Improved efficacy and reduced toxicity by ultrasound-guided intrahepatic injections of helper-dependent adenoviral vector in Gunn rats.

Abstract

Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I is caused by mutations of the uridine diphospho-glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene resulting in life-threatening increase of serum bilirubin. Life-long correction of hyperbilirubinemia was previously shown with intravenous injection of high doses of a helper-dependent adenoviral (HDAd) vector expressing UGT1A1 in the Gunn rat, the animal model of Crigler-Najjar syndrome. However, such high vector doses can activate an acute and potentially lethal inflammatory response with elevated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6). To overcome this obstacle, we investigated safety and efficacy of direct injections of low HDAd doses delivered directly into the liver parenchyma of Gunn rats. Direct hepatic injections performed by either laparotomy or ultrasound-guided percutaneous injections were compared with the same doses given by intravenous injections. A greater reduction of hyperbilirubinemia and increased conjugated bilirubin in bile were achieved with 1 × 10(11) vp/kg by direct liver injections compared with intravenous injections. In sharp contrast to intravenous injections, direct hepatic injections neither raised serum IL-6 nor resulted in thrombocytopenia. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of HDAd vectors into liver parenchyma resulted in improved hepatocyte transduction and reduced toxicity compared with systemic injections and is clinically attractive for liver-directed gene therapy of Crigler-Najjar syndrome.

• Authors: Nunzia Pastore, Edoardo Nusco, Pasquale Piccolo, Sigismondo Castaldo, Jana Vaníkova, Francesco Vetrini, Donna J Palmer, Libor Vitek, Philip Ng, Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
• Journal: Human gene therapy methods (Hum Gene Ther Methods) Vol. 24 Issue 5 Pg. 321-7 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1946-6544 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23947957 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• UGT1A1 enzyme
• Glucuronosyltransferase

Topics

• Adenoviridae (genetics)
• Animals
• Crigler-Najjar Syndrome (therapy)
• Genetic Therapy
• Genetic Vectors (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Glucuronosyltransferase (genetics, metabolism)
• Helper Viruses (genetics)
• Humans
• Injections (methods)
• Liver (diagnostic imaging)
• Rats
• Rats, Gunn
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultrasonography