Empty Capsids and Macrophage Inhibition/Depletion Increase rAAV Transgene Expression in Joints of Both Healthy and Arthritic Mice

Caroline J. Aalbers, Niels Broekstra, Mariska van Geldorp, Emiel Kramer, Sofia Ramiro, Paul P. Tak, Margriet J. Vervoordeldonk, Jonathan D. Finn

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gene therapy has potential to treat rheumatic diseases; however, the presence of macrophages in the joint might hamper adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene delivery. Here we demonstrate that in arthritic, but also in healthy, mice administration of agents that influence macrophage activity/number and/or addition of empty decoy capsids substantially improve the efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated viral vector 5 transgene expression in the joint. Pretreatment with triamcinolone or clodronate liposomes improved luciferase expression over a period of 4 weeks. Similar results were seen when empty decoy capsids were added to full genome containing capsids in a 5:1 ratio. In a study to assess the duration of expression as well as to investigate the combination of these two approaches, we observed a synergistic enhancement of gene expression, sustained for at least 12 weeks. The enhancement of gene expression was independent of the route of administration of triamcinolone (intra-articular or intramuscular). In healthy mice it was demonstrated that the combination improved expression of the transgene significantly, in a serotype independent manner. These data have implications for future applications of gene therapy to the joint and for other tissues with an abundance of macrophages
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)168-178
JournalHuman gene therapy
Volume28
Issue number2
Early online date2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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