小鼠CDC26基因短发夹RNA重组腺病毒载体的构建与表达分析

目的:构建靶向CDC26基因的短发夹RNA(shRNA)重组腺病毒载体,干扰小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(MEF)中CDC26的表达。方法:设计小鼠靶向CDC26基因的shRNA,插入穿梭质粒pENTRY-EF1a-EGFP-Mir30,通过Gateway系统获得重组腺病毒载体pAd-CDC26-shRNA;线性化后转染HEK293A细胞,进行病毒包装;用包装的重组腺病毒感染MEF,24 h后收集细胞,提取总RNA,逆转录后用荧光定量PCR法检测MEF内CDC26 mRNA的变化,以检测所设计shRNA的敲低效率。结果:构建的重组腺病毒载体pAd-CDC26-shRNA经酶切鉴定后正确;转染HEK293A细胞后8 d,观察到细胞病变及GFP的大量表达,表明重组腺病毒包装成功;感染MEF后,实时荧光定量PCR检测表明,细胞内CDC26 mRNA的水平较对照组敲低了73.14%,腺病毒注射7 d后,注射CDC26 shRNA的小鼠血糖较对照组明显降低。结论:构建了具有较高敲低效果的小鼠CDC26基因shRNA重组腺病毒,并且具有体内活性。     

Comparative immunogenicity in rhesus monkeys of DNA plasmid,recombinant vaccinia virus,and replication-defective adenovirus vectors expressing a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag gene

Cellular immune responses, particularly those associated with CD3⁺ CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), play a primary role in controlling viral infection, including persistent infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Accordingly, recent HIV-1 vaccine research efforts have focused on establishing the optimal means of eliciting such antiviral CTL immune responses. We evaluated several DNA vaccine formulations, a modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector, and a replication-defective adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector, each expressing the same codon-optimized HIV-1 gag gene for immunogenicity in rhesus monkeys. The DNA vaccines were formulated with and without one of two chemical adjuvants (aluminum phosphate and CRL1005). The Ad5-gag vector was the most effective in eliciting anti-Gag CTL. The vaccine produced both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses, with the latter consistently being the dominant component. To determine the effect of existing antiadenovirus immunity on Ad5-gag-induced immune responses, monkeys were exposed to adenovirus subtype 5 that did not encode antigen prior to immunization with Ad5-gag. The resulting anti-Gag T-cell responses were attenuated but not abolished. Regimens that involved priming with different DNA vaccine formulations followed by boosting with the adenovirus vector were also compared. Of the formulations tested, the DNA-CRL1005 vaccine primed T-cell responses most effectively and provided the best overall immune responses after boosting with Ad5-gag. These results are suggestive of an immunization strategy for humans that are centered on use of the adenovirus vector and in which existing adenovirus immunity may be overcome by combined immunization with adjuvanted DNA and adenovirus vector boosting.     

针对Oct-4和Survivin基因的双靶向shRNA腺病毒载体的构建及其对肝癌细胞的抑制作用

转录因子Oct-4和Survivin是细胞增殖的关键调控因子,构建针对Oct-4和Survivin基因的双靶向shRNA腺病毒载体Ad5-Dual-shRNA,并研究其对肝癌细胞及移植瘤的生长抑制作用。合成Oct-4和Survivin基因的shRNA序列,插入腺病毒穿梭载体pDC312,含有shRNA的穿梭载体与腺病毒骨架载体pBHGloxdeltaE13Cre共转染HEK293细胞,经Cre/LoxP位点特异性重组获得重组腺病毒Ad5-Dual-shRNA;腺病毒Ad5-Dual-shRNA感染肝癌细胞系EHBH-H1,经Western blotting检测Oct-4和Survivin基因的表达情况,用3-(4,5-二甲基噻唑-2)-2,5-二苯基四氮唑溴盐染色法(MTT实验)和裸鼠荷瘤实验检测对肿瘤细胞生长的影响。研究结果显示,双靶向重组腺病毒Ad5-Dual-shRNA感染肝癌细胞系EHBH-H1能够有效沉默Oct-4与Survivin基因的表达,并且在MTT实验和裸鼠荷瘤试验中都显示出较单一靶向的shRNA腺病毒载体Ad5-Surv-shRNA、Ad5-Oct4-shRNA具有更为明显的肿瘤细胞生长抑制作用。实验结果表明,特异性双靶向shRNA腺病毒载体Ad5-Dual-shRNA是一种更为高效的靶向肿瘤基因治疗载体。     

Development and Application of a Real-time PCR Method for Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution Studies of Recombinant Adenovirus

A replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus (Ad5-LFA-3/IgG₁) that encodes secreted LFA-3/IgG₁ was constructed for gene therapy treatment of psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to develop a real-time PCR method for pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies of Ad5-LFA-3/IgG₁ within the circulation and organs. This method showed good specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility over a wide dynamic range of concentrations. Quantitative measurement of recombinant adenoviral DNA suggested that the level of Ad5-LFA-3/IgG₁ DNA in circulating blood peaked within 10 min following intravenous injection in rhesus macaques. Following this peak, the adenoviral DNA level dropped significantly to a very low level. Real-time PCR revealed that Ad5-LFA-3/IgG₁ DNA was enriched in the spleen, lung and liver after injection of the adenovirus into rats through the tail vein. The adenoviral DNA was barely detected in other tissues. These data provide important information for clinical trials of Ad5-LFA-3/IgG₁ and confirm the utility of the real-time PCR assay for monitoring gene therapy trials.     

Influence of active immunization against angiotensin AT1 or AT2 receptor on hypertension development in young and adult SHR

The influence of long-lasting blockade of angiotensin AT1 or AT2 receptors by antibody against the particular receptor peptides on blood pressure and relative heart and kidney weight was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Young and adult SHR were repeatedly immunized against the sequence 14-23 of angiotensin AT1 receptor from the age of either 1 or 3 months. Other groups of young and adult SHR were immunized against the sequences 37-43 and 106-116 of angiotensin AT2 receptor. Synthetic peptides conjugated to bovine gamma globulin were used as antigens. After 5 months of immunization, blood pressure was measured by the direct method. All immunized animals produced antibodies against the particular peptides. At the end of immunization, the blood pressure was significantly decreased in SHR immunized in youth against angiotensin AT1 receptor peptide, although no difference in heart and kidney hypertrophy was observed compared to sham-immunized SHR. The immunization against angiotensin AT1 receptor peptide in adulthood as well as the immunization against angiotensin AT2 receptor peptides in youth or in adulthood affected neither blood pressure nor heart and kidney weight. No influence of immunization on the studied parameters was observed in normotensive WKY rats. Angiotensin AT1 receptors play a more important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous hypertension than angiotensin AT2 receptors. The blockade of angiotensin AT1 receptors by active immunization against the receptor peptide attenuated hypertension development in young SHR but did not modify the already established hypertension in adult SHR.     

不同年龄白发性高血压大鼠肾脏AT1R和AT2R的表达

目的本研究观察不同月龄自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）肾脏ALR和ALR表达,初步探讨AT1R和AT2R在高血压发生、发展过程中的可能作用。方法1月龄组（S1）、2月龄组（S2）、3月龄组（S3）、6月龄组（S6）和9月龄组（墨）雄性SHR共5组,每组各6只,各组均有相应月龄匹配的Wistar-Kyoto大鼠（WKY）作对照。采用RBP-I型大鼠血压心率测定仪测量大鼠尾动脉收缩压（SBP）;放免法测定血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）;免疫组化染色结合计算机图像分析方法测定肾脏AT1R和ALR表达水平。结果（1）SHR SBP随着月龄的增加而上升,S6后趋于稳定。（2）1个月后SHR血浆AngⅡ浓度均高于S1（P〈0.05）,而S2、S3、S6和S9之间无明显差别（P〉0.05）;1个月后SHR血浆AngⅡ浓度均高于相应配对的WKY组（P〈0.05）;而WKY各月龄组均无明显差别（P〉0.05）。（3）SHR肾脏AT1R随着月份的增加而增加（P〈0.05）,且高于相应配对的WKY组（P〈0.05）。SHR肾脏ABR随着月份的增加而降低,S6明显降低（P〈0.05）,S6和S9比较无明显差别（P〉0.05）;且均低于相应配对的WKY组（P〈0.05）。WKY各月龄组AT1R和AT2R无明显差别（P〉0.05）。结论SHR肾脏AT1R表达水平比WKY高,并随着年龄的增加而递增;AT2R表达水平比WKY低,并随着年龄的增加而降低。     

Diabetes-induced stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system in the rat brain cortex

Cerebrovascular disease is a threat to people with diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes can damage the brain by stimulating the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), leading to neurological deficits and brain strokes. Diabetes-induced components of the RAS, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin-II (Ang-II), and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R), have been linked to various neurological disorders in the brain. In this study, we investigated how diabetes and high blood pressure affected the regulation of these major RAS components in the frontal cortex of the rat brain. We dissected, homogenized, and processed the brain cortex tissues of control, streptozotocin-induced diabetic, spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and streptozotocin-induced SHR rats for biochemical and Western blot analyses. We found that systolic blood pressure was elevated in SHR rats, but there was no significant difference between SHR and diabetic-SHR rats. In contrast to SHR rats, the heartbeat of diabetic SHR rats was low. Western blot analysis showed that the frontal cortexes of the brain expressed angiotensinogen, AT1R, and MAS receptor. There were no significant differences in angiotensinogen levels across the rat groups. However, the AT1R level was increased in diabetic and hypertensive rats compared to controls, whereas the MAS receptor was downregulated (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that RAS overactivation caused by diabetes may have negative consequences for the brain's cortex, leading to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.     

Effects of praeruptorin C on blood pressure and expression of phospholamban in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BackgroundThe traditional Chinese medicine Praeruptorin c (Pra-c) has many physiological and pharmacological effects, including antagonistic effects on blood pressure and calcium levels, maintenance of cellular calcium homeostasis, and improved cardiac systolic and diastolic function. It is potentially a novel and versatile drug for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.ObjectiveTo explore the possible impact of Pra-c on blood pressure in SHR and its mechanism of action.Materials and methodsTwenty SHR were randomly divided into a Pra-c group [Pra-c was administered intragastrically, 20 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, n = 10] or an untreated control group (n = 10), containing 10 age-matched SD rats. Each group of rats was followed for 8 weeks. Before and during the treatment, tail artery systolic blood pressure was measured using a tail-cuff every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and RNA was extracted from homogenates of cardiac tissue. Tissue from the left ventricle was fixed, sectioned and H&E stained to assess possible changes in myocardial cell structure and morphology. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess changes in phospholamban gene expression in treated and untreated rats.ResultsSHR treated with Pra-c for 8 weeks had a lower systolic pressure than untreated SHR (p < 0.05), two measures of cardiac damage, the heart mass index and left ventricle mass index (HMI and LVMI, respectively) were improved, and the level of PLB mRNA expression was lower in the untreated SHR group (p < 0.05).Discussion and conclusionWith continuous hypertension, SHR gradually formed or developed cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pra-c had a clear effect on blood pressure in SHR, and reversed SHR ventricular remodeling by upregulating the gene expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum PLB.     

Egr-1基因沉默对A549细胞放射敏感性的影响

目的:探讨Egr-1基因沉默对人肺腺癌A549细胞放射敏感性的影响。方法:选用A549细胞株作为研究对象,将其分成A、B、C三组,即空白对照组(只加入RPMI-1640培养)、阴性对照组(加入LV3-NC-sh RNA)、实验组(加入EGR1-homo-2294-sh RNA),采用慢病毒介导的sh RNA干扰技术使实验组细胞Egr-1基因沉默表达。利用荧光显微镜、自动化荧光定量细胞成像分析系统分析sh RNA转染,利用FQ-PCR分析Egr-1表达,再利用细胞克隆形成实验检测细胞放射敏感性参数的差异。结果:慢病毒介导的sh RNA成功转染阴性对照组、实验组细胞;空白对照组与阴性对照组Egr-1表达无差异(P0.05),实验组与空白对照组、阴性对照组比较Egr-1均受到明显抑制(P0.05);克隆形成实验中细胞放射敏感性参数D0、SF2实验组细胞与空白对照组、阴性对照组比较均存在明显差异(P0.05)。结论:Egr-1基因沉默使A549细胞放射敏感性降低,Egr-1表达可能与肿瘤细胞对放射的敏感性有关。     

有氧运动改善自发性高血压大鼠肾纤维化的作用*

目的: 研究有氧运动训练对自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)肾脏纤维化影响, 探讨有氧运动对高血压肾损害的保护作用。方法: 8周龄雄性SHR和同龄Wistar京都大鼠(WKY)随机分为4组(n=6):安静WKY对照组(WKY-S)、安静SHR对照组(SHR-S)、低强度运动组(SHR-L)和中强度运动组(SHR-M)。SHR-L组、SHR-M组分别以14 m/min(最大有氧速度的35%)、20 m/min(最大有氧速度的50%)在0°坡度的运动跑步机上跑步,共运动14周,每周5次,每次60 min,WKY-S和SHR-S组安静饲养。14周后,运动训练结束72 h后检测大鼠血压;之后取血和肾脏检测血清肌酐SCr和尿素氮BUN含量,苏木精与伊红(HE)染色观察肾组织形态,Masson染色观察肾组织胶原沉积情况,计算肾脏胶原容积分数(CVF),检测肾脏 AngⅡ、AT1R、TGF-β、α-SMA、CTGF蛋白表达。结果: 与WKY-S组相比,SHR-S组的血压和血清SCr、BUN含量、肾脏CVF水平和AngⅡ、AT1R、TGF-β、α-SMA、CTGF蛋白表达均明显升高(P＜0.05);与SHR-S组相比,SHR-L组和SHR-M组血压和血清SCr、BUN含量、肾脏CVF水平和AngⅡ、AT1R、TGF-β、α-SMA、CTGF蛋白表达均明显下降(P＜0.05)且SHR-M组下降趋势更明显(P＜0.05)。结论: 有氧运动可通过抑制肾脏AngⅡ-AT1R-TGF-β通路,改善自发性高血压大鼠的肾纤维化与肾功能。     

Vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide in hypertension

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is secreted by the heart in response mainly to atrial distension and circulates in plasma in picomolar concentrations. It binds to receptors in blood vessels which it relaxes, renal glomeruli where it induces increased glomerular filtration rate, renal papilla to produce natriuresis, adrenal glomerulosa celts to inhibit aldosterone secretion, and median eminence and pituitary where it may inhibit vasopressin secretion. In experimental models of hypertension plasma levels of ANP are uniformly elevated, except in spontaneously hypertensive rats, in which plasma ANP may only rise transiently. The action of ANP on smooth muscle cells of the blood vessel wall results in production of cyclic GMP, which appears to be the second messenger producing relaxation of pre-contracted blood vessels. Mechanisms other than cGMP generation have been proposed but remain unproven as mediators of ANP action. Receptors for ANP in blood vessels are of two subtypes: B-receptors (or R₁-receptors), which contain guanylate cyclase in their structure, and C-receptors (or R₂-receptors), which have not been shown to the present to be biologically active. Our studies on vascular ANP receptors are reviewed. In several experimental models of hypertension such as saralasin-insensitive 2-kidney, 1-clip and 1-kidney, 1-clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats and in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, we have found elevated plasma ANP, as well as decreased binding and ANP-induced vascular relaxation and blood pressure-lowering effects of ANP. Both the B and C ANP receptors appear decreased in density, even after acid washing of membranes to remove any retained circulating ANP. In SHR we have found that plasma ANP was higher than in control WKY rats only transiently at 8 weeks. Binding was significantly lower in 4 and 8 week-old SHR, but cGMP generation and relaxation produced by ANP were increased in the 4 week-old SHR but normal at 8, 12 or 16 weeks. Expression of B-receptors was exaggerated in 4 week-old SHR relative to C receptors in comparison to age-matched WKY and Wistar rats. These results may underly the normalization of blood pressure found in SHR when a small dose of ANP is infused intravenously, in contrast to other models of experimental hypertension which appear to be more resistant to ANP-induced blood pressure lowering effects. In humans with essential hypertension, plasma ANP was increased in patients with moderate to severe uncontrolled high blood pressure, associated with echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. In these patients, platelet ANP binding was significantly reduced. If these sites resemble vascular ANP sites in their behavior, severely hypertensive patients may be less sensitive to ANP, which may contribute to blood pressure elevation.     

miR-506与PI3K/AKT通路在自发性高血压大鼠心脏重构中的作用

目的:探讨mi R-506和PI3K/AKT信号通路在自发性高血压大鼠心脏重构中的作用。方法:将12只雄性自发性高血压大鼠(Spontaneous Hypertension Rat, SHR)随机分为2组,每组6只。分别为SHR模型组和治疗组(卡托普利,30 mg·kg~(-1)),6只健康WKY大鼠作为空白对照组。SHR模型组和空白对照组灌胃等体积生理盐水,连续给药8周,采用尾动脉测压法测定给药前后各组大鼠血压,采用qRT-PCR法检测各组大鼠心肌miR-506表达量,并检测大鼠心肌组织中SOD和GPx mRNA表达水平,免疫印迹检测大鼠心肌中p-PI3K和p-AKT的蛋白表达量。结果:SHR模型组血压为(184.79±3.35)mmHg,与空白对照组比较显著升高(P0.05),治疗组血压为(133.57±1.43)mm Hg,与SHR模型组相比均显著降低(P0.05)。SHR模型组大鼠心肌中mi R-506、SOD、GPx的RNA相对表达量分别为(0.36±0.05)、(0.27±0.04)和(0.32±0.02),与空白对照组比较显著降低(P0.05),而p-PI3K、p-AKT蛋白水平显著降低(P0.05),与SHR模型组比较,治疗组大鼠心肌中mi R-506以及SOD、GPx的RNA水平显著升高(P0.05),p-PI3K、p-AKT蛋白水平显著升高(P0.05)。结论:在卡托普利治疗高血压的过程中,mi R-506可能通过抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路提高机体的抗氧化能力促进SHR心脏重塑。     

Angiotensin receptors contribute to blood pressure homeostasis in salt-depleted SHR

This study evaluated the contribution of angiotensin peptides acting at various receptor subtypes to the arterial pressure and heart rate of adult 9-wk-old male conscious salt-depleted spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Plasma ANG II and ANG I in salt-depleted SHR were elevated sevenfold compared with peptide levels measured in sodium-replete SHR, whereas plasma ANG-(1-7) was twofold greater in salt-depleted SHR compared with salt-replete SHR. Losartan (32.5 micromol/kg), PD-123319 (0.12 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1)), [d-Ala(7)]ANG-(1-7) (10 and 100 pmol/min), and a polyclonal ANG II antibody (0.08 mg/min) were infused intravenously alone or in combination. Combined blockade of AT(2) and AT((1-7)) receptors significantly increased the blood pressure of losartan-treated SHR (+15 +/- 1 mmHg; P < 0.01); this change did not differ from the blood pressure elevation produced by the sole blockade of AT((1-7)) receptors (15 +/- 4 mmHg). On the other hand, sole blockade of AT(2) receptors in losartan-treated SHR increased mean arterial pressure by 8 +/- 1 mmHg (P < 0.05 vs. 5% dextrose in water as vehicle), and this increase was less than the pressor response produced by blockade of AT((1-7)) receptors alone or combined blockade of AT((1-7)) and AT(2) receptors. The ANG II antibody increased blood pressure to the greatest extent in salt-depleted SHR pretreated with only losartan (+11 +/- 2 mmHg) and to the least extent in salt-depleted SHR previously treated with the combination of losartan, PD-123319, and [d-Ala(7)]ANG-(1-7) (+7 +/- 1 mmHg; P < 0.01). Losartan significantly increased heart rate, whereas other combinations of receptor antagonists or the ANG II antibody did not alter heart rate. Our results demonstrate that ANG II and ANG-(1-7) act through non-AT(1) receptors to oppose the vasoconstrictor actions of ANG II in salt-depleted SHR. Combined blockade of AT(2) and AT((1-7)) receptors and ANG II neutralization by the ANG II antibody reversed as much as 67% of the blood pressure-lowering effect of losartan.     

Dendritic Cell Based PSMA Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer Using a CD40-Targeted Adenovirus Vector

Human prostate tumor vaccine and gene therapy trials using ex vivo methods to prime dendritic cells (DCs) with prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been somewhat successful, but to date the lengthy ex vivo manipulation of DCs has limited the widespread clinical utility of this approach. Our goal was to improve upon cancer vaccination with tumor antigens by delivering PSMA via a CD40-targeted adenovirus vector directly to DCs as an efficient means for activation and antigen presentation to T-cells. To test this approach, we developed a mouse model of prostate cancer by generating clonal derivatives of the mouse RM-1 prostate cancer cell line expressing human PSMA (RM-1-PSMA cells). To maximize antigen presentation in target cells, both MHC class I and TAP protein expression was induced in RM-1 cells by transduction with an Ad vector expressing interferon-gamma (Ad5-IFNγ). Administering DCs infected ex vivo with CD40-targeted Ad5-huPSMA, as well as direct intraperitoneal injection of the vector, resulted in high levels of tumor-specific CTL responses against RM-1-PSMA cells pretreated with Ad5-IFNγ as target cells. CD40 targeting significantly improved the therapeutic antitumor efficacy of Ad5-huPSMA encoding PSMA when combined with Ad5-IFNγ in the RM-1-PSMA model. These results suggest that a CD-targeted adenovirus delivering PSMA may be effective clinically for prostate cancer immunotherapy.     

Kallikrein gene delivery attenuates cardiac remodeling and promotes neovascularization in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension that results in left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and/or fibrosis can lead to cardiac dysfunction. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) develop high blood pressure and LV hypertrophy at an early age and are a popular model of human essential hypertension. To investigate the role of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system in cardiac remodeling, an adenovirus containing the human tissue kallikrein gene was injected intravenously into adult SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The blood pressure of WKY rats remained unchanged throughout the experiment. Alternatively, kallikrein gene transfer reduced blood pressure in SHR for the first 2 wk, but had no effect from 3 to 5 wk. Five weeks after kallikrein gene delivery, SHR showed significant reductions in LV-to-heart weight ratio, LV long axis, and cardiomyocyte size; however, these parameters were unaffected in WKY rats. Interestingly, cardiac collagen density was decreased in both SHR and WKY rats receiving the kallikrein gene. Kallikrein gene transfer also increased cardiac capillary density in SHR, but not in WKY rats. The morphological changes after kallikrein gene transfer were associated with decreases in JNK activation as well as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in the heart. In addition, kallikrein gene delivery elevated LV nitric oxide and cGMP levels in both rat strains. These results indicate that kallikrein-kinin attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and enhances capillary growth in SHR through the suppression of JNK, TGF-beta 1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 via the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway.     

Recombinant Interferon-γ Lentivirus Co-Infection Inhibits Adenovirus Replication Ex Vivo

Recombinant interferon-γ (IFNγ) production in cultured lentivirus (LV) was explored for inhibition of target virus in cells co-infected with adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). The ability of three different promoters of CMV, EF1α and Ubiquitin initiating the enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) activities within lentiviruses was systematically assessed in various cell lines, which showed that certain cell lines selected the most favorable promoter driving a high level of transgenic expression. Recombinant IFNγ lentivirus carrying CMV promoter (LV-CMV-IFNγ) was generated to co-infect 293A cells with a viral surrogate of recombinant GFP Ad5 in parallel with LV-CMV-GFP control. The best morphologic conditions were observed from the two lentiviruses co-infected cells, while single adenovirus infected cells underwent clear pathologic changes. Viral load of adenoviruses from LV-CMV-IFNγ or LV-CMV-GFP co-infected cell cultures was significantly lower than that from adenovirus alone infected cells (P = 0.005–0.041), and the reduction of adenoviral load in the co-infected cells was 86% and 61%, respectively. Ad5 viral load from LV-CMV-IFNγ co-infected cells was significantly lower than that from LV-CMV-GFP co-infection (P = 0.032), which suggested that IFNγ rather than GFP could further enhance the inhibition of Ad5 replication in the recombinant lentivirus co-infected cells. The results suggest that LV-CMV-IFNγ co-infection could significantly inhibit the target virus replication and might be a potential approach for alternative therapy of severe viral diseases.     

游泳训练对高血压大鼠血压及血栓前状态分子的影响*

目的: 观察10周游泳训练对自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)血压及血栓前状态分子血管性血友病因子(vWF)、组织型纤溶酶原激活物(t-PA)、纤溶酶原激活物抑制物(PAI-1)的影响。方法: 选取10周龄雄性SHR(18只),随机分为对照组(8只)和训练组(10只),SHR训练组进行5次/周,每次60 min,共持续10周的无负重游泳训练,期间每2周测定大鼠血压。10周训练后,分别测定两组SHR血小板聚集率、血浆vWF、t-PA和PAI-1。结果: 与对照组相比,训练组SHR经4周游泳训练后,血压显著下降(P＜0.05),经10周游泳训练后,血压、血小板聚集率、血浆vWF水平、PAI-1活性显著降低(P＜0.01),血浆t-PA活性显著提高(P＜0.01)。结论: 适宜游泳训练能有效平抑(或改善)SHR的血压,坚持4周训练即可产生显著的作用,还可明显改善SHR血栓前状态,预防高血压血栓性并发症。     

Experimental approach to the gene therapy of motor neuron disease with the use of genes hypoxia-inducible factors

Motor neuron disease (MND), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and the brain. Several angiogenic and neurogenic growth factors, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin (ANG), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and others, have been shown to promote survival of the spinal motor neurons during ischemia. We constructed recombinant vectors using human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) carrying the VEGF, ANG or IGF genes under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. As a model for MND, we employed a transgenic mice strain, B6SJL-Tg(SOD1*G93A)dl1 Gur/J that develops a progressive degeneration of the spinal motor neurons caused by the expression of a mutated Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene SOD1 ^G93A. Delivery of the therapeutic genes to the spinal motor neurons was done using the effect of the retrograde axonal transport after multiple injections of the Ad5-VEGF, Ad5-ANG and Ad5-IGF vectors and their combinations into the limbs and back muscles of the SOD1 ^G93A mice. Viral transgene expression in the spinal cord motor neurons was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and RT-RCR. We assessed the neurological status, motor activity and lifespan of experimental and control animal groups. We discovered that SOD1 ^G93A mice injected with the Ad5-VEGF + Ad5-ANG combination showed a 2–3 week delay in manifestation of the disease, higher motor activity at the advanced stages of the disease, and at least a 10% increase in the lifespan compared to the control and other experimental groups. These results support the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the tested recombinant treatment. We propose that the developed experimental MND treatment based on viral delivery of VEGF + AGF can be used as a basis for gene therapy drug development and testing in the preclinical and clinical trials of the MND.