In gene therapy of Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency, the patient requires periodic infusion of genetically engineered lymphocytes because :
- A
Retroviral vector is introduced into these lymphocytes.
- B
Gene isolated from marrow cells producing ADA is introduced into cells at embryonic stages
- C
Lymphocytes from patient's blood are grown in culture, outside the body.
- D
Genetically engineered lymphocytes are not immortal cells.
In gene therapy for ADA deficiency, lymphocytes are removed from the patient, genetically modified to carry a functional ADA gene, and re-infused.
Lymphocytes, however, are not immortal; they have a finite lifespan. As the engineered cells die out, the corrective gene is lost from the patient, necessitating periodic re-infusion. A permanent cure would require introducing the gene into immortal bone marrow stem cells.
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