scAAVIL-1ra dosing trial in a large animal model and validation of long-term expression with repeat administration for osteoarthritis therapy

Gene Ther. 2015 Jul;22(7):536-45. doi: 10.1038/gt.2015.21. Epub 2015 Apr 23.

Abstract

A gene therapeutic approach to treat osteoarthritis (OA) appears to be on the horizon for millions of people who suffer from this disease. Previously we described optimization of a scAAVIL-1ra gene therapeutic vector and initially tested this in an equine model verifying long-term intrasynovial IL-1ra protein at therapeutic levels. Using this vector, we carried out a dosing trial in six horses to verify protein levels and establish a dose that would express relevant levels of therapeutic protein for extended periods of time (8 months). A novel arthroscopic procedure used to detect green fluorescence protein (GFP) fluorescence intrasynovially confirmed successful transduction of the scAAVGFP vector in both the synovial and cartilage tissues. No evidence of intra-articular toxicity was detected. Immune responses to vector revealed development of neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) within 2 weeks of administration, which persisted for the duration of the study but did not lower protein expression intra-articularly. Re-dosing with a different serotype to attain therapeutic levels of protein confirmed establishment of successful transduction. This is the first study in an equine model to establish a dosing/redosing protocol, as well as examine the Nab response to capsid and supports further clinical investigation to determine the clinical efficacy of scAAVIL-1ra to treat OA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / metabolism
  • Carpal Joints / immunology
  • Carpal Joints / metabolism
  • Carpal Joints / pathology
  • Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Gene Expression / immunology*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage*
  • Genetic Vectors / immunology
  • Genetic Vectors / therapeutic use
  • Horses
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / immunology
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / metabolism
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / therapeutic use*
  • Osteoarthritis / genetics
  • Osteoarthritis / immunology*
  • Osteoarthritis / metabolism
  • Osteoarthritis / therapy*
  • Synovial Membrane / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein