Long-term functional correction of cystathionine β-synthase deficiency in mice by adeno-associated viral gene therapy.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Lee H, Salami C, Sondhi D, Kaminsky S, Crystal R, Kruger W |
| Journal | J Inherit Metab Dis |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pagination | 1382-1392 |
| Date Published | 10/11/2021 |
| ISSN | 1573-2665 |
| Keywords | Cystathionine beta-Synthase, Dependovirus, Genetic Therapy, Genetic Vectors, Homocystinuria |
| Abstract | Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency is a recessive inborn error of sulfur metabolism characterized by elevated blood levels of total homocysteine (tHcy). Patients diagnosed with CBS deficiency are currently treated by a combination of vitamin supplementation and restriction of foods containing the homocysteine precursor methionine, but the effectiveness of this therapy is limited due to poor compliance. A mouse model for CBS deficiency (Tg-I278T Cbs-/- ) was used to evaluate a potential gene therapy approach to treat CBS deficiency utilizing an AAVrh.10-based vector containing the human CBS cDNA downstream of the constitutive, strong CAG promoter (AAVrh.10hCBS). Mice were administered a single dose of virus and followed for up to 1 year. The data demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in liver CBS activity and a dose-dependent decrease in serum tHcy. Liver CBS enzyme activity at 1 year was similar to Cbs+/- control mice. Mice given the highest dose (5.6 × 1011 genomes/mouse) had mean serum tHcy decrease of 97% 1 week after injection and an 81% reduction 1 year after injection. Treated mice had either full- or substantial correction of alopecia, bone loss, and fat mass phenotypes associated with Cbs deficiency in mice. Our findings show that AAVrh.10-based gene therapy is highly effective in treating CBS deficiency in mice and supports additional pre-clinical testing for eventual use human trials. |
| DOI | 10.1002/jimd.12437 |
| PubMed ID | 34528713 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC8578459 |