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  • Acquired Diseases
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Transfer of the feline erythropoietin gene to cats using a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector

Gene Therapy volume 7, pages 534–539 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Chronic renal failure and the associated erythropoietin-responsive anemia afflicts over 2 million domestic cats in the United States, resulting in morbidity that can affect the owner–pet relationship. Although treatment of cats with recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) protein can be effective, response to the drug often dissipates over time, probably due to the development of antibodies reactive with the human protein. As an alternate approach to the treatment of this disease, we have developed a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector containing the feline erythropoietin gene (rAAV/feEpo). This vector, when administered intramuscularly to normal healthy cats, caused a dose-related increase in hematocrit over a 7-week period after injection. Thus, the rAAV/feEpo vector holds promise as a simple, safe and effective therapy for the anemia of chronic renal failure in domestic cats.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Children's Research Institute Viral Vector Core (Reed Clark, Sarah Bailey, Maera Flynn and Anna Mendoza) for rAAV production, Anne Lewis for assistance with mouse injections, John Hayes for statistical analysis and David McNeely and Kathleen Hayes for assistance with the cat necropsies. This work was supported by the Children's Research Institute and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Developmental Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Research Institute, Children's Hospital, Inc, Columbus, OH, USA

    C J Beall & P R Johnson

  2. Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    C J Beall & P R Johnson

  3. Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    A J Phipps, L E Mathes, P Stromberg & P R Johnson

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  1. C J Beall
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Beall, C., Phipps, A., Mathes, L. et al. Transfer of the feline erythropoietin gene to cats using a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector. Gene Ther 7, 534–539 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3301126

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3301126

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