Long-term and efficient expression of human β-globin gene in a hematopoietic cell line using a new site-specific integrating non-viral system

Targeted integration of a therapeutic gene at specific loci in safe genomic regions by a non-viral vector can restore the function of the damaged gene. This approach also minimizes the potential genotoxic effects of transferred DNA. In this study, we have developed a non-viral vector that functions according to site-specific recombination (SSR). The vector contained a bacterial backbone and puromycin resistance gene (pur(r)), a beta-globin expressing cassette and an attB recombination site. We used phiC31 integrase to insert a copy of the vector into specific genomic locations of a human hematopoietic cell line. Site-specific integration of the vector with one or two copies in the transcriptionally active regions of the genome was confirmed. After genomic integration, we used Cre recombinase to remove the bacterial backbone and pur(r). This removal was verified by negative selection and genomic PCR screening. Following deletion of these sequences, the stable beta-chain expression was continued for several months in the absence of selective pressure. Consequently, this vector may potentially be a powerful tool for ex vivo correction of beta-globinopathies such as beta-thalassemia through successful genomic integration of a functional copy of the globin gene into the patient's target cells.