FK506 immunosuppression to control the immune reactions triggered by first-generation adenovirus-mediated gene transfer.

Despite good initial success in vivo, gene transfer using first-generation replication-defective adenovirus has been reported to lead to transient reporter gene expression and to trigger inflammatory reactions in various organs and animal models. To gain more knowledge on this phenomenon, immune reactions were investigated following in vivo transfection of adult immunocompetent mouse muscle using a delta E1/E3a adenoviral vector encoding a beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) expression cassette. Cellular and humoral immune reactions, and rejection of beta-Gal-positive muscle fibers, occurred within 3 weeks. The muscles showed massive infiltration by macrophages, natural killer cells, and CD8+ leukocytes. The mRNA levels of granzyme B and interferon-gamma were increased 6 days after vector injection, indicating that the infiltrating lymphocytes were activated. Antibodies were formed against the adenovirus group antigen and the beta-Gal gene product 2 weeks after construct injection. The immunosuppressant FK506, however, blocked the cellular infiltration and the humoral response and allowed strong, stable transgene expression over 1 month. These data emphasize the immune problems related to the use of delta E1/E3a adenoviruses as vectors for gene therapy, and they underline the potential of FK506 as an immunosuppressant adjunct treatment for adenovirus-mediated gene transfer.