A SIN lentiviral vector containing PIGA cDNA allows long-term phenotypic correction of CD34+-derived cells from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Mol Ther. 2003 Mar;7(3):304-16. doi: 10.1016/s1525-0016(03)00011-x.

Abstract

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) disorder in which an acquired somatic mutation of the X-linked PIGA gene results in a deficiency in GPI-anchored surface proteins. Clinically, PNH is dominated by a chronic hemolytic anemia, often associated with recurrent nocturnal exacerbations, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and thrombotic tendency. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation is the only potentially curative treatment for severe forms of PNH but is associated with a high treatment-related morbidity and mortality. HSC gene therapy could provide a new therapeutic option, especially when an HLA-matched donor is not available. To develop an efficient gene transfer approach, we have designed a new SIN lentiviral vector (TEPW) that contains the PIGA cDNA driven by the human elongation factor 1 alpha promoter, the central DNA flap of HIV-1, and the WPRE cassette. TEPW transduction led to a complete surface expression of the GPI anchor and CD59 in PIGA-deficient cell lines without any selection procedure. Moreover, efficient gene transfer was achieved in bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood CD34(+) cells derived from two patients with severe PNH disease. This expression was stable during erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryocytic liquid culture differentiation. CD59 surface cell expression was fully restored during 5 weeks of long-term culture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism*
  • CD59 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • HIV / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / blood
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / metabolism
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / therapy*
  • Humans
  • K562 Cells
  • Lentivirus / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / therapy*
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1 / genetics
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • CD59 Antigens
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1
  • phosphatidylinositol glycan-class A protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins