Control of erythropoietin secretion by doxycycline or mifepristone in mice bearing polymer-encapsulated engineered cells

C Serguera, D Bohl, E Rolland, P Prevost… - Human gene …, 1999 - liebertpub.com
C Serguera, D Bohl, E Rolland, P Prevost, JM Heard
Human gene therapy, 1999liebertpub.com
Cell encapsulation offers a safe and manufacturable method for the systemic delivery of
therapeutic proteins from genetically engineered cells. However, control of dose delivery
remains a major issue with regard to clinical application. We generated populations of
immortalized murine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts that secrete mouse erythropoietin (Epo) in
response to stimulation by doxycycline or mifepristone. Engineered cells were introduced
into AN69 hollow fibers, which were implanted in the peritoneal cavity or recipient mice …
Cell encapsulation offers a safe and manufacturable method for the systemic delivery of therapeutic proteins from genetically engineered cells. However, control of dose delivery remains a major issue with regard to clinical application. We generated populations of immortalized murine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts that secrete mouse erythropoietin (Epo) in response to stimulation by doxycycline or mifepristone. Engineered cells were introduced into AN69 hollow fibers, which were implanted in the peritoneal cavity or recipient mice. Animals receiving doxycycline or mifepristone showed stable polyhemia and increased serum Epo concentrations over a 6-month observation period, whereas animals not receiving the inducer drug had normal hematocrits. Epo secretion could be switched on and off, depending on the presence of doxycycline in the drinking water. In contrast, polyhemia was hardly reversible after subcutaneous injections of mifepristone. These data show that a permanent and regulated systemic delivery of a therapeutic protein can be obtained by the in vivo implantation of engineered allogeneic cells immunoprotected in membrane polymers.
Mary Ann Liebert