Mesenchymal cells: a vehicle for gene therapy.
T cell-depleted allogeneic stem cell transplantation is associated with delayed immunological reconstitution. Bone marrow stroma and interleukin 7 (IL-7) regulate homeostasis of T lymphocytes. We engineered human stromal cells with a retroviral vector containing the IL-7 gene and studied in vitro effects on T cells. Human stromal cells were successfully transduced and generated a layer that was morphologically and phenotypically normal. IL-7-engineered stromal cells conserve the biological properties of unmanipulated stromal cells. Through their production of IL-7, they enhance survival and homeostatic proliferation of naive T cells. Because of this cytokine production, they might be an ideal vehicle for gene therapy aimed at supporting lymphopoiesis in the T cell-deficient host.
Di Ianni
M
M
Haematology and Clinical Immunology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Perugia University, Perugia, Italy. mdiianni@libero.it
Del Papa
B
B
De Ioanni
M
M
Sportoletti
P
P
Moretti
L
L
Falzetti
F
F
Martelli
M F
MF
Tabilio
A
A
D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D015851:Interleukin-7