Recombinant adeno-associated virus with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha in an experimental autoimmune uveitis model

Abstract

Uveitis treatment is associated with side effects and inconsistent outcomes. Existing treatments often fail to provide targeted and sustained relief; thus, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Among these, gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors target specific retinal cells, show low immunogenicity, and demonstrate sustained gene expression, making it a potential advancement in uveitis treatment. Therefore, we utilized a AAV2 system encapsulating encoded anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibody to assess its efficacy in the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in mice. Compared with the AAV2-GFP group, AAV2-ADA-injected mice showed significantly reduced clinical, OCT, and histopathological scores in EAU with lower percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells in the eyes and higher percentages of Treg cells in the draining lymph nodes (LN). This study demonstrated the safety and effects of AAV2-ADA in EAU treatment, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for uveitis.