Gene Therapy with an Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Expressing Human Interleukin-2 Alters Immune System Homeostasis in Humanized Mice.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2018

JAX Source

Hum Gene Ther 2018 Mar; 29(3):352-365

Volume

29

Issue

3

First Page

352

Last Page

365

ISSN

1557-7422

PMID

28826231

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1089/hum.2017.072

Grant

DK104218, AI132963, CA034196

Abstract

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) serve as vectors for in vivo gene delivery in both mice and humans, and have broad applicability for the treatment of genetic diseases. Clinical trials with AAV vectors have demonstrated promise and safety in several human diseases. However, the in vivo validation of novel AAV constructs expressing products that act specifically on human cells and tissues is limited by a paucity of effective translatable models. Humanized mice that are engrafted with human cells, tissues, and immune systems offer strong potential to test the biological effectiveness of AAV vectors on human cells and tissues. Using the BLT (bone marrow, liver, thymus) humanized NOD-scid Il2rgnull (NSG) mouse model, which enables efficient development of HLA-restricted effector and regulatory T cells (Tregs), we have evaluated the delivery and function of human interleukin (IL)-2 by an AAV vector. Humanized mice treated with an AAV vector expressing human IL-2 showed a significant and sustained increase in the number of functional human FOXP3+CD4+ Tregs. The expression of human IL-2 did not significantly change the levels or activation status of conventional T-cell subsets. Numbers of activated human natural killer cells were also increased significantly in humanized mice treated with the IL-2 vector. These data recapitulate observations in clinical trials of IL-2 therapy and collectively show that humanized mouse models offer a translational platform for testing the efficacy of AAV vectors targeting human immune cells. Hum Gene Ther 2018 Mar; 29(3):352-365.

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