Characterization of baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus infection in mammalian cells

The baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) is used as a vector in many gene therapy studies. Wild-type AcMNPV infects many mammalian cell types in vitro, but does not replicate. We investigated the dynamics of AcMNPV genomic DNA in infected mammalian cells and used flow cytometric analysis to demonstrate that recombinant baculovirus containing a cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter/enhancer with green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed high levels of GFP in Huh-7 cells, but not B16, Raw264.7, or YAC-1 cells. The addition of butyrate, a deacetylase inhibitor, markedly enhanced the percentage of GFP-expressing Huh-7 and B16 cells, but not Raw264.7 and YAC-1 cells. The addition of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, had no enhancing effect. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using AcMNPV-gp64-specific primers indicated that AcMNPV infected not only Huh-7 and B16 cells, but also Raw264.7 and YAC-1 cells in vitro. The genomic DNA was detected in Huh-7 and B16 cells 96 h after infection. Genomic AcMNPV DNA in YAC-1 cells was not transported to the nucleus. Luciferase assay indicated that AcMNPV p35 gene mRNA and p35 promoter activity were clearly expressed only in Huh-7 and B16 cells. These results suggest that viral genomic DNA expression is restricted by different host cell factors, such as degradation, deacetylation, and inhibition of nuclear transport, depending on the mammalian cell type.     

Replication-competent, oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 mutants induce a bystander effect following ganciclovir treatment

Cells expressing herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (tk) are killed by ganciclovir (GCV). Adjacent cells without HSV-tk also die, a phenomenon known as the 'bystander effect'. However, there is no evidence that replication-competent HSV induces a bystander effect in the presence of GCV. Therefore, we investigated the bystander effect in HEp-2 cells infected with replication-competent, oncolytic HSV-1 mutants, hrR3 and HF10. In cells infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 3, GCV did not induce apoptosis. At low MOIs of 0.3 and 0.03, however, a number of adjacent, uninfected cells apoptosed following GCV treatment. Irrespective of GCV treatment, HEp-2 cells expressed minimal levels of connexin 43 (Cx43). However, Cx43 expression was enhanced by GCV in response to infection with HF10 at an MOI of 0.3, but not at an MOI of 3. Expression of other proteins involved in gap junctions, including Cx26 and Cx40, was not augmented under these conditions. The PKA and PI3K signal transduction pathways are likely involved in enhanced Cx43 expression as inhibitors of these pathways prevented Cx43 upregulation. These results suggest that infection with replication-competent HSV-1 induces the bystander effect in cells treated with GCV because of efficient intercellular transport of active GCV through abundant gap junctions.     

An integrated transcriptomic and meta-analysis of hepatoma cells reveals factors that influence susceptibility to HCV infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global problem. To better understand HCV infection researchers employ in vitro HCV cell-culture (HCVcc) systems that use Huh-7 derived hepatoma cells that are particularly permissive to HCV infection. A variety of hyper-permissive cells have been subcloned for this purpose. In addition, subclones of Huh-7 which have evolved resistance to HCV are available. However, the mechanisms of susceptibility or resistance to infection among these cells have not been fully determined. In order to elucidate mechanisms by which hepatoma cells are susceptible or resistant to HCV infection we performed genome-wide expression analyses of six Huh-7 derived cell cultures that have different levels of permissiveness to infection. A great number of genes, representing a wide spectrum of functions are differentially expressed between cells. To focus our investigation, we identify host proteins from HCV replicase complexes, perform gene expression analysis of three HCV infected cells and conduct a detailed analysis of differentially expressed host factors by integrating a variety of data sources. Our results demonstrate that changes relating to susceptibility to HCV infection in hepatoma cells are linked to the innate immune response, secreted signal peptides and host factors that have a role in virus entry and replication. This work identifies both known and novel host factors that may influence HCV infection. Our findings build upon current knowledge of the complex interplay between HCV and the host cell, which could aid development of new antiviral strategies.     

Smo基因在人肝癌Huh-7细胞中的表达及小RNA干扰Smo基因表达对肝癌Huh-7细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:在细胞学层面上研究Smo基因在人肝癌Huh-7细胞中的表达及小RNA干扰Smo基因表达对肝癌Huh-7细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。方法:Huh-7细胞培养,总RNA抽提,紫外分光光度计纯度测定,Western印记法检测Smo蛋白表达,转染后流式细胞检测Huh-7凋亡率。结果:在mRNA和蛋白水平Smo均强表达。siRNA-1干扰序列干扰结果最强,转染后可诱导Huh-7细胞凋亡。结论:siRNA-l能对肝癌Huh7细胞Smo基因表达产生干涉作用,siRNA-1序列能有效地降解肝癌Huh7细胞内的SmomRNA,使Smo mRNA及Smo蛋白表达下调,从而达到沉默肝癌Huh7细胞中Smo mRNA表达的效果。     

Parabiosis model does not show presence of circulating osteoprogenitor cells

The goal of this study was to determine the presence of osteoprogenitor cells in the peripheral blood. Experiments were conducted with a parabiosis model in which osteoblast specific transgenic mice (Col2.3GFP or hOC‐GFP) were surgically joined with a transgenic mouse where herpes virus thymidine kinase gene is under the control of the collagen α1 promoter (Col2.3ΔTK). This method permits conditional ablation of osteoblasts by ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. In parabionts treated with GCV for 15 days or 1.5–2 months, GFP (hOC‐GFP or Col2.3GFP) expression was not detected in histological preparations or in marrow stromal cell cultures from the Col2.3ΔTK parabiont. Finally, Col2.3GFP/Col2.3ΔTK pairs were treated with GCV for 15 days and allowed to recover from GCV for 3 months. Again there was a failure to detect Col2.3GFP expressing cells in the Col2.3ΔTK parabiont. These observations, at least within the limits of this model system, allow the conclusion that osteoprogenitor cells do not readily circulate. genesis 48:171–182, 2010. © 2010 wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

胸苷激酶基因治疗胃癌的体外实验

将单纯疱疹病毒胸苷激酶基因（ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ）导入恶性肿瘤细胞,随后可应用药物丙氧鸟苷（ｇａｎｃｉｃｌｏｖｉｒ, ＧＣＶ）选择性杀死肿瘤细胞．构建了含胸苷激酶与潮霉素磷酸转移酶（ｈｐｈ）融和基因（ＨｙｔＫ）的真核表达载体ＬＸｐｓｐ－ＨｙｔＫ．以脂质体（ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ）为介导,将这种质粒与仅含潮霉素Ｂ基因的质粒ＬＸＳＨ 分别转染胃癌细胞系ＢＧＣ－８２３,用６０ Ｕ／ｍ ｌ潮霉素Ｂ进行筛选,得到了可稳定传代的阳性克隆,分别命名为ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ 和ＢＧＣ－Ｈｙ．三种细胞的生长曲线无明显差别．用不同浓度的ＧＣＶ 分别作用于ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ, ＢＧＣ－Ｈｙ 及ＢＧＣ－８２３,０．０２～２００ μｇ／ｍ ｌ 的ＧＣＶ 对ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ 细胞有明显的杀伤作用（ＩＣ５０＝ ０．０２ μｇ／ｍ ｌ）,而对另外两种细胞几乎无毒性作用（ＩＣ５０＞ ２００μｇ／ｍ ｌ）．２０ μｇ／ｍ ｌＧＣＶ 作用９６ ｈ 后,仅存在２０％ 的ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ 就可使周围的大部分ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ－ 的肿瘤细胞死亡,说明存在较显著的“旁观者效应”     

带HSV—tk基因的重组腺病毒基因治疗小鼠B16黑色素瘤的实验研究

我父成功开展了携带单纯疹疹Ⅰ型病毒胸腺嘧啶激酶基因（Ｈｅｒｐｅｓｓｉｍｐｌｅｘｖｉｒｕｓｔｈｙ－ｍｎｉｄｉｎｅｋｉｎａｓｅ,ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ）的复制缺陷型重组腺病毒Ａｄ（ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ）结合使用ＧＣＶ治疗Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６小鼠Ｂ１６黑色素瘤的离体及动物试验。     

An oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 selectively destroys diffuse liver metastases from colon carcinoma.

Viruses used for gene therapy are usually genetically modified to deliver therapeutic transgenes and prevent viral replication. In contrast, replication-competent viruses may be used for cancer therapy because replication of some viruses within cancer cells can result in their destruction (oncolysis). Viral ribonucleotide reductase expression is defective in the HSV1 mutant hrR3. Cellular ribonucleotide reductase, which is scarce in normal liver and abundant in liver metastases, can substitute for its viral counterpart to allow hrR3 replication in infected cells. Two or three log orders more of hrR3 virions are produced from infection of colon carcinoma cells than from infection of normal hepatocytes in viral replication assays. This viral replication is oncolytic. A single intravascular administration of hrR3 into immune-competent mice bearing diffuse liver metastases dramatically reduces tumor burden. hrR3-mediated tumor inhibition is equivalent in immune-competent and immune-incompetent mice, suggesting that viral oncolysis and not the host immune response is the primary mechanism of tumor destruction. HSV1-mediated oncolysis of diffuse liver metastases is effective in mice preimmunized against HSV1. These results indicate that replication-competent HSV1 mutants hold significant promise as cancer therapeutic agents. Yoon, S. S., Nakamura, H., Carroll, N. M., Bode, B. P., Chiocca, E. A., Tanabe, K. K. An oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 selectively destroys diffuse liver metastases from colon carcinoma.     

Targeting of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Thymidine Kinase Gene Sequences into the OCT4 Locus of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The in vitro differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to generate specific types of cells is inefficient, and the remaining undifferentiated cells may form teratomas. This raises safety concerns for clinical applications of hiPSC-derived cellular products. To improve the safety of hiPSC, we attempted to site-specifically insert a herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) suicide gene at the endogenous OCT4 (POU5F1) locus of hiPSC. Since the endogenous OCT4 promoter is active in undifferentiated cells only, we speculated that the HSV1-TK suicide gene will be transcribed in undifferentiated cells only and that the remaining undifferentiated cells can be depleted by treating them with the prodrug ganciclovir (GCV) prior to transplantation. To insert the HSV1-TK gene at the OCT4 locus, we cotransfected hiPSC with a pair of plasmids encoding an OCT4-specific zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) and a donor plasmid harboring a promoter-less transgene cassette consisting of HSV1-TK and puromycin resistance gene sequences, flanked by OCT4 gene sequences. Puromycin resistant clones were established and characterized regarding their sensitivity to GCV and the site of integration of the HSV1-TK/puromycin resistance gene cassette. Of the nine puromycin-resistant iPSC clones analyzed, three contained the HSV1-TK transgene at the OCT4 locus, but they were not sensitive to GCV. The other six clones were GCV-sensitive, but the TK gene was located at off-target sites. These TK-expressing hiPSC clones remained GCV sensitive for up to 90 days, indicating that TK transgene expression was stable. Possible reasons for our failed attempt to selectively target the OCT4 locus are discussed.     

A dual function fusion protein of Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase and firefly luciferase for noninvasive in vivo imaging of gene therapy in malignant glioma

BACKGROUND: Suicide gene therapy employing the prodrug activating system Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ ganciclovir (GCV) has proven to be effective in killing experimental brain tumors. In contrast, glioma patients treated with HSV-TK/ GCV did not show significant treatment benefit, most likely due to insufficient transgene delivery to tumor cells. Therefore, this study aimed at developing a strategy for real-time noninvasive in vivo monitoring of the activity of a therapeutic gene in brain tumor cells. METHODS: The HSV-TK gene was fused to the firefly luciferase (Luc) gene and the fusion construct HSV-TK-Luc was expressed in U87MG human malignant glioma cells. Nude mice with subcutaneous gliomas stably expressing HSV-TK-Luc were subjected to GCV treatment and tumor response to therapy was monitored in vivo by serial bioluminescence imaging. Bioluminescent signals over time were compared with tumor volumes determined by caliper. RESULTS: Transient and stable expression of the HSV-TK-Luc fusion protein in U87MG glioma cells demonstrated close correlation of both enzyme activities. Serial optical imaging of tumor bearing mice detected in all cases GCV induced death of tumor cells expressing the fusion protein and proved that bioluminescence can be reliably used for repetitive and noninvasive quantification of HSV-TK/ GCV mediated cell kill in vivo. CONCLUSION: This approach may represent a valuable tool for the in vivo evaluation of gene therapy strategies for treatment of malignant disease.     

Suicide HSVtk Gene Delivery by Neurotensin-Polyplex Nanoparticles via the Bloodstream and GCV Treatment Specifically Inhibit the Growth of Human MDA-MB-231 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Tumors Xenografted in Athymic Mice

The human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231 has the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) phenotype, which is an aggressive subtype with no specific treatment. MDA-MB-231 cells express neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTSR1), which makes these cells an attractive target of therapeutic genes that are delivered by the neurotensin (NTS)-polyplex nanocarrier via the bloodstream. We addressed the relevance of this strategy for TNBC treatment using NTS-polyplex nanoparticles harboring the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) suicide gene and its complementary prodrug ganciclovir (GCV). The reporter gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used as a control. NTS-polyplex successfully transfected both genes in cultured MDA-MB-231 cells. The transfection was demonstrated pharmacologically to be dependent on activation of NTSR1. The expression of HSVtk gene decreased cell viability by 49% (P<0.0001) and induced apoptosis in cultured MDA-MB-231 cells after complementary GCV treatment. In the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model, NTS-polyplex nanoparticles carrying either the HSVtk gene or GFP gene were injected into the tumors or via the bloodstream. Both routes of administration allowed the NTS-polyplex nanoparticles to reach and transfect tumorous cells. HSVtk expression and GCV led to apoptosis, as shown by the presence of cleaved caspase-3 and Apostain immunoreactivity, and significantly inhibited the tumor growth (55–60%) (P<0.001). At the end of the experiment, the weight of tumors transfected with the HSVtk gene was 55% less than that of control tumors (P<0.05). The intravenous transfection did not induce apoptosis in peripheral organs. Our results offer a promising gene therapy for TNBC using the NTS-polyplex nanocarrier.     

Possible involvement of reactive oxygen species in D-galactosamine-induced sensitization against tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis

Intravenous administration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (0.5 microg/mouse) caused hepatocyte apoptosis in BALB/c mice when they were sensitized with D-galactosamine (GalN, 20 mg/mouse). Activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) and expression of apoptotic Bcl-2 family members were not significantly different between livers of mice treated with TNF-alpha alone and GalN + TNF-alpha, indicating that neither activation of NF-kappa B nor expression of Bcl-2 family is involved in the sensitization by GalN against TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. To identify differentially expressed genes implicated in GalN-induced hepatocyte sensitization, we adopted mRNA fingerprinting using an arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. The present analysis revealed that mRNA expression of extracellular antioxidant, selenoprotein P, was up-regulated in the livers after GalN administration. GalN-induced increase in its protein level was confirmed by Western blotting. Increased expression of this gene was also observed in the liver of mice treated with concanavalin A, but not anti-Fas antibody. mRNA of another antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase-1, was also up-regulated, and lipid peroxides were produced in the liver after GalN administration. Selenoprotein P mRNA level also increased in Huh-7 human hepatoma cells incubated with GalN (5 or 10 mM). Accordingly, formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in GalN-treated Huh-7 cells. H(2)O(2) induced up-regulation of selenoprotein P mRNA and sensitized Huh-7 cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that ROS produced by GalN may play a pivotal role in hepatocyte sensitization toward TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis.     

Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Sense Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-Infected Cells In Vitro

We previously reported that exosomal transfer of hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive-strand RNA from human Huh-7 hepatoma cells to human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) triggers pDC alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) production in a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)-dependent, virus-independent manner. Here we show that human pDCs are also activated by a TLR7-dependent, virus-independent, exosomal RNA transfer mechanism by human and mouse hepatoma and nonhepatoma cells that replicate the negative-strand lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).     

Both soluble and membrane-bound forms of Flt3 ligand enhance tumor immunity following “suicide” gene therapy in a murine colon carcinoma model

In prodrug-activated (suicide) gene therapy, tumor cells are transfected with the gene for an enzyme that converts an inactive prodrug, such as ganciclovir (GCV), to a toxic compound. Transfected cells are killed on administration of GCV, as also are untransfected bystander cells. The ability of the dendritic cell stimulatory cytokine Flt3 ligand (Flt3-L) to modulate prodrug-activated gene therapy has been investigated. Transfectants of the murine colon carcinoma MC26 were generated expressing soluble (FLS) and membrane-bound forms of Flt3-L. They were inoculated together with wild-type MC26 cells and cells expressing herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV1) thymidine kinase into BALB/c mice, which were then administered GCV. Expression of Flt3-L or FLS prevented regrowth of tumor in most mice, which was comparable to the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), while tumors recurred in all mice receiving suicide gene therapy alone. Recurring tumor cells were resistant to direct killing by GCV but sensitive to bystander killing in vitro. Mice without tumor recurrence were rechallenged with unmodified MC26 cells. Of those mice given transfectants expressing GM-CSF, Flt3-L, or FLS, approximately 50% were immune to rechallenge. These mice also showed cytotoxic and proliferative responses to MC26 cells. These experiments show that both soluble and membrane-bound forms of Flt3-L were able to induce a protective immune response to colon carcinoma cells in a fashion similar to GM-CSF.Abdul-Razzak Alsheikhly and Jehad Zweiri contributed equally to this work and are listed in alphabetical order.     

B7 costimulation molecules expressed from the herpes simplex virus 2 genome rescue immune induction in B7-deficient mice

The interaction between B7 costimulation molecules on antigen-presenting cells and CD28 on antigen-responsive T cells is essential for T-cell activation and maturation of immune responses to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Vaccine-induced immune responses also depend upon adequate upregulation of B7 costimulation molecules, but this signal may be limiting for replication-defective virus vaccines. We investigated whether expression of B7 costimulation molecules by a prototypical replication-defective antiviral vaccine could enhance immune responses to the vaccine and whether B7-1 and B7-2 would be similarly effective. We altered an ICP8(-) replication-defective strain of HSV type 2 (HSV-2), 5BlacZ, to encode either murine B7-1 or B7-2. B7 molecule expression was detected on the surface of cells infected in vitro and at the RNA level in tissue of immunized mice. Immunization of B7-1/B7-2 knockout mice with B7-encoding virus modestly expanded the number of gamma interferon-producing T cells and significantly augmented class-switched HSV-specific antibody responses compared with the parental virus. Mice immunized with either B7-expressing virus showed less replication of challenge virus in the genital mucosa than mice immunized with 5BlacZ, markedly fewer signs of genital and neurological disease, and little weight loss. Virtually all mice immunized with B7-encoding virus survived challenge with a large dose of HSV-2, whereas most 5BlacZ-immunized mice succumbed to infection. These results indicate that protective immune responses can be enhanced by the inclusion of host B7 costimulation molecules in a prototypical replication-defective HSV vaccine against HSV-2 genital infection and that B7-1 and B7-2 induce immune responses with similar capacities to fight HSV-2 infection.