Inhibition of nitric oxide and caspase-3 mediated apoptosis by a tetrapeptide derivative (PEP1261) in cultured synovial fibroblasts from collagen-induced arthritis

In this study, the effect of (Boc-Lys (Boc)-Arg-Asp-Ser (tBu)-OtBu), a tetrapeptide derivative (PEP1261) was examined for antiproliferative potency and apoptotic induction. Synovial fibroblasts were isolated from collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) rats and exposed to peptides viz., PEP1261, and parental peptides (KRDS and RGDS). Viability of the cells decreased in the presence of PEP1261 at a lower concentration (0.1 mM) when compared to RGDS and KRDS (1 mM). The treatment of cells with peptides showed induction of apoptosis, resulting in the cleavage of caspase-3 as well as its substrate poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pretreatment of cells with caspase-3 inhibitor prevented inhibition of [³H] thymidine incorporation, DNA fragmentation, and cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP as confirmed by western blotting as well as annexin-V/PI-staining using flow cytometry. However, caspase-1 and caspase-2 inhibitors did not prevent the peptides from inducing apoptosis indicating that caspase-3 might have a role in the process of apoptosis induced by peptides. Treatment of synovial fibroblasts with nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP) (500 μM) showed significant elevation of nitric oxide levels and resulted in absence of apoptosis by preventing the inhibition of [³H] thymidine incorporation. This was further evidenced by annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and absence of DNA fragmentation, intra cellular caspase-3 activity and PARP cleavage. In contrast, SNAP followed by PEP1261 and parental peptides-induced apoptosis by lowering the levels of nitric oxide. These results suggested that PEP1261 suppressed the proliferation and induced apoptosis in cultured synovial fibroblasts from CIA rats. This study also confirmed that PEP1261 inhibited nitric oxide level in cultured synovial fibroblasts.     

Intracellular superoxide induces apoptosis in VSMCs: role of mitochondrial membrane potential,cytochrome C and caspases

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is an integral part of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, hypertension and restenosis. Here we studied the fate of VSMCs in response to intracellular superoxide stimulation. Diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DDC) was used to inhibit copper-zinc superoxide dismutase thereby increasing intracellular superoxide levels. The results show that DDC at a dose from 25–100 M is able to induce VSMC apoptosis. Superoxide was found to be responsible for DDC-induced apoptosis. In the apoptotic process mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased and caspase-3, -8 and -9 were activated. Surprisingly, neither cytochrome c release nor Bid cleavage could be observed. These data suggest a role for intracellular superoxide in the regulation of VSMCs apoptosis.     

病理性周期性张应力诱导人牙周膜细胞凋亡的机制研究

目的:阐明病理性周期性张应力诱导人牙周膜细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法:人牙周膜细胞取自健康前磨牙,经过3?5代传代,细胞受到20%牵张力,时间为6 h或24 h,通过用膜联蛋白异硫氰酸荧光素(V-FITC)和碘化丙啶(PI)结合流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,用Western Blot法研究caspase-3,cleaved caspase-3,116 kDa PARP-1和85 k Da PARP-1蛋白的表达变化。结果:人PDL细胞受到病理性周期性张应力时存在凋亡,并以一种时间依赖的方式增加。受到病理性周期性张应力后裂解的caspase-3和PARP蛋白随着时间增加,然而抑制caspase-3的活性却可以抑制细胞的凋亡,但并不能抑制由其他通路导致的凋亡。结论:病理性周期性张应力通过caspase-3/PARP途径诱导人牙周膜细胞的凋亡。     

Inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells by ghrelin

To evaluate the possible role of ghrelin in the development of atherosclerosis, its effects on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were investigated. Rat VSMCs were pretreated with different concentrations of ghrelin and then with TNF-alpha. VSMC proliferation was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry method. Apoptosis was detected using propidium iodide and Annexin-V labeling method. Exogenous ghrelin (10-1000 ng/ml) significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced proliferation of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with 1000 ng/ml ghrelin was most effective at inhibiting VSMC proliferation rate and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. However, treatment with des-acyl ghrelin affected neither proliferation nor PCNA expression. In contrast, TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of VSMCs was inhibited by both ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin in concentration-dependent manners, with maximal inhibition observed for both compounds at 1000 ng/ml. Taken together, our results suggested that ghrelin inhibited both the proliferation and apoptosis of rat VSMCs. Furthermore, the former effect is probably mediated by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a receptor, while the latter effect may be mediated through other receptors.     

Sulfur dioxide inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via suppressing the Erk/MAP kinase pathway mediated by cAMP/PKA signaling

The present study was designed to investigate the role of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, and explore the possible role of cross-talk between cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in this action. By cell counting, growth curve depict, flow cytometry and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling assays, we found that SO₂ inhibited VSMC proliferation by preventing cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase and by reducing DNA synthesis. SO₂ synthase aspartate aminotransferase (AAT1 and AAT2) overexpression significantly inhibited serum-induced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein expression in VSMCs, demonstrated by western blot analysis. Moreover, overexpression of AAT1 or AAT2 markedly reduced incorporation of BrdU in serum-treated VSMCs. By contrast, either AAT1 or AAT2 knockdown significantly exacerbated serum-stimulated VSMC proliferation. Thus, both exogenous- and endogenous-derived SO₂ suppressed serum-induced VSMC proliferation. However, annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) staining and cell cycle analysis demonstrated that SO₂ did not influence VSMC apoptosis in the serum-induced proliferation model. In a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated VSMC proliferation model, SO₂ dephosphorylated the active sites of Erk1/2, MAPK kinase 1/2 and RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (c-Raf) induced by PDGF-BB. However, the inactivation of the three kinases of the Erk/MAPK pathway was not due to the separate interferences on them by SO₂ simultaneously, but a consequence of the influence on the upstream activity of the c-Raf molecule. Hence, we examined the cAMP/PKA pathway, which could inhibit Erk/MAPK transduction in VSMCs. The results showed that SO₂ could stimulate the cAMP/PKA pathway to block c-Raf activation, whereas the Ser259 site on c-Raf had an important role in SO₂-induced suppression of Erk/MAPK pathway. The present study firstly demonstrated that SO₂ exerted a negative regulation of VSMC proliferation via suppressing the Erk/MAPK pathway mediated by cAMP/PKA signaling.     

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of tissue factor pathway inhibitor induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Objective To investigate the pro-apoptotic effect of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) gene transfer mediated by adenovirus on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods Rat VSMCs were infected with recombinant adenovirus containing either the TFPI (Ad-TFPI) or LacZ (Ad-LacZ) gene or DMEM in vitro. TFPI expression was detected by ELISA. Apoptosis of VSMCs was determined by electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression of cytochrome c, procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1(IAP-1) were examined by western blot and RT-PCR. Results TFPI protein was detected in the TFPI group after gene transfer and the peak expression was at the 3rd day. At the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after gene transfer, the apoptotic rates in the TFPI group were 11.95%, 71.96% and 37.83%, respectively, whereas those in the LacZ group were 1.34%, 1.83% and 6.37%, respectively. We observed cell contraction, slight mitochondrial swelling, nuclear pyknosis and apoptotic body formation in TFPI-treated VSMCs using electron microscopy. Cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9, which are all involved in mitochondrial pathway, were detected in the cytoplasm on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after TFPI gene transfer. Procaspase-3 expression was significantly decreased over time in the TFPI group (each P < 0.05), which were not seen in the Ad-LacZ and DMEM groups. The expression of IAP-1 mRNA in the TFPI group was also decreased compared with the Ad-LacZ and DMEM groups (each P < 0.05) at the 3rd and 7th day after gene transfer. Conclusion The results demonstrated that overexpression of TFPI gene might induce VSMC apoptosis in vitro through the mitochondrial pathway; meanwhile, IAP-1 expression is decreased. These findings indicated that TFPI might inhibit restenosis by inducing apoptosis in VSMCs.     

Mitochondrial mechanism of microvascular endothelial cells apoptosis in hyperhomocysteinemia

An elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) limits the growth and induces apoptosis. However, the mechanism of Hcy-induced programmed cell death in endothelial cells is largely unknown. We hypothesize that Hcy induces intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that leads to the loss of transmembrane mitochondrial potential (Deltapsi(m)) accompanied by the release of cytochrome-c from mitochondria. Cytochrome-c release contributes to caspase activation, such as caspase-9, caspase-6, and caspase-3, which results in the degradation of numerous nuclear proteins including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which subsequently leads to the internucleosomal cleavage of DNA, resulting cell death. In this study, rat heart microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) were treated with different doses of Hcy at different time intervals. Apoptosis was measured by DNA laddering and transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. ROS production and MP were determined using fluorescent probes (2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH-DA) and 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-benzamidazolocarbocyanin iodide (JC-1), respectively, by confocal microscopy. Differential gene expression for apoptosis was analyzed by cDNA array. The results showed that Hcy-mediated ROS production preceded the loss of MP, the release of cytochrome-c, and the activation of caspase-9 and -3. Moreover the Hcy treatment resulted in a decrease in Bcl(2)/Bax ratio, evaluated by mRNA levels. Caspase-9 and -3 were activated, causing cleavage of PARP, a hallmark of apoptosis and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The cytotoxic effect of Hcy was blocked by using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated suppression of caspase-9 in MVEC. Suppressing the activation of caspase-9 inhibited the activation of caspase -3 and enhanced the cell viability and MP. Our data suggested that Hcy-mediated ROS production promotes endothelial cell death in part by disturbing MP, which results in subsequent release of cytochrome-c and activation of caspase-9 and 3, leading to cell death.     

血管再狭窄发生过程中SMα肌动蛋白和SMemb基因表达的变化及其影响机制研究

为研究血管再狭窄发生过程中 VSMC表型转化的规律及机制 ,采用大鼠主动脉内皮剥脱后血管再狭窄动物模型和体外培养的 VSMC,通过 Northern印迹分析及 3H- Td R参入实验 ,动态观察血管再狭窄发生过程中 VSMC表型标志基因α肌动蛋白和 SMemb的表达变化及 b FGF、TNF-α和 IL - 1β对两种基因表达的影响及其与 VSMC增殖之间的关系 .结果表明 ,血管内皮剥脱后 3d,分化型标志基因α肌动蛋白表达活性开始降低 ,去分化型标志基因 SMemb表达明显上调 ,至第 7d,前者的下调与后者的上调均达到最大 ,此后 ,两者的表达活性趋于向正常恢复 .b FGF可明显下调 α肌动蛋白的表达和诱导 SMemb表达 ,对分化型和去分化型 VSMC均有促增殖作用 ,但对后者的作用大于前者 ,TNF- α和 IL- 1 β对 VSMC的促转化及促增殖作用较弱 .提示 b FGF等生长因子介导血管内皮损伤所诱发的 VSMC表型转化并促进其增殖 ,内皮损伤 7d后 ,在发生表型转化并进行增殖的 VSMC中 ,一部分细胞再分化 ,一部分细胞仍处于去分化状态并继续进行增殖并持续较长时间 .     

Methylantcinate A induces tumor specific growth inhibition in oral cancer cells via Bax-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

An ergostane type triterpenoid methylantcinate A (MAA) isolated from the fruiting bodies of Antrodia camphorata inhibited the growth of oral cancer cell lines OEC-M1 and OC-2 in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxic to normal oral gingival fibroblast cells. The major mechanism of growth inhibition was apoptosis induction, as shown by flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining, caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation. The increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and activated caspase-3 and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were also observed. These results provide the first evidence that the anti-oral cancer effects of MAA may involve a mechanism through the mitochondrial dependent pathway. Thus, results reported here may offer further impulse to the development of MAA analogues as potential chemotherapeutic targets for oral cancer complications.     

Peroxynitrite is a major trigger of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Recent evidence indicates that peroxynitrite represents a major cytotoxic effector in heart diseases, but its mechanisms of action are still not known exactly. Notably, the ability of peroxynitrite to trigger cardiomyocyte apoptosis, a crucial mode of cell death in many cardiac conditions, remains poorly defined. We evaluated apoptotic and necrotic cell death in cultured H9C2 cardiomyocytes, following a brief (20 min) exposure to peroxynitrite (50-500 microM). Peroxynitrite-dependent myocardial toxicity was then investigated in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIR), where the effects of peroxynitrite were blocked by the superoxide dismutase mimetics and peroxynitrite scavenger Mn(III)-tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP). In vitro, peroxynitrite killed cardiomyocytes mostly through apoptosis (DNA fragmentation, apoptotic nuclear alterations, caspase-3 activation, and PARP cleavage), but not necrosis (propidium iodide staining and LDH release). In vivo, MIR triggered myocardial oxidative stress (malondialdehyde generation), nitrotyrosine formation, neutrophil accumulation, and the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, indicating ongoing myocardial apoptosis. MnTBAP suppressed these alterations, allowing a considerable reduction of myocardial injury. Thus, peroxynitrite triggers apoptosis in cardiomyocytes in vitro and in the myocardium in vivo, through a pathway involving caspase-3 activation and the cleavage of PARP. These results provide important novel information on the mechanisms of myocardial toxicity of peroxynitrite.     

Heteromeric complex formation of ASK2 and ASK1 regulates stress-induced signaling

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 2 (ASK2) is an interaction partner of the highly related ASK1. Here, we describe a regulatory function of ASK2 in stress signaling-induced cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Increased cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP was demonstrated by overexpression as well as knockdown of ASK2 after stress-induction by serum-starvation. We show that ectopically expressed ASK2 homo-oligomerized while endogenous ASK2 and ASK1 formed hetero-oligomers, which decreased upon serum-starvation. Co-expression of ASK2 and ASK1 stabilized these two proteins and reduced starvation-induced caspase-3 activation and degradation of PARP. Analysis of the intracellular localization of ASK2 exhibited a similar localization compared with ASK1 in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and in mitochondria. We propose that ASK2 regulates stress-induced caspase-3 and PARP cleavage in a dose-dependent manner by heteromeric complex formation with ASK1.     

UV-induced apoptosis is mediated independent of caspase-9 in MCF-7 cells: a model for cytochrome c resistance

The importance of the mitochondria in UV-induced apoptosis has become increasingly apparent. Following DNA damage cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors are released from the mitochondria, allowing for formation of the apoptosome and subsequent cleavage and activation of caspase-9. Active caspase-9 then activates downstream caspases-3 and/or -7, which in turn cleave poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) and other down-stream targets, resulting in apoptosis. In an effort to understand the mechanisms of Akt-mediated cell survival in breast cancer, we studied the effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I treatment on UV-treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Apoptosis was induced in MCF-7 cells after UV treatment, as measured by caspase-7 and PARP cleavage, and IGF-I co-treatment protected against this response. Surprisingly caspase-9 cleavage was unchanged with UV and/or IGF-I treatment. Using MCF-7 cells overexpressing caspase-3 we have shown that resistance of caspase-9 to cleavage was not altered by the expression of caspase-3. Furthermore, overexpression of caspase-9 did not enhance PARP or caspase-7 cleavage after UV treatment. Because caspase-8 was activated with UV treatment alone, we believe that UV-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells occurs independently of cytochrome c and caspase-9, supporting the existence of a cytoplasmic inhibitor of cytochrome c in MCF-7 cells. We anticipate that such inhibitors may be overexpressed in cancer cells, allowing for treatment resistance.     

Induction of apoptosis of endothelial cells by Viscum album: a role for anti-tumoral properties of mistletoe lectins

BACKGROUND: Viscum album (VA) preparations consist of aqueous extracts of different types of lectins of VA. Mistletoe lectins have both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties that support their study for the development for cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms of the anti- tumoral properties in vivo of mistletoe lectins are not fully understood. Because endothelial cells (EC) play a pivotal role in tumor angiogenesis, we tested the hypothesis that VA extracts induce endothelial cell death and apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of various VA preparations on both human venous endothelial cell (HUVEC) and immortalized human venous endothelial cell line (IVEC) using morphologic assessment of EC, FACScan analysis after propidium iodine and annexin V labeling, and detection of cleavage of poly(A)DP-ribose polymerase (PARP). RESULTS: All tested VA preparations, except Iscador P, were cytotoxic in IVEC. Apoptosis, assessed by morphologic examination, annexin V labeling, and Western blot analysis for PARP cleavage, was involved in HUVEC cell death induced by VA preparations derived from plants that grow on oak trees (VA Qu FrF). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study suggest that VA extract-induced endothelial apoptosis may explain the tumor regression associated with the therapeutic use of VA preparations and support further investigations to develop novel anti-angiogenic compounds based on mistletoe compounds.     

l-Theanine attenuates neointimal hyperplasia via suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation

Neointimal hyperplasia is a prominent pathological phenomenon in the process of stent restenosis. Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play major pathological processes involved in the development of restenosis. l-Theanine, one of the major amino acid components in green tea, has been reported to improve vascular function. Here we display the effects of l-theanine on neointima formation and the underlying mechanism. In the rat carotid-artery balloon-injury model, l-theanine greatly inhibited neointima formation and prevented VSMCs from a contractile phenotype switching to a synthetic phenotype. In vitro study showed that l-theanine significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation and migration, which was comparable with the effect of l-theanine on AngII-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Western blot analysis demonstrated that l-theanine suppressed PDGF-BB and AngII-induced reduction of SMA and SM22α and increment of OPN, suggesting that l-theanine inhibited the transformation of VSMCs from contractile to the synthetic phenotype. Further experiments showed that l-theanine exhibits potential preventive effects on neointimal hyperplasia and related vascular remodeling via inhibition of phosphorylation of Elk-1 and activation of MAPK1. The present study provides the new experimental evidence that l-theanine has potential clinical application as an anti-restenosis agent for the prevention of restenosis.     

Targeted Inhibitory Effect of Lenti-SM22alpha-p27-EGFP Recombinant Lentiviral Vectors on Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells without Compromising Re-Endothelialization in a Rat Carotid Artery Balloon Injury Model

Aims

In-stent restenosis remains a serious problem after the implantation of drug-eluting stents, which is attributable to neointima formation and re-endothelialization. Here, we tried to find a new method which aims at selectively inhibiting proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation without inhibition of re-endothelialization.

Methods and Results

We used the smooth muscle-specific SM22alpha promoter in a recombinant lentiviral vector to drive overexpression of cell-cycle inhibitor, p27, in VSMCs. p27 effectively inhibited VSMC proliferation mediated by cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 checkpoint. The SM22alpha-p27 lentiviral vector inhibited VSMC proliferation more effectively than paclitaxel. Rats infected with Lenti-SM22alpha-p27 had a significantly lower intima/media (I/M) ratio and also showed inhibition of restenosis on day 28 after balloon injury. Moreover, the repair of injured endothelium, and re-endothelialization of the carotid artery wall, was not affected by the smooth muscle cell-specific expression of p27.

Conclusion

A recombinant lentiviral vector carrying the SM22alpha promoter was used to effectively infect and selectively overexpress p27 protein in VSMCs, leading to inhibition of intimal hyperplasia without compromising endothelial repair.     

Daidzein Induced Apoptosis via Down-Regulation of Bcl-2/Bax and Triggering of the Mitochondrial Pathway in BGC-823 Cells

Daidzein belongs to the group of isoflavones, found in a wide variety of plant-derived foods, especially in soybeans and soy-based foods. In this study, the effect of daidzein on human gastric carcinoma cells (BGC-823) and its mechanism were investigated. MTT assay was applied in the detection of the inhibitory effects of daidzein on cell proliferation. Hoechst–propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry were used to examine the apoptosis as well as the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins: cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax. Daidzein significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cells (BGC-823) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was found that an insult of daidzein to BGC-823 cells caused them to die by disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, demonstrated not only by staining dead cells for phosphatidylserine but also by the up-regulation (cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Bax) and down-regulation (Bcl-2) of proteins associated with apoptosis and survival; whereas, the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk could partially rescue cells against damage of daidzein. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that daidzein significantly induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway. Specifically, daidzein induced a change in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratios and activation of caspases-3 and -9 and the cleavage of PARP. Therefore, daidzein has the potential for use as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of gastric carcinoma.     

Early block in maturation is associated with thymic involution in mammary tumor-bearing mice

We previously reported that mice implanted with mammary tumors show a progressive thymic involution that parallels the growth of the tumor. The involution is associated with a severe depletion of CD4+8+ thymocytes. We have investigated three possible mechanisms leading to this thymic atrophy: 1) increased apoptosis, 2) decreased proliferation, and 3) disruption of normal thymic maturation. The levels of thymic apoptosis were determined by propidium iodide and annexin V staining. A statistically significant, but minor, increase in thymic apoptosis in tumor-bearing mice was detected with propidium iodide and annexin V staining. The levels of proliferation were assessed by in vivo labeling with 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The percentages of total thymocytes labeled 1 day following BrdU injection were similar in control and tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, the percentages of CD4-8- thymocytes that incorporated BrdU during a short term pulse (5 h) of BrdU were similar. Lastly, thymic maturation was evaluated by examining CD44 and CD25 expression among CD4-8- thymocytes. The percentage of CD44+ cells increased, while the percentage of CD25+ cells decreased among CD4-8- thymocytes from tumor-bearing vs control animals. Together, these findings suggest that the thymic hypocellularity seen in mammary tumor bearers is not due to a decreased level of proliferation, but, rather, to an arrest at an early stage of thymic differentiation along with a moderate increase in apoptosis.     

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation following balloon angioplasty of the rat carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation following arterial injury plays a critical role in a variety of vascular proliferative disorders, including atherosclerosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that localized arterial infection at the time of balloon angioplasty with an adenovirus (ADV-tk) encoding the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (HSV-tk), followed by systemic ganciclovir administration, can inhibit VSMC proliferation and neointima formation in a well-characterized model of arterial injury and restenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The left carotid arteries of 31 male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to balloon angioplasty and immediately infected with 2 x 10(9) pfu of either ADV-tk or a control adenovirus that does not encode a recombinant protein (ADV-delta E1). Twenty-four hours after injury, animals from each experimental group were randomized to receive a course of systemic ganciclovir (ADV-tk/+GC, ADV delta E1/+GC) or saline (ADV-tk/-GC, ADV-delta E1/-GC). VSMC DNA synthesis was measured by 5'-bromodeoxuridine (BrdU) incorporation 2-4 days after balloon injury. The extent of restenosis, expressed as the neointima to media (I/M) area ratio was determined by digital planimetry 20 days after balloon injury in each of the four treatment groups. Immunohistochemistry using a mAb to von Willebrand factor (vWF) was used to determine the effects of ADV-tk infection and ganciclovir treatment on re-endothelialization of the carotid arteries 20 days following balloon angioplasty. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the medial VSMCs in the ADV-tk/-GC arteries were labeled with BrdU 4 days after balloon injury. In contrast, ADV-tk infected animals that were treated with systemic ganciclovir (ADV-tk/+GC) displayed a 40% reduction in BrdU-staining medial VSMCs (p < 0.03). I/M area ratios of the three control groups were 1.17 +/- 0.18 (ADV-tk/-GC, n = 5), 1.15 +/- 0.10 (ADV-delta E1/+GC, n = 6), and 0.91 +/- 0.08 (ADV-delta E1/-GC, n = 6). These differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In contrast, the ADV-tk/+GC animals (n = 6) displayed an I/M area ratio of 0.49 +/- 0.13 which was significantly lower than that seen in each of the three control groups (p < 0.02). None of the treated animals showed evidence of significant organ toxicity at autopsy. A regenerated endothelium was observed in the ADV-tk/+GC animals 20 days after balloon injury. CONCLUSIONS: Localized arterial infection with ADV-tk at the time of balloon angioplasty followed by systemic ganciclovir therapy reduces VSMC proliferation and neointimal expansion in the rat carotid artery injury model. Moreover, combined treatment with ADV-tk and systemic ganciclovir does not result in systemic toxicity and appears to selectively eliminate proliferating VSMCs, while preserving the capacity of the injured arterial segments to re-endothelialize within 3 weeks of injury. Taken together, these results support the feasibility of using this gene therapy approach for the treatment of human vascular proliferative disorders.