Effect of ex vivo gene transfer with an adenoviral vector on human eye bank corneas

Abstract

Background: Ex vivo gene transfer to donor corneas using adenoviral vectors has gained increasing attention. This study investigates the effect of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer on endothelial cell (EC) count in human eye bank corneas.

Methods: A replication-defective adenoviral vector containing the gene for green fluorescent protein was used to transduce organ-cultured normal human eye bank and porcine corneas. Transgene expression and EC count were assessed by light and fluorescence microscopy.

Results: The transgene was expressed earlier by porcine EC (27% of all EC on day 2) than by human EC (6% on day 2), but the maximal number of EC finally expressing the transgene was higher in human than in porcine corneas (45 vs. 31% of all EC on day 12). Gene transfer caused considerably less EC loss in human than in porcine corneas (2 vs. 60% EC loss after 10 days).

Conclusions: Adenoviral vectors for ex vivo gene transfer are more efficient and less toxic in normal human eye bank corneas than in porcine corneas, but human EC require more time until expression of transgenic proteins.