Transfer of the α5(IV) collagen chain gene to smooth muscle restores in vivo expression of the α6(IV) collagen chain in a canine model of Alport syndrome

X-linked Alport syndrome is a progressive renal disease caused by mutations in the COL4A5 gene, which encodes the alpha5(IV) collagen chain. As an initial step toward gene therapy for Alport syndrome, we report on the expression of recombinant alpha51(IV) collagen in vitro and in vivo. A full-length cDNA-encoding canine alpha5(IV) collagen was cloned and expressed in vitro by transfection of HEK293 cells that synthesize the alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV), but not the alpha3(IV) to alpha6(IV) collagen chains. By Northern blotting, an alpha5(IV) mRNA transcript of 5.2 kb was expressed and the recombinant protein was detected by immunocytochemistry. The chain was secreted into the medium as a 190-kd monomer; no triple helical species were detected. Transfected cells synthesized an extracellular matrix containing the alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV) chains but the recombinant alpha5(IV) chain was not incorporated. These findings are consistent with the concept that the alpha5(IV) chain requires one or more of the alpha(IV), alpha4(IV), or alpha6(IV) chains for triple helical assembly. In vivo studies were performed in dogs with X-linked Alport syndrome. An adenoviral vector containing the alpha5(IV) transgene was injected into bladder smooth muscle that lacks both the alpha5(IV) and alpha6(IV) chains in these animals. At 5 weeks after injection, there was expression of both the alpha5(IV) and alpha6(IV) chains by smooth muscle cells at the injection site in a basement membrane distribution. Thus, this recombinant alpha5(IV) chain is capable of restoring expression of a second alpha(IV) chain that requires the presence of the alpha5(IV) chain for incorporation into collagen trimers. This vector will serve as a useful tool to further explore gene therapy for Alport syndrome.