Prolonged regulatable expression of EPO from an HSV vector using the LAP2 promoter element

We previously reported regulated expression of erythropoietin (EPO) over 4 weeks in the peripheral nerve in vivo, using a herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vector containing a Tet-on regulatable gene expression cassette. To create a vector that would be appropriate for the treatment of chronic neuropathy, we constructed a HSV vector with expression of EPO under the control of the Tet-on system in which the HSV latency-associated promoter 2 element was used to drive the expression of the Tet-on transactivator. EPO expression from the vector was tightly controlled by administration of doxycycline (DOX) in vitro. One month after inoculation of the vector to transduce dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in vivo, administration of DOX-containing chow-induced expression of EPO. Mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, inoculated with the vector, were protected against the development of neuropathy by continuous administration of DOX-containing chow over the course of 3 months. Identical results were achieved when DOX was administered every other week over 3 months of diabetes, but administration of DOX, 1 week out of 3, provided only partial protection against the development of neuropathy. Taken together, these results suggest such a vector is well suited for clinical trial for the treatment of chronic or subacutely developing neuropathy.