Long-term persistence of a polyclonal T cell repertoire after gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Sci Transl Med. 2011 Aug 24;3(97):97ra79. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3002715.

Abstract

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1) is caused by mutations in the common cytokine receptor γ chain. These mutations classically lead to complete absence of functional T and natural killer cell lineages as well as to intrinsically compromised B cell function. Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is highly successful in SCID-X1 patients, HLA-mismatched procedures can be associated with prolonged immunodeficiency, graft-versus-host disease, and increased overall mortality. Here, 10 children were treated with autologous CD34(+) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells transduced with a conventional gammaretroviral vector. The patients did not receive myelosuppressive conditioning and were monitored for immunological recovery after cell infusion. All patients were alive after a median follow-up of 80 months (range, 54 to 107 months), and a functional polyclonal T cell repertoire was restored in all patients. Humoral immunity only partially recovered but was sufficient in some patients to allow for withdrawal of immunoglobulin replacement; however, three patients developed antibiotic-responsive acute pulmonary infection after discontinuation of antibiotic prophylaxis and/or immunoglobulin replacement. One patient developed acute T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia because of up-regulated expression of the proto-oncogene LMO-2 from insertional mutagenesis, but maintained a polyclonal T cell repertoire through chemotherapy and entered remission. Therefore, gene therapy for SCID-X1 without myelosuppressive conditioning effectively restored T cell immunity and was associated with high survival rates for up to 9 years. Further studies using vectors designed to limit mutagenesis and strategies to enhance B cell reconstitution are warranted to define the role of this treatment modality alongside conventional HSCT for SCID-X1.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gammaretrovirus / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Autologous / methods
  • X-Linked Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases / immunology*
  • X-Linked Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases / metabolism
  • X-Linked Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases / therapy*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas