An ex vivo gene therapy approach to treat muscular dystrophy using inducible pluripotent stem cells

Nat Commun. 2013:4:1549. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2550.

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive and incurable neuromuscular disease caused by genetic and biochemical defects of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Here we show the regenerative potential of myogenic progenitors derived from corrected dystrophic induced pluripotent stem cells generated from fibroblasts of mice lacking both dystrophin and utrophin. We correct the phenotype of dystrophic induced pluripotent stem cells using a Sleeping Beauty transposon system carrying the micro-utrophin gene, differentiate these cells into skeletal muscle progenitors and transplant them back into dystrophic mice. Engrafted muscles displayed large numbers of micro-utrophin-positive myofibers, with biochemically restored dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and improved contractile strength. The transplanted cells seed the satellite cell compartment, responded properly to injury and exhibit neuromuscular synapses. We also detect muscle engraftment after systemic delivery of these corrected progenitors. These results represent an important advance towards the future treatment of muscular dystrophies using genetically corrected autologous induced pluripotent stem cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Compartmentation
  • Dystrophin / metabolism
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / transplantation*
  • Isometric Contraction
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Motor Neurons / pathology
  • Muscle Development
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / genetics*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / physiopathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / therapy*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Regeneration
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / metabolism
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / pathology
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Utrophin / genetics

Substances

  • Dystrophin
  • Utrophin