Recombinant encapsulated cells overexpressing alpha-L-iduronidase correct enzyme deficiency in human mucopolysaccharidosis type I cells.

Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease due to deficient α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) activity. It results in the accumulation of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) heparan and dermatan sulfate and leads to several clinical manifestations. Available treatments are limited in their efficacy to treat some aspects of the disease. Thus, new approaches have been studied for the treatment of MPS I. Here, we tested the ability of recombinant baby hamster kidney cells transfected with human IDUA cDNA in correcting skin fibroblasts from MPS I patients in vitro. Our results showed an increase in IDUA activity in MPS I fibroblasts after 15, 30 and 45 days of coculture with the capsules. Cytological analysis showed a marked reduction in GAG storage within MPS I cells. Enzyme uptake by the fibroblasts was blocked in a dose-dependent manner with mannose-6-phosphate (M6P), indicating that cells use the M6P receptor to internalize the recombinant enzyme. Capsules were effective in correcting MPS I cells even after a 12-month period of cryopreservation. Taken together, our results indicate that cell encapsulation is a potential approach for treatment of MPS I. This approach becomes particularly interesting as a complementary approach, since the capsules could be implanted in sites which current treatments available are not able to reach. Future studies will focus on the efficacy of this approach in vivo.