Transfection of RNA from Organ Samples of Infected Animals Represents a Highly Sensitive Method for Virus Detection and Recovery of Classical Swine Fever Virus

Translation and replication of positive stranded RNA viruses are directly initiated in the cellular cytoplasm after uncoating of the viral genome. Accordingly, infectious virus can be generated by transfection of RNA genomes into susceptible cells. In the present study, efficiency of conventional virus isolation after inoculation of cells with infectious sample material was compared to virus recovery after transfection of total RNA derived from organ samples of pigs infected with Classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Compared to the conventional method of virus isolation applied in three different porcine cell lines used in routine diagnosis of CSF, RNA transfection showed a similar efficiency for virus rescue. For two samples, recovery of infectious virus was only possible by RNA transfection, but not by the classical approach of virus isolation. Therefore, RNA transfection represents a valuable alternative to conventional virus isolation in particular when virus isolation is not possible, sample material is not suitable for virus isolation or when infectious material is not available. To estimate the potential risk of RNA prepared from sample material for infection of pigs, five domestic pigs were oronasally inoculated with RNA that was tested positive for virus rescue after RNA transfection. This exposure did not result in viral infection or clinical disease of the animals. In consequence, shipment of CSFV RNA can be regarded as a safe alternative to transportation of infectious virus and thereby facilitates the exchange of virus isolates among authorized laboratories with appropriate containment facilities.     

Metafectene is superior to lipofectamine in the transfection of Gsα prostate cancer cells

Transfection efficiency of the novel reagent metafectene has not been compared with that of lipofectamine in the published English literature. We used these agents to transfect two prostate cancer cell lines, PC3 and G_sα, with a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) expression vector that generates double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) for RNA interference (RNAi). Cotransfection of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene revealed that the mean (± standard deviation) transfection efficiencies with lipofectamine were 5.8±0.4% for PC3 cells and 3.6±1.5% for G_sα cells. Mean transfection efficiency with metafectene declined to 0.1±0% for PC3 cells but improved to 54.6±5.5% for G_sα cells. With G_sα cells, metafectene transfection of GFP plasmid alone yielded 46.9% positive cells, and cotransfection with CD44v9 expression vector yielded 45.9% positive cells. The visual impact of the transfected RNAi construct was detectable at the protein level 4 to 6 d posttransfection and was more dramatic after using metafectene than after using lipofectamine. Thus, in vitro, metafectene transfection efficiency was sufficient to allow us to assess the functional significance of our RNAi construct, suggesting metafectene as an excellent candidate for RNAi-mediated anticancer gene therapy.     

Heparin can improve the viability of transfected cystic fibrosis cell lines in vitro

Cationic liposomes are widely used as gene transfer agents in in vitro and in vivo studies of cystic fibrosis. In this study we report comparative results of cationic mediated transfection in several cell lines. We have tested epithelial cell lines expressing the wild-type cystic fibrosis transmembrane protein CFTR (bronchial epithelium-16HBE14o-, submucosal gland-Calu3) and their cystic fibrosis counterparts (CFBE41o-, CFSMEo-), as well as baby hamster kidney fibroblast cell lines (BHK) heterologously expressing human CFTR. The cells were transfected with a green fluorescent protein plasmid complexed with commercial cationic liposome (Geneporter2, GP) and 25 kDa polyethylenimine (PEI). At the end of the incubation (2 hours), low molecular weight heparin was added in order to reduce the toxicity of the lipoplexes. Transfection efficiency and cell viability were measured by flow cytometry. Determination of fatty acid composition of cellular phospholipids was performed by capillary gas chromatography. The short incubation time was sufficient to obtain satisfactory transfection in all cell lines studied. Cells treated with PEI-complexes had lower transfection efficiency and viability compared to GP in all tested cell lines. DeltaF508 CFTR carrying airway epithelial cells were easier to transfect but had lower viability compared to their healthy counterparts. This was, however not the case for the BHK cells. The fatty acid analysis showed characteristic polyunsaturated fatty acid patterns, which correlated with the viability of the transfected cells. Low molecular mass heparin added at the end of the lipoplex incubation time could help to maintain the viability of the cells, without interfering with the transfection efficiency.     

Selective inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by RNA interference

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful tool to silence gene expression in mammalian cells including genes of viral origin. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of siRNA against the hepatitis B virus (HBV), we studied the effect of transfection of the HBV-inducible cell lines HepAD38 and HepAD79 with siRNA specific for the core gene of the HBV genome. HepAD38 cells produce wild-type HBV, whereas HepAD79 cells produce the lamivudine resistant YMDD variant. Transfection of HepAD38 cells with either 1.6 or 4 microg/ml siRNA resulted in a profound inhibition (72% and 98%, respectively) of viral replication (as assessed by real-time quantitative PCR). The inhibitory effect was corroborated by a marked reduction of HBV core protein synthesis in induced HepAD38 cells. In HepAD79 cells, transfected with 1.6 or 4 microg/ml HBV-specific siRNA, virus production was reduced by 75% and 89%, respectively.     

Efficient gene transfer into murine embryonic stem cells by nucleofection

Genetic manipulation of embryonic stem (ES) cells is performed by non-viral as well as viral transfection methods. We tested the recently developed nucleofection method delivering plasmid DNA directly into the nucleus for the introduction of a plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into murine ES cells. Cell viability decreased from 77% before to 40% 24 h after nucleofection. Transfection effciencies in viable stem cells were between 85% and 96% with high levels of EGFP expression [mean fluorescence intensity (MFI): 630 +/- 90] 24 h after nucleofection. After a two week culture in geneticin (G418) selection medium, nearly 50% of the stem cells were EGFP positive and continued transgene expression (MFIs: 120-240) for a two further weeks. We conclude that nucleofection is an efficient nonviral gene transfer method for the introduction of genes into murine ES cells.     

Gene transfer into canine myoblasts

We have developed and characterized cultures of healthy and dystrophic canine myoblasts for the evaluation of various gene transfer protocols. The number of desmin-positive myoblasts was elevated (>>80%) in cultures of myoblasts obtained from different muscle territories, the diaphragm muscle giving rise to the purest cultures. Myoblasts from dogs turned out to be a very convenient source of well transfectable and transducible cells. Transfection with plasmid DNA allowed efficient transgene expression (50% of β-galactosidase positive cells and about 375 ng luciferase/mg protein after transfection with a calcium phosphate-precipitated plasmid). Infection with high concentrations of adenoviral and retroviral vectors allowed transgene (β-galactosidase or mini-dystrophin) detection in about 75 to 90% of the canine cells. Therefore, primary dog myoblast cultures represent a useful in vitro model for viral and non-viral gene delivery, as well as for functional evaluation and cell grafting with applications in genetic diseases, vaccination or production of circulating therapeutic proteins. Reiner Bischoff is now at This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

GCN2 Has Inhibitory Effect on Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Protein Synthesis and Is Cleaved upon Viral Infection

The reversible phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) is a well-characterized mechanism of translational control in response to a wide variety of cellular stresses, including viral infection. Beside PKR, the eIF2alpha kinase GCN2 participates in the cellular response against viral infection by RNA viruses with central nervous system tropism. PKR has also been involved in the antiviral response against HIV-1, although this antiviral effect is very limited due to the distinct mechanisms evolved by the virus to counteract PKR action. Here we report that infection of human cells with HIV-1 conveys the proteolytic cleavage of GCN2 and that purified HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases produce direct proteolysis of GCN2 in vitro, abrogating the activation of GCN2 by HIV-1 RNA. Transfection of distinct cell lines with a plasmid encoding an HIV-1 cDNA clone competent for a single round of replication resulted in the activation of GCN2 and the subsequent eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Moreover, transfection of GCN2 knockout cells or cells with low levels of phosphorylated eIF2alpha with the same HIV-1 cDNA clone resulted in a marked increase of HIV-1 protein synthesis. Also, the over-expression of GCN2 in cells led to a diminished viral protein synthesis. These findings suggest that viral RNA produced during HIV-1 infection activates GCN2 leading to inhibition of viral RNA translation, and that HIV-1 protease cleaves GCN2 to overcome its antiviral effect.     

Calcium phosphate transfection generates mammalian recombinant cell lines with higher specific productivity than polyfection

Transfection with polyethylenimine (PEI) was evaluated as a method for the generation of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO DG44) cell lines by direct comparison with calcium phosphate-DNA coprecipitation (CaPO4) using both green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a monoclonal antibody as reporter proteins. Following transfection with a GFP expression vector, the proportion of GFP-positive cells as determined by flow cytometry was fourfold higher for the PEI transfection as compared to the CaPO4 transfection. However, the mean level of transient GFP expression for the cells with the highest level of fluorescence was twofold greater for the CaPO4 transfection. Fluorescence in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes from pools of cells grown under selective pressure demonstrated that plasmid integration always occurred at a single site regardless of the transfection method. Importantly, the copy number of integrated plasmids was measurably higher in cells transfected with CaPO4. The efficiency of recombinant cell line recovery under selective pressure was fivefold higher following PEI transfection, but the average specific productivity of a recombinant antibody was about twofold higher for the CaPO4-derived cell lines. Nevertheless, no difference between the two transfection methods was observed in terms of the stability of protein production. These results demonstrated the feasibility of generating recombinant CHO-derived cell lines by PEI transfection. However, this method appeared inferior to CaPO4 transfection with regard to the specific productivity of the recovered cell lines.     

Multiple receptor interactions trigger release of membrane and intracellular calcium stores critical for herpes simplex virus entry

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) harness cellular calcium signaling pathways to facilitate viral entry. Confocal microscopy and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used to identify the source of the calcium and to dissect the requisite viral-cell interactions. Binding of HSV to human epithelial cells induced no calcium response, but shifting the cells to temperatures permissive for penetration triggered increases in plasma membrane calcium followed by a global release of intracellular calcium. Transfection with siRNA targeting the proteoglycan syndecan-2 blocked viral binding and abrogated any calcium response. Transfection with siRNA targeting nectin-1, a glycoprotein D receptor, also prevented both membrane and intracellular calcium responses. In contrast, the membrane response was preserved after transfection with siRNA targeting integrinalphav, a novel glycoprotein H receptor. The membrane response, however, was not sufficient for viral entry, which required interactions with integrinalphav and release of inositol-triphosphate receptor-dependent intracellular calcium stores. Thus, calcium plays a critical, complex role in HSV entry.     

Integration and expression of several molecular forms of Rous sarcoma virus DNA used for transfection of mouse cells.

To assess the factors required for integration and expression of retroviral DNA, we have examined viral DNA, RNA, and protein in NIH/3T3 mouse cells transformed by transfection with various forms of cloned Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) DNA. Linear RSV DNA molecules, derived from circular DNA containing two long terminal repeats (LTRs) and permuted by cleavage at the SacI restriction endonuclease site in the leader sequence, were integrated near the ends of the linear molecule, with the LTRs on the 3' side of the src gene. Integration of a subgenomic RSV DNA fragment containing the viral src gene without intact LTRs also occurred near the ends of the linear molecule. Head-to-tail tandem arrays of RSV DNA species were observed in some transformed cell lines that received fully digested DNA and in all cell lines that received DNA ligated to produce oligomers before transfection. Closed circular RSV DNA, with one or two LTRs, integrated without apparent specificity within several regions of the viral genome. After transfection with SacI-permuted RSV DNA still linked to arms of the lambda bacteriophage vector DNA, bacteriophage sequences were joined to host DNA. Transformed cell lines produced by transfection with the various forms of RSV DNA produced similar levels of viral src protein, although the efficiency of successful transformation varied by at least two orders of magnitude. Analyses of viral polyadenylated RNA, together with the patterns of viral DNA in transformed cells, indicated that viral DNA can be integrated and expressed without regard to LTR sequences, with adjacent host DNA presumably supplying signals required for the promotion and processing of functional src mRNA.     

Adaptor Protein 1A Facilitates Dengue Virus Replication

Rearrangement of membrane structure induced by dengue virus (DENV) is essential for replication, and requires host cellular machinery. Adaptor protein complex (AP)-1 is a host component, which can be recruited to components required for membrane rearrangement. Therefore, dysfunction of AP-1 may affect membrane organization, thereby decreasing replication of virus in infected cells. In the present study, AP-1-dependent traffic inhibitor inhibited DENV protein expression and virion production. We further clarified the role of AP-1A in the life cycle of DENV by RNA interference. AP-1A was not involved in DENV entry into cells. However, it facilitated DENV RNA replication. Viral RNA level was reduced significantly in Huh7 cells transfected with AP-1A small interfering RNA (siRNA) compared with control siRNA. Transfection of naked DENV viral RNA into Huh7 cells transfected with AP-1A siRNA resulted in less viral RNA and virion production than transfection into Huh7 cells transfected with control siRNA. Huh7 cells transfected with AP-1A siRNA showed greater modification of membrane structures and fewer vesicular packets compared with cells transfected with control siRNA. Therefore, AP-1A may partly control DENV-induced rearrangement of membrane structures required for viral replication.     

葡聚糖磁性纳米颗粒外加磁场对人树突状细胞基因转染效率的研究

目的研究葡聚糖磁性纳米颗粒（the dextran coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles,DMN）在外加钕一铁一硼稀土固定磁场的作用下对人树突状细胞转染效率以及安全性的影响。方法先通过磁力计对DMN进行分析;再将修饰有多聚赖氨酸（Poly-L—Lysine,PLL）的DMN携带绿色荧光蛋白pEGFP—Cl质粒报告基因,在钕-铁-硼稀土周定强磁场的作用下,体外转染人树突状细胞,用荧光显微镜直接观察和流式细胞仪检测来评价外加磁场对DMN作为人树突状细胞转染载体效率的影响;在转染后采用MTT比色法测定在磁场干预下的DMN对人树突状细胞增殖和功能的影响以了解其细胞毒性。结果DMN的核心直径〈30nm,具有明硅的超顺磁性,比饱和磁化强度也明显高于相同Fe3O4含量的普通磁块;DMN作为基因载体在外加磁场作用下,转染12h即可将报告基因转染至人树突状细胞内并成功表达,在荧光显微镜下可观察到绿色荧光细胞,24h转染率可达到最高（约为27％）,转染效率较未加磁场组提高了2～4倍。而且转染后的人树突状细胞增殖活性及功能未因DMN外加磁场及其作用时间的长短而受到影响。结论超顺磁性的DMN在外加磁场作用下可以明显、安全、有效地提高对人树突状细胞的转染效率。     

抑瘤素M受体对慢性自身免疫性荨麻疹发病机制的影响

本研究旨在探讨抑瘤素M受体(OSMR)在慢性自身免疫性荨麻疹(CAU)发病机制中的作用。本研究分别检测30例CAU患者及30名健康受试者的皮肤组织中OSMR、JAK和STAT3的表达,研究显示OSMR、JAK和STAT3在CAU患者皮肤组织中高表达(p<0.05)。转染OSMR-siRNA可显著降低CAU模型小鼠血清炎症因子IL-1、IL-6和IFN-γ水平,而转染JAK/STAT3信号通路激动剂Tyr705则可显著升高炎症因子水平(p<0.05)。转染OSMR-siRNA可显著降低CAU小鼠瘙痒次数、瘙痒时间和嗜酸性粒细胞计数,而转染Tyr705则可显著升高CAU小鼠瘙痒次数、瘙痒时间和嗜酸性粒细胞计数(p<0.05)。转染OSMR-siRNA促进了CAU小鼠上皮细胞的增殖能力,并抑制了细胞凋亡(p<0.05)。而转染Tyr705则抑制了CAU小鼠上皮细胞的增殖能力,并促进了细胞凋亡(p<0.05)。转染OSMR-siRNA下调了上皮细胞中OSMR、JAK和STAT3的表达,而转染Tyr705则上调了OSMR、JAK和STAT3的表达(p<0.05)。总之,本研究表明OSMR基因在CAU患者皮肤组织中高表达。OSMR基因沉默可通过抑制JAK/STAT3信号通路来抑制炎症因子表达及嗜酸性粒细胞数量,促进上皮细胞增殖并抑制细胞凋亡。     

Gene silencing in tick cell lines using small interfering or long double-stranded RNA

Gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) is an important research tool in many areas of biology. To effectively harness the power of this technique in order to explore tick functional genomics and tick-microorganism interactions, optimised parameters for RNAi-mediated gene silencing in tick cells need to be established. Ten cell lines from four economically important ixodid tick genera (Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus including the sub-species Boophilus) were used to examine key parameters including small interfering RNA (siRNA), double stranded RNA (dsRNA), transfection reagent and incubation time for silencing virus reporter and endogenous tick genes. Transfection reagents were essential for the uptake of siRNA whereas long dsRNA alone was taken up by most tick cell lines. Significant virus reporter protein knockdown was achieved using either siRNA or dsRNA in all the cell lines tested. Optimum conditions varied according to the cell line. Consistency between replicates and duration of incubation with dsRNA were addressed for two Ixodes scapularis cell lines; IDE8 supported more consistent and effective silencing of the endogenous gene subolesin than ISE6, and highly significant knockdown of the endogenous gene 2I1F6 in IDE8 cells was achieved within 48 h incubation with dsRNA. In summary, this study shows that gene silencing by RNAi in tick cell lines is generally more efficient with dsRNA than with siRNA but results vary between cell lines and optimal parameters need to be determined for each experimental system.     

Cells transformed by a wide variety of agents express higher abundance levels of some cellular RNA species

A cDNA-cloned library was prepared from mRNA synthesized by SV40-transformed mouse cells. Eleven cDNA clones were selected based on their ability to hybridize higher levels of mRNA in SV40-transformed 3T3 cells than in 3T3 cells. These cDNA clones were employed to screen the steady-state levels of cytoplasmic RNAs in a wide variety of viral (SV40, polyoma, adenovirus, and Rous sarcoma virus) and nonviral (methylcholanthrene, embryonal carcinoma) transformed cell lines. Two of the cDNA clones—A17 and 104—detected greater than 40–100-fold higher levels of mRNA in all the transformed cell lines tested when compared to nontransformed cells (3T3, C3HEF). The levels of mRNA complementary to these two cDNAs were regulated in a temperature-sensitive fashion (87–100-fold) in both SV40tsA- and RSV ts-src-transformed murine cell lines. These two cDNA clones detected greater than 100-fold, higher levels of complementary RNA derived from SV40 tumor tissue than in normal mouse liver. RNA species complementary to cDNA clones A17 or 104 were not detected in either actively growing nontransformed cells or in serum-stimulated 3T3 cells. The abundance levels of mRNAs detected by these two cDNA clones appear to be regulated 100-fold or greater by the transformed state, independent of the transforming agent. The higher levels of these RNA species detected in transformed mouse cells appear not to be solely regulated by the state of growth of nontransformed cells.     

An RNA hairpin at the extreme 5'' end of the poliovirus RNA genome modulates viral translation in human cells.

Several mutations were introduced into an infectious poliovirus cDNA clone by inserting different oligodeoxynucleotide linkers into preexisting DNA restriction endonuclease sites in the viral cDNA. Ten mutated DNAs were constructed whose lesions mapped in the 5' noncoding region or in the capsid coding region of the viral genome. Eight of these mutated cDNAs did not give rise to infectious virus upon transfection into human cells, one yielded virus with a wild-type phenotype, and one gave rise to a viral mutant with a small-plaque phenotype. This last mutant, designated 1-5NC-S21, bears a 6-nucleotide insertion in the loop of a stable RNA hairpin at the very 5' end of the viral genome. Detailed analysis of the biological properties of 1-5NC-S21 showed that the primary defect in mutant-infected cells is a fivefold decrease in translation relative to wild-type-infected cells. Transfection into HeLa cells of in vitro-synthesized RNA molecules bearing either the 5' noncoding region of 1-5NC-S21 or wild-type poliovirus upstream of a luciferase reporter gene showed that the mutated RNA hairpin was responsible for the observed decrease in viral translation in mutant-infected cells and conferred this defect to heterologous RNAs. These findings indicate that an RNA hairpin located at the extreme 5' end of the viral RNA and highly conserved among enteroviruses and rhinoviruses profoundly affects the translation efficiency of poliovirus RNA in infected cells.     

Aspects of cellular physiology that influence DNA-mediated gene transfer in NIH3T3 cells

Cellular physiology has a significant influence on the efficiency of various gene transfer procedures, as shown by the fact that transfection efficiency varies dramatically among different cell lines. However, the aspects of cellular physiology which influence the transfection process remain substantially uncharacterized. In this study, NIH3T3 cells were treated with inhibitors of protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and RNA synthesis to determine the importance of these processes in the calcium-phosphate transfection process. The results suggest that protein synthesis during the first 4 h after DNA addition enhances transfection. In contrast, inhibition of RNA synthesis has no effect on transfection during the first 24 h post-DNA addition. The DNA synthesis inhibitor results remain inconclusive due to a secondary inhibition of an unknown cellular factor. Secondly, agents that destabilize microtubules, microfilaments, and the golgi apparatus were used to determine whether these elements play a role in the transfection process. The results suggest that microtubules are not involved in the transfection process, microfilaments are important but not necessary for the transfection process, and a functional golgi apparatus is essential early in the transfection process. These studies provide a foundation from which further investigations into the cellular processes involved in the uptake and expression of exogenous DNA can proceed.