato M, Liu M, Loisel-Meyer S, Yeung JC, Wagnetz D, Cypel M, Zehong G, Medin JA, Keshavjee S. Local Long-Term Expression of Lentivirally Delivered IL-10 in the Lung Attenuates Obliteration of Intrapulmonary Allograft Airways. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:1453-60. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shin Hirayama
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Masaaki Sato
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Severine Loisel-Meyer
- Ontario Cancer Institute and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada
| | - Jonathan C. Yeung
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Dirk Wagnetz
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Marcelo Cypel
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Guan Zehong
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A. Medin
- Ontario Cancer Institute and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada
| | - Shaf Keshavjee
- Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
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9
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Pichard V, Boni S, Baron W, Nguyen TH, Ferry N. Priming of Hepatocytes EnhancesIn VivoLiver Transduction with Lentiviral Vectors in Adult Mice. Hum Gene Ther 2011. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2011.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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10
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Ivacik D, Ely A, Arbuthnot P. Countering hepatitis B virus infection using RNAi: how far are we from the clinic? Rev Med Virol 2011; 21:383-96. [PMID: 21913277 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2011] [Revised: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 07/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Globally, persistent HBV infection is a significant cause of public health problems. Currently available HBV therapies have variable efficacy and there is a need to develop improved treatment to prevent cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although RNA interference (RNAi)-based approaches have shown promise, accomplishing safe and sustained silencing by RNAi activators, as well as their efficient delivery to hepatocytes have hampered clinical translation of this very promising technology. Expressed silencers may be produced in a sustained manner from stable DNA templates, which makes them suited to treatment of chronic HBV infection. DNA expression cassettes can be incorporated into both viral and non-viral vectors, but in vivo delivery of these cassettes with non-viral vectors is currently inefficient. Synthetic short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which may be chemically modified to improve stability, specificity and efficacy, are more conveniently delivered to their cytoplasmic sites of action with synthetic non-viral vectors. However, the short duration of action of this class of RNAi activator is a drawback for treatment of chronic HBV infection. Despite the impressive progress that has been made in developing highly effective HBV gene silencers, challenges continue to face implementation of RNAi-based HBV therapy. This review will discuss the current status of the topic and consider the developments that are required to advance RNAi-based HBV therapy to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejana Ivacik
- Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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11
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Arbuthnot P. MicroRNA-like antivirals. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2011; 1809:746-55. [PMID: 21616187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Employing engineered DNA templates to express antiviral microRNA (miRNA) sequences has considerable therapeutic potential. The durable silencing that may be achieved with these RNAi activators is valuable to counter chronic viral infections, such as those caused by HIV-1, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and dengue viruses. Early use of expressed antiviral miRNAs entailed generation of cassettes containing Pol III promoters (e.g. U6 and H1) that transcribe virus-targeting short hairpin RNA mimics of precursor miRNAs. Virus escape from single gene silencing elements prompted later development of combinatorial antiviral miRNA expression cassettes that form multitargeting siRNAs from transcribed long hairpin RNA and polycistronic primary miRNA sequences. Weaker Pol III and Pol II promoters have also been employed to control production of antiviral miRNA mimics, improve dose regulation and address concerns about toxicity caused by saturation of the endogenous miRNA pathway. Efficient delivery of expressed antiviral sequences remains challenging and utilizing viral vectors, which include recombinant adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses and lentiviruses, has been favored. Investigations using recombinant lentiviruses to transduce CD34+ hematological precursor cells with expressed HIV-1 gene silencers are at advanced stages and show promise in preclinical and clinical trials. Although the use of expressed antiviral miRNA sequences to treat viral infections is encouraging, eventual therapeutic application will be dependent on rigorously proving their safety, efficient delivery to target tissues and uncomplicated large scale preparation of vector formulations. This article is part of a special issue entitled: MicroRNAs in viral gene regulation.
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12
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Darwish AA, McKiernan P, Chardot C. Paediatric liver transplantation for metabolic disorders. Part 1: Liver-based metabolic disorders without liver lesions. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2011; 35:194-203. [PMID: 21376697 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2011.01.006] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Liver-based metabolic disorders account for 10 to 15% of the indications for paediatric liver transplantation. In the last three decades, important progress has been made in the understanding of these diseases, and new therapies have emerged. Concomitantly, medical and surgical innovations have lead to improved results of paediatric liver transplantation, patient survival nowadays exceeding 80% 10-year after surgery with close to normal quality of life in most survivors. This review is a practical update on medical therapy, indications and results of liver transplantation, and potential future therapies, for the main liver-based metabolic disorders in which paediatric liver transplantation may be considered. Part 1 focuses on metabolic based liver disorders without liver lesions, and part 2 on metabolic liver diseases with liver lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Darwish
- University of Geneva Children's hospital, Paediatric Surgery Unit, Geneva, Switzerland
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13
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Asgari S, Pournasr B, Salekdeh GH, Ghodsizadeh A, Ott M, Baharvand H. Induced pluripotent stem cells: a new era for hepatology. J Hepatol 2010; 53:738-51. [PMID: 20621379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2010] [Revised: 05/09/2010] [Accepted: 05/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation has been proposed as an attractive alternative approach to restore liver mass and function. Recent progress has been reported on the generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from somatic cells. Human-iPS cells can be differentiated towards the hepatic lineage which presents possibilities for improving research on diseases, drug development, tissue engineering, the development of bio-artificial livers, and a foundation for producing autologous cell therapies that would avoid immune rejection and enable correction of gene defects prior to cell transplantation. This focused review will discuss how human iPS cell advances are likely to have an impact on hepatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Asgari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Schmitt F, Remy S, Dariel A, Flageul M, Pichard V, Boni S, Usal C, Myara A, Laplanche S, Anegon I, Labrune P, Podevin G, Ferry N, Nguyen TH. Lentiviral vectors that express UGT1A1 in liver and contain miR-142 target sequences normalize hyperbilirubinemia in Gunn rats. Gastroenterology 2010; 139:999-1007, 1007.e1-2. [PMID: 20546738 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 05/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Crigler-Najjar type 1 (CN-I) is an inherited liver disease caused by an absence of bilirubin-uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) activity. It results in life-threatening levels of unconjugated bilirubin, and therapeutic options are limited. We used adult Gunn rats (an animal model of the disease) to evaluate the efficiency of lentiviral-based gene therapy to express UGT1A1 in liver. METHODS Gunn rats were given intraportal injections of VSVG-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors that encode UGT1A1 under the control of a liver-specific transthyretin promoter (mTTR.hUGT1A1); this vector does not contain target sequences for miR-142, a microRNA that is expressed specifically in hematopoietic cells. Rats were also injected with the vector mTTR.hUGT1A1.142T, which contains 4 copies of the miR-142 target sequences; its messenger RNA should be degraded in antigen-presenting cells. Bilirubinemia was monitored, and the presence of transduced hepatocytes was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Vector expression was tested in vitro in rat hematopoietic cells. RESULTS In Gunn rats, bilirubin levels normalized 2 weeks after administration of mTTR.hUGT1A1. However, hyperbilirubinemia resumed 8 weeks after vector administration, concomitant with the induction of an immune response. In contrast, in rats injected with mTTR-UGT1A1.142T, bilirubin levels normalized for up to 6 months and transduced cells were not eliminated. CONCLUSIONS Lentiviral vectors that express UGT1A1 reduce hyperbilirubinemia in immunocompetent Gunn rats for at least 6 months. The immune response against virally expressed UGT1A1 can be circumvented by inclusion of miR-142 target sequences, which reduce vector expression in antigen-presenting cells. This lentiviral-based gene therapy approach might be developed to treat patients with CN-I.
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15
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Ex vivo hepatocyte gene therapy: increased biosafety protocol for transduction in suspension with lentiviral vectors and immediate transplantation (SLIT). Transplantation 2010; 89:127-9. [PMID: 20061931 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181c28118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Menzel O, Birraux J, Wildhaber BE, Jond C, Lasne F, Habre W, Trono D, Nguyen TH, Chardot C. Biosafety in ex vivo gene therapy and conditional ablation of lentivirally transduced hepatocytes in nonhuman primates. Mol Ther 2009; 17:1754-60. [PMID: 19568222 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo gene therapy is an interesting alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for treating metabolic liver diseases. In this study, we investigated its efficacy and biosafety in nonhuman primates. Hepatocytes isolated from liver lobectomy were transduced in suspension with a bicistronic liver-specific lentiviral vector and immediately autotransplanted (SLIT) into three cynomolgus monkeys. The vector encoded cynomolgus erythropoietin (EPO) and the conditional suicide gene herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK). Survival of transduced hepatocytes and vector dissemination were evaluated by detecting transgene expression and vector DNA. SLIT was safely performed within a day in all three subjects. Serum EPO and hematocrit rapidly increased post-SLIT and their values returned to baseline within about 1 month. Isoforms of EPO detected in monkeys' sera differed from the physiological renal EPO. In liver biopsies at months 8 and 15, we detected EPO protein, vector mRNA and DNA, demonstrating long-term survival and functionality of transplanted lentivirally transduced hepatocytes. Valganciclovir administration resulted in complete ablation of the transduced hepatocytes. We demonstrated the feasibility and biosafety of SLIT, and the long term (>1 year) functionality of lentivirally transduced hepatocytes in nonhuman primates. The HSV-TK/valganciclovir suicide strategy can increase the biosafety of liver gene therapy protocols by safely and completely ablating transduced hepatocytes on demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Menzel
- Research Laboratory of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
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17
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A Step Toward Liver Gene Therapy: Efficient Correction of the Genetic Defect of Hepatocytes Isolated From a Patient With Crigler-Najjar Syndrome Type 1 With Lentiviral Vectors. Transplantation 2009; 87:1006-12. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e31819ca245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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18
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Dagher I, Nguyen TH, Groyer-Picard MT, Lainas P, Mainot S, Guettier C, Pariente D, Franco D, Weber A. Efficient hepatocyte engraftment and long-term transgene expression after reversible portal embolization in nonhuman primates. Hepatology 2009; 49:950-9. [PMID: 19152424 DOI: 10.1002/hep.22739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The feasibility of ex vivo gene therapy as an alternative to liver transplantation for the treatment of liver metabolic diseases needs to be analyzed in large animal models. This approach requires appropriate gene transfer vectors and effective hepatocyte engraftment. Lentiviral vectors have the ability to transduce nondividing differentiated cells, such as hepatocytes, and portal vein occlusion increases hepatocyte engraftment. We investigated whether reversible portal vein embolization combined with ex vivo lentivirus-mediated gene transfer is an effective approach for successful hepatocyte engraftment in nonhuman primates and whether the transgene remains expressed in the long term in transplanted hepatocytes in situ. Simian hepatocytes were isolated after left lobe resection, and the left and right anterior portal branches of animals were embolized with absorbable material. Isolated hepatocytes were labeled with Hoechst dye or transduced in suspension with lentiviruses expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of the human apolipoprotein A-II promoter and transplanted via the inferior mesenteric vein. The whole procedure was well tolerated. The embolized liver was revascularized within 2 weeks. The volume of nonembolized liver increased from 38.7% +/- 0.8% before embolization to 55.9% +/- 1% after embolization and hepatocytes significantly proliferated (10.5% +/- 0.4% on day 3 after embolization). Liver repopulation after transplantation with Hoechst-labeled hepatocytes was 7.4% +/- 1.2%. Liver repopulation was 2.1% +/- 0.2% with transduced hepatocytes, a proportion similar to that obtained with Hoechst-labeled cells, given that the mean transduction efficacy of simian hepatocyte population was 34%. Transgene expression persisted at 16 weeks after transplantation. CONCLUSION We have developed a new approach to improve hepatocyte engraftment and to express a transgene in the long term in nonhuman primates. This strategy could be suitable for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Dagher
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Mèdicale Unité 972, Institut Fédératif de Recherche 93, Bicêtre Hospital, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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19
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Weber A, Groyer-Picard MT, Dagher I. Hepatocyte transplantation techniques: large animal models. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 481:83-96. [PMID: 19096791 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-201-4_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The poor hepatocyte engraftment efficiency and the low level of their expansion in the host liver are a major limitation to cell therapy for the treatment of life-threatening liver diseases. Many rodent models have shown that liver repopulation via transplanted hepatocytes occurs only when liver growth capacity is impaired for an extended period of time. However, these models are not transposable to the clinics and to date there is no safe method to achieve this result in a clinical setting.Therefore, it is necessary to define on large animal models strategies that provide to transplanted hepatocytes sufficient proliferation stimuli to induce their division and that could permit a direct extrapolation to humans. Such procedures should be transposable to patients. We have defined a protocol of liver partial portal branch embolisation and shown that it induces the proliferation of transplanted hepatocytes in non-human primates (Macaca mulatta). This animal model is also appropriate to evaluate the lentiviral-mediated ex vivo gene therapy approach, since simian hepatocytes are efficiently transduced by HIV-1-derived lentivirus vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Weber
- Hôpital de Bicêtre, Inserm U 804; University Paris-Sud, Clamart, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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20
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Abstract
Presently, the orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) is still the most effective therapeutic for patients with acute or chronic hepatic failure. However, due to the shortage of donor livers, the number of patients benefited from this approach is limited. Therefore, some alternative modalities have been paid attention for restoring the liver function. The cell transplantation is one of the promising modalities to realize this purpose. The types of cells used in the cell transplantation include syngeneic hepatocytes, allogeneic hepatocytes, immortalized hepatocytes, and stem cells derived heptocytes. The stem cells, especially the adult stem cells from bone marrow, are shown as a promising cell source for liver repopulation. The mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells and embryonic stem cells can be induced to differentiate into the hepatic lineage and might be used in the cell transplantation for liver diseases. Compared to OLT, the advantages of cell-based therapy for liver disease are, but not limited to, less invasive, less expensive, easy manipulated, easy expansion of cells in vitro. Cells can be stored in a cell bank for future use. Though most of the current studies are experimental and animal based, the cellular therapy for liver disease is expected to be an effective alternative in clinical settings in near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Jameson
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1Y6.
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21
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Fitzpatrick E, Mtegha M, Dhawan A. Crigler-Najjar syndrome: therapeutic options and consequences of mutations in the UGT1A1 complex. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2008; 3:725-737. [PMID: 30764062 DOI: 10.1586/17446651.3.6.725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CN), a rare inherited disorder characterized by failure of bilirubin glucuronidation, can lead to severe disability and death from kernicterus. Gilbert syndrome is a more common, benign familial unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The underlying problem in both conditions is impaired bilirubin conjugation and elimination due to a mutation in uridine 5'-diphosphate glucuronyltransferase. The mainstay of current management of CN is phototherapy, followed by liver transplantation. Here, we review other therapies, including hepatocyte transplantation, that have been successfully used to lessen the phenotype, although long-term engraftment of cells remains elusive. Gene therapy holds hope for the future whereby the patient's hepatocytes are transduced with the wild-type gene. Outstanding issues include safety of the gene vector and establishing immunotolerance to both vector and the new protein. The significant advances in understanding the relevance of mutations in UGT not only in glucuronidation of bilirubin, but other drugs and substances, are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emer Fitzpatrick
- a Paediatric Liver Centre, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - Marumbo Mtegha
- a Paediatric Liver Centre, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - Anil Dhawan
- b Paediatric Liver Centre, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9PJ, UK.
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22
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Nair A, Xie J, Joshi S, Harden P, Davies J, Hermiston T. A rapid and efficient branched DNA hybridization assay to titer lentiviral vectors. J Virol Methods 2008; 153:269-72. [PMID: 18706449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2008.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2008] [Revised: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/17/2008] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A robust assay to titer lentiviral vectors is imperative to qualifying their use in drug discovery, target validation and clinical applications. In this study, a novel branched DNA based hybridization assay was developed to titer lentiviral vectors by quantifying viral RNA genome copy numbers from viral lysates without having to purify viral RNA, and this approach was compared with other non-functional (p24 protein ELISA and viral RT-qPCR) and a functional method (reporter gene expression) used commonly. The RT-qPCR method requires purification of viral RNA and the accuracy of titration therefore depends on the efficiency of purification; this requirement is ameliorated in the hybridization assay as RNA is measured directly in viral lysates. The present study indicates that the hybridization based titration assay performed on viral lysates was more accurate and has additional advantages of being rapid, robust and not dependent on transduction efficiency in different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyappan Nair
- Bayer Health Care, 2600 Hilltop Drive, P.O. Box 4099, Richmond, CA 94804, United States.
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23
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Lysy PA, Najimi M, Stéphenne X, Bourgois A, Smets F, Sokal EM. Liver cell transplantation for Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I: Update and perspectives. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14:3464-70. [PMID: 18567072 PMCID: PMC2716606 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.3464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cell transplantation is an attractive technique to treat liver-based inborn errors of metabolism. The feasibility and efficacy of the procedure has been demonstrated, leading to medium term partial metabolic control of various diseases. Crigler-Najjar is the paradigm of such diseases in that the host liver is lacking one function with an otherwise normal parenchyma. The patient is at permanent risk for irreversible brain damage. The goal of liver cell transplantation is to reduce serum bilirubin levels within safe limits and to alleviate phototherapy requirements to improve quality of life. Preliminary data on Gunn rats, the rodent model of the disease, were encouraging and have led to successful clinical trials. Herein we report on two additional patients and describe the current limits of the technique in terms of durability of the response as compared to alternative therapeutic procedures. We discuss the future developments of the technique and new emerging perspectives.
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Abstract
Stem cells have been the focus of numerous investigations to treat diseases as far ranging as diabetes, chronic heart failure and multiple sclerosis over the past decade. The process of stem-cell-based repair of acute injury involves homing and engrafting of the stem cell of interest to the site of injury followed by either differentiation of the stem cell to indigenous end-organ cells or liberation of paracrine factors that lead to preservation and/or optimization of organ function. Recognition of the ability of stem cells to home to sites of acute injury suggests that, if appropriately defined and harnessed, stem cell homing could serve as a means of local drug delivery through the infusion of genetically engineering stem cells that secrete gene products of interest. The authors have recently demonstrated the use of this approach in preclinical studies of acute myocardial function. In addition, the use of engineered cells that home to appropriate niches have been used to correct genetic deficiency states (i.e., severe combined immunodeficiency, diabetes mellitus) in patients with otherwise chronic debilitating diseases. This review focuses on exploiting stem cell homing for gene transfer and on the state of the art and the challenges that face the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc S Penn
- Skirball Laboratory for Cardiovascular Cellular Therapeutics, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, NE3, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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25
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Nguyen TH, Ferry N. Gene therapy for liver enzyme deficiencies: what have we learned from models for Crigler-Najjar and tyrosinemia? Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007; 1:155-71. [PMID: 19072443 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.1.1.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The liver is the site of numerous metabolic inherited diseases. It has unique features that make it compliant to various gene therapy approaches. Many vector types and gene delivery strategies have been evaluated during the past 20 years in a number of animal models of metabolic liver diseases. However, the complete cure of inherited liver deficiencies by gene therapy in relevant animal models were only reported recently. These successes were achieved thanks to major advances in vector technology. In this review, we will focus on Crigler-Najjar disease and hereditary tyrosinemia, two paradigmatic examples of the two categories of enzymatic liver deficiencies: type I, in which the genetic defect does not affect liver histology; and type II, in which liver lesions are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Huy Nguyen
- INSERM CIC-00-04 Biothérapies Hépatiques, CHU Hôtel-Dieu, 44035 Nantes Cedex, France.
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