Open AccessStem Cell Selection In Vivo Using Foamy Vectors Cures Canine Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
Author(s) -
Grant D. Trobridge,
Brian C. Beard,
Ryan Wu,
Christina Ironside,
Punam Malik,
Hans Peter Kiem
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0045173
Subject(s) - stem cell , severe combined immunodeficiency , adenosine deaminase deficiency , genetic enhancement , biology , pyruvate kinase deficiency , haematopoiesis , viral vector , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , ex vivo , in vivo , cancer research , hematopoietic stem cell , immunology , pyruvate kinase , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , biochemistry , recombinant dna , glycolysis , enzyme
Background Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy has cured immunodeficiencies including X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1) and adenine deaminase deficiency (ADA). For these immunodeficiencies corrected cells have a selective advantage in vivo, and low numbers of gene-modified cells are sufficient to provide therapeutic benefit. Strategies to efficiently transduce and/or expand long-term repopulating cells in vivo are needed for treatment of diseases that require higher levels of corrected cells, such as hemoglobinopathies. Here we expanded corrected stem cells in vivo in a canine model of a severe erythroid disease, pyruvate kinase deficiency. Methodology/Principal Findings We used a foamy virus (FV) vector expressing the P140K mutant of methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMTP140K) for in vivo expansion of corrected hematopoietic repopulating cells. FV vectors are attractive gene transfer vectors for hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy since they efficiently transduce repopulating cells and may be safer than more commonly used gammaretroviral vectors. Following transplantation with HSCs transduced ex vivo using a tri-cistronic FV vector that expressed EGFP, R-type pyruvate kinase, and MGMTP140K, we were able to increase marking from approximately 3.5% to 33% in myeloid long-term repopulating cells resulting in a functional cure. Conclusions/Significance Here we describe in one affected dog a functional cure for a severe erythroid disease using stem cell selection in vivo. In addition to providing a potential cure for patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency, in vivo selection using foamy vectors with MGMTP140K has broad potential for several hematopoietic diseases including hemoglobinopathies.