Self-selection by genetically modified committed lymphocyte precursors reverses the phenotype of JAK3-deficient mice without myeloablation

Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is an essential component of cytokine receptor signal transduction pathways required for normal lymphocyte development and function. JAK3 deficiency in both mice and humans results in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. We have previously shown that JAK3 gene transfer into irradiated recipients could restore immune function. However, since this toxic conditioning would be undesirable for infants in a clinical application, we have tested whether immune function could be restored in nonmyeloablated JAK3-deficient (-/-) mice. Murine JAK3 retroviral vectors were transduced into hematopoietic stem cells from the livers of newborn JAK3(-/-) mice. These cells were then injected intraperitoneally into nonirradiated JAK3(-/-) neonates. Transduced cells were detectable in these mice at time points 4 to 6 months after injection and resulted in significant correction of T and B lymphocyte numbers and circulating immunoglobulin (Ig) levels. After immune challenge with a dose of influenza A virus that was lethal to nonmanipulated JAK3(-/-) mice, mice injected with transduced cells showed development of circulating virus-specific IgG and enhanced survival. This work shows that the large selective advantage for JAK3-corrected lymphoid cells may be sufficient to overcome the need for myeloablative conditioning in JAK3 gene therapy protocols.