This document provides an overview of gene therapy, including its history, mechanisms, and applications. It discusses how gene therapy works to replace abnormal genes, introduces new genes to fight disease, or enhances normal gene function. The document outlines the types of gene therapy based on the cells targeted, such as somatic or germ line cells. It also reviews the vectors used to deliver genes, including viral vectors like retroviruses and non-viral methods. The text highlights some accomplishments of gene therapy and diseases it may help treat, but notes there are also ethical concerns around its use.
2. PRESENTED TO: DR. SUMAIRA
KANWAL
PRESENTED BY: TANIA SAEED
(FA19-BSI-010)
3. CONTENTS
What is gene?
Gene therapy
History of gene therapy
Outcomes
Functional classification
Vectors of gene therapy
How to introduce genes?
Types of gene therapy
Accomplishments
Targets
Ethical issues
4. GENE-THE BASIC CONCEPT
Gene is a basic unit of heredity.
Genes are segments of DNA.
Each gene contains information about a certain trait.
Genes are transcribed and translated by the cell to make proteins.
Proteins create a visible phenotype.
For example, one gene might code for eye color. The gene is used by the cells to make proteins
which creates specific pigment color in our eyes.
6. GENE THERAPY:
An approach of
treating diseases by
either modifying the
expressions of an
individual’s genes or
correction of abnormal
genes.
It is intracellular
delivery of genes to
generate a therapeutic
effect by correcting an
existing abnormality.
7.
8. HISTORY:
1960’s : The concepts of
Gene Therapy was
introduced.
1972 : Friedman and Roblin
authored a paper in Science
titled "Gene therapy for
human genetic disease.”
1984: A retrovirus vector
system was designed that
could efficiently insert
foreign genes into
mammalian chromosomes.
1990: The first approved
gene therapy in the US took
place on 14 September 1990,
at the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), under the
direction of William French
Anderson.
In 1990, a 4-year-old girl
named Ashi DiSilva was the
first patient to receive gene
therapy for SCID (severe
combined
immunodeficiency).
She became a healthy adult
with an immune system that
was able to fight off most
infections.
9. OUTCOMES:
Gene therapy:
replaces a mutated gene with a healthy
one.
deactivates a gene that isn’t functioning
properly.
introduces a new gene in the body to
help fight the disease.
Enhances the effect of a normally
functioning gene.
Activates the gene that was shut down
during fetal life.
10. FUNCTIONAL
CLASSIFICATION:
Base on the purpose of gene therapy it
can be:
Gene replacement therapy
Gene deactivation therapy
Transgenesis
Gene Enhancement therapy
Gene activation therapy
11. VECTORS FOR
GENE
THERAPY:
Different carrier systems are used for
gene delivery:
Viral systems.
Non viral systems.
Vectors are needed since the genetic
material must be transferred across the
cell membrane and preferably into the
cell nucleus.
12. VIRAL
VECTORS:
Retroviruses
Adeno viruses
Adeno associated viruses
Herpes simplex viruses
Retroviruses as vectors of gene is
discussed next.
13. RETROVIRUSES AS VIRAL VECTORS:
The retroviruses are modified to carry genes. The gag, pol, env genes are
deleted rendering them incapable of replication inside the host cell.
Viruses are then introduced into a culture containing the helper viruses. The
helper virus is an engineered virus which is deficient in Ψ segment but
contains all other genes for replication. That means it has the genes to
produce viral particles but lacks the genes required for packing.
14. CONTINUED…
The replication deficient but infective retro virus vector carrying the human
gene now comes out of the cultured cells. These are introduced into the
patient. The virus enters the cell via specific receptors.
In the cytoplasm of the human cells, the reverse transcriptase carried by the
vector coverts the RNA into DNA, Which is then integrated into the host
DNA. The normal human gene can now be expressed. The integrated DNA
becomes a permanent part of the chromosome.
18. HOW TO
INTRODUCE
GENES?
There are three ways-
Ex vivo strategy- Where the patient’s cells are cultured in
the laboratory, the new genes are infused into the cells and
modified genes are administered back to the patient.
In vivo strategy- where the vector is administered directly
to the cell.
In situ strategy- where the carrier of the gene is injected to
the patient either intravenously or directly to the tissues.
19. EX-VIVO GENE THERAPY:
In this method, the cells are modified outside the body and then
transplanted back in again, called the ex vivo because the cells are treated
outside the body.
Example: 1st gene therapy – to correct deficiency of enzyme, Adenosine
deaminase (ADA).
Performed on a 4yr old girl Ashanthi DeSilva.
Was suffering from SCID- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.
Caused due to defect in gene coding for ADA. Deoxyadenosine accumulate
and destroys T lymphocytes.
Disrupts immunity , suffer from infectious diseases and die at young age.
20. IN VIVO GENE THERAPY:
In vivo gene transfer is necessary when cultured cells cannot be re-implanted
in patients effectively.
Example: In patients with cystic fibrosis, a protein called cystic fibrosis trans-
membrane regulator (CFTR) is absent due to a gene defect.
In the absence of CFTR chloride ions concentrate within the cells and it draws
water from surrounding. This leads to the accumulation of sticky mucous in
respiratory tract and lungs.
Treated by in vivo replacement of defective gene by adenovirus vector.
21. IN SITU GENE THERAPY:
In situ gene therapy is a specialized form of in vivo gene therapy where the
new genetic material is placed directly into the affected tissue.
Examples are injection into a tumor mass with a vector carrying the gene for
a toxin, or the injection of a vector carrying a dystrophin gene directly into
the muscle of a patient with muscular dystrophy.
22.
23. TYPES OF
GENE
THERAPY:
Somatic cells or the Germ line cells are
the cells to accept the introduced
genes.
Based on the type of cells involved the
Gene therapy can be:
Somatic cell therapy (A somatic cell is
any cell of the body except sperm and
egg cells.)
Germ line therapy (A germ line is the
sex cells (eggs and sperm) that are
used by sexually reproducing
organisms to pass on genes from
generation to generation.)
24. SOMATIC CELL- GENE THERAPY:
single defective cell taken out of an individual’s body.
functional version of gene is introduced into cell in a laboratory
The cells then reproduce, copies of cells with a corrected version of the gene
is injected back into the patient.
the good gene ends with the patient and is not inherited by their offspring.
25.
26. GERM LINE- GENE THERAPY:
normal version of gene is inserted into germ cells.
those germ cells will divide normal versions of the gene.
any zygote produced as a result of this germ cell will have a correct version
of the defective gene and will continue passing it on to their offspring.
29. ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GENE
THERAPY:
Severe combined Immuno deficiency (SCID)- It is caused by the deficiency of adenosine
Deaminase enzyme. The first trial of gene therapy was done on this disease. Follow up
studies show the presence of normal immune functions in recipients compatible with life.
Restenosis – 13 patients were treated by DNA carrying genes for angiogenesis. All were
improved.
Breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, brain cancers and ovarian cancers treated.
Activation of Hb F gene in patients of Thalassemia and sickle cell diseases.
Trials to enhance the genes of intelligence, height and athleticism.
Trials to treat the individuals with genetic predisposition to conditions such as asthma,
alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease. Schizophrenia, manic depression and Breast cancer before
the onset of clinical manifestations.
32. ETHICAL ISSUES:
Who decides what is normal and what is a defect?
What kind of an impact will this have on people
Germ line gene therapy is much more controversial. It would introduce
‘normal’ human genes into the eggs or sperm of parents, or into the
fertilized egg or early embryo of the offspring. The goal would be to change
the eventual child's genetic inheritance. This could be done in order to avoid
a genetic disease or in order to introduce an ‘enhancing’ genetic variation.
There have been no trials of human germ line gene therapy; indeed, there is
an informal moratorium in the scientific community on trying such
experiments in humans. Both its feasibility and its value are unclear.
33. CONTINUED…
who are currently living with these disabilities. Will this make them feel worse
about themselves?
Gene therapy is expensive so will only the rich have access to treatment?
What will happen to the poor?