In Vivo Zinc Finger Nuclease-mediated Targeted Integration of a Glucose-6-phosphatase Transgene Promotes Survival in Mice With Glycogen Storage Disease Type IA

Mol Ther. 2016 Apr;24(4):697-706. doi: 10.1038/mt.2016.35. Epub 2016 Feb 11.

Abstract

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia) is caused by glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) deficiency in association with severe, life-threatening hypoglycemia that necessitates lifelong dietary therapy. Here we show that use of a zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) targeted to the ROSA26 safe harbor locus and a ROSA26-targeting vector containing a G6PC donor transgene, both delivered with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, markedly improved survival of G6Pase knockout (G6Pase-KO) mice compared with mice receiving the donor vector alone (P < 0.04). Furthermore, transgene integration has been confirmed by sequencing in the majority of the mice treated with both vectors. Targeted alleles were 4.6-fold more common in livers of mice with GSD Ia, as compared with normal littermates, at 8 months following vector administration (P < 0.02). This suggests a selective advantage for vector-transduced hepatocytes following ZFN-mediated integration of the G6Pase vector. A short-term experiment also showed that 3-month-old mice receiving the ZFN had significantly-improved biochemical correction, in comparison with mice that received the donor vector alone. These data suggest that the use of ZFNs to drive integration of G6Pase at a safe harbor locus might improve vector persistence and efficacy, and lower mortality in GSD Ia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endonucleases / chemistry
  • Endonucleases / metabolism*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase / genetics*
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type I / genetics
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type I / therapy*
  • Mice
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • Gt(ROSA)26Sor non-coding RNA, mouse
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Endonucleases
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase

Supplementary concepts

  • Hepatorenal form of glycogen storage disease