siRNA抑制HIV-1基因表达的研究

RNA干扰(RNAinterfering,RNAi)现象是动植物体内的一种序列特异性的、转录后基因沉默的过程.在哺乳动物细胞中,19～25个核苷酸长短的双链siRNA(smallinterferingRNA)可有效地抑制基因表达.利用pBS/H1SP载体,它表达的双链RNA的转录产物可以用来抑制特异性HIV-1基因的表达.在siRNA实验中,为了比较由H1启动子转录的siRNA在细胞内的作用,使用以绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)为报告基因的载体——pEGFP-C1质粒,在荧光显微镜下,很容易地看到EGFP在细胞中表达.将HIV-1siRNA表达载体与表达相应EGFP-HIV融合基因的质粒,共转染人胚肾293细胞,结果表明,和对照质控载体相比,转染了pHIV-siRNA质粒的细胞中EGFP-HIV的表达得到显著抑制.通过该途径,筛选出能抑制HIV-1基因表达的有效siRNA.此外,还在同一载体上表达两种或三种siRNA,分别针对不同的HIV基因,获得了良好的抑制效果.     

利用人U6 snRNA启动子构建RNA干扰质粒载体

RNA干扰技术已经成为基因功能研究等领域的有力工具,构建带有筛选标记的siRNA载体可以在细胞中持续抑制靶基因的表达.为了利用RNAi技术开展生物学研究,在克隆载体pUC19的基础上改造构建了人类细胞小干扰RNA（small interference RNA,siRNA）表达质粒pUC19NU.该质粒具有新霉素抗性标记和真核细胞复制起点,利用连入的人U6 snRNA启动子起始siRNA的转录.以EGFP 和p53为靶基因的干扰实验证明,所构建的siRNA表达质粒可以显著抑制细胞外源性增强绿色荧光蛋白（enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP）及细胞内源性p53蛋白的表达,而且抑制效果具有特异性.     

人eya2基因小干扰RNA表达载体的构建及表达

目的：设计并构建人eya2（eyes absent2）基因小干扰RNA（siRNA）的真核表达载体,并观察其沉默效果。方法：以人eya2为靶基因,以pSliencer2．1-U6 neo质粒为载体,根据人eya2的cDNA序列,设计含有小发卡结构的2条寡核苷酸序列,将其克隆到siRNA表达载体上;转化大肠杆菌DH5Ⅸ菌株,抽提质粒,测序分析;将重组质粒转染人胚肾293T细胞,通过荧光分析、Westemblot和转录活性实验检测其抑制效果。结果：重组体测序结果与目的序列相一致,证明构建了eya2 siRNA真核表达载体;荧光观察表明siRNA能显著减弱细胞中绿色荧光强度,抑制eya2基因表达;Westemblot分析证明构建的siRNA能有效抑制外源性及内源性eya2基因表达;转录活性测定表明,构建的siRNA能有效抑制eya2基因表达。结论：构建了eya2 siRNA真核表达载体,该siRNA能有效地抑制eya2基因表达。     

新型重组AAV5/5载体及包装系统

本研究组建了一种可用于规模化生产的以重组单纯疱疹病毒为辅助病毒的AAV5/5载体包装系统。首先,将5型腺相关病毒 (AAV5) 的rep和cap基因插入I型单纯疱疹病毒 (HSV-1) 基因组非必需基因UL2中,获得重组病毒rHSV1-rep5cap5。其次,构建一种携带AAV5 ITR的通用型载体质粒pAAV5neo,将报告基因EGFP插入pAAV5neo中,得到pAAV5neo-EGFP质粒。将pAAV5neo-EGFP质粒导入BHK-21细胞,用G418选择培养,挑选出表达EGFP并在重组病毒rHSV1-rep5cap5感染下能高效产生rAAV5/5-EGFP的单克隆载体细胞株C020。用rHSV1-rep5cap5感染C020细胞制备rAAV5/5-EGFP,用“氯仿处理-聚乙二醇/氯化钠-氯仿抽提”方法粗纯化rAAV5/5-EGFP。用100 kDa分子量截流超滤方法进一步纯化和浓缩,获得高纯度的rAAV5-EGFP。SDS-PAGE电泳分析可见3条特征性外壳蛋白带。电镜分析显示病毒颗粒以实心颗粒为主。用rAAV5/5-EGFP病毒按1×105 vg/cell感染体外培养的HEK293细胞,可见30％细胞呈现绿色荧光。本研究提出了一种高效AAV5/5载体生产系统和纯化方法,为重组AAV5载体的进一步应用提供了基础。     

慢病毒siRNA靶向干扰YAP基因胃癌细胞株的建立

目的:构建并鉴定YAP基因短发夹干扰RNA(shRNA)慢病毒载体,建立稳定干扰YAP基因表达的胃癌细胞株SGC7901。方法:荧光定量PCR检测YAP基因在多种胃癌细胞株中的表达情况。构建重组靶向YAP基因的shRNA慢病毒表达质粒PGC-shRNA-YAP,用脂质体转染的方法将载体导入胃癌细胞。经杀稻瘟菌素筛选后,建立稳定表达siRNA的细胞株。荧光定量PCR检测干扰效率。结果:在胃癌细胞株SGC7901中,YAP基因显示高表达。测序验证PGC-shRNA-YAP重组质粒构建成功。将重组质粒稳定转染入胃癌细胞株SGC7901后能明显抑制YAPmRNA表达水平。结论:成功构建了PGC-shRNA-YAP慢病毒重组质粒,建立了靶向稳定干扰YAP基因表达的siRNA胃癌细胞株SGC7901。     

H1启动子siRNA载体的构建及应用

利用双链RNA(dsRNA)调控基因表达已经成为研究基因功能的有力工具。用人H1启动子构建了pBS／H1PS小干扰RNA(siRNA)表达载体,用于在哺乳动物细胞中产生特异性dsRNA转录产物。通过对293细胞中的PSMA7分子进行表达抑制,证明该siRNA载体能够有效产生针对靶基因的RNA干扰(RNAi)效应。     

1型和2型外壳蛋白构建的AAV载体携带HIV-1 gag诱导免疫反应的比较研究

比较两种血清型的腺病毒伴随病毒(Adeno-associated virus,AAV)载体携带HIV-1gag基因肌肉注射诱导小鼠免疫反应的特点。分别制备携带EGFP和HIV-1gag基因的重组AAV2/1(AAV1)和AAV2载体。小鼠肌肉注射rAAV1-EGFP和rAAV2-EGFP,观察注射局部EGFP的表达。将rAAV1-gag和rAAV2-gag分别以0、3周初免/加强方式肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠以及新西兰白兔。ELISA法检测抗HIV-1 Gag P24蛋白的特异性抗体,细胞内细胞因子染色法检测Gag特异性的CTL反应。结果表明,rAAV1-EGFP在小鼠肌肉的表达强度显著高于rAAV2-EGFP;用Western blot法和间接免疫荧光法检测rAAV1-gag和rAAV2-gag体外转染的293细胞,均可检测到HIV-1 Gag蛋白的表达;在小鼠体内rAAV1-gag和rAAV2-gag组均可检测到特异性P24抗体,抗体滴度rAAV1-gag组显著高于rAAV2-gag组;而无论rAAV1-gag组还是rAAV2-gag组,特异性CTL反应均较低,与阴性对照组相比均无显著性差异;两种载体免疫兔子也都可检测到特异性P24抗体,同样地,rAAV1-gag组显著高于rAAV2-gag组。结论:携带HIV-1gag基因的rAAV1或rAAV2以肌肉注射方式免疫小鼠主要诱导特异Gag的体液免疫反应;且rAAV1可诱导很强的抗HIV-1 Gag特异性抗体,抗体水平显著高于rAAV2。     

慢病毒siRNA靶向干扰YAP基因胃癌细胞株的建立

目的：构建并鉴定YAP基因短发夹干扰RNA（shRNA）慢病毒载体,建立稳定干扰YAP基因表达的胃癌细胞株SGC7901。方法：荧光定量PCR检测YAP基因在多种胃癌细胞株中的表达情况。构建重组靶向YAP基因的shRNA慢病毒表达质粒PGC-shRNA-YAP,用脂质体转染的方法将载体导入胃癌细胞。经杀稻瘟菌素筛选后,建立稳定表达siRNA的细胞株。荧光定量PCR检测干扰效率。结果：在胃癌细胞株SGC7901中,YAP基因显示高表达。测序验证PGC-shRNA-YAP重组质粒构建成功。将重组质粒稳定转染入胃癌细胞株SGC7901后能明显抑制YAPmRNA表达水平。结论：成功构建了PGC-shRNA-YAP慢病毒重组质粒,建立了靶向稳定干扰YAP基因表达的siRNA胃癌细胞株SGC7901。     

两种不同病毒载体携带靶向大鼠金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子（TIMP）-1小干扰RNA抗肝纤维化作用的比较

目的观察以腺相关病毒（AAV）及慢病毒（Lentivirus）为载体含有针对大鼠金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子（TIMP）-1具有较强抑制作用的小干扰RNA（siRNA）对四氯化碳（CCI。）诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型的干预作用。方法挑选针对大鼠TIMP-1基因具有较强抑制作用的siRNA序列,在体外构建为短发夹表达载体后,将其包装为重组AAV／siRNA-TIMP-I和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-I,同时包装对照病毒AAV／EGFP和Lenti／EGFP。将Wistar大鼠分为对照组、CCl。模型组、AAV／EGFP组、Lenti／EGFP组、AAV／siRNA-TIMP-I和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-1组,观察CCl。造模4周后,经H＆E及Masson染色评价各组动物的肝纤维化状况,经荧光定量RCR及Westernblot方法检测TIMP-1的表达抑制情况。结果H＆E及Masson染色证实,与对照组相比,CCI．模型组、AAV／EGFP组、Lenti／EGFP组肝脏胶原纤维明显增加,纤维化评分多为34级,同时肝脏TIMP-1的转录与蛋白表达水平均明显上升;而AAV／siRNA-TIMP-1和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-l组肝纤维化程度明显减轻,纤维化评分多为2-3级,伴随肝脏TIMP-1的转录与蛋白表达水平均显著抑制。AAV／siRNA-TIMP-l和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-I组在组织学表现及TIMP-1基因的转录与表达水平上无统计学差异。结论AAV／siRNA-TIMP-I和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-1均可有效抑制大鼠肝脏TIMP-1基因表达,进而发挥抗肝纤维化作用。     

RNA干扰USE1基因慢病毒载体的构建及鉴定

旨在构建泛素结合酶USE1基因的RNA干扰慢病毒载体,并在细胞中检测该基因的抑制表达水平,以期寻找Uba6-USE1特异性泛素化通路对应的下游底物并研究其功能。选取并合成靶向USE1基因的特异性shRNA序列,将其克隆至pLL3.7慢病毒抑制表达载体上,构建抑制USE1基因表达的重组慢病毒质粒并鉴定。将鉴定成功的重组质粒与psPAX2、VSVG慢病毒包装载体共转染至HEK-293细胞,收集病毒上清,测定病毒滴度并确定最佳感染稀释倍数,通过qPCR和Western Blot方法检测病毒感染HEK-293细胞后对USE1基因的抑制程度,获得能有效抑制USE1基因的慢病毒上清。结果显示,成功构建3种靶向USE1基因的RNA干扰慢病毒载体,获得滴度符合要求的3种慢病毒包装上清液,感染HEK-293细胞后发现,第2、3号shRNA序列均有明显抑制表达USE1基因效果,基因表达抑制率约50%(*P0.05)。利用RNA干扰技术成功构建了特异性抑制泛素结合酶USE1基因表达的慢病毒载体,并经mRNA和蛋白水平检验得到2种能够显著抑制USE1表达的慢病毒上清及其shRNA序列。     

Induction of robust immune responses against human immunodeficiency virus is supported by the inherent tropism of adeno-associated virus type 5 for dendritic cells

The ability of adeno-associated virus serotype 1 to 8 (AAV1 to AAV8) vectors expressing the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Env gp160 (AAV-HIV) to induce an immune response was evaluated in BALB/c mice. The AAV5 vector showed a higher tropism for both mouse and human dendritic cells (DCs) than did the AAV2 vector, whereas other AAV serotype vectors transduced DCs only poorly. AAV1, AAV5, AAV7, and AAV8 were more highly expressed in muscle cells than AAV2. An immunogenicity study of AAV serotypes indicates that AAV1, AAV5, AAV7, and AAV8 vectors expressing the Env gp160 gene induced higher HIV-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses than the AAV2 vector did, with the AAV5 vector producing the best responses. Furthermore, mice injected with DCs that had been transduced ex vivo with an AAV5 vector expressing the gp160 gene elicited higher HIV-specific cell-mediated immune responses than did DCs transduced with AAV1 and AAV2 vectors. We also found that AAV vectors produced by HEK293 cells and insect cells elicit similar levels of antigen-specific immune responses. These results demonstrate that the immunogenicity of AAV vectors depends on their tropism for both antigen-presenting cells (such as DCs) and non-antigen-presenting cells (such as muscular cells) and that AAV5 is a better vector than other AAV serotypes. These results may aid in the development of AAV-based vaccine and gene therapy.     

Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 Completely Help Adenovirus-Associated Virus Replication

In addition to adenoviruses, which are capable of completely helping adenovirus-associated virus (AAV) multiplication, only herpesviruses are known to provide any AAV helper activity, but this activity has been thought to be partial (i.e., AAV DNA, RNA, and protein syntheses are induced, but infectious particles are not assembled). In this study, however, we show that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are in fact complete AAV helpers and that AAV type 2 (AAV2) infectivity yields can approach those obtained when coinfections are carried out with a helper adenovirus. AAV helper activity was demonstrated in KB cells with two HSV-1 strains (11124 and 17MP) and an HSV-2 strain (HG52). Each herpesvirus supported AAV2 multiplication with comparable efficiency. AAV2 multiplication was similarly efficient in HSV-1 coinfections of HeLa cells, whereas lower yields were obtained in HEp-2 and primary human embryonic kidney cells. HSV-1 also supported AAV1 multiplication in HeLa cells but, at corresponding multiplicities of infection, AAV1 grew less efficiently than AAV2. Comparisons of the time courses of AAV2 DNA, RNA, and protein syntheses after coinfection with either adenovirus type 5 or HSV-1 revealed that, in each case, the onset of synthesis and attainment of maximal synthesis rate occurred earlier in coinfections with HSV-1. These findings demonstrate the linkage of AAV macromolecular synthesis to an event(s) in the helper virus cycle. Aside from this temporal association, helper-related differences in AAV macromolecular synthesis were not apparent.     

Effect of deletions in adenovirus early region 1 genes upon replication of adeno-associated virus.

The growth of adeno-associated virus (AAV) is dependent upon helper functions provided by adenovirus. We investigated the role of adenovirus early gene region 1 in the AAV helper function by using six adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) host range mutants having deletions in early region 1. These mutants do not grow in human KB cells but are complemented by and grow in a line of adenovirus-transformed human embryonic kidney cells (293 cells); 293 cells contain and express the Ad5 early region 1 genes. Mutants having extensive deletions of adenovirus early region 1a (dl312) or regions 1a and 1b (dl313) helped AAV as efficiently as wild-type adenovirus in 293 cells, but neither mutant helped in KB cells. No AAV DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis was detected in KB cells in the presence of the mutant adenoviruses. Quantitative blotting experiments showed that at 20 h after infection with AAV and either dl312 or dl313 there was less than one AAV genome per cell. In KB cells infected with AAV alone, the unreplicated AAV genomes were detected readily. Apparently, infection with adenovirus mutant dl312 or dl313 results in degradation of most of the infecting AAV genomes. We suggest that at least an adenovirus region 1b product (and perhaps a region 1a product also) is required for AAV DNA replication. This putative region 1b function appears to protect AAV DNA from degradation by an adenovirus-induced DNase. We also tested additional Ad5 mutants (dl311, dl314, sub315, and sub316). All of these mutants were inefficient helpers, and they showed varying degrees of multiplicity leakiness. dl312 and dl313 complemented each other for the AAV helper function, and each was complemented by Ad5ts125 at the nonpermissive temperature. The defect in region 1 mutants for AAV helper function acts at a different stage of the AAV growth cycle than the defect in the region 2 mutant ts125.     

Gene delivery to the vasculature mediated by low-titre adeno-associated virus serotypes 1 and 5

BACKGROUND: Vascular gene therapy requires safe and efficient gene transfer in vivo. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising viral vector but its use in the vasculature has produced conflicting results and serotypes other than AAV2 have not been intensively studied. We investigated the efficiency of alternative AAV serotypes for vascular gene delivery in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Vascular cell lines were transduced in vitro with AAV vectors. Rabbit carotid arteries were transduced with AAV1, 2 and 5 encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) ( approximately 1.4 x 10(9) DNAse-resistant particles (drp)). Gene transfer in vivo was assessed at 14 and 28 days. High-titre doses of AAV2 encoding beta-galactosidase in vivo were also studied. RESULTS: In vitro, transgene expression was not observed in endothelial cells using AAV2 whereas the use of serotypes 1 and 5 resulted in detectable levels of transgene expression. Coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) transduced with AAV2 demonstrated higher levels of GFP expression than AAV1 or 5. Transgene expression in vivo was noted using low-titre AAV1 and AAV5 ( approximately 1.4 x 10(9) drp) in the media and adventitia. Only delivery of AAV1eGFP resulted in neointimal formation (3/7 vessels examined), with transgene expression noted in the neointima. Transgene expression with AAV2 was not detected in any layer of the blood vessel wall using low titre ( approximately 10(9) drp). However, high-titre ( approximately 10(11) drp) AAV2 resulted in transduction of cells in the media and adventitia but not the endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: AAV1 and AAV5 have advantages over AAV2 for vascular gene delivery at low titres.     

Spatial and temporal organization of adeno-associated virus DNA replication in live cells

Upon cell entry, the genomes of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and adenovirus (Ad) associate with distinct nuclear structures termed ND10 or promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NBs). PML NB morphology is altered or disrupted by specific viral proteins as replication proceeds. We examined whether adeno-associated virus (AAV) replication compartments also associate with PML NBs, and whether modification or disruption of these by HSV-1 or Ad, both of which are helper viruses for AAV, is necessary at all. Furthermore, to add a fourth dimension to our present view of AAV replication, we established an assay that allows visualization of AAV replication in live cells. A recombinant AAV containing 40 lac repressor binding sites between the AAV inverted terminal repeats was constructed. AAV Rep protein and helper virus-mediated replication of this recombinant AAV genome was visualized by binding of enhanced yellow fluorescent protein-lac repressor fusion protein to double-stranded AAV replication intermediates. We demonstrate in live cells that AAV DNA replication occurs in compartments which colocalize with AAV Rep. Early after infection, the replication compartments were small and varied in numbers from 2 to more than 40 per cell nucleus. Within 4 to 8 h, individual small replication compartments expanded and fused to larger structures which filled out much of the cell nucleus. We also show that AAV replication compartments can associate with modified PML NBs in Ad-infected cells. In wild-type HSV-1-infected cells, AAV replication compartments and PML NBs did not coexist, presumably because PML was completely disrupted by the HSV-1 ICP0 protein. However, alteration or disruption of PML appears not to be a prerequisite for AAV replication, as the formation of replication compartments was normal when the ICP0 mutants HSV-1 dl1403 and HSV-1 FXE, which do not affect PML NBs, were used as the helper viruses; under these conditions, AAV replication compartments did not associate with PML NBs.     

Negative and positive regulation in trans of gene expression from adeno-associated virus vectors in mammalian cells by a viral rep gene product.

We previously described use of the human parvovirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), as a vector for transient expression in mammalian cells of the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). In the AAV vector, pTS1, the CAT gene is expressed under the control of the major AAV promoter p40. This promoter is embedded within the carboxyl-terminal region of an open reading frame (orf-1) which codes for a protein (rep) required for AAV DNA replication. We show here that the rep product has additional trans-acting properties to regulate gene expression. First, deletion or frame-shift mutations in orf-1, which occurred far upstream of p40, increased expression of CAT in human 293 (adenovirus-transformed) cells. This increased CAT expression was abolished when such mutant AAV vectors were transfected into 293 cells together with a second AAV vector which could supply the wild-type AAV rep product in trans. Thus, an AAV rep gene product was a negative regulator, in trans, of expression of CAT in uninfected 293 cells. In adenovirus-infected 293 cells, the function of the AAV rep product was more complex, but in some cases, it appeared to be a trans activator of the expression from p40. In HeLa cells, only trans activation by rep was seen in the absence or presence of adenovirus. Neither activation nor repression by the rep product required replication per se of the AAV vector DNA. Thus, trans-acting negative or positive regulation of gene expression by the AAV rep gene is modulated by factors in the host cell and by the helper adenovirus.     

Rescue and Autonomous Replication of Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2 Genomes Containing Rep-Binding Site Mutations in the Viral p5 Promoter

The Rep proteins encoded by the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV) play a crucial role in the rescue, replication, and integration of the viral genome. In the absence of a helper virus, little expression of the AAV Rep proteins occurs, and the AAV genome fails to undergo DNA replication. Since previous studies have established that expression of the Rep78 and Rep68 proteins from the viral p5 promoter is controlled by the Rep-binding site (RBS) and the YY1 factor-binding site (YBS), we constructed a number of recombinant AAV plasmids containing mutations and/or deletions of the RBS and the YBS in the p5 promoter. These plasmids were transfected in HeLa or 293 cells and analyzed for the potential to undergo AAV DNA rescue and replication. Our studies revealed that (i) a low-level rescue and autonomous replication of the wild-type AAV genome occurred in 293 but not in HeLa cells; (ii) mutations in the RBS resulted in augmented expression from the p5 promoter, leading to more efficient rescue and/or replication of the AAV genome in 293 but not in HeLa cells; (iii) little rescue and/or replication occurred from plasmids containing mutations in the YBS alone in the absence of coinfection with adenovirus; (iv) expression of the adenovirus E1A gene products was insufficient to mediate rescue and/or replication of the AAV genome in HeLa cells; (v) autonomously replicated AAV genomes in 293 cells were successfully encapsidated in mature progeny virions that were biologically active in secondary infection of HeLa cells in the presence of adenovirus; and (vi) stable transfection of recombinant AAV plasmids containing a gene for resistance to neomycin significantly affected stable integration only in 293 cells, presumably because rescue and autonomous replication of the AAV genome from these plasmids occurred in 293 cells but not in HeLa or KB cells. These data suggest that in the absence of adenovirus, the AAV Rep protein-RBS interaction plays a dominant role in down-regulating viral gene expression from the p5 promoter and that perturbation in this interaction is sufficient to confer autonomous replication competence to AAV in 293 cells.     

Efficient and persistent transduction of exocrine and endocrine pancreas by adeno-associated virus type 8

Efficient delivery of therapeutic proteins into the pancreas represents a major obstacle to gene therapy of pancreatic disorders. The current study compared the efficiency of recombinant lentivirus and adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes 1, 2, 5, 8 vectors delivered by intrapancreatic injection for gene transfer in vivo. Our results indicate that lentivirus and AAV 1, 2, 8 are capable of transducing pancreas with the order of efficiency AAV8 >>AAV1 > AAV2 ≥ lentivirus, whereas AAV5 was ineffective. AAV8 resulted in an efficient, persistent (150 days) and dose-dependent transduction in exocrine acinar cells and endocrine islet cells. Pancreatic ducts and blood vessels were also transduced. Extrapancreatic transduction was restricted to liver. Leukocyte infiltration was not observed in pancreas and blood glucose levels were not altered. Thus, AAV8 represents a safe and effective vehicle for therapeutic gene transfer to pancreas in vivo.