Intramuscular injection of AAV8 in mice and macaques is associated with substantial hepatic targeting and transgene expression.
Intramuscular (IM) administration of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has entered the early stages of clinical development with some success, including the first approved gene therapy product in the West called Glybera. In preparation for broader clinical development of IM AAV vector gene therapy, we conducted detailed pre-clinical studies in mice and macaques evaluating aspects of delivery that could affect performance. We found that following IM administration of AAV8 vectors in mice, a portion of the vector reached the liver and hepatic gene expression contributed significantly to total expression of secreted transgenes. The contribution from liver could be controlled by altering injection volume and by the use of traditional (promoter) and non-traditional (tissue-specific microRNA target sites) expression control elements. Hepatic distribution of vector following IM injection was also noted in rhesus macaques. These pre-clinical data on AAV delivery should inform safe and efficient development of future AAV products.
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Jenny A
JA
Greig
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Hui
H
Peng
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Jason
J
Ohlstein
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
C Angelica
CA
Medina-Jaszek
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Omua
O
Ahonkhai
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Anne
A
Mentzinger
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Rebecca L
RL
Grant
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Soumitra
S
Roy
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Shu-Jen
SJ
Chen
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Peter
P
Bell
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
Anna P
AP
Tretiakova
Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, TRL Suite 2000, 125 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America.
James M
JM
Wilson
D000818:Animals; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D019076:Transgenes
D035683:MicroRNAs