Combination Gene Therapy Targeting On Interleukin-1β and Rankl for Wear Debris Induced Aseptic Loosening

This study investigated the efficacy of a combination gene therapy to repress IL-1 and RANKL for the treatment of particulate debris-induced aseptic loosening, and tried to explore the molecular mechanism the exogenous gene modifications on osteoclastogenesis. RAW cells activated by titanium particles were transduced with DFG-IL-1Ra and AAV-OPG individually or in combination for 4 weeks. Pro-inflammatory cytokines in culture media were determined by ELISA, and gene expressions of RANK, IL-1β, c-Fos, TRAF6, JNK1, and CPK were examined using real-time PCR. An established knee-implant-failure mouse model was employed to evaluate the efficacy of the in vivo double-gene therapy. The surgical implantation of a titanium alloy pin into the proximal tibia was followed by monthly challenge with titanium debris. Peri-implant gene transfers of IL-1Ra and OPG (respectively or in combination) were given three weeks after surgery. The combination of OPG and IL-1Ra gene transfer exhibited strong synergetic effects in blockage of inflammation and osteoclastogenesis at 8-weeks after gene modification. The combination therapy reversed peri-implant bone resorption and restored implant stability when compared with either single gene transduction. Real-time PCR data indicated that the action of IL-1Ra gene therapy may be mediated via the JNK1 pathway, while the reduction of osteoclastogenesis by OPG gene modification may be regulated by c-Fos expression. In addition, both gene modifications resulted in significantly diminishment of TRAF6 expression.