Development of a fibrin-mediated gene delivery system for the treatment of cystinosis via design of experiment

Valeria Graceffa

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-07750-y

Abstract

Cystinosis is a rare disease, caused by a mutation in the gene cystinosin and characterised by the accumulation of cystine crystals. Advantages of biomaterial-mediated gene delivery include reduced safety concerns and the possibility to cure organs that are difficult to treat using systemic gene transfer methods. This study developed novel fibrin hydrogels for controlled, localised gene delivery, for the treatment of cystinosis. In the first part, fabrication parameters (i.e., DNA, thrombin, and aprotinin concentrations) were optimised, using a Design of Experiment (DOE) methodology. DOE is a statistical engineering approach to process optimisation, which increases experimental efficiency, reduces the number of experiments, takes into consideration interactions between different parameters, and allows the creation of predictive models. This study demonstrated the utility of DOE to the development of gene delivery constructs. In the second part of the study, primary fibroblasts from a patient with cystinosis were seeded on the biomaterials. Seeded cells expressed the recombinant CTNS and showed a decrease in cystine content. Furthermore, conditioned media contained functional copies of the recombinant CTNS. These were taken up by monolayer cultures of non-transfected cells. This study described a methodology to develop gene delivery constructs by using a DOE approach and ultimately provided new insights into the treatment of cystinosis.

Highlights

Cystinosis is a rare disease, caused by a mutation in the gene cystinosin and characterised by the accumulation of cystine crystals
This study aimed at developing fibrin hydrogels releasing a non-viral plasmid encoding for CTNS, which can potentially be used for the treatment of cystinosis
Primary fibroblasts from a patient with cystinosis were seeded on the biomaterials: cellular transfection, accumulation of cystine, and secretion of the recombinant CTNS were evaluated

Summary

Introduction

Cystinosis is a rare disease, caused by a mutation in the gene cystinosin and characterised by the accumulation of cystine crystals. Fabrication parameters (i.e., DNA, thrombin, and aprotinin concentrations) were optimised, using a Design of Experiment (DOE) methodology. This study described a methodology to develop gene delivery constructs by using a DOE approach and provided new insights into the treatment of cystinosis. Biomaterial-mediated gene therapy potentially represents a cure for cystinosis This approach would reduce side effects and safety concerns associated with systemic gene therapy, and it would treat difficulty accessible organs, such as the c ornea[8]. This study aimed at developing fibrin hydrogels releasing a non-viral plasmid encoding for CTNS, which can potentially be used for the treatment of cystinosis. Primary fibroblasts from a patient with cystinosis were seeded on the biomaterials: cellular transfection, accumulation of cystine, and secretion of the recombinant CTNS were evaluated

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Discussion

Conclusion