Gene and Cell Therapy for Diabetes and Hypertensive Heart Disease - Yasuhiro Ikeda

BNP Gene Therapy for Hypertensive Heart Disease

In collaboration with John C. Burnett, M.D., and Alessandro Cataliotti, M.D., Ph.D., the lab of Dr. Ikeda has demonstrated that novel cardiotropic adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors achieve long-term cardiac gene delivery. AAV9 vector-mediated gene delivery of a cardiac hormone, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), resulted in reduced blood pressure, prevention of cardiac remodeling (hypertrophy and fibrosis) and significantly improved cardiac functions in hypertensive rats.¹

BNP gene therapy also extended the survival of rats with hypertensive heart disease. Dr. Ikeda's lab is hoping to translate this exciting technology to clinical studies and is currently testing its therapeutic effects and safety in large animals. Additionally, the lab is studying the role of glycosylation in BNP secretion and processing.²

References

1. Cataliotti A, et al. Long-term cardiac pro-B-type natriuretic peptide gene delivery prevents the development of hypertensive heart disease in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Circulation. 2011;123:1297.
2. Tonne JM, et al. Secretion of glycosylated pro-B-type natriuretic peptide from normal cardiomyocytes. Clinical Chemistry. 2011;57:864.