Gene delivery to airway epithelial cells in vivo: a direct comparison of apical and basolateral transduction strategies using pseudotyped lentivirus vectors

Lentivirus vectors are being investigated as gene delivery vehicles for cystic fibrosis airway gene therapy. Vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV-G)-pseudotyped vectors transduce airway epithelia via receptors that are located predominantly on the basolateral surface of the airway epithelium. Effective transduction with VSV-G-pseudotyped vectors requires the use of a pre-treatment that disrupts epithelial tight junctions, allowing access to these basolateral receptors. In contrast, it has been reported that apically targeted lentiviral vectors allow efficient gene transfer in the absence of any pre-treatment. In a direct comparison of transduction by a VSV-G-pseudotyped vector, in combination with a pre-treatment with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and the same vector pseudotyped with the apically targeted baculovirus GP64 envelope (without any pre-treatment), the GP64 vector was found to be significantly less efficient. However, when a pre-treatment with LPC was used the level of transduction with the GP64-pseudotyped lentiviral vector was not significantly different to that resulting from the VSV-G-pseudotyped vector. The cell types transduced with each vector were essentially the same, with the majority of cells transduced being respiratory (ciliated cells). However, unlike the VSV-G-pseudotyped vector, which results in persisting gene expression, transduction with the GP64-pseudotyped vector resulted in gene expression that declined to undetectable levels over six months, whether or not an LPC pre-treatment was used.     

A public genome-scale lentiviral expression library of human ORFs

Functional characterization of the human genome requires tools for systematically modulating gene expression in both loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments. We describe the production of a sequence-confirmed, clonal collection of over 16,100 human open-reading frames (ORFs) encoded in a versatile Gateway vector system. Using this ORFeome resource, we created a genome-scale expression collection in a lentiviral vector, thereby enabling both targeted experiments and high-throughput screens in diverse cell types.     

A retroviral vector capable of targeted gene transfer into cells expressing HIV envelope glycoprotein

An expression vector encoding a chimeric envelope protein composed of CD4 and ecotropic retroviral envelope glycoprotein was constructed with the aim of accomplishing targeted gene transfer into HIV-1-infected cells. The chimeric protein was efficiently expressed and transported to the surfaces of various cell types and supported HIV-1 entry into human cells. A packaging cell line producing retroviral vectors carrying chimeric envelope proteins was then established. The vector particles produced were shown to be capable of specific gene transfer into human cells expressing HIV envelope glycoprotein. Blocking experiments confirmed that the vector particles entered the cells via an interaction between the chimeric and HIV envelope proteins. This targeting vector may thus be a useful tool with which to develop effective gene therapies against HIV infection.     

Effective suppression of HIV-1 gene expression by a mammalian tRNA 3' processing endoribonuclease and external guide sequence oligozymes

We examined the suppression of virus expression by cleaveage of the HIV-1 RNA gene using a mammalian tRNA 3' processing endoribonuclease and an External Guide Sequence Oligozyme (EGS) in vivo. We constructed an EGS expression vector that used the tRNA(met) promoter as an expression cassette for EGS. The EGS expression vector was targeted to the upstream region of gag, region. The EGS expression vector was co-transfected into COS cells with the HIV-1 gene plasmid vector. As compared with the EGS non-expressing cells and the EGS expressing cells, the EGS expressing cells with the targeted gag start codon had a clearly decreased amount of the HIV-1 gag p24 protein. The EGS expressing cells with the targeted gag start codon showed effective suppression of HIV-1 gene expression. Thus, these studies describe novel gene targeting agents for the inhibition of gene expression and antiviral activity.     

Effective suppression of HIV-1 gene expression by a mammalian tRNA 3' processing endoribonuclease and external guide sequence oligozymes.

We examined the suppression of virus expression by cleavage of the HIV-1 RNA gene using a mammalian tRNA 3' processing endoribonuclease and an External Guide Sequence Oligozyme (EGS) in vivo. We constructed an EGS expression vector that used the tRNA(met) promoter as an expression cassette for EGS. The EGS expression vector was targeted to the upstream region of gag, region. The EGS expression vector was co-transfected into COS cells with the HIV-1 gene plasmid vector. As compared with the EGS non-expressing cells and the EGS expressing cells, the EGS expressing cells with the targeted gag start codon had a clearly decreased amount of the HIV-1 gag p24 protein. The EGS expressing cells with the targeted gag start codon showed effective suppression of HIV-1 gene expression. Thus, these studies describe novel gene targeting agents for the inhibition of gene expression and antiviral activity.     

Activity of the Human Telomerase Catalytic Subunit (hTERT) Gene Promoter Could Be Increased by the SV40 Enhancer

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex of which the function is to add telomeric repeats to chromosomal ends. Telomerase consists of two essential components, the telomerase RNA template (hTR) and the catalytic subunit (hTERT). hTERT is expressed only in cells and tissues positive for telomerase activity, i.e., tumor and fetal cells. The aim of this study is to test the increased telomerase promoter activity for cancer gene therapy in adenovirus vector. We cloned the hTERT promoter in place of the SV40 promoter in the pGL3-contol vector to be increased by the SV40 enhancer sequences, resulting in strong expression of luc+ only in telomerase positive cancer cells. Then we transfected the constructed plasmid into a normal human cell line and several cancer cell lines. Through these experiments, we identified the selective and increased expression of the luciferase gene controlled by the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer in the telomerase positive cancer cell lines. To investigate the possibility of utilizing the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer in targeted cancer gene therapy, we constructed an adenovirus vector expressing HSV-TK controlled by the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer for the induction of specific telomerase positive cancer cell death. NSCLC cells infected by Ad-hT-TK-enh were more significantly suppressed and induced apoptosis than those infected by Ad-hT-TK. Telomerase is activated in 80～90% of cancers, so adenovirus with increasing telomerase promoter activity might be used for targeted cancer gene therapy using suicide genes. These results show that the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer might be used for targeted cancer gene therapy.     

EFFECTIVE SUPPRESSION OF HIV-1 GENE EXPRESSION BY A MAMMALIAN tRNA 3′ PROCESSING ENDORIBONUCLEASE AND EXTERNAL GUIDE SEQUENCE OLIGOZYMES

We examined the suppression of virus expression by cleaveage of the HIV-1 RNA gene using a mammalian tRNA 3′ processing endoribonuclease and an External Guide Sequence Oligozyme (EGS) in vivo. We constructed an EGS expression vector that used the tRNA^met promoter as an expression cassette for EGS. The EGS expression vector was targeted to the upstream region of gag, region. The EGS expression vector was co-transfected into COS cells with the HIV-1 gene plasmid vector. As compared with the EGS non-expressing cells and the EGS expressing cells, the EGS expressing cells with the targeted gag start codon had a clearly decreased amount of the HIV-1 gag p24 protein. The EGS expressing cells with the targeted gag start codon showed effective suppression of HIV-1 gene expression. Thus, these studies describe novel gene targeting agents for the inhibition of gene expression and antiviral activity.     

Activity of the human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene promoter could be increased by the SV40 enhancer

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex of which the function is to add telomeric repeats to chromosomal ends. Telomerase consists of two essential components, the telomerase RNA template (hTR) and the catalytic subunit (hTERT). hTERT is expressed only in cells and tissues positive for telomerase activity, i.e., tumor and fetal cells. The aim of this study is to test the increased telomerase promoter activity for cancer gene therapy in adenovirus vector. We cloned the hTERT promoter in place of the SV40 promoter in the pGL3-contol vector to be increased by the SV40 enhancer sequences, resulting in strong expression of luc+ only in telomerase positive cancer cells. Then we transfected the constructed plasmid into a normal human cell line and several cancer cell lines. Through these experiments, we identified the selective and increased expression of the luciferase gene controlled by the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer in the telomerase positive cancer cell lines. To investigate the possibility of utilizing the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer in targeted cancer gene therapy, we constructed an adenovirus vector expressing HSV-TK controlled by the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer for the induction of specific telomerase positive cancer cell death. NSCLC cells infected by Ad-hT-TK-enh were more significantly suppressed and induced apoptosis than those infected by Ad-hT-TK. Telomerase is activated in 80 approximately 90% of cancers, so adenovirus with increasing telomerase promoter activity might be used for targeted cancer gene therapy using suicide genes. These results show that the hTERT promoter and the SV40 enhancer might be used for targeted cancer gene therapy.     

Efficient c-kit receptor-targeted gene transfer to primary human CD34-selected hematopoietic stem cells

We have previously reported effective gene transfer with a targeted molecular conjugate adenovirus vector through the c-kit receptor in hematopoietic progenitor cell lines. However, a c-kit-targeted recombinant retroviral vector failed to transduce cells, indicating the existence of significant differences for c-kit target gene transfer between these two viruses. Here we demonstrate that conjugation of an adenovirus to a c-kit-retargeted retrovirus vector enables retroviral transduction. This finding suggests the requirement of endosomalysis for successful c-kit-targeted gene transfer. Furthermore, we show efficient gene transfer to, and high transgene expression (66%) in, CD34-selected, c-kit(+) human peripheral blood stem cells using a c-kit-targeted adenovirus vector. These findings may have important implications for future vector development in c-kit-targeted stem cell gene transfer.     

利用人U6 snRNA启动子构建RNA干扰质粒载体

RNA干扰技术已经成为基因功能研究等领域的有力工具,构建带有筛选标记的siRNA载体可以在细胞中持续抑制靶基因的表达.为了利用RNAi技术开展生物学研究,在克隆载体pUC19的基础上改造构建了人类细胞小干扰RNA（small interference RNA,siRNA）表达质粒pUC19NU.该质粒具有新霉素抗性标记和真核细胞复制起点,利用连入的人U6 snRNA启动子起始siRNA的转录.以EGFP 和p53为靶基因的干扰实验证明,所构建的siRNA表达质粒可以显著抑制细胞外源性增强绿色荧光蛋白（enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP）及细胞内源性p53蛋白的表达,而且抑制效果具有特异性.     

Low level of Hox1.3 gene expression does not preclude the use of promoterless vectors to generate a targeted gene disruption. off.

A variety of experimental approaches have been devised recently to mutate mammalian genes by homologous recombination. In this report, we describe the disruption of the Hox1.3 locus by using two of these approaches, namely, positive-negative selection and activation of a promoterless gene. Interestingly, we observe similarly high frequencies of targeted disruption with both procedures. The high frequency of targeted disruption with a promoterless vector was unexpected given the extremely low level of Hox1.3 expression in the embryonic stem cell line used for these studies. These data indicate that minimal expression of the target gene is required to enrich for homologous recombination events with promoterless vectors and thus enhance the promoterless gene approach as a general strategy to mutate mammalian genes by homologous recombination.     

Conjugate-based targeting of recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 vectors by using avidin-linked ligands

The development of targeted vectors, capable of tissue-specific transduction, remains one of the important aspects of vector modification for gene therapy applications. Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV-2)-based vectors are nonpathogenic, have relatively low immunogenicity, and are capable of long-term transgene expression. AAV-2 vectors bind primarily to heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), a receptor that is present in many tissues and cell types. Because of the widespread expression of HSPG on many tissues, targeted transduction in vivo appears to be limited with AAV-2 vectors. Thus, development of strategies to achieve transductional targeting will have a profound benefit in the future application of these vectors. We report here a novel conjugate-based targeting method to enhance tissue-specific transduction of AAV-2-based vectors. The present report utilized a high-affinity biotin-avidin interaction as a molecular bridge to cross-link purified targeting ligands, produced genetically as fusion proteins to core-streptavidin, in a prokaryotic expression system. Conjugation of the bispecific targeting protein to the vector was achieved by biotinylating purified rAAV-2 without abolishing the capsid structure, internalization, and subsequent transgene expression. The tropism-modified vectors, targeted via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or fibroblast growth factor 1alpha receptor (FGFR1alpha), resulted in a significant increase in transduction efficiency of EGFR-positive SKOV3.ip1 cells and FGFR1alpha-positive M07e cells, respectively. Further optimization of this method of targeting should enhance the potential of AAV-2 vectors in ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy and may form the basis for developing targeting methods for other AAV serotype capsids.     

Kras突变基因真核表达载体的构建及在不同肝细胞株中的表达

目的：构建携带突变Kras基因,以增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）为报告基因的重组真核表达载体,并导入两种不同的肝细胞株中表达。方法：PCR扩增突变Kras目的基因,将该全长基因定向克隆至真核表达载体pEGFP-N1上,构建重组质粒载体。并利用脂质体转染人肝癌细胞株Huh7．5和鸡肝癌细胞株LMH,在活细胞状态下用荧光显微镜直接观察Kras-EGFP融合蛋白在细胞中的表达;用WesternBlotting方法验证Kras蛋白水平的表达。结果：酶切和测序证实pEGFP—N1-Kras重组质粒构建正确,将EGFP报告基因融合在突变的Kras基因的3’端;在Huh7．5和LMH中均观察到了绿色荧光,转染率分别为19％和53％;WesternBlott—ing也检测到融合蛋白的表达。结论：通过基因克隆方法成功构建了pEGFP—N1-Kras重组质粒载体,并且在Huh7．5和LMH中均稳定表达,为下一步筛选针对突变Kras基因的靶向药物奠定了基础。     

靶向白介素-1α基因沉默的Hela229稳定细胞系的构建

目的：构建针对IL-1α基因的shRNA表达载体,筛选能够抑制Hela229细胞内源性IL-1α表达的shRNA,建立无内源性IL-1d表达的Hela229稳定细胞系.方法：根据shRNA的设计原则,以IL-1 αcDNA oligo为模板设计一段21 bp核苷酸目标序列,构建成siRNA的DNA模板并克隆到shRNA表达载体pRNAT-U6.1/Neo中,获得靶向抑制IL-1α基因的重组shRNA质粒,转染Hela229细胞,经G418筛选后获得单克隆稳定细胞株,用ELISA方法在蛋白水平上检测IL-1α基因的沉默效果.结果：经酶切鉴定和测序分析确定IL-1 α-shRNA重组质粒构建正确,ELISA筛选出能够显著抑制内源性IL-1α表达的shRNA,获得沉默内源性IL-1 α表达的单克隆稳定的Hela229细胞株.结论：靶向IL-1α基因的重组shRNA表达质粒可显著抑制Hela229细胞内源性IL-1α的表达,成功构建靶向IL-1α基因沉默的Hela229稳定细胞系.     

Multicomponent DNA carrier with a vesicular stomatitis virus G-peptide greatly enhances liver-targeted gene expression in mice

Genes can be targeted to hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo by the use of asialoorosomucoid-polylysine conjugates. After systemic application, this nonviral vector is recognized by highly selective asialoglycoprotein (AsGP) receptors on the sinusoidal liver cell membrane and is taken up via receptor-mediated endocytosis. As most of the DNA is rapidly transferred to lysosomes where it is degraded, transfection efficiency is low and gene expression transient. To address this problem, we incorporated a pH-dependent synthetic hemolytic peptide derived of the G-protein of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) into the gene transfer system, to increase endosomal escape of internalized DNA. The multicomponent carrier binds DNA in a nondamaging way, is still recognized by the AsGP receptor, and is targeted to the liver in vivo. Injection of DNA complexes containing a luciferase marker gene resulted in luciferase expression of 29 000 pg/g liver which corresponded to an increase of a factor of 10(3) overexpression after injection of DNA complexes without endosomolytic peptide. Furthermore, the amount of intact transgene within isolated liver cell nuclei was increased by a factor of 10(1)-10(2) by the use of the multicomponent carriers. These results demonstrate that incorporation of a hemolytic peptide into a nonviral vector can greatly increase gene expression while retaining cell type targetability in vivo.