Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Imaging gene expression using translatable human SSTR2-based reporters

4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Cell & Gene Therapy

August 10-12, 2015 London, UK

Vikas Kundra

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Stem Cell Res Ther

Abstract:

Clinical trials of gene therapy have been hampered by a lack of clinically relevant methods for in vivo detection of gene
transfer. Currently in the clinic, evaluating success of gene transfer is primarily limited to analyses of biopsy samples,
which provides limited assessment of in vivo gene delivery, is prone to sampling error, has associated morbidity and mortality,
and can have problems with patient compliance especially when repeated evaluation or monitoring of multiple sites is needed.
Instead, monitoring of exogenous gene expression should be noninvasive and easily repeatable over time in the same patient.
This would inform regarding the location, magnitude, and kinetics of gene expression, and, could prove instrumental towards
the rational development of innovative formulations designed to selectively target particular tissues, organs, or disease sites. To
approach these needs, reporter genes may be used. These often encode enzymes, transport proteins, and receptors that most
frequently bind and/or entrap an imaging agent. These may be limited for percutaneous imaging of humans because of scatter,
such as light based agents; size; immunogenicity, particularly if not of human origin; quantification; and availability of clinically
approved imaging agents. A desirable feature of the reporter is that it does not affect the intracellular milieu by signaling or
pump action so that it does not cause untoward effects in expressing cells. We find that human somatostatin receptor type 2
gene-based reporters (SSTR2-based) reporters have desirable features for imaging in animals and for translation to humans.
The SSTR2-based systems enable in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo assessment of the reporter. They can be imaged using clinically
approved radiopharmaceuticals and can be designed to be signaling deficient. Using small animal cognates of clinical machines
as well as machines designed for patients, we have used a combination of functional and anatomic imaging to quantify in
vivo expression of SSTR2-based reporters. We have used these to evaluate methods for improving expression. Imaging and
quantification of such reporters has been performed in small animals and as a bridge to translation, in large animals.