Adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of human butyrylcholinesterase to treat organophosphate poisoning

PLoS One. 2019 Nov 25;14(11):e0225188. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225188. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Rare diseases defined by genetic mutations are classic targets for gene therapy. More recently, researchers expanded the use of gene therapy in non-clinical studies to infectious diseases through the delivery of vectorized antibodies to well-defined antigens. Here, we further extend the utility of gene therapy beyond the "accepted" indications to include organophosphate poisoning. There are no approved preventives for the multi-organ damage resulting from acute or chronic exposure to organophosphates. We show that a single intramuscular injection of adeno-associated virus vector produces peak expression (~0.5 mg/ml) of active human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) in mice serum within 3-4 weeks post-treatment. This expression is sustained for up to 140 days post-injection with no silencing. Sustained expression of hBChE provided dose-dependent protection against VX in male and female mice despite detectable antibodies to hBChE in some mice, thereby demonstrating that expression of hBChE in vivo in mouse muscle is an effective prophylactic against organophosphate poisoning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / genetics*
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Dependovirus / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Organophosphate Poisoning / therapy*

Substances

  • Butyrylcholinesterase

Grants and funding

This research was supported by Grant HDTRA1-15-C-0023 from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to University of Pennsylvania; PI: Dr. James M. Wilson.