scholarly journals Gene Therapy for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis: Current Progress and Future Prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Piter J. Bosma ◽  
Marius Wits ◽  
Ronald P. J. Oude-Elferink

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) are inherited severe liver disorders presenting early in life, with high serum bile salt and bilirubin levels. Six types have been reported, two of these are caused by deficiency of an ABC transporter; ABCB11 (bile salt export pump) in type 2; ABCB4 (phosphatidylcholine floppase) in type 3. In addition, ABCB11 function is affected in 3 other types of PFIC. A lack of effective treatment makes a liver transplantation necessary in most patients. In view of long-term adverse effects, for instance due to life-long immune suppression needed to prevent organ rejection, gene therapy could be a preferable approach, as supported by proof of concept in animal models for PFIC3. This review discusses the feasibility of gene therapy as an alternative for liver transplantation for all forms of PFIC based on their pathological mechanism. Conclusion: Using presently available gene therapy vectors, major hurdles need to be overcome to make gene therapy for all types of PFIC a reality.

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sem J. Aronson ◽  
Robert S. Bakker ◽  
Xiaoxia Shi ◽  
Suzanne Duijst ◽  
Lysbeth ten Bloemendaal ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Goubran ◽  
Ayodeji Aderibigbe ◽  
Emmanuel Jacquemin ◽  
Catherine Guettier ◽  
Safwat Girgis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) type 3 is an autosomal recessive disorder arising from mutations in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4) gene. This gene encodes multidrug resistance protein-3 (MDR3) that acts as a hepatocanalicular floppase that transports phosphatidylcholine from the inner to the outer canalicular membrane. In the absence of phosphatidylcholine, the detergent activity of bile salts is amplified and this leads to cholangiopathy, bile duct loss and biliary cirrhosis. Patients usually present in infancy or childhood and often progress to end-stage liver disease before adulthood. Case presentation We report a 32-year-old female who required cadaveric liver transplantation at the age of 17 for cryptogenic cirrhosis. When the patient developed chronic ductopenia in the allograft 15 years later, we hypothesized that the patient’s original disease was due to a deficiency of a biliary transport protein and the ductopenia could be explained by an autoimmune response to neoantigen that was not previously encountered by the immune system. We therefore performed genetic analyses and immunohistochemistry of the native liver, which led to a diagnosis of PFIC3. However, there was no evidence of humoral immune response to the MDR3 and therefore, we assumed that the ductopenia observed in the allograft was likely due to chronic rejection rather than autoimmune disease in the allograft. Conclusions Teenage patients referred for liver transplantation with cryptogenic liver disease should undergo work up for PFIC3. An accurate diagnosis of PFIC 3 is key for optimal management, therapeutic intervention, and avoidance of complications before the onset of end-stage liver disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas D. Weber ◽  
Leticia Odriozola ◽  
Javier Martínez-García ◽  
Veronica Ferrer ◽  
Anne Douar ◽  
...  

AbstractProgressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a rare monogenic disease caused by mutations in the ABCB4 gene, resulting in a reduction in biliary phosphatidylcholine. Reduced biliary phosphatidylcholine cannot counteract the detergent effects of bile salts, leading to cholestasis, cholangitis, cirrhosis and ultimately liver failure. Here, we report results from treating two- or five-week-old Abcb4−/− mice with an AAV vector expressing human ABCB4, resulting in significant decreases of PFIC3 disease biomarkers. All male mice achieved a sustained therapeutic effect up through 12 weeks, but the effect was achieved in only 50% of females. However, two-week-old females receiving a second inoculation three weeks later maintained the therapeutic effect. Upon sacrifice, markers of PFIC3 disease such as, hepatosplenomegaly, biliary phosphatidylcholine and liver histology were significantly improved. Thus, AAV-mediated gene therapy successfully prevented PFIC3 symptoms in a clinically relevant mouse model, representing a step forward in improving potential therapy options for PFIC3 patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-669
Author(s):  
Aynur Küçükçongar Yavaş ◽  
Büşra Çavdarlı ◽  
Özlem Ünal Uzun ◽  
Ayşen Uncuoğlu ◽  
Mehmet Gündüz

AbstractBackgroundProgressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is an uncommon cholestatic liver disease caused by mutations in the ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4) gene. Although PFIC3 is frequently identified in childhood, ABCB4 disease-causing alleles have been described in adults affected by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, hormone-induced cholestasis, low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome or juvenile cholelithiasis, cholangiocarcinoma and in sporadic forms of primary biliary cirrhosis. Cholestanol is a biomarker which is elevated especially in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and rarely in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and Niemann Pick type C.Case presentationHere we report a Turkish patient with compound heterozygous mutations in the ABCB4 gene, who has hepatosplenomegaly, low level of high-density lipoprotein, cholestasis and high level of cholestanol.ConclusionThis is the first PFIC3 case with a high cholestanol level described in the literature. There are very few diseases linked to increased cholestanol levels, two of which are CTX and PBC. From this case, we can conclude that a high cholestanol level might be another indicator of PFIC type 3.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. e134-e136
Author(s):  
Nida Mirza ◽  
Smita Malhotra ◽  
Anupam Sibal

AbstractProgressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders of childhood which presents with intermittent or progressive episodes of cholestasis, with jaundice and pruritus as most common presenting symptoms. PFIC type 3 occurs due to mutations in the ABCB4 gene, mutation in this gene has wide spectrum of features which include intrahepatic stones, cholelithiasis, PFIC type 3, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Here, we are reporting a peculiar case of young male adolescent with novel variant compound heterozygote missense mutation in ABCB4 gene who had gall stone as initial symptom, followed by symptoms of PFIC and eventually decompensated chronic liver disease.


1999 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 1370-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L.M. Jansen ◽  
Sandra S. Strautnieks ◽  
Emmanuel Jacquemin ◽  
Michelle Hadchouel ◽  
Etienne M. Sokal ◽  
...  

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