Objective
The project aims to develop a gene therapy technology model based on autologous transplantation of skin made in vitro from genetically modified epidermal stem cells. This includes developing vectors, gene transfer technology, and preclinical models of gene therapy of rare inherited defects treatable with local delivery of a recombinant protein. The research focuses on dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), a rare, disabling skin disease caused by inherited defects of collagen type VII. The workplan consists in: - Recruiting, genotyping and characterizing at molecular level cohorts of patients with recessive and dominant DEB - Isolating epithelial stem cells from the skin of DEB patients and DEB dogs, a spontaneous large animal model for the disease - Developing viral vectors (oncoretroviral, lentiviral, and hybrid adeno/AAV vectors) to integrate and stably express the collagen VII cDNA in DEB epidermal stem cells ex vivo - Transducing highly clonogenic DEB keratinocytes with the most appropriate vector(s) - constructing skin equivalents made with genetically corrected DEB cells to assess the full morphological and functional reversion of the DEB phenotype - Constructing transplantable epithelia using genetically corrected DEB cells and preclinical assessment of their performance in vivo in appropriate immune competent animal models - Developing a technology for production and downstream processing of clinical-grade viral vectors preparations under GMP/GLP standards -Establishing SOP, protocols and guidelines to genetically modify epidermal stem cells used to produce skin implants for clinical use- Disseminating results. The project's immediate goal is to develop a gene therapy approach to DEB and design appropriate phase I/II clinical trials to exploit the knowledge generated. This research ultimately targets the implementation of a technology applicable to other genetic protein deficiencies requiring local or systemic delivery of active molecules.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyskin cancer
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cells
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinetransplantation
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants
Topic(s)
- LIFESCIHEALTH-1.2.4 - Development and testing of new preventive and therapeutic tools, such a somatic gene and cell therapies (in particular stem cell therapies, for example those on neurological and neuromuscular disorders) and immunotherapies
- LSH-2003-1.2.4-8 - Use of gene transfer for curative therapy of human skin disease
Call for proposal
FP6-2003-LIFESCIHEALTH-I
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