Delivery of full-length factor VIII using a piggyBac transposon vector to correct a mouse model of hemophilia A

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 15;9(8):e104957. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104957. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Viral vectors have been used for hemophilia A gene therapy. However, due to its large size, full-length Factor VIII (FVIII) cDNA has not been successfully delivered using conventional viral vectors. Moreover, viral vectors may pose safety risks, e.g., adverse immunological reactions or virus-mediated cytotoxicity. Here, we took advantages of the non-viral vector gene delivery system based on piggyBac DNA transposon to transfer the full-length FVIII cDNA, for the purpose of treating hemophilia A. We tested the efficiency of this new vector system in human 293T cells and iPS cells, and confirmed the expression of the full-length FVIII in culture media using activity-sensitive coagulation assays. Hydrodynamic injection of the piggyBac vectors into hemophilia A mice temporally treated with an immunosuppressant resulted in stable production of circulating FVIII for over 300 days without development of anti-FVIII antibodies. Furthermore, tail-clip assay revealed significant improvement of blood coagulation time in the treated mice. piggyBac transposon vectors can facilitate the long-term expression of therapeutic transgenes in vitro and in vivo. This novel gene transfer strategy should provide safe and efficient delivery of FVIII.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Complementary / administration & dosage
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Factor VIII / analysis
  • Factor VIII / genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / therapeutic use*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hemophilia A / blood
  • Hemophilia A / genetics
  • Hemophilia A / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Mice

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Factor VIII

Grants and funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (No. 25293237 for HM, M. Shima, and AH, No.24591559 for HM, No. 22890088 for AH), research grants from the Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program (http://www.bayer-hemophilia-awards.com/) (HM), the Mochida Memorial Foundation for Medical and Pharmaceutical Research (http://www.mochida.co.jp/zaidan/) (HM), the Uehara Memorial Foundation (http://www.ueharazaidan.or.jp/) (AH), and the Baxter Coagulation Research Fund (http://baxter.co.jp/medical/grant/bhf/index.html) (AH). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.