Bone marrow transplantation combined with gene therapy to induce antigen-specific tolerance and ameliorate EAE

Mol Ther. 2006 Jan;13(1):42-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.09.002. Epub 2005 Oct 10.

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is a potential therapy that can offer multiple sclerosis patients a radical, potentially curative treatment. Using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model, we previously reported that retrovirally transduced B cells expressing myelin basic protein (MBP), MBP Ac1-11, or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein p35-55 induced tolerance and reduced symptoms. Here, we extend our tolerance approach using bone marrow (BM) cells expressing full-length phospholipid protein (PLP) in a model for relapsing, remitting EAE. Using GFP expression as a marker, we found that up to 50% of cells were positive for transgene expression in peripheral blood after 900 rad irradiation and transduced BM transplantation, and expression was stable in hematopoietic lineages for over 10 weeks. Upon challenge, T cell proliferation in response to PLP p139-151 was reduced and EAE was completely abolished in a pretreatment protocol. In addition, protection from EAE could be achieved with PLP-transduced BM cells given on day 12 after immunization, a potential therapeutic protocol. Finally, the protective effect of PLP-expressing BM could also be observed using a nonmyeloablative protocol, albeit with lower efficacy. Our results suggest that HSC may be useful to achieve long-lasting tolerance to protect mice from EAE and possibly to promote CNS repair in ongoing EAE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / radiotherapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / therapy*
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Immunization
  • L-Selectin / immunology
  • Mice
  • Myelin Proteolipid Protein / genetics
  • Myelin Proteolipid Protein / immunology
  • Myelin Proteolipid Protein / metabolism*
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • Myelin Proteolipid Protein
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • myelin proteolipid protein (139-151)
  • L-Selectin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins