Project description:The two obstacles that impede a wider application of genetically modified cells expressing therapeutic transgenes for ex vivo gene therapy are the immune mediated rejection of the transplanted cells, combined with their potential to cause iatrogenic oncogenesis. In this study we describe a new cellular vehicle for this form of therapy,; termed the cord lining epithelial cell (CLEC). CLECs are derived from the human amnion and incorporate many of the immunoregulatory functions associated with the fetal/maternal interface. We show that CLECs can be safely transfected by phage ÏC31 integrase to accomplish site-specific integration of a therapeutic human transgene. We also show that transplanted CLECs are not oncogenic in vivo and can be maintained in immunocompetent mice where acute xeno-rejection rapidly destroys other human cell types. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of CLECs for ex vivo gene therapy by delivering human coagulation factor 8 to mice with Hemophilia A. Experiment Overall Design: The transcriptome datasets of human umbilical cord lining epithelial cells were compared before(CLEC) and 1 month after(CLEC-GFP) phage integrase mediated integration of EGFP cDNA into the genome. Transcriptome datasets were generated in singles and genes differentiallty expressed in cells before and after phage integrase treatment were analysed. Genes differentially expressed by at least 2 fold as compared to untreated CLEC were considered to be significantly dysregulated. List of genes with significant dysregulation were used for further analysis and to used to determine if genomic integration events had resulted in any potential geno-toxicity.
Project description:The two obstacles that impede a wider application of genetically modified cells expressing therapeutic transgenes for ex vivo gene therapy are the immune mediated rejection of the transplanted cells, combined with their potential to cause iatrogenic oncogenesis. In this study we describe a new cellular vehicle for this form of therapy, termed the cord lining epithelial cell (CLEC). CLECs are derived from the human amnion and incorporate many of the immunoregulatory functions associated with the fetal/maternal interface. We show that CLECs can be safely transfected by phage φC31 integrase to accomplish site-specific integration of a therapeutic human transgene. We also show that transplanted CLECs are not oncogenic in vivo and can be maintained in immunocompetent mice where acute xeno-rejection rapidly destroys other human cell types. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of CLECs for ex vivo gene therapy by delivering human coagulation factor 8 to mice with Hemophilia A. High-resolution copy number profiling was performed on genomic DNA of untreated (GSM315546 and GSM315713) and phage integrase modified CLECs (GSM315974 and GSM316895) using the Human Mapping 500K Array Set (Affymetrix) and the data analyzed using GeneChip Chromosome Copy Number Analysis Tool. Regions of copy number gain or loss were defined as having 3 consecutive SNPs concordant for significant copy number abnormalities. Log2 signal intensity ratios >0.3 and <-0.3 were criteria for significant copy number gain and loss, respectively.
Project description:The two obstacles that impede a wider application of genetically modified cells expressing therapeutic transgenes for ex vivo gene therapy are the immune mediated rejection of the transplanted cells, combined with their potential to cause iatrogenic oncogenesis. In this study we describe a new cellular vehicle for this form of therapy, termed the cord lining epithelial cell (CLEC). CLECs are derived from the human amnion and incorporate many of the immunoregulatory functions associated with the fetal/maternal interface. We show that CLECs can be safely transfected by phage φC31 integrase to accomplish site-specific integration of a therapeutic human transgene. We also show that transplanted CLECs are not oncogenic in vivo and can be maintained in immunocompetent mice where acute xeno-rejection rapidly destroys other human cell types. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of CLECs for ex vivo gene therapy by delivering human coagulation factor 8 to mice with Hemophilia A.
Project description:The two obstacles that impede a wider application of genetically modified cells expressing therapeutic transgenes for ex vivo gene therapy are the immune mediated rejection of the transplanted cells, combined with their potential to cause iatrogenic oncogenesis. In this study we describe a new cellular vehicle for this form of therapy, termed the cord lining epithelial cell (CLEC). CLECs are derived from the human amnion and incorporate many of the immunoregulatory functions associated with the fetal/maternal interface. We show that CLECs can be safely transfected by phage φC31 integrase to accomplish site-specific integration of a therapeutic human transgene. We also show that transplanted CLECs are not oncogenic in vivo and can be maintained in immunocompetent mice where acute xeno-rejection rapidly destroys other human cell types. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of CLECs for ex vivo gene therapy by delivering human coagulation factor 8 to mice with Hemophilia A.