能在肝癌细胞特异表达的自主复制型肝导向基因转移系统

构建了以人甲胎蛋白基因上游调控序列控制外源基因的表达的自主复制型EB病毒复制子载体pEBAF.该载体与半乳糖基化组蛋白结合组成了一种能为肝细胞表面特异受体识别并内在化的核酸蛋白复合物,能通过肝细胞受体介导的内吞作用以非病毒感染的形式,将外源基因导入细胞内自主复制并仅在产甲胎蛋白的肝癌细胞特异表达.这种新型的基因转移系统,具有比直接使用重组病毒颗粒感染细胞更高的安全性,有应用于原发性肝癌的基因治疗的前景     

CDC6靶向RNA干扰质粒载体的构建及生物活性鉴定

目的:构建小鼠CDC6基因的RNAi真核表达载体PGCsilencer TM u6/Neo/GFP/RNAi,观察其转染小鼠肝细胞前后CDC6的表达变化。方法:根据GenBank中CDC6的序列,设计特异性siRNA序列,将模板序列克隆至PGCsilencer U6/Neo/GFP质粒中,通过测序鉴定后,用脂质体将重组子转染至正常小鼠肝细胞中,用RT-PCR检测CDC6的mRNA的表达及用Western blot方法检测CDC6蛋白水平的表达,并比较转染前后其表达水平的变化。结果:经测序,模板序列与设计序列完全正确,经过RT-PCR及Western blot方法检测,转染干扰质粒后,小鼠肝细胞中CDC6表达在mRNA及蛋白水平都有明显的下降。结论:成功构建了CDC6基因的RNAi真核表达载体并转染至小鼠肝细胞中,为下一步探讨CDC6在肝再生的作用奠定了基础。     

大肠杆菌-长双歧杆菌穿梭载体的构建及PTEN在长双歧杆菌中的表达

长双歧杆菌可特异地定植于实体瘤低氧区,可用做肿瘤靶向性基因治疗的载体,而构建大肠杆菌-长双歧杆菌穿梭质粒则被证明是外源基因在长双歧杆菌中稳定表达的有效途径。为了构建能在长双歧杆菌中稳定表达外源基因的穿梭质粒并检测携带抑癌基因的工程菌对小鼠实体瘤的抑制效果,利用软件设计并合成了48条部分序列相互重叠的引物,通过PCR合成了长双歧杆菌质粒pMB1序列及长双歧杆菌HU启动子区序列,插入克隆载体pMD18-T,构建穿梭载体pMB-HU,该载体可在大肠杆菌DH5α及长双歧杆菌L17中稳定复制。PTEN基因编码具有蛋白质和酯类双重特异性磷酸酶活性的抑癌因子。将PTEN基因cDNA序列插入载体pMB-HU中HU启动子下游,构建重组质粒pMB-HU-PTEN,电击转化长双歧杆菌后,Western blot检测表明,表达产物中存在55kDa的PTEN蛋白特异条带。抑癌试验表明:与对照组相比,携带PTEN基因的长双歧杆菌可显著抑制小鼠实体瘤的生长。上述结果为以长双歧杆菌为载体的实体瘤靶向性基因治疗研究奠定了基础。     

灵芝-8基因的番茄果实特异性启动子植物表达载体的构建

构建含有灵芝-8（LZ-8）基因和番茄果实特异性E8启动子的重组载体,并将其转化到根瘤农杆菌中。通过PCR法获取LZ-8基因和E8启动子序列,将目的基因和E8启动子序列构建到植物表达载体pBI121中,获得果实特异性表达LZ-8蛋白的重组质粒。并采用PCR、限制性内切酶酶切和序列测定分析法,对重组质粒进行鉴定,将其转入根瘤农杆菌GV3101中。PCR法、限制性内切酶酶切图谱和序列测定分析均表明番茄果实特异性表达LZ-8蛋白的重组质粒构建成功。获得了含有LZ-8基因和E8启动子的重组质粒,并成功转化根瘤农杆菌,为下一步LZ-8蛋白在番茄果实中特异表达奠定基础。     

Pri-miRNA21/23a重组病毒载体的构建及其在肝细胞中的表达鉴定

目的:构建Pri-miRNA-21/23A基因的重组病毒载体,并在L-02肝细胞中获得表达。方法:设计并合成Pri-miRNA-21/23a的基因产物,插入含绿色荧光蛋白Zsgreen基因的真核表达载体pCI Mamma Lian中,以重组质粒为模板,设计扩增含Zsgreen基因的Pri-miRNA序列产物,并将其与pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro病毒载体连接,将Pri-miRNA重组病毒载体转染293T细胞后进行病毒包装,病毒上清转染L-02肝细胞后用荧光显微镜及实时荧光定量PCR确认转染效果。结果:荧光定量PCR结果显示重组病毒上清转染L-02肝细胞感染效果良好,经荧光显微镜观察,证实重组病毒载体能在细胞中表达蛋白。结论:构建了Pri-miRNA21/23a重组病毒表达载体并在L-02肝细胞中表达,奠定了miRNA进一步功能研究的基础。     

gfP基因甘蓝质体表达载体构建及原核表达分析

以甘蓝自交系‘03097’为试材,PCR扩增并克隆了甘蓝质体的trnI-trnA基因区段,利用该基因区段作为定点整合外源基因的同源重组片段,构建了甘蓝质体定点转化载体,并进行了原核表达分析。结果表明,所扩增的基因区段大小为2.7 kb。进行序列分析后,经酶切、连接和转化,构建成含Prrn-gfp-aadA-TpsbA表达盒的质体表达载体,酶切鉴定表明,所构建载体符合预期设计;gfp基因能够在质体特异性启动子Prrn及终止子TpsbA的调控下高水平表达,表达量约占总可溶性蛋白的41.0%,包涵体占菌体蛋白的38.0%。该载体的构建为后期甘蓝质体转化体系的建立和其它功能基因导入甘蓝质体进行性状改良奠定了基础。     

携带红色荧光蛋白的RU486可诱导真核表达载体的构建及其表达

在基因治疗中, 实现目的基因的调控表达是非常重要的。然而, 传统基因载体的无调控地持续或不适当的表达会影响治疗效果, 甚至可能带来致命的副作用。在本研究中, 我们构建了一种带有DsRed红色荧光蛋白报告基因并可经RU486诱导的真核表达载体, 并在体外评估了其调控表达作用。利用分子生物学技术, 将DsRed基因和启动子, 以及RU486系统构建成单一的质粒载体PDC-RURED, 为减少RU486调控元件和基因表达元件之间的相互干扰, 在两者之间加入1.6 kb的绝缘子。经PCR检测和限制性酶切分析及序列测定均证实了载体的正确性。在转染HEK293细胞后, 运用荧光显微镜和流式细胞技术证实了该载体的调控能力。没有RU486时, 几乎没有红色荧光蛋白的表达, 而加入诱导剂RU486后, 最高可以实现红色荧光蛋白的40余倍的表达。实验结果表明构建的可经RU486诱导的新型真核表达载体可以实现对目的基因的表达时间和表达水平的调控, 为进一步的基因调控研究和和基因治疗提供了良好的工具。     

HSP27 特异性shRNA 表达载体的构建及在耐吉西他滨人胰腺癌细胞株 SW1990/Gem 中的表达

目的:构建HSP27基因的短发夹RNA(short hairpin RNA,shRNA)真核表达载体及观察其在耐吉西他滨人胰腺癌细胞株SW1990/Gem中的表达,为进一步探索肿瘤的基因治疗打下前期基础。方法:参考文献及shRNA设计原则,设计并合成2条能转录shRNA的DNA序列,退火连接后,插入含绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescence protein,GFP)基因和U6启动子的真核表达载体pRNAT-U6.3中,构建重组载体pRNAT-shHSP27。重组载体经鉴定后转染SW1990/Gem,倒置荧光显微镜观察转染情况,RT-PCR、Western Blot从mRNA及蛋白水平探讨转染对耐吉西他滨人胰腺癌细胞株SW1990/Gem的影响。结果:成功构建了针对HSP27基因的shRNA表达载体。倒置荧光显微镜下显示转染48h后SW1990/Gem细胞内存在GFP表达。RT-PCR、WesternBlot结果提示转染后HSP27的mRNA及蛋白表达水平较对照组有明显抑制(P<0.05)。结论:成功构建针对HSP27基因的特异性shRNA真核表达载体,转染细胞后可抑制HSP27表达,为进一步研究HSP27与胰腺癌生物学行为及化疗耐药等相关性奠定了基础。     

甘蔗茎杆特异表达基因启动子的克隆及初步分析

甘蔗茎秆是利用转基因方法生产重组药用蛋白或有价值的化合物的理想器官,构建能在甘蔗茎秆中高水平表达异源蛋白质的表达载体是非常有意义的。而一个高效表达的载体,启动子则是其最重要元件之一,因此,茎秆特异性启动子的获得是甘蔗作为生物反应器的前提。利用染色体步移法克隆到甘蔗己糖转运蛋白基因PST2a 5′端上游的一段长1968bp的序列（ Ppst2a ）,经序列测定及软件分析表明,该序列具有典型的启动子结构。此序列置换植物表达载体pCAMBIA1301上的CaMV 35S启动子,构建植物表达载体,命名为pCAMBIA1900,该启动子下游为gus基因。利用基因枪法转化甘蔗的茎和叶,对gus基因的瞬时表达进行测定,结果表明所获得的己糖转运蛋白基因启动子只在甘蔗茎中驱动gus基因瞬时表达,该启动子具有茎秆特异性。     

不同载体表达的家蝇β-葡萄糖苷酶生物学活性比较

克隆家蝇内源性β-葡萄糖苷酶(beta-glucosidase,BG)基因,建立两种原核表达体系和一种真核表达体系,分别检测表达产物的活性,比较不同表达体系对其表达水平及重组蛋白酶学性质的影响,为进一步研究和利用家蝇BG酶奠定基础。本研究根据BG酶基因的cDNA序列设计引物扩增BG酶基因成熟肽的基因片段,分别采用表达载体pET-28a(+)和pEGX-4T-1构建原核表达体系并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达。在65 kDa附近均出现特异性蛋白条带,进行Western Blotting鉴定证实重组质粒在其宿主菌E.coli BL21(DE3)中成功表达,命名为MDBG-1蛋白和MDBG-2蛋白。同时选用真核表达载体pPICZa A构建酵母分泌型表达体系在酵母细胞GS115中获得稳定的表达,将其命名为MDBG-3蛋白。采用七叶苷平板法和DNS法对三种表达体系所重组表达的蛋白进行酶活性鉴定和检测,显示3种表达体系所表达的融合蛋白均具有BG酶活性,其酶活力有所不同,且真核表达体系所表达的蛋白酶活性最高。本研究对家蝇β-葡萄糖苷酶基因表达的重组蛋白特性进行初步研究,为发现新的有效纤维素酶体系提供基础数据。     

体内基因转染技术在肝再生研究中的应用

肝脏是一个特殊的器官,不仅因为它独特的解剖结构和生理特征,而且它还具有无限的再生能力。在各种动物模型中,应用病毒或非病毒载体将肝细胞生长因子等基因转入体内,能增强肝再生能力,这就是肝脏基因转染技术在肝再生研究中的应用。未来的研究目标就是消除病毒载体的毒副作用和增加非病毒载体的转染率,这也是目前肝内基因转染技术中面临的主要难题;另一个研究目标就是用受体介导基因靶向肝转染,使转入基因在肝细胞中特异高表达。这些研究成果将有助于肝再生基因机制研究,以及将来临床基因治疗提供参考。     

基因治疗心肌缺血的载体应用新进展

近年来,随着基因治疗技术的不断进步,为心肌缺血的治疗开辟了一条全新的途径,并取得了一些令人鼓舞的进展。基因治疗主要包括治疗基因、基因转移载体以及基因导入途径三个方面。基因转移载体又在治疗基因和基因表达之间起着桥梁作用,因此,发展安全、高效的基因转移系统是基因治疗的关键之一。目前用于基因治疗心肌缺血基因转移的载体主要有病毒载体和非病毒载体。下面将就不同载体在心肌缺血的基因治疗中的应用进展进行简要的总结。     

基因治疗心肌缺血的载体应用新进展

近年来,随着基因治疗技术的不断进步,为心肌缺血的治疗开辟了一条全新的途径,并取得了一些令人鼓舞的进展。基因治疗主要包括治疗基因、基因转移载体以及基因导入途径三个方面。基因转移载体又在治疗基因和基因表达之间起着桥梁作用,因此,发展安全、高效的基因转移系统是基因治疗的关键之一。目前用于基因治疗心肌缺血基因转移的载体主要有病毒载体和非病毒载体。下面将就不同载体在心肌缺血的基因治疗中的应用进展进行简要的总结。     

Effects of pCIneo and pCEP4 expression vectors on transient and stable protein production in human and simian cell lines

To support and meet the demand for recombinant proteins early in the drug discovery process, much work has been directed toward improving the methods used for transient gene transfection and expression. A factor which could potentially affect the outcome of experiments is the choice of the expression vector. Conventional vectors such as pCIneo and pcDNA3 have been used frequently. Each of these places the gene of interest under the control of the CMV promoter. An interesting alternative is provided by episomal vectors. For example, the pCEP4 vector contains the gene coding for the Epstein Barr nuclear antigen as well as the EBNA ori P sequence. This combination allows for the episomal replication of the plasmid. In preliminary experiments, we compared transient secreted placental alkaline phosphatase production in 8 cell lines from 3 different species using the pCIneo vs. pCEP4 vectors and found the utility of the pCEP4 vector to be limited to the human 293 EBNA cell line. In this paper, we have compared the two vectors in six cell lines of simian and human origin, measuring the transient production of secreted placental alkaline phosphatase and human hepatocyte growth factor. In general, the pCEP4 vector produced higher amounts of both proteins in transient transfections. Results were particularly pronounced in the HEK 293 and 293 EBNA cell lines. Stable pools of cells (uncloned) expressing human hepatocyte growth factor were isolated using pCIneo and pCEP4 and protein production levels were compared to those seen in transient transfections. Stable expression with pCEP4 was found to produce the highest levels of human hepatocyte growth factor in 3 of 4 cell lines. Finally, electroporation and FuGENE^TM6(Roche, Indianapolis IN) as transfection methods were compared measuring transient production of secreted placental alkaline phosphatase, human hepatocyte growth factor, and green fluorescent protein. FuGENE produced higher protein concentrations in less time than electroporation for all 3 proteins. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Replication of hepatitis B virus which carries foreign DNA in vitro.

Targeting a specific DNA sequence to the desired tissues is an important step in gene therapy. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the only DNA virus that has hepatocyte specificity. We attempted to construct an HBV-based vector for targeting the liver. We observed the replication and secretion of virus particles in an HBV construct that lacks X gene and carries an extra 63 bp DNA fragment in vitro. Replication was observed in the cell line HuH-7 but not HepG2. From this construct, we designed an HBV-based vector that could carry foreign DNA. HBV based vectors provide for the possibilities of generating therapeutic agents for individual patients. Our host vector system may be used to clear out the HBV from the HBV carrier or chronic hepatitis B patients by introducing a genetically engineered HBV into these patients.     

Gene therapy for cancer and metastatic disease

Gene therapy has been applied to the treatment of cancer and metastatic disease for over ten years. Research in this area has utilised multiple gene therapy approaches including targeting tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes, stimulating the immune system, targeted chemotherapy, antiangiogenic strategies, and direct viral oncolysis. In recent years, gene delivery vectors have been developed that selectively target tumour cells through tumour-specific receptors, deletion of certain viral gene sequences, or incorporation of tumour-specific promoter sequences that drive gene expression. Preclinical models have produced promising results, demonstrating significant tumour regression and reduction of metastatic disease. Unfortunately, only limited responses have been observed in clinical trials. The main limitations in treating metastatic disease include poor vector transduction efficiencies and difficulties in targeting remote tumour cells with systemic vector delivery. Currently, various groups are investigating means to improve gene delivery and clinical responses by continuing to modify gene delivery vectors and by concentrating on combination gene therapy and multimodality therapy.     

基因治疗微链载体的构建及表达分析

基因载体的转染、表达效率低和存在安全问题是基因治疗的难点。由于传统病毒及质粒载体含有大量外源基因, 其表达有可能引发较严重免疫副反应。本课题旨在新的设计思路上开发高效安全基因治疗载体。 微链载体利用设计好的Cap序列封闭基因表达框两端, 起到防止细胞内核酸外切酶降解的作用。从pEGFP-N3质粒中分离纯化得到GFP基因作为微链载体的报告基因。将微链载体与原质粒载体(pEGFP-N3质粒)分别转染入真核细胞, 利用荧光显微镜和流式细胞仪检测并比较其转染效率。结果显示微链载体在293、CNE2、3T3、B95-8等真核细胞中的转染、表达效率较高, 并具有较小的细胞毒性。初步证实了微链载体在真核细胞中转染、表达效率及安全性等方面具有一定的优越性。     

Gene therapy using retroviral vectors

Gene therapy is a novel approach for treating various congenital and acquired genetic disorders, including cancer, heart disease, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Amongst possible gene delivery systems, retroviral vector mediated gene transfer has been the most extensively studied and has been approved for use in over 40 current Phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of various disorders, primarily cancers. Recent technological improvements include the optimization of vector production by concentration and lyophilization, resulting in high titers of vectors, as well as the large-scale production of vector-produced cells for the treatment of brain cancer. Present clinical protocols require specialized care centers with expertise in molecular biology and cell transplantation. Considerable effort is under way to develop retroviral vectors that can be both injected directly into the body and targeted to specific cell types within the body. Such vectors could be administered to patients by physicians in their offices. Successful development of this new technology would greatly expand the clinical potential of gene therapy.     

Overexpression of ER Protein Processing and Apoptosis Regulator Genes in Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Cells Improves Gene Therapy Vectors Production

Gammaretroviral and lentiviral vectors (γ‐RV and LV) are among the most used vectors in gene therapy. Currently, human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, the manufacture platform of choice for these vectors, provide low transducing particle yields, challenging their therapeutic applications and commercialization. This work studies metabolic pathways, focusing on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein processing and anti‐apoptotic mechanisms, influencing vector productivity in HEK 293 cell substrates. To that end, four candidate genes—protein disulfide isomerase family A member 2 gene, heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 5 gene, X‐box binding protein 1 gene (ER protein processing), and B‐cell lymphoma 2 protein gene (anti‐apoptotic)—are individually stably expressed in the cells. How their overexpression level influence vector yields is analyzed by establishing cell populations with incremental genomic copies of each. γ‐RV volumetric productivity increases up to 97% when overexpressing ER protein processing genes. LV volumetric production increases 53% when overexpressing the anti‐apoptotic gene. Improvements are associated with higher cell specific productivities and dependent on gene overexpression level, highlighting the importance of fine‐tuning gene expression. Overall, this work discloses gene engineering targets enabling efficient gene therapy product manufacture showing that ER protein processing and anti‐apoptotic pathways are pivotal to producer cell performance.