title: Intraperitoneal implant of recombinant encapsulated cells overexpressing alpha-L-iduronidase partially corrects visceral pathology in mucopolysaccharidosis type I mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is characterized by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA) and storage of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in several tissues. Current available treatments present limitations, thus the search for new therapies. Encapsulation of recombinant cells within polymeric structures combines gene and cell therapy and is a promising approach for treating MPS I.
  
  
  METHODS
  We produced alginate microcapsules containing baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells overexpressing IDUA and implanted these capsules in the peritoneum of MPS I mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increase in serum and tissue IDUA activity was observed at early time-points, as well as a reduction in GAG storage; however, correction in the long term was only partially achieved, with a drop in the IDUA activity being observed a few weeks after the implant. Analysis of the capsules obtained from the peritoneum revealed inflammation and a pericapsular fibrotic process, which could be responsible for the reduction in IDUA levels observed in the long term. In addition, treated mice developed antibodies against the enzyme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the encapsulation process is effective in the short term but improvements must be achieved in order to reduce the immune response and reach a stable correction.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Terapia Gênica-Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baldo
authors.forename: Fabiana Quoos
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Fabiola Schons
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Maira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burin
authors.forename: Luise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meurer
authors.forename: Angela Maria Vicente
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giugliani
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Matte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D006224:Cricetinae; D004452:Echocardiography; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007068:Iduronidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008059:Mucopolysaccharidosis I / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D007068:Iduronidase