SYBR Green I-based product-enhanced reverse transcriptase assay for quantification of retroviral PFV and detection of the divalent cation preference of PFV RT

<正>Dear Editor,Prototype foamy virus(PFV)belongs to the genus Spumavirus in the Spumaretrovirinae subfamily of Retroviridae.Although PFV and HIV have much in common,research into PFV has lagged far behind that into HIV,as PFV appeared to be non-pathogenic both in accidentally infected humans and in experimentally infected animals.In recent decades,however,more attention has been focused on PFV because it seems to be     

High expression of human clotting factor IX cDNA in myoblasts C2C12 cells and C3H mice

Mouse myoblast C2C12 cell was used as target cell for gene transfer study of human clotting factor IX (hFIX) cDNA. In addition to the previously constructed retroviral vectors XLIX, LNCIX and GINaCIX, GlNaMCIX with hFIX driven by muscle creatine kinase (MCK) enhancer and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) was constructed, based on the retroviral vector GINa. These four retroviral vectors were used to transduce mouse my-oblasts C2C12. With ELISA assays, it has been found that the expression levels of human clotting factor IX detected in those transduced C2C12 cells are GlNaMCIX>GlNaCIX> LNCIX>XLIX. Mixed colonal cells transduced with GlNaMCIX expressed hFIX protein at the level of 640 ng/106 cell every 24 h. The modified C2C12 cells transduced with GlNaMCIX were implanted into skeletal muscle of the hindlegs of C3H mice; a stable expression of hFIX was detected and lasted for 35 d, with a maximum level of 206 ng/mL plasma. The regulation of hFIX cDNA expression in myoblasts was discussed and it was strongly sug     

Baculovirus-mediated Expression of p35 Confers Resistance to Apoptosis in Human Embryo Kidney 293 cells

Baculovirus has many advantages as vectors for gene transfer.We demonstrated that recombinant baculovirus vectors expressing p35(Ac-CMV-p35) and eGFP(Ac-CMV-GFP) could be transduced into human kidney 293 cells efficiently.The level of transgene expression was viral dose dependent and high-level expression of the target gene could be achieved under the heterogonous promoter.MTT assay suggested that both Ac-CMV-p35 and Ac-CMV-GFP did not have cytotoxic effect on human embryo kidney 293 cells.Cell growth curve showed the Ac-CMV-p35 and Ac-CMV-GFP transduced and non-transduced cells had similar proliferation rate,so baculovirus-mediated p35 expression had no adverse effect on cell proliferation.In addition,baculovirus-mediated p35 gene expression protected human embryo kidney 293 cells against apoptosis induced by various apoptosis inducers such as Actinomycin D,UV or serum-free media.These results suggested that the baculovirus vector mediated p35 gene expression was functional and it could be widely used in molecular research and even gene therapy.     

Efficient Gene Transfer Mediated by HIV-1-based Defective Lentivector and Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication

Lentiviral vectors have drawn considerable attention recently and show great promise to become important delivery vehicles for future gene transfer manipulation. In the present study we have optimized a protocol for preparation of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-based defective lentiviral vectors (DLV) and characterized these vectors in terms of their transduction of different cells. Transient co-transfection of 293T packaging cells with DNA plasmids encoding lentiviral vector constituents resulted in production of high-titer DLV (0.5-1.2 × 107IU/mL), which can be further concentrated over 100-fold through a single step ultracentrifugation. These vectors were capable of transducing a variety of cells from both primate and non-primate sources and high transduction efficiency was achieved using concentrated vectors. Assessment of potential generation of RCV revealed no detection of infection by infectious particles in DLV-transduced CEM, SupT-1 and MT-2 cells. Long-term culture of transduced cells showed a stable expression of transgenes without apparent alteration in cellular morphology and growth kinetics. Vector mobilization to untransduced cells mediated by wild-type HIV-1 infection was confirmed in this test. Challenge of transduced human T-lymphocytes with wild-type HIV-1 showed these cells are totally resistant to the viral infection. Considering the effective gene transfer and stable gene expression, safety and anti-HIV activity, these DLV vectors warrant further exploration for their potential use as a gene transfer vehicle in the development of gene therapy protocols.     

Efficient Gene Transfer Mediated by HIV-1-based Defective Lentivector and Inhibition of HIV-1 Repfication

Lentiviral vectors have drawn considerable attention recently and show great promise to become important delivery vehicles for future gene transfer manipulation. In the present study we have optimized a protocol for preparation of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 （HIV-1）-based defective lentiviral vectors （DLV） and characterized these vectors in terms of their transduction of different cells. Transient co-transfection of 293T packaging cells with DNA plasmids encoding lentiviral vector constituents resulted in production of high-titer DLV （0.5-1.2 × 107IU/mL）, which can be further concentrated over 100-fold through a single step ultracentrifugation. These vectors were capable of transducing a variety of cells from both primate and non-primate sources and high transduction efficiency was achieved using concentrated vectors. Assessment of potential generation of RCV revealed no detection of infection by infectious particles in DLV-transduced CEM, SupT-1 and MT-2 cells. Long-term culture of transduced cells showed a stable expression of transgenes without apparent alteration in cellular morphology and growth kinetics. Vector mobilization to untransduced cells mediated by wild-type HIV-1 infection was confirmed in this test. Challenge of transduced human T-lymphocytes with wild-type HIV-1 showed these cells are totally resistant to the viral infection. Considering the effective gene transfer and stable gene expression, safety and anti-HIV activity, these DLV vectors warrant further exploration for their potential use as a gene transfer vehicle in the development of gene therapy protocols.     

Transiently expressed short hairpin RNA targeting 126 kDa protein of tobacco mosaic virus interferes with virus infection

RNA-interference (RNAi) silences gene expression by'guiding mRNA degradation in asequence-specific fashion.Small interfering RNA (siRNA),an intermediate of the RNAi pathway,has beenshown to be very effective in inhibiting virus infection in mammalian cells and cultured plant cells.Here,wereport that Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) couldinhibit tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA accumulation by targeting the gene encoding the replication-asso-ciated 126 kDa protein in intact plant tissue.Our results indicate that transiently expressed shRNA efficientlyinterfered with TMV infection.The interference observed is sequence-specific,and time-and site-dependent.Transiently expressed shRNA corresponding to the TMV 126 kDa protein gene did not inhibit cucumbermosaic virus (CMV),an unrelated tobamovirus.In order to interfere with TMV accumulation in tobaccoleaves,it is essential for the shRNA constructs to be infiltrated into the same leaves as TMV inoculation.Ourresults support the view that RNAi opens the door for novel therapeutic procedures against virus diseases.We propose that a combination of the RNAi technique and Agrobacterium-mediated transient expressioncould be employed as a potent antiviral treatment in plants.     

Migration of bone marrow progenitor cells in the adult brain of rats and rabbits

Neurogenesis takes place in the adult mammalian brain in three areas:Subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus(DG);subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle;olfactory bulb.Different molecular markers can be used to characterizethe cells involved in adult neurogenesis.It has been recently suggested that a population of bone marrow(BM)progenitor cells may migrate to the brain and differentiate into neuronal lineage.To explore this hypothesis,we injected recombinant SV40-derived vectors into the BM and followed the potential migration of the transduced cells.Long-term BM-directed gene transfer using recombinant SV40-derived vectors leads to expression of the genes delivered to the BM firstly in circulating cells,then after several months in mature neurons and microglial cells,and thus without central nervous system(CNS)lesion.Most of transgene-expressing cells expressed NeuN,a marker of mature neurons.Thus,BM-derived cells may function as progenitors of CNS cells in adult animals.The mechanism by which the cells from the BM come to be neurons remains to be determined.Although the observed gradual increase in transgene-expressing neurons over 16mo suggests that the pathway involved differentiation of BM-resident cells into neurons,cell fusion as the principal route cannot be totally ruled out.Additional studies using similar viral vectors showed that BM-derived progenitor cells migrating in the CNS express markers of neuronal precursors or immature neurons.Transgene-positive cells were found in the subgranular zone of the DG of the hippocampus 16 mo after intramarrow injection of the vector.In addition to cells expressing markers of mature neurons,transgene-positive cells were also positive for nestin and doublecortin,molecules expressed by developing neuronal cells.These cells were actively proliferating,as shown by short term BrdU incorporation studies.Inducing seizures by using kainic acid increased the number of BM progenitor cells transduced by SV40vectors migrating to the hippocampus,and these cells were seen at earlier time points in the DG.We show that the cell membrane chemokine receptor,CCR5,and its ligands,enhance CNS inflammation and seizure activity in a model of neuronal excitotoxicity.SV40-based gene delivery of RNAi targeting CCR5 to the BM results in downregulating CCR5 in circulating cells,suggesting that CCR5 plays an important role in regulating traffic of BM-derived cells into the CNS,both in the basal state and in response to injury.Furthermore,reduction in CCR5 expression incirculating cells provides profound neuroprotection from excitotoxic neuronal injury,reduces neuroinflammation,and increases neuronal regeneration following this type of insult.These results suggest that BM-derived,transgeneexpressing,cells can migrate to the brain and that they become neurons,at least in part,by differentiating into neuron precursors and subsequently developing into mature neurons.     

New findings showing how DNA methylation influences diseases

In 1975, Holliday and Pugh as well as Riggs independently hypothesized that DNA methylation in eukaryotes could act as a hereditary regulation mechanism that influences gene expression and cell differentiation. Interest in the study of epigenetic processes has been inspired by their reversibility as well as their potentially preventable or treatable consequences. Recently, we have begun to understand that the features of DNA methylation are not the same for all cells.Major differences have been found between differentiated cells and stem cells.Methylation influences various pathologies, and it is very important to improve the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms. Epigenetic modifications may take place throughout life and have been related to cancer, brain aging, memory disturbances, changes in synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases,such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. DNA methylation also has a very important role in tumor biology. Many oncogenes are activated by mutations in carcinogenesis. However, many genes with tumor-suppressor functions are "silenced" by the methylation of CpG sites in some of their regions.Moreover, the role of epigenetic alterations has been demonstrated in neurological diseases. In neuronal precursors, many genes associated with development and differentiation are silenced by CpG methylation. In addition,recent studies show that DNA methylation can also influence diseases that do not appear to be related to the environment, such as IgA nephropathy, thus affecting,the expression of some genes involved in the T-cell receptor signaling. In conclusion, DNA methylation provides a whole series of fundamental information for the cell to regulate gene expression, including how and when the genes are read, and it does not depend on the DNA sequence.     

The inhibitory effect of transthyretin gene on growth of human hepatoma cells

Transthyretin(TTR) gene was highly expressed in normal liver and it has been found to be deleted in part of DNA samples from human hepatic cancer.Its mRNA expression was suppressed in most hepatoma samples.In order to study the biological effect of TTR gene on the growth of hepatoma cells,a recombinant vector containing TTR cDNA was constructed by pCMV,then it was transfected into hepatoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Q3.It has been demonstrated that the inhibition of growth rate of TTR cDNA transfected hepatoma cells was about 50% in strength compared with that of the control.This inhibition was further enhanced when the transfected hepatoma cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid.Hepatoma cells of cell lines PLC/PRF/5,SMMC-7721 and Q3 as well as hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 transfected with pCMV or pCMV-TTR were analyzed for TTR expression by Northern hybridization.The low level of TTR expression was found in both hepatoma cell lines and in SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pCMV alone.However,a remarkable TTR mRNA expression was observed in hepatoma SMMV-7721 cells transfected with pCMV-TTR.It seems possible that TTR gene might be a candidate of cancer suppressor gene for human hepatic cancer.     

Paramutation： A Heritable Change in Gene Expression by Allelic Interactions In Trans

Epigenetic gene regulation involves the stable propagation of gene activity states through mitotic, and sometimes even meiotic, cell divisions without changes in DNA sequence. Paramutation is an epigenetic phenomenon involving changes in gene expression that are stably transmitted through mitosis as well as meiosis. These heritable changes are mediated by in trans interactions between homologous DNA sequences on different chromosomes. During these in trans interactions, epigenetic information is transferred from one allele of a gene to another allele of the same gene, resulting in a change in gene expression. Although paramutation was initially discovered in plants, it has recently been observed in mammals as well, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying paramutation might be evolutionarily conserved. Recent findings point to a crucial role for small RNAs in the paramutation process. In mice, small RNAs appear sufficient to induce paramutation, whereas in maize, it seems not to be the only player in the process. In this review, potential mechanisms are discussed in relation to the various paramutation phenomena.     

Selective reversal of drug resistance in drug-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells by tumor-specific expression of MDR1 ribozyme gene mediated by retrovirus

According to the fact that CEA gene expressed only in lung adenocarcinoma and not in normal lung cells, a retroviral vector (pCEAMR) was constructed which carried the CEA promoter coupled to MDR1 ribozyme gene. pCEAMR was introduced into drug-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells GAOK with CEA expression and HeLaK without CEA expression; the expression of pCEAMR and drug resistance in the infected cells were analyzed in vitro and in vivo ; pCEAMR expressed only in CEA-producing GAOK cells and not in non-CEA-producing HeLa cells. The drug resistance to doxorubicin (DOX) decreased 91.5% in the infected GAOK cells and did not change in the infected HeLa cells. In nude mice, DOX could obviously inhibit the growth of the infected GAOK tumors, and had no effect on the growth of the infected HeLa cells. These results indicated that MDR1 ribozyme gene regulated by CEA promoter expressed only in human adenocarcinoma cells and reversed their drug resistance selectively. This gene-drug therapy might serve as an effe     

Treatment with vector-expressed small hairpin RNAs against Ki67 RNA-induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in human renal carcinoma cells

Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) transcribed by.RNA polymerase Ⅲ promoters can triggersequence-selective gene silencing in mammalian cells.By virtue of their excellent function in knocking downexpression of cancer-associated genes,shRNAs could be used as new therapeutic agents for cancer.Asoverexpression of Ki67 in renal cancer has been correlated to a more aggressive tumor phenotype,inhibitionof Ki67 protein expression by means of shRNAs seems to be a promising approach for the therapy of renalcancer.In this study,we constructed an expression plasmid encoding shRNAs against the Ki67 gene,namedpSilencerKi67,and transfected it into human renal carcinoma cells.The pSilencerKi67 was shown to signifi-cantly knock down the expression of the Ki67 gene in human renal carcinoma cells,resulting in inhibitingproliferation and inducing apoptotic cell death that can be maintained for at least 6d.These findings offer thepromise of using vector-based shRNAs against Ki67 in renal cancer gene therapy.     

ATP-binding cassette transporter enhances tolerance to DDT in Tetrahymena

The reuse of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane(DDT) as an indoor residual spray was permitted by the World Health Organization in 2007, and approximately 14 countries still use DDT to control disease vectors. The extensive exposure of insects to DDT has resulted in the emergence of DDT resistance, especially in mosquitoes, and the mechanism for this resistance in mosquitoes has been widely reported. Spraying can also introduce DDT directly into surface water, and DDT can subsequently accumulate in microorganisms, but the mechanism for the resistance to DDT degradation in microorganisms is unclear. Using whole-genome microarray analysis, we detected an abcb15 gene that was up-regulated in a specific manner by DDT treatment in T. thermophile. The deduced ABCB15 peptide sequence had two transmembrane domains(TMDs) and two nucleotide-binding domains(NBDs) to form the structure TMD-NBD-TMD-NBD, and each NBD contained three conserved motifs: Walker-A, C-loop, and Walker-B, which indicated the T. thermophila abcb15 was a typical ABC transporter gene. The expression of ABCB15 fused with a C-terminal green fluorescent protein was found to be on the periphery of the cell, suggesting that ABCB15 was a membrane pump protein. In addition, cells with abcb15 partially knocked down(abcb15-KD) grew slower than wild-type cells in the presence of 256 mg L-1 DDT, indicating the tolerance of abcb15-KD strain to DDT exposure was decreased. Thus, we suggest that in Tetrahymena, the membrane pump protein encoded by ABCT gene abcb15 can enhance the tolerance to DDT and protect cells from this exogenous toxin by efficiently pumping it to the extracellular space.     

Production of Transgenic Korean Native Cattle Expressing Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein Using a FIV-Based Lentiviral Vector Injected into MII Oocytes

The potential benefits of generating and using transgenic cattle range from improvements in agriculture to the production of large quantities of pharmaceutically relevant proteins.Previous studies have attempted to produce transgenic cattle and other livestock by pronuclear injection and somatic cell nuclear transfer,but these approaches have been largely ineffective;however,a third approach, lentivirus-mediated transgenesis,has successfully produced transgenic livestock.In this study,we generated transgenic(TG) Korean native cattle using perivitelline space injection of viral vectors,which expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) systemically. Two different types of lentiviral vectors derived from feline immunodeficiency virus(FIV) and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) carrying EGFP were injected into the perivitelline space of MII oocytes.EGFP expression at 8-cell stage was significantly higher in the FIV group compared to the HIV group(47.5%±2.2%v.s.22.9%±2.9%).Eight-cell embryos that expressed EGFP were cultured into blastocysts and then transferred into 40 heifers.Ten heifers were successfully impregnated and delivered 10 healthy calves.All of these calves expressed EGFP as detected by in vivo imaging,PCR and Southern blotting.In addition,we established an EGFP-expressing cell line from TG calves,which was followed by nuclear transfer(NT).Recloned 8-cell embryos also expressed EGFP,and there were no differences in the rates of fusion,cleavage and development between cells derived from TG and non-TG calves,which were subsequently used for NT.These results illustrate that FIV-based lentiviruses are useful for the production of TG cattle.Moreover,our established EGFP cell line can be used for additional studies that involve induced pluripotent stem cells.     

Induction of Epstein-Barr virus lytic replication by recombinant adenoviruses expressing the zebra gene with EBV specific promoters

The latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is found in the cells of many tumors. For example, EBV is detectable in almost all cases, and in almost all tumor cells, of non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Activating the latent virus, which will result in its lytic replication and the death of tumor cells, is a potential approach for the treatment of EBV-associated cancers. In this study, three recombinant adenoviruses were constructed to express the Zebra gene, an EBV gene responsible for switching from the latent state to lytic replication. EBV-specific promoters were used in order to limit Zebra expression in EBV-positive cells, and reduce the potential side effects. The EBV promoters used were Cp, Zp and a dual promoter combining both promoters, CpZp. The Zebra protein was detected in HEK293 cells as well as the EBV-positive D98-HR1 cells infected with recombinant viruses. An EBV lytic replication early antigen, EA-D, was also detected in infected D98-HR1, implying the initiation of lytic replication. In the cell viability assay, Zebra-expressing adenoviruses had little effect on EBV-negative HeLa cells, while significantly reducing the cell viability and proliferation of D98-HR1 cells. The results indicate that EBV virus promoters can be used in adenovirus vectors to express the Zebra gene and induce EBV lytic replication in D98-HR1 cells.     

Functional Characterization of the Group Ⅰ Alphabaculovirus Specific Gene ac73

Baculoviridae is a family of large DNA viruses that specifically infect insects. It contains four genera, Alpha-, Beta-,Gamma-, and Deltabaculovirus. Alphabaculovirus is further divided into Group I and II, and Group I appears to be emerged most recently among all baculoviruses. Interestingly, there are 12 Group I specific genes that are only found in this lineage. Studying these genes is helpful to understand how baculoviruses evolved. Here, we reported the functional analyzing results of ac73, a function unknown Group I specific gene of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus(Ac MNPV) which is the type species of baculovirus. The AC73 protein encoded by ac73 was found to be expressed during the late stage of infection and incorporated into the nucleocapsids of budded virus(BV) and occlusionderived virus(ODV). In infected cells, AC73 resided mainly in the ring zone region of the nucleus, and appeared to be assembled into occlusion bodies(OBs). The ac73 knockout and repaired viruses were constructed and studied by in vitro and in vivo infection. Although ac73 was not essential for BV and ODV or OB formation, the BV titer and viral infectivity in insect larvae of ac73 knockout Ac MNPV decreased by about 5–8 and 3–4 fold compared to those of wild type virus,respectively, suggesting ac73 contributed to infectious BV production and viral infectivity in vivo. This research provides new insight into the function of this Group I specific gene.     

Generation of mesenchymal stem-like cells for producing extracellular vesicles

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells with therapeutic potential against autoimmune diseases, inflammation, ischemia, and metabolic disorders. Contrary to the previous conceptions, recent studies have revealed that the tissue repair and immunomodulatory functions of MSCs are largely attributed to their secretome, rather than their potential to differentiate into desired cell types. The composition of MSC secretome encompasses cytokines and growth factors, in addition to the cell-derived structures known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles that are capable of delivering biomolecules, and it is now believed that MSC-derived EVs are the major players that induce biological changes in the target tissues. Based on these EVs’ characteristics, the potential of EVs derived from MSC (MSC-EV) in terms of tissue regeneration and immune modulation has grown during the last decade. However, the use of MSCs for producing sufficient amount of EVs has not been satisfactory due to limitations in the cell growth and large variations among the donor cell types. In this regard, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs)-derived MSC-like cells, which can be robustly induced and expanded in vitro, have emerged as more accessible cell source that can overcome current limitations of using MSCs for EV production. In this review, we have highlighted the methods of generating MSC-like cells from PSCs and their therapeutic outcome in preclinical studies. Finally, we have also discussed future requirements for making this cell-free therapy clinically feasible.     

Role of nanotopography in the development of tissue engineered 3D organs and tissues using mesenchymal stem cells

Recent regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies(using cells, scaffolds, medical devices and gene therapy) have led to fascinating progress of translation of basic research towards clinical applications. In the past decade, great deal of research has focused on developing various three dimensional(3D) organs, such as bone, skin, liver, kidney and ear,using such strategies in order to replace or regenerate damaged organs for the purpose of maintaining or restoring organs’ functions that may have been lost due to aging, accident or disease. The surface properties of a material or a device are key aspects in determining the success of the implant in biomedicine, as the majority of biological reactions in human body occur on surfaces or interfaces. Furthermore, it has been established in the literature that cell adhesion and proliferation are, to a great extent, influenced by the micro- and nanosurface characteristics of biomaterials and devices. In addition, it has been shown that the functions of stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells in particular, could be regulated through physical interaction with specific nanotopographical cues. Therefore, guided stem cell proliferation, differentiation and function are of great importance in the regeneration of 3D tissues and organs using tissue engineering strategies. This review will provide an update on the impact of nanotopography on mesenchymal stem cells for the purpose of developing laboratory-based 3D organs and tissues, as well as the most recent research and case studies on this topic.