rAAV-mediated overexpression of TGF-β via vector delivery in polymeric micelles stimulates the biological and reparative activities of human articular chondrocytes in vitro and in a human osteochondral defect model

Abstract

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are clinically adapted vectors to durably treat human osteoarthritis (OA). Controlled delivery of rAAV vectors via polymeric micelles was reported to enhance the temporal and spatial presentation of the vectors into their targets. Here, we tested the feasibility of delivering rAAV vectors via poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly (propylene oxide) (PPO) (poloxamer and poloxamine) polymeric micelles as a means to overexpress the therapeutic factor transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in human OA chondrocytes and in experimental human osteochondral defects. Application of rAAV-human transforming growth factor-beta using such micelles increased the levels of TGF-β transgene expression compared with free vector treatment. Overexpression of TGF-β with these systems resulted in higher proteoglycan deposition and increased cell numbers in OA chondrocytes. In osteochondral defect cultures, a higher deposition of type-II collagen and reduced hypertrophic events were noted. Delivery of therapeutic rAAV vectors via PEO-PPO-PEO micelles may provide potential tools to remodel human OA cartilage.

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major, chronic joint disorder that involves deep changes in the structure and functions of skeletal tissues and cells, causing the gradual and irreversible breakdown of the articular cartilage (the end point of OA), the remodeling of the subchondral bone, and the formation of osteophytes^1,2 by an impaired homeostasis.^3,4 Current pharmacological and surgical strategies cannot fully reverse the OA phenotype and the original cartilage integrity is never being recovered. The design of new, durable, and effective approaches is thus under active investigation to avoid the progression of tissue degeneration while stably repairing the lesions. Gene therapy is a valuable strategy to achieve this goal, allowing to directly transfer genes coding for candidate factors within the repair tissue as a means to prolong their therapeutic activities.^5,6

Protection against OA cartilage breakdown via gene transfer has been reported by applying sequences for agents displaying preventive and/or inhibitory activities (IL-1 receptor antagonist, inhibitors of nuclear factor-κB, thrombospondin-1, kallistatin, pro-opiomelanocortin, Dickkopf-1).^7–14 In parallel, activation of anabolic/proliferative processes in OA has also been attempted using therapeutic genes such as the insulin-like growth factor I,^15,16 basic fibroblast growth factor-2,¹⁷ bone morphogenetic proteins,¹⁸ the transcription factor SOX9,¹⁹ and proteoglycan 4.²⁰ The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is another highly potent agent capable of promoting cartilage repair, enhancing the proliferation of chondrocytes and production of extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM) components and preventing cartilage degradation.^21–23 While gene transfer and overexpression of TGF-β was evaluated in articular chondrocytes in vitro and in situ via nonviral^24,25 and classical viral (adenoviruses and retroviruses) vectors,^26–28 the use of such vehicles in vivo may be impaired by their low and short-term efficiencies, especially in nondividing cells like chondrocytes, by the possibility of insertional mutagenesis (retroviral vectors), and their relatively high immunogenicity (adenoviral vectors).^5,6 In marked contrast, recombinant vectors based on the human adeno-associated virus (AAV) exhibit high, extended gene transfer efficiencies in chondrocytes in vitro and in situ within their dense ECM (up to 80% for at least 150 days)²⁹ due to their small size (~20 nm) and their maintenance as stable episomes, making them particularly adapted for in vivo setups.³⁰ Yet, while gene transfer of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) TGF-β construct allowed to stimulate the activity of chondrocytes in cartilage explants in situ,^31,32 the performance of this vector in vivo may be hindered by neutralizing antibodies against the AAV capsid proteins mainly in the synovial fluid of patients with joint diseases.³³

Providing rAAV vectors via biocompatible materials as controlled delivery systems is a novel, potent approach to overcome such pre-existing barriers.^34,35 In this regard, we previously reported that polymeric micelles that rely on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly (propylene oxide) (PPO) copolymers in the form of linear poloxamers or X-shaped poloxamines may improve the stability and bioactivity of reporter (lacZ) rAAV gene vectors, especially those with a higher PEO/PPO ratio (poloxamer PF68 and poloxamine T908).³⁶ In addition, encapsulation of rAAV in PF68 or T908 polymeric micelles resulted in an effective gene transfer of the reporter gene lacZ in human OA chondrocytes in vitro and in experimental osteochondral defects without detrimental effects on the biological activities of the cells nor on their phenotype, also affording protection when anti-AAV capsid neutralizing antibodies were present.³⁷ In light of such promising findings, the purpose of the present study was to test whether PF68 and T908 polymeric micelles can deliver a candidate rAAV TGF-β vector to human OA chondrocytes and to human osteochondral defects in order to overexpress the growth factor as a potent therapeutic approach for the future treatment of articular cartilage injuries.

Materials and methods

Materials

Pluronic^® F68 and Tetronic^® 908 were kindly provided by BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany). The anti-TGF-β (V) was from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Heidelberg, Germany). The anti-type-II collagen (II-II6B3) antibody was from DSHB (Iowa City, IA, USA) and the anti-type-X collagen (COL-10) antibody from Sigma (Munich, Germany). Biotinylated secondary antibodies and the ABC reagent were from Vector Laboratories (Alexis Deutschland GmbH, Grünberg, Germany). The Cy3 Ab Labeling Kit was from Amersham/GE Healthcare (Munich, Germany). The cell proliferation reagent WST-1 and the Cytotoxicity Detection Kit^PLUS (LDH) were from Roche Applied Science (Mannheim, Germany). The TGF-β enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (hTGF-β Quantikine ELISA) was from R&D Systems (Wiesbaden, Germany). Other reagents were from Sigma (Munich, Germany).

Cells and osteochondral defect model

Human OA cartilage (Mankin score of 7–9) was from total knee arthroplasty samples (n=7) from patients who previously signed informed consent.³² The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Saarland Physicians Council (Approval Ha67/12) and all procedures were in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.

Human OA chondrocytes were isolated as previously described³² and used not later than passage 3. Cells were incubated at the denoted cell densities in DMEM, 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 U/mL penicillin G, 100 µL/mL streptomycin (growth medium) for 12 h at 37°C under 5% CO₂ prior to addition of the rAAV/copolymer systems or free rAAV preparations (see below for concentrations) for up to 10 days for consistency with our previous study with reporter vectors.³⁷

Osteochondral defects were created in human OA cartilage biopsies (n=7) using a 1-mm drill needle in standardized cylindrical (6-mm diameter) as previously described³⁷ and incubated in growth medium prior to addition of the rAAV/copolymer systems or free rAAV preparations at the concentrations indicated thereafter for 10 days.

Plasmids and rAAV vectors

The constructs were derived from pSSV9, an AAV-2 genomic clone.^38,39 rAAV-hTGF-β carries a 1.2-kb human transforming growth factor-beta 1 (hTGF-β) cDNA fragment under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter.^32,36,40 The vectors were packaged as conventional (not self-complementary) vectors using a helper-free, 2-plasmid transfection system in 293 cells with the packaging plasmid pXX2 and the adenovirus helper plasmid pXX6.³² The vector preparations were purified by extensive dialysis and titrated by real-time polymerase chain reaction,^32,36,40 averaging 10¹⁰ transgene copies/mL (~1/500 functional recombinant viral particles).

Cy3 labeling

rAAV vectors were labeled using the Cy3 Ab Labeling Kit as previously described.⁴¹ Briefly, rAAV (1 mL) was dispersed in sodium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.3), kept for 30 min at 20°C, and purified by extensive dialysis against 20 mM HEPES (pH 7.5)/150 mL NaCl. Effective labeling was monitored in the samples by live fluorescent microscopy with rhodamine filter set (Olympus CKX41; Hamburg, Germany).

Preparation of copolymer solutions containing rAAV vectors

The appropriate amounts of each type of copolymer (PF68 or T908) were added to a given volume of 10% sucrose aqueous solution at 4°C. The obtained poloxamer and poloxamine solutions were then mixed with rAAV (or Cy3-labeled rAAV; 10¹⁰ transgene copies/mL) in equal volumes, kept in ice-water bath for 30 min, and used.³⁶ The final copolymer concentration into the medium was always 2%. Characterization of the systems revealed an effective association between the vectors and the polymeric micelles, also supported by the increase in size of the aggregates as recorded by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering.³⁷

Gene transfer efficacy using the rAAV/copolymer systems

Monolayer cultures of human OA chondrocytes (3,000 cells/well in 96-well plates) and osteochondral defect cultures were directly incubated with the rAAV/PF68 or rAAV/T908 micelles (20 or 40 µL for monolayer cultures; 100 µL for osteochondral defect cultures; final copolymer concentration 2%) and kept for 10 days at 37°C with 3 weekly medium change.^36,40 Control conditions included application of 10% sucrose aq solution (negative control), similar amounts of free rAAV (10 or 20 µL for monolayer cultures; 40 µL for osteochondral defect cultures; 10¹⁰ transgene copies/mL) in 10% sucrose (v/v; positive control), and copolymer with 10% sucrose (w/v; copolymer control). Application of rAAV carrying a reporter (lacZ) gene was not included in this study due to its absence of effects on chondrocytes metabolic activities in accordance with our previous studies.^36,42

Detection of transgene expression

Expression of TGF-β was assayed by ELISA.^32,39 Briefly, samples (cells in monolayer culture, osteochondral defect cultures) were washed twice and maintained for 24 h in serum-free medium previously to the collection of the culture medium supernatants. At given time intervals, supernatants were taken and centrifuged to separate debris. Measurements were carried out on a GENios apparatus (Tecan, Crailsheim, Germany). Additionally, TGF-β expression was quantified by immunocyto/histochemistry using a specific primary antibody, a biotinylated secondary antibody, and the ABC method with diaminobenzidine as the chromogen.^32,39 Secondary immunoglobulins were monitored in sections processed without addition of the primary antibody and then visualized using a light microscope (Olympus BX 45).

Assessment of cell proliferation

Proliferation of cells in monolayer culture was quantified with the cell proliferation reagent WST-1.^36,40 Controls included cells maintained with or without same dose of free vector, and also with copolymer in the absence of rAAV.

Assessment of cell viability

Viability of cells in monolayer culture and in osteochondral defect cultures was determined with the Cytotoxicity Detection Kit^PLUS (LDH; Roche Applied Science, Mannheim, Germany) in the supernatants of culture by recording the absorbance at 450 nm (GENios, Tecan).^37,42 Cytotoxicity was calculated as follows:

$$\text{Cytotoxicity}(\%)=\left(\frac{\text{Experimental value}-\text{Low control}}{\text{High control}-\text{Low control}}\right)\times 100$$

where low control corresponds to samples without assay treatment and high control to samples placed in the lysis buffer provided by the kit.

Histological and immunocyto/histochemical analyses

Cells in monolayer culture and osteochondral defect cultures were harvested at the denoted time points and fixed in 4% formalin.³⁷ Fixed cells were stained with Alcian blue (matrix proteoglycans) and excess stain was washed off with double distilled water. The stain was quantified by overnight solubilization in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride to monitor absorbance at 595 nm (GENios, Tecan).^37,43,44 Fixed osteochondral defect cultures were further dehydrated in graded alcohols, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned (10 µm). Sections were stained with H&E (cellularity), safranin O (matrix proteoglycans), and alizarin red (matrix mineralization) as previously described.^32,36,40 Expression of TGF-β and type-II/-X collagen was monitored by immunocyto/histochemistry as indicated previously.^32,36,40 To control for secondary immunoglobulins, sections were processed with omission of the primary antibody.

Histomorphometry

The cell densities (cell number/mm²) in H&E-stained sections, and the intensities of safranin O, type-II collagen and alizarin red staining and those of TGF-β and type-X collagen immunostaining (ratio of tissue surface positively stained to the total surface of the site evaluated on histological sections) were measured at four randomized sites as explained elsewhere using SIS AnalySIS (Olympus) and Adobe Photoshop Adobe Systems software (Unterschleissheim, Germany).^32,36,40

Statistical analysis

Three independent experiments were carried out for each condition, which was evaluated in duplicate. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s LSD or Games–Howell post hoc tests was applied to evaluate differences between groups.

Results

Efficacy of rAAV-mediated TGF-β overexpression in human OA chondrocytes via vector delivery using PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers

We first tested whether the PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers were capable of successfully delivering the rAAV-hTGF-β candidate vector to human OA chondrocytes in monolayer culture in vitro.

A quantitative estimation of TGF-β production revealed efficient levels of transgene expression in the cells upon rAAV-mediated gene delivery via the polymeric micelles (Figure 1A), with significant, up to 2.7-fold difference relative to free vector treatment (p≤0.040) and up to 19.5-fold difference versus control condition (p≤0.020). Furthermore, significantly increased levels of expression were seen over time with PF68 at the highest vector dose and T908 at either dose applied (up to 1.4-fold increase between days 3 and 10, p≤0.020). A significant vector dose-dependent effect was also observed when using micelles, especially after 10 days of treatment (up to 2.1-fold difference between 10 and 20 µL, p≤0.050). Similar trends were observed when TGF-β expression was monitored by immunocytochemical analysis (up to 1.4-fold increase relative to free vector treatment, p=0.010; up to 20.7-fold difference versus control condition, p≤0.002) (Figure 1B and C), with a significant increase in transgene expression over time (up to 1.3-fold difference between days 3 and 10, p≤0.010) and a significantly more intense TGF-β immunoreactivity at the highest vector dose applied (up to 1.7-fold difference between 10 and 20 µL on day 10, p=0.010).

Figure 1.

Transgene expression in rAAV-hTGF-β-transduced human OA chondrocytes in the presence of polymeric micelles.

Notes: Cells in monolayer culture were prepared and incubated with rAAV/polymeric micelles and the cultures were processed at the denoted time points to monitor TGF-β expression (A) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and (B) by immunohistochemical detection (magnification ×4, all representative data; scale bar 500 µm) with (C) corresponding histomorphometric analyses. Control conditions included the absence of copolymer or vector treatment (negative control) and application of free rAAV vector (positive control). Statistically significant compared with *negative and ^#positive controls.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; OA, osteoarthritis; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-beta.

Effects of rAAV-hTGF-β/PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer application on the biological activities of human OA chondrocytes

We next examined the potentially therapeutic effects of TGF-β overexpression upon delivery of rAAV-hTGF-β via PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers in human OA chondrocytes in vitro.

Analysis of the proliferative activities in the cells revealed durably increased indices following rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated gene transfer (up to 1.8-fold increase compared with the control, p≤0.010), especially when delivering the vectors via the polymeric micelles, although statistically significant difference was not reached (up to 1.4-fold increase versus free vector treatment, p≤0.210) (Figure 2A). A vector dose-dependent effect on cell proliferation was observed early on, although statistically significant differences were not reached (up to 1.3-fold increase between 10 and 20 µL; p≤0.290). So far, this effect was not observed after 10 days, showing a fold-decrease with increased vector doses (up to 0.7-fold decrease via delivery of AAV from T908 polymeric micelles; p≤0.040). Equally important, no deleterious effects of any of the gene transfer approaches (polymeric micelles, free vector treatment) were reported at any time point and regardless of the vector dose employed relative to the control condition (p≥0.090) (Figure 2B).

Figure 2.

Biosynthetic activities in rAAV-hTGF-β-transduced human OA chondrocytes in the presence of polymeric micelles.

Notes: Cells in monolayer culture were prepared and incubated with rAAV/polymeric micelles and the cultures were processed at the denoted time points to monitor cell viability by WST-1 assay (A), LDH assay (B), matrix production (C), and by Alcian blue staining (magnification ×10, all representative data; scale bar 200 µm) (D), with spectrophotometric analyses after solubilization in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Control conditions included the absence of copolymer or vector treatment (negative control) and application of free rAAV vector (positive control). *Statistically significant compared with negative control.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; OA, osteoarthritis; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-beta.

Finally, rAAV-mediated TGF-β overexpression promoted a significantly sustained deposition of a proteoglycan-rich ECM in treated cells to levels that were higher than those noted in the control conditions, especially upon delivery via the polymeric micelles (up to 1.5-fold difference, p≤0.0001) (Figure 2C and D). Besides, a vector dose dependence on ECM deposition was noted (up to 1.2-fold difference between 10 and 20 µL; p≤0.010).

Efficacy of rAAV-mediated TGF-β overexpression in human osteochondral defect cultures via gene vector delivery using PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers

We then evaluated whether the PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers were capable of successfully delivering the rAAV-hTGF-β candidate vector to human osteochondral defect cultures in situ.

Application of Cy3-labeled rAAV-hTGF-β revealed a diffusion of bioactive rAAV vectors in-depth within the defects when administered in both free form or encapsulated in PF68 and T908 micelles in an early on setup (Figure S1).

As observed for monolayer cultures of human OA chondrocytes, efficient TGF-β production was noted in defect cultures upon rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated gene transfer for at least 10 days, especially when applying the vectors via PF68-based micelles (up to 1.6-fold difference relative to the control condition), even though statistically significant differences were not reached (p≤0.333) (Figure 3A). Similar trends were observed when TGF-β expression was monitored by immunohistochemical analysis (up to 14.5-fold relative to control condition, p≤0.0001) (Figure 3B and C). A higher TGF-β immunoreactivity was noted by applying rAAV either via T908-based micelles or in its free form compared with their administration via T908-based micelles (p≤0.035).

Figure 3.

Transgene expression in rAAV-hTGF-β-transduced human osteochondral defect cultures in the presence of polymeric micelles.

Notes: Defects were prepared and incubated with rAAV/polymeric micelles and the cultures were processed after 10 days to monitor TGF-β expression (A), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (B), and by immunohistochemical detection (magnification ×10, all representative data; scale bar 200 µm) (C), with corresponding histomorphometric analyses. Control conditions included the absence of copolymer or vector treatment (negative control) and application of free rAAV vector (positive control). Statistically significant compared with *negative controls.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-beta.

Effects of rAAV-hTGF-β/PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer application in human osteochondral defect cultures

We finally examined the potential effects of TGF-β overexpression in human osteochondral defect cultures upon delivery of rAAV-hTGF-β via PEO-PPO-PEO copolymers.

Cell densities in regions adjacent to the defects were significantly higher upon rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated gene transfer (up to 2.3-fold difference versus control condition, p≤0.050) (Figure 4A and B). Here also, no deleterious effects were observed in the cultures, independently from the delivery system tested (polymeric micelles and free vector treatment) relative to the control condition (p≥0.342) (Figure 4C).

Figure 4.

Cell viability in rAAV-hTGF-β-transduced human osteochondral defect cultures in the presence of polymeric micelles.

Notes: Defects were prepared and incubated with rAAV/polymeric micelles and the cultures were processed after 10 days for (A) H&E staining (magnification ×10, all representative data; scale bar 200 µm) with (B) corresponding histomorphometric analyses and (C) to monitor cell viability using the LDH assay. Control conditions included the absence of copolymer or vector treatment (negative control) and application of free rAAV vector (positive control). *Statistically significant compared with negative control.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus.

In addition, rAAV-mediated TGF-β overexpression significantly enhanced the production of proteoglycan-rich ECM in treated defects with respect to the controls (up to 1.2-fold difference, p=0.010), especially upon delivery via T908 micelles (p=0.036) (Figure 5A and B). Administration of rAAV-hTGF-β also led to significantly higher levels of type-II collagen deposition relative to the control condition (up to 1.3-fold difference, p=0.0001), especially upon delivery via PF68 micelles (p≤0.010) (Figure 5C and D). Nevertheless, in both cases, the levels achieved upon delivery via the polymeric micelles were lower than those promoted upon free vector treatment at this time point and vector dose (p≤0.010). Most strikingly, an estimation of type-X collagen expression in regions adjacent to the defects revealed a significant reduction of undesirable cartilage hypertrophy upon rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated transduction (up to 28.8-fold difference versus control condition, p≤0.040) while no differences were observed in all groups treated with rAAV-hTGF-β (p≥0.783) (Figure 6A and B). In addition, an analysis of alizarin red staining intensity in regions adjacent to the defects showed a significant reduction of matrix mineralization upon rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated gene transfer (up to 1.2-fold difference versus control condition, p≤0.047) (Figure 6C and D). No differences were observed between groups treated with rAAV-hTGF-β, independently from the delivery system tested (polymeric micelles, free vector treatment) (p≥0.939).

Figure 5.

Biosynthetic activities in rAAV-hTGF-β-transduced human osteochondral defect cultures in the presence of polymeric micelles.

Notes: Defects were prepared and incubated with rAAV/polymeric micelles and the cultures were processed after 10 days for (A) safranin O staining and (C) for immunohistochemical detection of type-II collagen (magnification ×10, all representative data; scale bar 200 µm) with (B, D) corresponding histomorphometric analyses. Control conditions included the absence of copolymer or vector treatment (negative control) and application of free rAAV vector (positive control). *Statistically significant compared with negative control.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus.

Figure 6.

Hypertrophic and terminal differentiation activities in rAAV-hTGF-β-transduced human osteochondral defect cultures in the presence of polymeric micelles.

Notes: Defects were prepared and incubated with rAAV/polymeric micelles and the cultures were processed after 10 days for immunohistochemical detection of (A) type-X collagen and (C) alizarin red staining (all at magnification ×10, all representative data; scale bar 200 µm) with (B, D) corresponding histomorphometric analyses. Control conditions included the absence of copolymer or vector treatment (negative control) and application of free rAAV vector (positive control). *Statistically significant compared with negative control.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus.

Discussion

Gene transfer based on rAAV vectors represents a valuable tool to manage a gradual disease like OA as these constructs allow for a durable repair of damaged articular cartilage in situ^16,29,32 versus other less effective gene carriers (nonviral, adenoviral, and retroviral vectors).^5,6 Yet, the clinical application of rAAV is precluded by the natural presence of neutralizing antibodies in the patients, especially by those against the viral capsid proteins.⁴⁵ Delivery of rAAV via PEO-PPO-PEO polymeric micelles is a potent approach to overcome these hurdles that impair the efficacy of rAAV-mediated gene transfer.^36,37 We previously reported that delivery of rAAV carrying the reporter gene lacZ via polymeric micelles increased both the stability and bioactivity of rAAV vectors, promoting higher levels of safe transgene in vitro and in experimental osteochondral defect models.³⁷ Here, based on such observations, we tested the therapeutic benefits of providing rAAV vectors overexpressing the potent factor TGF-β to human OA chondrocytes using PEO-PPO-PEO-based polymeric micelles.

The data first indicate that administration of rAAV-hTGF-β via polymeric micelles to human OA chondrocytes increased up to 2.7-fold the levels of TGF-β transgene expression over time compared with free vector treatment. Beneficial effects of rAAV-mediated TGF-β overexpression in human OA chondrocytes were confirmed by increased indices of cell proliferation, especially after administration of the vector via polymeric micelles. Of note and in accordance with previous studies using similar systems,^36,37 there was no detrimental effect of the treatments on cell viability over the whole test period using either encapsulated vectors or free vector preparations. Overexpression of TGF-β in human OA chondrocytes resulted in higher proteoglycan-rich ECM deposition relative to the untreated control groups, especially upon administration of the vector via polymeric micelles.

The results further show the suitability of the current approach to modify cells in a more natural, translational environment by providing therapeutic rAAV-hTGF-β via PEO-PPO-PEO micelles to a human osteochondral defect model.³⁷ Quantitative estimation of the cell densities in regions adjacent to the defects revealed increased cell numbers upon rAAV-hTGF-β transduction independently from the method of delivery applied (polymeric micelles, free vector treatment), consistent with the effects of TGF-β in human normal and OA cartilage explant cultures.³² Furthermore, administration of rAAV-hTGF-β either via polymeric micelles or in its free form increased the proteoglycans contents in human osteochondral defect cultures. Similarly, overexpression of TGF-β in human osteochondral defect cultures resulted in higher deposition of type-II collagen compared with the control groups.⁴⁶ These results highlight the role that rAAV-mediated TGF-β gene transfer may play in remodeling human OA cartilage by triggering biological and reparative activities.³² Interestingly, delivery of rAAV-hTGF-β via polymeric micelles resulted in lower levels of type-II collagen compared with free vector treatment, at least at the time point and rAAV/copolymer ratio selected here.³⁷ Study is ongoing to extend the evaluation at longer time points and also using different rAAV/copolymer ratios in order to examine whether overexpression of TGF-β from these systems may become more effective than when using free vector administration. Finally, and in accordance with our previous findings with human OA cartilage explants,³² a favorable reduction in hypertrophic events was observed upon rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated gene transfer of human osteochondral defect cultures.

Overall, the present study reveals the potential of using controlled delivery systems for rAAV-mediated TGF-β gene transfer to improve the current gene-based treatments for human OA by increasing the temporal and spatial presentation of the gene products into the targets. Study is also ongoing to examine the potency of the approach in relevant animal models of OA in vivo.^7–14,20 In conclusion, combining controlled delivery strategies via PEO-PPO-PEO micelles and therapeutic rAAV gene transfer may constitute powerful tools to remodel human OA cartilage.

Supplementary material

Figure S1

Characterization of rAAV-hTGF-β-mediated gene transfer in human osteochondral defect cultures via polymeric micelles.

Notes: Defects were prepared, incubated with Cy3-rAAV/polymeric micelles and processed after 2 days to monitor the diffusion and bioactivity of the vectors by analysis of live fluorescence and immunohistochemical detection, respectively (magnification ×2) in cross-sections from the defects as described in the “Cy3 labeling” and “Histological and immunocyto/histochemical analyses” sections. Scale bar represents 1 mm.

Abbreviations: hTGF, human transforming growth factor; rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus.