Gene transfer into human cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells by adeno-associated viral vectors.
OBJECTIVE
Bone marrow-derived CD34(+) cells are currently used in clinical trials in patients with ischemic heart disease. An option to enhance activity of injected progenitors may be offered by genetic engineering of progenitor cells with angiogenic growth factors. Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) have emerged as a leading gene transfer systems. In contrast to other vector systems in use for genetic engineering of CD34(+) cells, rAAV-mediated gene expression does not depend on vector integration. This is relevant for application in regenerative medicine of ischemic tissues, where transient transgene expression is likely sufficient to achieve therapeutic benefits.


METHODS
We compared three different human AAV serotypes, packaged as pseudotypes by a helper virus-free production method, for their transduction efficiency in human cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells. We further assessed the impact of vector genome conformation, of alpha(v)beta(5) and alpha(5)beta(1) integrin availability and of the transcription-modulating drugs retinoic acid and Trichostatin A on rAAV-mediated human CD34(+) cell transduction.


RESULTS
We provide, for the first time, evidence that hCD34(+) cells can be reproducibly transduced with high efficiency by self-complementary rAAV2 without inducing cytotoxicity or interfering with their differentiation potential. We further show the involvement of alpha(5)beta(1) integrin as a crucial AAV2 internalization receptor and a function for transcription-modulating drugs in enhancing rAAV-mediated transgene expression.


CONCLUSIONS
This study represents a first step toward translation of a combined cellular/rAAV-based therapy of ischemic disease.
Schuhmann
Natascha K
NK
Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Pozzoli
Ombretta
O
Sallach
Jessica
J
Huber
Anke
A
Avitabile
Daniele
D
Perabo
Luca
L
Rappl
Gunter
G
Capogrossi
Maurizio C
MC
Hallek
Michael
M
Pesce
Maurizio
M
Büning
Hildegard
H
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000229:Dependovirus; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D039081:Integrin alpha5beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013234:Stem Cells; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; D039081:Integrin alpha5beta1; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; C012589:trichostatin A; D014212:Tretinoin