Adeno-associated virus gene transfer in Morquio A disease - effect of promoters and sulfatase-modifying factor 1

Abstract

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme N-acetylgalatosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS), which leads to the accumulation of keratan sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate, mainly in bone. To explore the possibility of gene therapy for Morquio A disease, we transduced the GALNS gene into HEK293 cells, human MPS IVA fibroblasts and murine MPS IVA chondrocytes by using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors, which carry human GALNS cDNA. The effects of the promoter and the cotransduction with the sulfatase-modifying factor 1 gene (SUMF1) on GALNS activity levels was evaluated. Downregulation of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early enhancer/promoter was not observed for 10 days post-transduction. The eukaryotic promoters induced equal or higher levels of GALNS activity than those induced by the CMV promoter in HEK293 cells. Transduction of human MPS IVA fibroblasts induced GALNS activity levels that were 15-54% of those of normal human fibroblasts, whereas in transduced murine MPS IVA chondrocytes, the enzyme activities increased up to 70% of normal levels. Cotransduction with SUMF1 vector yielded an additional four-fold increase in enzyme activity, although the level of elevation depended on the transduced cell type. These findings suggest the potential application of AAV vectors for the treatment of Morquio A disease, depending on the combined choice of transduced cell type, selection of promoter, and cotransduction of SUMF1.