Objective: Exploration of the feasibility of treating human lysosomal alpha-mannosidosis by gene therapy.
Methods: Retroviral vector-mediated transfer of human lysosomal alpha-mannosidase cDNA into the diseased cat skin fibroblasts. Detection of the enzymatic activity in the cells and their culture media at different pH conditions. Localization of the recombinant enzyme in the cells by chemical staining. Cross-correction of untransduced cat cells by incubation in medium containing the secreted enzyme in the absence and presence of mannose-6-phosphate or fetal calf serum. In vivo expression of the recombinant enzyme in organoids containing the vector-transduced cells.
Results: Among the two human cDNAs tested, only one encoded high levels of alpha-mannosidase activity in the cat cells, which shared the same pH profile and lysosomal localization with the normal enzyme. The recombinant enzyme was proportionally secreted into the medium of the cell culture and taken up by untransduced cells via mannose-6-phosphate receptor-mediated endocytosis. The uptake was partially inhibited in the presence of fetal calf serum, which was dose-dependent. In vivo, organoids containing the vector-transduced cells expressed detectable alpha-mannosidase activity for up to 6 weeks.
Conclusion: The human cDNA was functional in the cat cells and the expression system could be used for development of gene therapy for lysosomal alpha-mannosidosis.