Persistent expression of factor VIII in vivo following nonprimate lentiviral gene transfer

Blood. 2005 Sep 1;106(5):1552-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2004-11-4358. Epub 2005 May 10.

Abstract

Hemophilia A is a clinically important coagulation disorder caused by the lack or abnormality of plasma coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Gene transfer of the FVIII cDNA to hepatocytes using lentiviral vectors is a potential therapeutic approach. We investigated the efficacy of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-based vectors in targeting hepatocytes and correcting FVIII deficiency in a hemophilia A mouse model. Several viral envelope glycoproteins were screened for efficient FIV vector pseudotyping and hepatocyte transduction. The GP64 glycoprotein from baculovirus Autographa californica multinuclear polyhedrosis virus pseudo-typed FIV efficiently and showed excellent hepatocyte tropism. The GP64-pseudotyped vector was stable in the presence of human or mouse complement. Inclusion of a hybrid liver-specific promoter (murine albumin enhancer/human alpha1-antitrypsin promoter) further enhanced transgene expression in hepatocytes. We generated a GP64-pseudotyped FIV vector encoding the B domain-deleted human FVIII coding region driven by the liver-specific promoter, with 2 beneficial point mutations in the A1 domain. Intravenous vector administration conferred sustained FVIII expression in hemophilia A mice for several months without the generation of anti-human FVIII antibodies and resulted in partial phenotypic correction. These findings demonstrate the utility of GP64-pseudotyped FIV lentiviral vectors for targeting hepatocytes to correct disorders associated with deficiencies of secreted proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Factor VIII / biosynthesis*
  • Factor VIII / drug effects
  • Factor VIII / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / blood
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / therapeutic use*
  • Hemophilia A / genetics
  • Hemophilia A / metabolism
  • Hemophilia A / therapy*
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / genetics*
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / therapeutic use*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Factor VIII