dsAAV8-mediated gene transfer and β-cell expression of IL-4 and β-cell growth factors are capable of reversing early-onset diabetes in NOD mice

DF Gaddy, MJ Riedel, S Bertera, TJ Kieffer… - Gene therapy, 2012 - nature.com
DF Gaddy, MJ Riedel, S Bertera, TJ Kieffer, PD Robbins
Gene therapy, 2012nature.com
Type-I diabetes is a chronic disease mediated by autoimmune destruction of insulin-
producing β-cells. Although progress has been made towards improving diabetes-
associated pathologies and the quality of life for those living with diabetes, no therapy has
been effective at eliminating disease manifestations or reversing disease progression. Here,
we examined whether double-stranded adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (dsAAV8)-
mediated gene delivery to endogenous β-cells of interleukin (IL)-4 in combination with β-cell …
Abstract
Type-I diabetes is a chronic disease mediated by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β-cells. Although progress has been made towards improving diabetes-associated pathologies and the quality of life for those living with diabetes, no therapy has been effective at eliminating disease manifestations or reversing disease progression. Here, we examined whether double-stranded adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (dsAAV8)-mediated gene delivery to endogenous β-cells of interleukin (IL)-4 in combination with β-cell growth factors can reverse early-onset diabetes in NOD mice. Our results demonstrate that a single treatment with dsAAV8 vectors expressing IL-4 in combination with glucagon-like peptide-1 or hepatocyte growth factor/NK1 under the regulation of the insulin promoter enhanced β-cell proliferation and survival in vivo, significantly delaying diabetes progression in NOD mice, and reversing disease in∼ 10% of treated NOD mice. These results demonstrate the ability to reverse hyperglycemia in NOD mice with established diabetes by in vivo gene transfer to β-cells of immunomodulatory factors and β-cell growth factors.
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