Adenovirus-mediated Gene Transfer for Cystic Fibrosis: Quantitative Evaluation of Repeated in Vivo Vector Administration to the Lung

Adenoviral vectors have an important role as in vivo gene delivery vehicles in developing human gene therapy for the fatal pulmonary component of cystic fibrosis. In this study we evaluated the immune responses to wild-type adenovirus and replication-deficient, first generation adenoviral (Av1) vectors in the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) and then quantitatively evaluated the efficiency of gene delivery and expression of single and repeated in vivo administration of Av1 vectors to the respiratory tract. Av1 vector reporter gene expression was quantitatively evaluated by employing a luciferase expression vector (Av1Luc1) and measuring luciferase activity in whole lung tissue homogenates by routine luminometry. Gene transfer and expression in naive animals (e.g. first Av1 vector dose) was efficient. A repeat dose also resulted in successful gene transfer and expression, although at a significantly reduced level (p < 0.01) compared with naive animals. This reduction inversely correlated with serum human adenovirus neutralizing antibody (HANA) titers. Importantly, increasing doses of Av1Cf2, an Av1 vector expressing the human CFTR cDNA, resulted in a graded HANA response consistent with a lack of in vivo replication. These observations have significant implications for repeated administration of adenoviral vectors to the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis.