Suppression of zebrafish VEGF gene by cytomegalovirus promoter-driven short hairpin constructs induces vascular development defects and down regulation NRP1 expression

The usage of RNA interference for gene knockdown in zebrafish through expression of the small interfering RNA mediators from DNA vectors has created a lot of excitement in the research community. In this work, the ability of human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter (CMV promoter)-driven short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector to induce shRNA against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene in zebrafish was tested, and its effects on VEGF-mediated vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were evaluated. Altogether four vectors targeting various locations of VEGF gene were constructed, and pSI-V4 was proven to be the most effective one. Microinjection of pSI-V4 into the zebrafish embryos resulted in defective vascular formation and down regulation of VEGF expression. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that silencing VEGF gene expression by pSI-V4 resulted in down regulation of neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a potent VEGF receptor. Knockdown of VEGF expression by morpholino gave the same result. This provided evidence that the VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in zebrafish was in part dependent on NRP1 expression. The results contributed to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development and provided a potential promoter for making inducible knockdown in zebrafish.     

基于Semliki森林病毒复制子的新型RNAi质粒载体的构建

目的:以semliki森林病毒复制子为基础,构建一类可迅速高效表达shRNA的新型RNAi载体。方法:以Semliki森林病毒衍生的复制子载体pSFV1为骨架,用CMV IE启动子替换SP6启动子并在3′-UTR下游插入SV40 polyA转录终止子,在原26S亚基因组启动子后插入带有相应改良多克隆位点的shRNA表达元件,同时加入抗新霉素选择复合体,并去掉3′-UTR的重复序列。所获载体用于沉默EGFP基因,通过体外细胞转染、病毒颗粒制备、荧光显微镜观察、RT-PCR分析等初步验证、评估其效果。结果:构建了基于Semliki森林病毒复制子的新型RNAi质粒载体pSFV-RNAi Ready。经体外实验初步证实,该载体直接转染细胞,或与辅助载体共转染,制备成具有感染能力的重组病毒颗粒后使用,均可高水平表达shRNA,沉默目的基因。其中使用病毒颗粒抑抑效率可高达90%以上。结论:该载体的成功构建,可望显著拓宽SFV载体的应用范围,丰富RNAi实施手段,并用于相关科学研究及基因药物技术开发。     

抑制人cFLIP 基因表达的shRNA 质粒的构建与功能验证

目的:构建特异性抑制cFLIP基因表达的质粒并检测其对肝癌细胞的影响。方法:根据人cFLIP mRNA的序列,设计合成3对cFLIP基因的shRNA,将其连入干扰载体,转染HepG2,蛋白印迹法检测基因表达情况,以检测其对肝癌细胞的影响。结果:构建了特异性抑制肝癌细胞中cFLIP表达的质粒。结论:成功构建能特异且高效阻断cFLIP表达的shRNA表达质粒,为进一步研究cFLIP基因对肝癌增殖的影响及其临床应用奠定了基础。     

A new design of a lentiviral shRNA vector with inducible co-expression of ARGONAUTE 2 for enhancing gene silencing efficiency

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) is a robust tool for inhibiting specific gene expression, but it is limited by the uncertain efficiency of siRNA or shRNA constructs. It has been shown that the overexpression of ARGONAUTE 2 (AGO2) protein increases silencing efficiency. However, the key elements required for AGO2-mediated enhancement of gene silencing in lentiviral vector has not been well studied.

Results

To explore the application of AGO2-based shRNA system in mammalian cells, we designed shRNA vectors targeting the EGFP reporter gene and evaluated the effects of various factors on silencing efficiency including stem length, loop sequence, antisense location as well as the ratio between AGO2 and shRNA. We found that 19 ~ 21-bp stem and 6- or 9-nt loop structure in the sense-loop-antisense (S-L-AS) orientation was an optimal design in the AGO2-shRNA system. Then, we constructed a single lentiviral vector co-expressing shRNA and AGO2 and demonstrated that the simultaneous expression of shRNA and AGO2 can achieve robust silencing of exogenous DsRed2 and endogenous ID1 and P65 genes. However, the titers of packaged lentivirus from constitutive expression of AGO2 vector were extremely low, severely limiting its broad application. For the first time, we demonstrated that the problem can be significantly improved by using the inducible expression of AGO2 lentiviral system.

Conclusions

We reported a novel lentiviral vector with an optimal design of shRNA and inducible AGO2 overexpression which provides a new tool for RNAi research.

     

Efficient and high-throughput pseudorecombinant-chimeric Cucumber mosaic virus-based VIGS in maize

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a versatile and attractive approach for functional gene characterization in plants. Although several VIGS vectors for maize (Zea mays) have been previously developed, their utilities are limited due to low viral infection efficiency, insert instability, short maintenance of silencing, inadequate inoculation method, or abnormal requirement of growth temperature. Here, we established a Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-based VIGS system for efficient maize gene silencing that overcomes many limitations of VIGS currently available for maize. Using two distinct strains, CMV-ZMBJ and CMV-Fny, we generated a pseudorecombinant-chimeric (Pr) CMV. Pr CMV showed high infection efficacy but mild viral symptoms in maize. We then constructed Pr CMV-based vectors for VIGS, dubbed Pr CMV VIGS. Pr CMV VIGS is simply performed by mechanical inoculation of young maize leaves with saps of Pr CMV-infected Nicotiana benthamiana under normal growth conditions. Indeed, suppression of isopentenyl/dimethylallyl diphosphate synthase (ZmIspH) expression by Pr CMV VIGS resulted in non-inoculated leaf bleaching as early as 5 d post-inoculation (dpi) and exhibited constant and efficient systemic silencing over the whole maize growth period up to 105 dpi. Furthermore, utilizing a ligation-independent cloning (LIC) strategy, we developed a modified Pr CMV-LIC VIGS vector, allowing easy gene cloning for high-throughput silencing in maize. Thus, our Pr CMV VIGS system provides a much-improved toolbox to facilitate efficient and long-duration gene silencing for large-scale functional genomics in maize, and our pseudorecombination-chimera combination strategy provides an approach to construct efficient VIGS systems in plants.

A pseudorecombinant-chimeric Cucumber mosaic virus-based virus-induced gene silencing system rapidly and efficiently triggers persistent gene silencing in maize.     

Glutathione Ethyl Ester Supplementation during Pancreatic Islet Isolation Improves Viability and Transplant Outcomes in a Murine Marginal Islet Mass Model

Background

The success of pancreatic islet transplantation still faces many challenges, mainly related to cell damage during islet isolation and early post-transplant. The increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during islet isolation and the consumption of antioxidant defenses appear to be an important pathway related to islet damage.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study we evaluated whether supplementation of glutathione-ethyl-ester (GEE) during islet isolation could improve islet viability and transplant outcomes in a murine marginal islet mass model. We also cultured human islets for 24 hours in standard CMRL media with or without GEE supplementation. Supplementation of GEE decreased the content of ROS in isolated islets, leading to a decrease in apoptosis and maintenance of islet viability. A higher percentage of mice transplanted with a marginal mass of GEE treated islets became euglycemic after transplant. The supplementation of 20 mM GEE in cultured human islets significantly reduced the apoptosis rate in comparison to untreated islets.

Conclusions/Significance

GEE supplementation was able to decrease the apoptosis rate and intracellular content of ROS in isolated islets and might be considered a potential intervention to improve islet viability during the isolation process and maintenance in culture before islet transplantation.     

Generating low immunogenic pig pancreatic islet cell clusters for xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation of pancreatic islets offers a promising alternative to overcome the shortage of allogeneic donors. Despite significant advances, either immune rejection or oxygen supply in immune protected encapsulated islets remains major bottlenecks for clinical application. To decrease xenogeneic immune responses, we generated tissue engineered swine leucocyte antigen (SLA)‐silenced islet cell clusters (ICC). Single‐cell suspensions from pancreatic islets were generated by enzymatic digestion of porcine ICCs. Cells were silenced for SLA class I and class II by lentiviral vectors encoding for short hairpin RNAs targeting beta2‐microglobulin or class II transactivator, respectively. SLA‐silenced ICCs‐derived cells were then used to form new ICCs in stirred bioreactors in the presence of collagen VI. SLA class I silencing was designed to reach a level of up to 89% and class II by up to 81% on ICCs‐derived cells. Xenogeneic T cell immune responses, NK cell and antibody‐mediated cellular‐dependent immune responses were significantly decreased in SLA‐silenced cells. In stirred bioreactors, tissue engineered islets showed the typical 3D structure and insulin production. These data show the feasibility to generate low immunogenic porcine ICCs after single‐cell engineering and post‐transduction islet reassembling that might serve as an alternative to allogeneic pancreatic islet cell transplantation.     

Inflammatory mediators expressed in human islets of Langerhans: implications for islet transplantation

Expression of immune modulating mediators in human Islets of Langerhans could have important implications for development of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes and influence the outcome of clinical islet transplantation. Islets obtained from five donors were analyzed at various times after isolation using cDNA array technology. The Atlas Human Cytokine/Receptor and Hematology/Immunology nylon membranes representing 268 genes and 406, respectively, were used and the relative expression of each gene analyzed. Of the 51 gene products identified, high mRNA expression of MCP-1, MIF, VEGF, and thymosin beta-10 was detected in all islet samples. IL-8, IL-1-beta, IL-5R, and INF-gamma antagonist were expressed in islets cultured for 2 days. IL-2R was expressed in islets cultured for more than 6 days. In conclusion, several inflammatory mediators were expressed in isolated islets, particularly at an early stage after isolation, indicating that a few days of culture could be beneficial for the outcome of islet transplantation.     

Excessive islet NO generation in type 2 diabetic GK rats coincides with abnormal hormone secretion and is counteracted by GLP-1

Background

A distinctive feature of type 2 diabetes is inability of insulin-secreting β-cells to properly respond to elevated glucose eventually leading to β-cell failure. We have hypothesized that an abnormally increased NO production in the pancreatic islets might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of β-cell dysfunction.

Principal Findings

We show now that islets of type 2 spontaneous diabetes in GK rats display excessive NO generation associated with abnormal iNOS expression in insulin and glucagon cells, increased ncNOS activity, impaired glucose-stimulated insulin release, glucagon hypersecretion, and impaired glucose-induced glucagon suppression. Pharmacological blockade of islet NO production by the NOS inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) greatly improved hormone secretion from GK islets suggesting islet NOS activity being an important target to inactivate for amelioration of islet cell function. The incretin hormone GLP-1, which is used in clinical practice suppressed iNOS and ncNOS expression and activity with almost full restoration of insulin release and partial restoration of glucagon release. GLP-1 suppression of iNOS expression was reversed by PKA inhibition but unaffected by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Injection of glucose plus GLP-1 in the diabetic rats showed that GLP-1 amplified the insulin response but induced a transient increase and then a poor depression of glucagon.

Conclusion

The results suggest that abnormally increased NO production within islet cells is a significant player in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes being counteracted by GLP-1 through PKA-dependent, nonproteasomal mechanisms.     

A quick and efficient approach for gene silencing by using triple putative microRNA-based short hairpin RNAs

The RNA interference (RNAi) technique has been widely used in gene function studies. It is typical to screen for effective siRNAs by knocking down targeted genes since a single gene can be suppressed by several siRNAs to varying degrees. The miRNA-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) is a natural inducer of RNAi and has been used in siRNA expression strategies. We investigated the potential application of multiple putative microRNA-based shRNAs for gene silencing and studied the inhibition efficiency of exogenous GFP and firefly luciferase (luc) by triple human mir155-based shRNA expression vectors. A total of three candidate siRNA sequences targeted against GFP or luc were selected based on an online prediction program. Single and triple miRNA-155-based shRNAs targeted against GFP or luc were transfected into HEK293 cells mediated by the pcDNA₃ vector with an RNA polymerase II-type CMV (cytomegalovirus) promoter. Comparisons with negative control shRNAs revealed that GFP levels were markedly reduced by the triple miRNA-155-based GFP shRNA by fluorescent microscopy. Consistent results from the dual luciferase assay and real-time quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the triple miRNA-155-based GFP shRNA significantly suppressed GFP expression (P < 0.01), without significant differences from the most effective single miRNA-155-based GFP shRNA (P > 0.05). Results from the dual luciferase assay and real-time quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the triple miRNA-155-based luc shRNA significantly suppressed luc expression as the most effective single miRNA-155-based luc shRNA (P < 0.05). These studies demonstrated the gene silencing efficiency mediated by the triple putative miRNA-155-based shRNAs. This suggested that multiple miRNA-based shRNAs are quick and valuable strategies for gene silencing.     

Co-culture of rat luteal cells with islet cells enhances islet viability and revascularization

Islet cell transplantation is a major treatment strategy for type I diabetes, and has proven to be effective for maintaining glucose homeostasis. However, this treatment requires an extended period of immunosuppression to prevent rejection and recurrent transplantation to maintain function. Thus, to enhance the properties of transplanted islet cells, we examined the effect of the co-culture of luteal cells, which secrete progesterone, on islet cell viability, functionality, and revascularization. It was found that islet viability and functionality were higher in the co-cultured group than in single cultures of islets at 48 and 96 h, in parallel with increased progesterone and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from luteal cells. In the co-culture groups, VEGF levels at 48 and 96 h and CD31 levels at 48 h were significantly higher than those in the islet groups (p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.05, respectively), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels were increased at 96 h (p?<?0.001). Thus, co-culture with luteal cells may increase islet vascularity by enhancing VEGF and bFGF levels for up to 96 h, which could help to markedly increase the pre-transplantation time to allow for effective immunosuppression therapy. This method may also promote islet cell viability and functionality. Progesterone and angiogenic factors secreted from luteal cells may be responsible for these positive effects.     

抑制Dicer基因对shRNA功能发挥的影响

本文将Dicer基因的RNA酶III结构域作为靶区,设计并构建了两个抗Dicer基因的小发夹样RNA(shRNA)表达载体,将其转染2215、结肠癌TC细胞和基因组中整合有绿色荧光蛋白基因(GFP)的HepG2A9细胞,通过RT-PCR评价RNA干扰抑制Dicer基因表达的效率;当HepG2A9细胞Dicer基因表达被上述RNA干扰抑制时,再转染抗GFP的shRNA表达载体,通过RT-PCR和荧光显微镜观察GFP表达水平。结果显示,在不同细胞系中,这两个抗Dicer基因shRNA表达载体,均能明显抑制Dicer基因的表达;当Dicer基因受抑时,后续转染抗GFP的shRNA表达载体不能有效抑制GFP的表达。结果表明,抗Dicer基因shRNA表达载体,能够明显抑制Dicer基因的表达;shRNA表达载体的功能发挥需要Dicer酶的直接参与。     

Reduction of marginal mass required for successful islet transplantation in a diabetic rat model using adipose tissue–derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Background aims

Adipose tissue–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs), widely known as multipotent progenitors, release several cytokines that support cell survival and repair. There are in vitro and in vivo studies reporting the regenerative role of AT-MSCs possibly mediated by their protective effects on functional islet cells as well as their capacity to differentiate into insulin-producing cells (IPCs).

靶向HBs基因的shRNA表达载体的构建及其抑制HepG2.2.15表达HBVsAg的作用

探索用PGenesil-1(Pg)构建的靶向乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)基因的shRNA表达载体PGenesil-1-HBs(简称Pgs),对体外培养HepG2.2.15细胞中的HBV基因及其抗原表达的抑制作用.设计、合成靶向HBV S区的3对DNA序列,分别插入PGenesil-1中构建3个siRNA表达载体Pgs1、Pgs2、Pgs3,经限制性内切酶,DNA序列测定等技术鉴定确认.筛选并确定最佳细胞接种量及重组质粒转染量后,分别或按不同组合转染HepG-2.2.15细胞,48 h后采用半定量RT-PCR检测HBVsmRNA转录水平,免疫细胞化学技术检测HBsAg表达水平,MEIA分别检测细胞裂解液和培养上清中HBsAg和HBeAg的表达水平.结果表明,HBV真核表达载体Pgs1、Pgs2、Pgs3均能不同程度地抑制HepG2.2.15细胞中的HBsAg、HBeAg合成和HBs-mRNA转录.成功构建的HBV真核表达载体Pgs1、Pgs2、Pgs3,其中PgS3能显著抑制HBsAg表达(P＜0.01).多种表达载体联合对抗原表达的抑制作用效率不同.     

Stringent testing identifies highly potent and escape‐proof anti‐HIV short hairpin RNAs

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that can be induced by small interfering RNAs to mediate sequence‐specific gene silencing by cleavage of the targeted mRNA. RNAi can be used as an antiviral approach to silence the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) through stable expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). Previously, we used a co‐transfection assay in which shRNA constructs were transfected with an HIV‐1 molecular clone to identify 20 shRNA inhibitors that target highly conserved HIV‐1 sequences.

Methods

In the present study, we selected the most potent shRNAs to formulate a combinatorial shRNA therapy and determine the best and easiest method for antiviral shRNA selection. We performed transient inhibition assays with either a luciferase reporter or HIV‐1 molecular clone and also infected shRNA‐expressing T cell lines with HIV‐1 and monitored virus replication. The latter assay allows detection of viral escape. In addition, we also tested shRNA‐expressing T cells upon challenge with increasing dosages of HIV‐1, and measured the dose required to result in massive virus‐induced syncytia formation in this 2‐week assay.

Results

Extended culturing selected three highly effective shRNAs that do not allow viral replication for more than 100 days. This difference in potency was not observed in the transient co‐transfection assays. The use of increased dosages of HIV‐1 selected the same highly potent shRNAs as the laborious and extended escape study.

Conclusions

These highly potent shRNAs could be used for a clinical vector and the comparison of the developed assays might help other researchers in their search for antiviral shRNAs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gene silencing in Escherichia coli using antisense RNAs expressed from doxycycline‐inducible vectors

Here, we report on the construction of doxycycline (tetracycline analogue)‐inducible vectors that express antisense RNAs in Escherichia coli. Using these vectors, the expression of genes of interest can be silenced conditionally. The expression of antisense RNAs from the vectors was more tightly regulated than the previously constructed isopropyl‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside‐inducible vectors. Furthermore, expression levels of antisense RNAs were enhanced by combining the doxycycline‐inducible promoter with the T7 promoter‐T7 RNA polymerase system; the T7 RNA polymerase gene, under control of the doxycycline‐inducible promoter, was integrated into the lacZ locus of the genome without leaving any antibiotic marker. These vectors are useful for investigating gene functions or altering cell phenotypes for biotechnological and industrial applications.

Significance and Impact of the Study

A gene silencing method using antisense RNAs in Escherichia coli is described, which facilitates the investigation of bacterial gene function. In particular, the method is suitable for comprehensive analyses or phenotypic analyses of genes essential for growth. Here, we describe expansion of vector variations for expressing antisense RNAs, allowing choice of a vector appropriate for the target genes or experimental purpose.