早期胃腺癌原代细胞适配子的筛选与鉴定

胃腺癌是消化道最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,由于没有针对早期胃腺癌有效的诊断方法,目前胃腺癌手术治疗还主要针对中晚期患者,预后差. 本文应用cell-SELEX技术,筛选早期胃腺癌原代细胞的适配子,为早期胃腺癌的诊断提供新的思路. 从早期胃腺癌组织中分离得到早期胃腺癌原代细胞,应用体外合成全长88 bp中间含52 bp随机序列的单链DNA文库,通过对PCR扩增条件的优化,借助生物素-链霉亲和素磁珠系统,经cell-SELEX反复筛选,可获得针对早期胃腺癌原代细胞的特异性适配子.经12轮cell-SELEX筛选,ssDNA文库与早期胃腺癌原代细胞的亲和力由1 560上升到4 336,表明亲和力较高的适配子得到逐步富集. 经克隆和测序,应用软件分析可知,30个克隆子中编号为C17和C27的2个序列完全一致,具同源性,二级结构预测可知单链DNA形成不同的茎环结构可能是适配子与早期胃腺癌原代细胞作用的结构基础. 特异性分析显示,胃腺癌原代细胞组与正常胃粘膜上皮细胞、空白对照组之间荧光强度值差异非常显著（P＜001）;正常胃粘膜上皮细胞组与空白对照组之间差异不显著（P＞005）. 经亲和力测定,各适配子与早期胃腺癌原代细胞的解离系数达到nmol/L,具有很高的亲和力.利用cell-SELEX技术成功筛选到早期胃腺癌原代细胞的适配子,为胃腺癌的早期诊断与治疗药物靶点方面的研究奠定了实验基础.     

细胞特异性核酸适配体筛选新策略的研究进展

核酸适配体(aptamer)是在体外采用指数富集的配基系统进化技术(systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment, SELEX)从人工合成的随机寡核苷酸文库中筛选得到的一段寡核苷酸序列(RNA或DNA),能折叠成特定的三维空间结构同靶物质进行高特异性与高亲和性的结合。近年来,以全细胞为靶标筛选(cell-SELEX)获得的核酸适配体在疾病相关的领域有很大的应用潜力,尤其在细胞分子的识别、生物标志物的发现等方面,但cell-SELEX的过程复杂、难度大及获得的核酸适配体性能不佳等问题仍然制约着细胞特异性核酸适配体的进一步发展,如何高效地筛选获得核酸适配体是其应用的关键。本文总结了目前在cell-SELEX技术基础上发展起来的新方法、新策略及核酸适配体在肿瘤研究中的应用,望为相关科研人员的研究提供参考。     

抑制RANKL诱导破骨细胞分化的DNA适配子的筛选

目的:筛选能高特异性、高亲和力结合RANKL蛋白并有效抑制RANKL对破骨细胞诱导分化作用的DNA适配子。方法:首先,采用原核系统表达并纯化RANKL蛋白,通过SELEX(Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential)技术从人工合成的单链随机寡核苷酸文库中筛选能高特异性、高亲和力结合RANKL蛋白的DNA适配子。然后,用RNAfolding sever software分析适配子空间结构,以ELISA检测DNA适配子和RANKL亲和力大小并筛选出亲和力最高的一组DNA适配子用以验证DNA适配子对RANKL诱导破骨细胞分化的抑制作用。结果:(1)成功在原核系统表达并纯化RANKL蛋白;(2)筛选出能高特异性、高亲和力结合RANKL蛋白的12个DNA适配子。(3)与对照组相比,不同浓度DNA适配子能明显抑制TRAP阳性破骨细胞数量(P0.05),且浓度越高抑制效果越明显。结论:成功筛选出的DNA适配子能特异性结合RANKL蛋白并有效抑制RANKL对破骨细胞的诱导分化功能。     

cell-SELEX筛选的适配子在肿瘤诊断和治疗中的应用

抗肿瘤治疗发展迅速,但仍然存在许多问题,例如早期诊断困难及化疗的副反应.为解决这些问题,适配子、包括单链DNA或RNA寡核苷酸受到越来越多的关注.适配子具有高度选择性、亲和力及稳定性.通过指数富集细胞配体系统进化技术(cell-SELEX)筛选到的寡核苷酸在识别病变细胞方面具有很大优势,因此,它具有应用于诊断和治疗的巨大潜力.该文综述了适配子在生物标记物的发现、肿瘤细胞富集和检测、靶向肿瘤治疗中的作用.     

抑制肿瘤坏死因子-α的DNA适配子的筛选与鉴定

应用SELEX技术筛选能与TNF结合的DNA适配子。化学合成随机寡聚DNA库,以TNF为靶蛋白,经过12轮SELEX筛选,将所得产物克隆、测序。根据所测序列化学合成寡聚DNA适配子,用生物素_亲和素_辣根过氧化物酶显色系统检测适配子与TNF的结合活性;用鼠L929细胞检测适配子拮抗TNF活性。结果显示,所筛选到的寡聚DNA能与TNF-α高亲和力结合,并能在细胞培养中拮抗TNF-α的细胞毒活性。     

SELEX法体外筛选胃癌细胞适配子方法的建立

目的:建立SELEX技术筛选胃癌细胞SGC-7901适配子的方法,并初步鉴定获得的SGC-790 1细胞适配子.方法:体外合成全长88bp中间含52bp随机序列的ssDNA文库 ,通过优化PCR扩 增条件,利用地高辛-抗地高辛抗体-碱性磷酸酶系统测定亲和力,经SELEX反复筛选获得胃 癌SGC-7901细胞的特异性适配子.将最后一轮筛选产物克隆、测序并用相关软件分析适配子 序列的一级结构和二级结构.结果:经12轮SELEX筛选,ssDNA文库与SGC- 7901细胞的亲和力由0.16上升至1.14,表明特异性适配子得到逐步富集.22个克隆子测序, 有4个序列完全一致,二级结构预测茎环可能是适配子与胃癌细胞作用的结构基础.结论:成功建立了SELEX技术体外筛选胃癌细胞SGC-7901高亲和性适配子的方法.     

靶向磷脂酰肌醇蛋白聚糖1的DNA适配体筛选

目的:筛选获得特异性结合磷脂酰肌醇蛋白聚糖1(GPC1)的单链DNA适配体。方法:合成全长81 nt,中间含39个随机序列的单链寡核苷酸(ss DNA)文库,运用指数富集配基系统进化(SELEX)技术筛选获得GPC1适配体;酶联免疫吸附分析法(ELISA)实验确定候选适配体与GPC1蛋白的亲和力,流式细胞术确定候选适配体与2种GPC1高表达细胞系(胰腺癌Panc-1细胞和工具细胞Luc-ZR-75-1~(GPC1))的结合特异性。结果:经过10轮SELEX筛选获得#9适配体,ELISA分析其亲和力为44±0.69 nmol/L,流式细胞术结果表明其与胰腺癌Panc-1细胞和Luc-ZR-75-1~(GPC1)细胞的阳性结合率分别为44.69%和51.44%。结论:筛选获得与GPC1蛋白有较高亲和力、与表达GPC1细胞系特异结合的ss DNA适配体。     

SELEX技术筛选纤维蛋白适配子的研究

目的:用纤维蛋白作为靶物质对ss DNA随机序列文库进行筛选,旨在获得高亲和力的纤维蛋白适配子。方法:在体外人工合成长度为99个核苷酸的ss DNA随机序列文库,文库中间区域为63个核苷酸的随机序列,两端为18个核苷酸的固定的引物序列;然后以羧基磁珠为介质包被纤维蛋白,利用指数级富集的配体系统进化技术(SELEX)对ss DNA随机序列文库进行反复筛选,当结合率不再提高时对筛选出的适配子进行连接、转化及测序分析。结果:羧基磁珠成功地包被了纤维蛋白,包被效率为87.65%,经15轮逐步递增压力的筛选,获得了纤维蛋白适配子群,经测序分析比对发现适配子有很好的多样性。结论:应用SELEX技术初步筛选出了亲和力较高的纤维蛋白适配子群,为下一步的鉴定及功能研究奠定了良好基础。     

抗体-适配子混合夹心法检测炭疽芽孢杆菌芽孢的研究

通过SELEX(SystemEvolutionofLigandsbyEXponentialenrichment)体外筛选技术寻获的能与炭疽芽孢杆菌芽孢特异结合的DNA适配子(aptamer)考察其作为检测分子的能力。利用抗体-适配子混合夹心法,根据显色反应强度,评价适配子检测炭疽芽孢杆菌芽孢的能力。结果表明,适配子可以作为检测分子检测靶物质的存在。适配子检测范围在2-16μg,芽孢的检测范围在4×104-4×107,当适配子16μg,芽孢量为4×107显色的指示强度最强。说明适配子作为检测用分子,具有潜在的实用价值。     

肝脏去唾液酸糖蛋白受体特异性RNA适配子的SELEX筛选与鉴定

目的获得能够特异性高亲和力结合肝脏特异性去唾液酸糖蛋白受体（asialoglycoprotein receptor,ASGPR）的RNA适配子,为开发诊断和治疗肝脏疾病的靶向性试剂和药物奠定基础。方法合成一个长度为115nt含有25个随机序列的单链DNA随机文库,通过体外转录构建出单链RNA适配子随机文库,以肝脏ASGPR大亚基为靶蛋白,采用SELEX（systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment）技术筛选具有高亲和力的AsGPR特异性RNA适配子;通过膜结合测定实验、凝胶阻滞实验鉴定筛选适配子对靶蛋白的特异性和亲和力。结果经过12轮筛选获得了具有高亲和力的肝脏ASGPR特异性RNA适配子。结论成功地筛选出了具有离亲和力的肝脏ASGPR特异性RNA适配子库。     

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with a Single-Chain Antibody against EGFRvIII Successfully Inhibit the Growth of Human Xenograft Malignant Glioma

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most lethal brain tumor with limited therapeutic options. Antigens expressed on the surface of malignant cells are potential targets for antibody-mediated gene/drug delivery.

Principal Findings

In this study, we investigated the ability of genetically modified human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) expressing a single-chain antibody (scFv) on their surface against a tumor specific antigen, EGFRvIII, to enhance the therapy of EGFRvIII expressing glioma cells in vivo. The growth of U87-EGFRvIII was specifically delayed in co-culture with hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII. A significant down-regulation was observed in the expression of pAkt in EGFRvIII expressing glioma cells upon culture with hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII vs. controls as well as in EGFRvIII expressing glioma cells from brain tumors co-injected with hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII in vivo. hMSC expressing scFvEGFRvIII also demonstrated several fold enhanced retention in EGFRvIII expressing flank and intracranial glioma xenografts vs. control hMSCs. The growth of U87-EGFRvIII flank xenografts was inhibited by 50% in the presence of hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII (p<0.05). Moreover, animals co-injected with U87-EGFRvIII and hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII intracranially showed significantly improved survival compared to animals injected with U87-EGFRvIII glioma cells alone or with control hMSCs. This survival was further improved when the same animals received an additional dosage of hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII two weeks after initial tumor implantation. Of note, EGFRvIII expressing brain tumors co-injected with hMSCs had a lower density of CD31 expressing blood vessels in comparison with control tumors, suggesting a possible role in tumor angiogenesis.

Conclusions/Significance

The results presented in this study illustrate that genetically modified MSCs may function as a novel therapeutic vehicle for malignant brain tumors.     

Lymphocyte function-associated antigens one (LFA-1) on B and on T lymphocytes bind a monoclonal antibody with different affinities

The kinetics of the binding of an anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibody to lymphocytes of the B and T lineages was studied. A Kd approximately ten times lower was observed when binding the antibody to B splenocytes compared to T splenocytes. Using Fab fragments and measuring the dissociation rate constants gave a similar difference in binding kinetics of anti-LFA-1 between the different splenocytes. This difference of cell-binding affinity was independent of the state of stimulation of the cells by lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A. Thymocytes reacted with the antibody with the same Kd as T splenocytes. The combined results indicate that LFA-1 from B and from T lymphocytes have a different conformation. Binding with a higher affinity to B and a lower affinity to T lymphocytes could also be demonstrated using liposomes coated with anti-LFA-1 antibody.     

Characterization of the recombinant human receptor for Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin.

We report here the molecular characterization of a recombinant cell line (293-STaR) expressing the heat-stable enterotoxin receptor (STaR) from human intestine. We have compared the 293-STaR cell line with the human colonic cell line T84 that endogenously expresses STa binding sites. Scatchard analysis of displacement binding studies revealed a single STa binding site with an affinity (Ki) of 97 pM in 293-STaR compared with 55 pM in T84 cells. Saturation isotherms of STa binding gave a Kd of 94 pM for the cloned receptor expressed in 293 cells and 166 pM for the receptor present in T84 cells. Kinetic measurements of STa binding to 293-STaR gave an association rate constant, K1, of 2.4 x 10(8) M-1 min-1 and a dissociation rate constant, K2, of 0.016 min-1. The half-time of dissociation was 43 min, and the Kd calculated from the ratio of the kinetic constants was 67 pM. The pH profile of STa binding showed that the number of STa binding sites is increased 3-fold at pH 4.0 compared with pH 7.0, with no effect on binding affinity. A polyclonal antibody directed against the extracellular domain of STaR immunoprecipitated two proteins of approximately 140 and 160 kDa from both 293-STaR and T84 cells. Cross-linking of 125I-STa to 293-STaR cells resulted in the labeling of proteins with a molecular mass of approximately 153, 133, 81, 68, 56, and 49 kDa, the two smallest being the more abundant. Similar results have been reported for the STaR present on rat brush border membranes. These data suggest that the STaR-guanylyl cyclase identified by molecular cloning is the only receptor for STa present in T84 cells.     

Identification and characterization of Ch806 mimotopes

The chimeric antibody 806 (Ch806) is a promising antitumor agent that recognizes both the epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) and the overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in cancer tissues but does not recognize the wild type EGFR in normal tissues. However, passive antibody immunization could not produce effective antitumor titers unless the immunization was administered repeatedly over long periods. To overcome this limitation, we generated epitope mimics that bind to Ch806 and tested whether the peptide mimics could induce the production of similar antibodies when actively immunizing mice with the peptides. We used the PH.D-12 phage display peptide library to identify peptides that bind to the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 12H23, which also recognizes similar epitopes of Ch806. Two mimotopes (WHTEILKSYPHE and LPAFFVTNQTQD) were shown to mimic the mAb 12H23 and Ch806 epitope using immunoassays. The mimotopes were conjugated to immunogenic carrier proteins and used to intraperitoneally immunize BALB/c mice. Interestingly, sera from the mice immunized with the isolated mimotopes not only recognize the recombinant or synthetic 806 eptitope, but can also recognize EGFR that is overexpressed in A431 cells and EGFRvIII expressed in Huh7-EGFRvIII cells, whereas sera from mice immunized with the control peptide-KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) and carrier KLH alone failed to show a similar reactivity. Furthermore, in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay (ADCC), the mimotope-induced antibodies specifically lysed human Huh-7-EGFRvIII cells. Our data indicate that the isolated mimotopes reported here may potentially be used as new alternative agents for treating cancer with EGFRvIII expression or EGFR overexpression.     

Intermolecular association of the p185neu protein and EGF receptor modulates EGF receptor function

We have used cross-linking reagents on cell lines expressing both p185neu and EGFR. The lysates of the cells were precipitated with anti-p185neu or anti-EGFR antibodies. These precipitates included a high molecular weight complex that was identified as an EGFR-p185neu heterodimer. Heterodimerization was found to be induced by exposure to EGR. The EGFR of these cells displayed three affinity states for EGF: low (Kd, approximately 10(-9) M), high (Kd, 10(-9) to 10(-10) M), and very high (Kd, 10(-11) M), as determined by Scatchard analyses. Relatively small levels of EGF had a dramatic biological effect on cells expressing very high affinity EGFR. The very high affinity EGFR disappeared after the cells were treated with anti-p185neu monoclonal antibodies that selectively down-regulated p185neu. EGF and TPA had differential effects on down-modulation of the EGFR in cells that express either one or both species of receptor proteins.     

Altered estrogen receptor system in estrogen-unresponsive human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

Previous studies from our laboratories demonstrated that cells from a human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa) responded to estradiol whereas cells from another endometrial cancer line (HEC-50) did not. In an attempt to identify factors responsible for the observed estrogen insensitivity we compared the characteristics of the estradiol receptor (ER) systems in Ishikawa and HEC-50 cells. Saturation analyses of cytosolic estrogen binders were performed over a 0.1-70 nM range of [3H]estradiol concentrations. Equilibrium dissociation constants and number of binding sites were determined by graphic analysis of Scatchard plots or computed by applying Fourier-derived affinity spectrum analysis (FASA) of the binding data. No significant differences were noted in the dissociation constants (Kd approx. 0.6 nM) or number of binding sites (approx. 6-10 fmol/mg protein) for the single binder that could be evaluated by the graphic method in cytosol from the two cell lines. However, 2 binders in Ishikawa cells (Kd approx. 0.2 and 6 nM) could be detected by the FASA method; the higher affinity binder in HEC-50 cells could not be clearly demonstrated. Structural differences in the specific estrogen binders which might distinguish HEC-50 from Ishikawa cells or normal endometrial tissue were investigated by using the anti-ER monoclonal antibody JS 34/32. Interaction of the antibody with [3H]estradiol binders of estrogen-responsive cells and tissue was evident from the formation of labeled complexes that were shown to sediment faster in glycerol density gradients and could be immunoprecipitated with Protein A attached to Sepharose beads. In contrast, the antibody did not recognize labeled specific binders in the HEC-50 cells. Furthermore, [3H]estradiol receptors in Ishikawa cells could be transformed into a species that exhibited increased hydrophilicity, evident from its binding to DNA-cellulose, whereas binders from HEC-50 could not. These results indicate that the lack of responsiveness of HEC-50 cells to estrogens might be due to structural or functional alterations in the ER protein resulting in a loss of its capability to undergo estrogen-directed conformational changes required for biological activity.     

Impact of single-chain Fv antibody fragment affinity on nanoparticle targeting of epidermal growth factor receptor-expressing tumor cells

To determine the importance of single-chain Fv (scFv) affinity on binding, uptake, and cytotoxicity of tumor-targeting nanoparticles, the affinity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) scFv antibody C10 was increased using molecular evolution and yeast display. A library containing scFv mutants was created by error-prone PCR, displayed on the surface of yeast, and higher affinity clones selected by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Ten mutant scFv were identified that had a 3-18-fold improvement in affinity (KD=15-88 nM) for EGFR-expressing A431 tumor cells compared to C10 scFv (KD=264 nM). By combining mutations, higher affinity scFv were generated with KD ranging from 0.9 nM to 10 nM. The highest affinity scFv had a 280-fold higher affinity compared to that of the parental C10 scFv. Immunoliposome nanoparticles (ILs) were prepared using EGFR scFv with a 280-fold range of affinities, and their binding and uptake into EGFR-expressing tumor cells was quantified. At scFv densities greater than 148 scFv/IL, there was no effect of scFv affinity on IL binding and uptake into tumor cells, or on cytotoxicity. At lower scFv densities, there was less uptake and binding for ILs constructed from the very low affinity C10 scFv. The results show the importance of antibody fragment density on nanoparticle uptake, and suggest that engineering ultrahigh affinity scFv may be unnecessary for optimal nanoparticle targeting.     

Development of an Efficient Targeted Cell-SELEX Procedure for DNA Aptamer Reagents

Background

DNA aptamers generated by cell-SELEX offer an attractive alternative to antibodies, but generating aptamers to specific, known membrane protein targets has proven challenging, and has severely limited the use of aptamers as affinity reagents for cell identification and purification.

Methodology

We modified the BJAB lymphoblastoma cell line to over-express the murine c-kit cell surface receptor. After six rounds of cell-SELEX, high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, we identified aptamers that bound BJAB cells expressing c-kit but not wild-type BJAB controls. One of these aptamers also recognizes c-kit endogenously expressed by a mast cell line or hematopoietic progenitor cells, and specifically blocks binding of the c-kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF). This aptamer enables better separation by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of c-kit⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells from mixed bone marrow populations than a commercially available antibody, suggesting that this approach may be broadly useful for rapid isolation of affinity reagents suitable for purification of other specific cell types.

Conclusions/Significance

Here we describe a novel procedure for the efficient generation of DNA aptamers that bind to specific cell membrane proteins and can be used as high affinity reagents. We have named the procedure STACS (Specific TArget Cell-SELEX).     

Studies on adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor using isolated rat adrenocortical cells.

To clarify the function of ACTH receptors, the actions of ACTH on cyclic AMP formation, Ca2+-influx across cell membrane, and corticoidogenesis were examined using dispersed adrenocortical cells prepared from the rat adrenal gland. 1) There are two types of ACTH receptors from Scatchard analysis of 125I-ACTH1-24 binding to the cell, the one receptor is of high affinity and low capacity (dissociation constant (Kd1) = 2.6 x 10(-19) M and 7,350 sites per cell), and the other one is of low affinity and high capacity (dissociation constant (Kd2) = 7.1 x 10(-9)M and 57,400 sites per cell). 2) Both apparent dissociation constants derived from the effects of ACTH on corticoidogenesis and Ca2+ influx well correspond with Kd1 of the high affinity receptor, 3) Apparent dissociation constant obtained from the effect of ACTH on cyclic AMP formation is in good agreement with Kd2 of the low affinity receptor. Thus it could be deduced from these data that the high affinity receptor is concerned with an increased Ca2+-influx to regulate corticoidogenesis at physiological levels of ACTH, whereas the low affinity receptor is coupled to adenylate cyclase at supraphysiological concentrations of ACTH.     

Affinity of nonhomologous amphiphilic peptides toward a monoclonal antibody raised against apolipoprotein A-I

Monoclonal antibodies against human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) were generated by the hybridoma technique. Clone G-10 was selected on the basis of its highest titer. The affinity of this antibody toward a series of synthetic peptides differing in length, amino acid composition, and amphiphilicity was tested by using both the indirect and the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent techniques (ELISA). From these measurements we calculated dissociation constants of the complexes of the antibody with apoA-I bound to the surface of the microtiter plate, apoA-I in solution, and any of the several peptides in solution. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the immobilized apoA-I/anti-apoA-I-complex, Kd = 2 x 10(-9) M, was significantly lower than that of the complex resulting from the interaction between anti-apoA-I and either apoA-I in solution or any of the several amphiphilic helical peptides in solution. Peptides devoid of amphiphilic secondary structure were inert. These data are consistent with the proposal that monoclonal G-10 recognizes in antigenic peptides an alpha-helical secondary structure of defined hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and comparatively less the specific amino acid side chains. We propose that the highest contribution to the free energy of binding (8 Kcal/mole) is derived from the docking of the helix to the antibody. It follows that in probing the specificity of a monoclonal antibody the conformation and the physical environment of the interacting antigen must be taken into account.