Increased antitumor capability of fiber-modified adenoviral vector armed with TRAIL against bladder cancers

Adenoviral vectors are widely used for cancer therapy and show a tumor-suppressing effect. However, bladder cancers are found to be resistant against infection of Ad5-derived adenoviral vector, limiting the application of the existing strategy of gene therapy. Therefore, efforts to develop novel types of adenoviral vector aimed for improving the viral infection and enhancing expression level of tumor-inhibiting transgene is urgently required. We constructed a 5/35 fiber-modified E1A-deleted adenoviral vector armed with TRAIL gene. Its ability to express this gene for inhibition of bladder cancer cell growth was investigated in our work. The results showed that this modification in fiber region facilitates adenoviral infection to bladder cancer, perhaps due to high expression of CD46 on target cell surface. Subsequently, we found an enhanced expression level of TRAIL mediated by 5/35 fiber-modified adenoviral vectors in bladder cancer cells, leading to an increased tumor-inhibiting capability of 5/35 adenoviral vector against bladder cancer cells. Consistently, growth of xenograft tumors in mice was also effectively inhibited by 5/35 fiber-modified vector-mediated gene therapy strategy. The 5/35 fiber-modified adenoviral vector-based gene transfer shows an improved efficacy against bladder cancers. The application of this novel gene therapy vector may benefit the patients in clinical bladder cancer treatment.     

增殖型腺病毒的改良及应用

增殖型腺病毒能在肿瘤细胞中复制并裂解肿瘤细胞,释放出的子代病毒再感染邻近肿瘤细胞直至完全杀灭肿瘤,却不影响正常细胞的功能。同时,增殖型腺病毒还是一种有效的基因治疗载体,可通过病毒自身增殖提高目的基因的拷贝数,从而更高效率地表达外源性治疗基因,增强抗肿瘤效应。本文着重介绍增殖型腺病毒载体改良和应用的最新进展,并对其研究前景进行展望,以期对增殖型腺病毒的发展有所帮助。     

Transduction with a fiber-modified adenoviral vector is superior to non-viral nucleofection for expressing tumor-associated Ag mucin-1 in human DC

BACKGROUND: DC-presenting tumor Ag are currently being developed to be used as a vaccine in human cancer immunotherapy. To increase the chances for successful therapy it is important to deliver full-length tumor Ag instead of loading single peptides. Methodologically, several recombinant DNA delivery techniques have been used. METHODS: In this study we compared nucleofection, an optimized form of electroporation, and adenoviral transduction regarding their efficiency to transduce human monocyte-derived (Mo-) DC in vitro. Expression of the tumor-associated Ag mucin-1 (MUC1) after adenoviral transduction (rAd5Fib35-MUC1) was determined using two MAb. RESULTS: We showed that the viability of cells and percentage of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive cells after transduction with a fiber-modified adenoviral vector (rAd5F35-GFP) was much higher than after nucleofection. Furthermore, phenotype and function of DC were not impaired by infection with adenovirus particles. Cells matured normally; up-regulation of CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR was not affected by adenoviral transduction. The capacity to stimulate naive T-cell proliferation was preserved and no change in IL-10 production was observed. Production of IL-12 increased up to 500-fold upon adenoviral transduction, considered to contribute positively to an anti-tumor immune response. Non-transduced mature DC expressed low levels of endogenous MUC1. After transduction with the rAd5F35-MUC1 adenoviral vector, a 100-fold increase in MUC1 expression by DC was observed. DISCUSSION: The use of the fiber-modified adenoviral vector presented here may therefore be favorable compared with non-viral gene delivery systems for DC that will be used in cancer immunotherapy.     

Identification of HI-like loop in CELO adenovirus fiber for incorporation of receptor binding motifs

Vectors based on the chicken embryo lethal orphan (CELO) avian adenovirus (Ad) have two attractive properties for gene transfer applications: resistance to preformed immune responses to human Ads and the ability to grow in chicken embryos, allowing low-cost production of recombinant viruses. However, a major limitation of this technology is that CELO vectors demonstrate decreased efficiency of gene transfer into cells expressing low levels of the coxsackie-Ad receptor (CAR). In order to improve the efficacy of gene transfer into CAR-deficient cells, we modified viral tropism via genetic alteration of the CELO fiber 1 protein. The alphav integrin-binding motif (RGD) was incorporated at two different sites of the fiber 1 knob domain, within an HI-like loop that we identified and at the C terminus. Recombinant fiber-modified CELO viruses were constructed containing secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and enhanced green fluorescent protein genes as reporter genes. Our data show that insertion of the RGD motif within the HI-like loop of the fiber resulted in significant enhancement of gene transfer into CAR-negative and CAR-deficient cells. In contrast, CELO vectors containing the RGD motif at the fiber 1 C terminus showed reduced transduction of all cell lines. CELO viruses modified with RGD at the HI-like loop transduced the SEAP reporter gene into rabbit mammary gland cells in vivo with an efficiency significantly greater than that of unmodified CELO vector and similar to that of Ad type 5 vector. These results illustrate the potential for efficient CELO-mediated gene transfer into a broad range of cell types through modification of the identified HI-like loop of the fiber 1 protein.     

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of RA538 gene and its antitumor effect

The RA538 cDNA was transferred into human ovarian cancer cell line SK-OV-3 and human melanoma cell line WM-983A by its recombinant adenoviral vector constructed through homologous recombination. It was demonstrated that the recombinant adenovirus could transfer RA538 gene with high efficiency, and could obviously inhibit tumor growth, with the inhibiting rates of 85% and 73% respectively, at the same time greatly repress the colony forming ability of the cells. The therapeutic experiments on transplanted subcutaneous tumor model in nude mice demonstrated that RA538 could significantly inhibit tumor growth. Flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis indicated that RA538 could induce the cell cycle G1 arrest/apoptosis of the tumor cells. The expression of c-myc gene was found pronouncedly reduced by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that the RA538 recombinant adenovirus could be a promising drug in cancer gene therapy.     

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of RA538 gene and its antitumor effect

The RA538 cDNA was transferred into human ovarian cancer cell line SK-OV-3 and human melanoma cell line WM-983A by its recombinant adenoviral vector constructed through homologous recombination. It was demonstrated that the recombinant adenovirus could transfer RA538 gene with high efficiency, and could obviously inhibit tumor growth, with the inhibiting rates of 85% and 73% respectively, at the same time greatly repress the colony forming ability of the cells. The therapeutic experiments on transplanted subcutaneous tumor model in nude mice demonstrated that RA538 could significantly inhibit tumor growth. Flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis indicated that RA538 could induce the cell cycle G1 arrest/apoptosis of the tumor cells. The expression of cmyc gene was found pronouncedly reduced by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that the RA538 recombinant adenovirus could be a promising drug in cancer gene therapy.     

Proteasome inhibitor MG-132 modifies coxsackie and adenovirus receptor expression in colon cancer cell line lovo

The efficacy of adenovirus vector-based cancer gene therapy is controversial. Its uptake by cells in many cases requires the major receptor for adenoviruses, the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). Low transduction is believed to be one of the main barriers as the expression of CAR on tumor cells is frequently reduced. Increasing CAR expression on tumor cells thus offers a promising opportunity for more effective adenovirus based treatment. Expression of CAR in 62 cases of colon tumor specimens were examined with immunohistochemistry. To modify the CAR expression, the effects of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on CAR expression of colon cancer cell lines were determined by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and western blot. To evaluate adenovirus transfer, we further used rAd.EGFP, rAd.p53, and oncolytic adenovirus to infect target cells. The CAR expression was significantly decreased in colon carcinomas, both in primary tumors and lymphonode metastasis. Though the deregulation of CAR occurred in early disease and showed no relationship with TNM stage, when primary tumors are more than 5 cm in diameter, this deregulation becomes more frequent. More importantly, proteasome inhibitor MG-132 could enhance CAR expression in colon carcinoma cell line lovo, accompanied with enhanced adenovirus transfer, target gene expression, and oncolysis. These data provide a rational basis for evaluation of CAR expression in tumors and pretreatment with CAR conditioner prior to adenovirus vector-based gene therapy.     

Lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer to endotherial cells compared with adenoviral and retroviral vectors

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, lentivirus) vector has attractive features for gene therapy, including the ability to transduce non-dividing cells and long-term transgene expression. We have already reported that lentivirus vector can transduce well-differentiated rat cardiac myocytes. Endothelial cells (EC) are an attractive target for gene therapy, both for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and for the systemic delivery of recombinant gene products directly into the circulation. There are several reports regarding application of adenovirus and retrovirus based vectors to EC. However, there have been few reports which show the effect to lentivirus-mediated gene transfer efficiency, compared with adenovirus and retrovirus. In this study, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were infected, in vitro, with these virus vectors. Transduction efficiency (TE) of beta-Gal gene transfer in BAECs by adenovirus, lentivirus, or retrovirus at MOI10 (Multiplicity of infection) (determined on Hela cells) is 69+/-11, 33+/-8, or 22+/-6% respectively. In adenovirus and lentivirus, almost 100% of BAECs were transduced at MOI 50. However, in retrovirus, TE showed only 48+/-6% at MOI 50 and no increase at MOI 100. The percentage of beta-Gal positive cells was decreased rapidly at longer passage of cells after being transduced by adenovirus. However, lentivirus and retrovirus showed sustained higher percentage of positive cells. Furthermore, transduction by lentiviral vectors had no significant effect on viability of BAECs. Our results indicate that lentivirus showed high-level and long term gene expression in BAECs. Lentivirus can be an effective vector for the ex vivo, genetically modified EC implantation and in vivo gene therapy.     

A novel vector for a rapid generation of fiber-mutant adenovirus based on one step ligation and quick screening of positive clones

The generation of fiber-modified adenoviral vector has proven difficult. In the paper, we developed a new system for rapid construction of fiber-modified adenoviral vector containing foreign peptides in the HI loop or C-terminal of the fiber knob. The new system was established through the following processes. First, a unique BamHI mutation was made in the genome of Ad5 without causing amino acid change. Second, two unique restriction enzymes BamHI and SfuI, both with sticky end, were introduced in the HI loop or C-terminal of Ad5 fiber knob. Third, a lacza expression cassette was placed between BamHI and SfuI sites for a quick identification of positive cloning based on white-blue color screening. This system allows generation of recombinant adenoviral vector by a single step, in vitro ligation followed by quick white-color positive clone screening. To prove the principle of the method, Ad5HI-RGD by modifying HI-loop of the fiber knob with RGD motif and Ad5Cter-PK7 by modifying C-terminal of the knob with poly-lysine (pK7) were successfully generated in vitro. Ad5 with a knob modified in the HI loop of the fiber with Tat-PTD, NGR or SIKVAV peptide were also successfully developed. The transduction of the modified viruses for Hela, U87 MG and MDA-MB-231 cells was investigated in vitro compared with unmodified Ad5. In conclusion, the new vector system allows for a rapid generation of fiber-mutant adenovirus and provides useful tool for gene function analysis and cancer gene therapy.     

重组p16腺病毒的构建及其对人白血病细胞的抑制作用

为了探讨腺病毒载体用于基因治疗的可行性及野生型 p1 6基因的抗肿瘤特性 ,构建了复制缺陷型重组 p1 6腺病毒 .首先将 p1 6全长 c DNA插入穿梭质粒 p Ad CMV产生重组质粒 p Ad-CMV- p1 6,然后通过脂质体介导与 p JM1 7共转染 2 93细胞 ,经同源重组产生 E1区缺失的重组腺病毒空斑 .用纯化后的腺病毒感染人白血病细胞株 HL- 60后 ,PCR及 Western blot分析显示在感染细胞中有外源性 p1 6 c DNA存在和 p1 6蛋白表达 ;被感染的 HL- 60细胞的生长受到明显抑制 ,而未感染细胞及对照腺病毒感染的细胞没有受到抑制 .结果表明 ,腺病毒作为一种新型基因转移载体 ,可有效地介导肿瘤抑制基因 p1 6的表达 ,在肿瘤基因治疗方面具有很大的应用前景 .     

Biodistribution of adenoviral vector to nontarget tissues after local in vivo gene transfer to arterial wall using intravascular and periadventitial gene delivery methods.

Expression of transgene other than in the target tissue may cause side effects and safety problems in gene therapy. We analyzed biodistribution of transgene expression after intravascular and periadventitial gene delivery methods using the first generation nuclear-targeted lacZ adenovirus. RT-PCR and X-Gal stainings were used to study transgene expression 14 days after the gene transfer. After intravascular catheter-mediated gene transfer to rabbit aorta mimicking angioplasty procedure, the target vessel showed 1.1% +/- 0. 5 gene transfer efficiency. Other tissues showed varying lacZ gene expression indicating a systemic leakage of the vector with the highest transfection efficiency in hepatocytes (0.7% +/- 0.5). X-Gal staining of blood cells 24 h after the intravascular gene transfer indicated that a significant portion (1.8% +/- 0.8) of circulating monocytes was transfected. X-Gal-positive cells were also found in testis. After periadventitial gene transfer using a closed silicon capsule placed around the artery, 0.1% +/- 0.1 lacZ-positive cells were detected in the artery wall. Positive cells were also found in the liver and testis (<0.01%), indicating that the virus escapes even from the periadventitial space, although less extensively than during the intravascular application. We conclude that catheter-mediated intravascular and, to a lesser extent, periadventitial gene transfer lead to leakage of adenovirus to systemic circulation, followed by expression of the transgene in several tissues. Possible consequences of the ectopic expression of the transgene should be evaluated in gene therapy trials even if local gene delivery methods are used.     

Genetically modified adenoviral vector with the protein transduction domain of Tat improves gene transfer to CAR-deficient cells

The transduction efficiency of Ad (adenovirus) depends, to some extent, on the expression level of CAR (coxsackievirus and Ad receptor) of a target cell. The low level of CAR on the cell surface is a potential barrier to efficient gene transfer. To overcome this problem, PTD.AdeGFP (where eGFP is enhanced green fluorescent protein) was constructed by modifying the HI loop of Ad5 (Ad type 5) fibre with the Tat (trans-activating) PTD (protein transduction domain) derived from HIV. The present study showed that PTD.AdeGFP significantly improved gene transfer to multiple cell types deficient in expression of CAR. The improvement in gene transfer was not the result of charge-directed binding between the virus and the cell surface. Although PTD.AdeGFP formed aggregates, it infected target cells in a manner different from AdeGFP aggregates precipitated by calcium phosphate. In addition, PTD.AdeGFP was able to transduce target cells in a dynamin-independent pathway. The results provide some new clues as to how PTD.AdeGFP infects target cells. This new vector would be valuable in gene-function analysis and for gene therapy in cancer.     

Adenovirus-mediated p21((WAF1/SDII/CIP1)) gene transfer induces apoptosis of human cervical cancer cell lines

p21((WAF1/SDII/CIP1)) (p21) arrests cell growth by inhibiting cyclin-depend kinases. To explore the potential of using p21 for the gene therapy of cervical cancer, we infected human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cervical cancer cells (HeLa, SiHa, and Z172) and HPV-negative cervical cancer cells (C33A) with recombinant adenovirus encoding p21 cDNA. The results revealed that effective inhibition of cell growth could be achieved by sense p21 adenovirus but not antisense p21 adenovirus infection and occurred through apoptosis as measured by DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation. Apoptosis was also observed in xenografts of human cervical cancer cells infected with sense p21 adenovirus, as confirmed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). The apoptosis was not prevented by overexpression of the bcl-2 transgene. To sum up, the apoptotic effect suggests that p21 should be a tumoricidal agent instead of a tumoristatic agent in preventing cervical cancers. In addition, our report substantiates the combination of the high efficiency of adenovirus vector-mediated gene delivery and the apoptotic effect of p21.     

表达双功能融合蛋白（sCAR-EGF）腺病毒载体的构建及其活性检测

为了提高腺病毒载体用于基因治疗的靶向性,采用PCR和体外连接的方法构建了柯萨奇病毒-腺病毒受体(Coxsackievirus-AdenovirusReceptor)胞外段sCAR和表皮生长因子(Epidermalgrowthfactor)EGF融合基因,然后将此融合基因插入穿梭质粒pDC315。利用Ad-MAX腺病毒系统,将重组质粒pDC315-sCAR-EGF与腺病毒骨架质粒pBHGloxΔE13cre共同转染AD-293细胞,成功包装出一种复制缺陷型腺病毒Ad5-CMV-sCAR-EGF。经PCR鉴定该病毒含有sCAR-EGF融合基因片段,Westernblotting证实该病毒能表达sCAR-EGF融合蛋白。体外试验证实该病毒感染细胞所产生的融合蛋白能够引导携带报告基因的腺病毒Ad5-CMV-luc高水平感染肿瘤细胞,为高水平表达EGFR的肿瘤的靶向性基因治疗提供了新的手段。     

三种基因转导方法在不同代龄复制性衰老细胞中的比较研究

以增强型绿色荧光蛋白 (EGFP)为报告基因 ,检测腺病毒、逆转录病毒和脂质体对 2 0代和 33代WI 38细胞的转导效率、EGFP的表达强度、对细胞增殖能力和生物学行为影响 ,比较病毒及非病毒方法对不同代龄成纤维细胞 (WI 38)细胞基因转导的特性 .结果显示 :对 2 0代和 33代WI 38细胞,腺病毒转染效率均最高 ,逆转录病毒其次 ;EGFP表达强度腺病毒最高 ,逆转录病毒最低 ;各方法2 0代细胞转导效率及表达强度均高于 33代细胞 (P <0 0 5 ) .逆转录病毒对细胞繁殖和SA β gal染色没有影响 ,腺病毒和脂质体均能导致细胞增殖能力下降 ,SA β gal染色阳性率上升 ,尤以脂质体明显 (P <0 0 5 ) .表明逆转录病毒介导基因对WI 38细胞衰老进程几乎没有影响 ,且转导效率较高 ,适于衰老细胞转基因研究     

Preparation of a Tat-related transporter peptide for carrying the adenovirus vector into cells

We synthesized a Tat-related peptide acetyl-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln-Gly-Cys amide, Ac-Tat(48-60)-Gly-Cys-NH(2), having high intracellular permeability, and conjugated this peptide to adenovirus vector to enhance gene transfer efficiency of adenovirus vector into cells. The peptide was prepared by the solid-phase peptide synthesis method and a bifunctional crosslinker 6-maleimidohexanoic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester was used to conjugate the peptide to adenovirus vector containing luciferase gene. The novel conjugate of adenovirus vector and Ac-Tat(48-60)-Gly-Cys-NH(2) peptide exhibited excellent gene transfer efficacy in B16BL6 cells.     

悬浮培养HEK-293 N3S细胞生产重组腺病毒Ad-GFP的实验研究

利用5L生物反应器悬浮培养HEK-293N3S细胞生产携带绿色荧光蛋白基因的重组腺病毒(recombinant adenovirus-greenfluorescent protein,Ad-GFP),为规模化生产腺病毒基因药物建立一种稳定可行的生产工艺。复苏的种子细胞进行逐级放大最后接入5L搅拌式生物反应器中,采用含5%胎牛血清(FBS)的DMEM/F12培基灌流培养293N3S细胞,当细胞密度达到(2~4)×106个/mL时感染Ad-GFP,48h后收获细胞,经两步氯化铯超速离心获得纯化的Ad-GFP。采用紫外分光光度计比色法和高压液相色谱法(HPLC)测定病毒颗粒数和纯度,采用组织培养半数感染剂量(TCID50)法检测腺病毒的感染滴度。连续培养10~12d,细胞密度可达到(2~4)×106个/mL左右,纯化的Ad-GFP感染滴度和颗粒数分别为1.0×1011IU/mL和1.68×1012VP/mL,比活性为6.0%,A260/A280比值为1.33,产品纯度达到99.2%。建立了5L生物反应器悬浮培养293N3S细胞生产重组腺病毒Ad-GFP的生产工艺,对携带其他基因的重组腺病毒药物生产具有一定的指导意义。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In utero</Emphasis>recombinant adeno-associated virus gene transfer in mice,rats, and primates

Background  

Gene transfer into the amniotic fluid using recombinant adenovirus vectors was shown previously to result in high efficiency transfer of transgenes into the lungs and intestines. Adenovirus mediated in utero gene therapy, however, resulted in expression of the transgene for less than 30 days. Recombinant adenovirus associated viruses (rAAV) have the advantage of maintaining the viral genome in daughter cells thus providing for long-term expression of transgenes.     

Activation of p38 and ERK Signaling during Adenovirus Vector Cell Entry Lead to Expression of the C-X-C Chemokine IP-10

The use of adenovirus vectors for human gene therapy is limited by potent inflammatory responses that result in significant morbidity. In kidney-derived epithelial cells (REC), activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) and p38 kinase (p38) pathways occurred within 20 min of transduction with the serotype 5 adenovirus vector AdCMV beta gal. Inhibition of ERK and p38 with U0126 and SB203580, respectively, reduced the expression of IP-10 mRNA following transduction with AdCMV beta gal. To determine the role of the coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) or alpha(v) integrins in the activation of ERK and p38 and the expression of IP-10, REC cells were transduced with the fiber-modified and RGD-deleted adenovirus vectors AdL.F(RAEK-HA) and AdL.PB(HA), respectively. Compared with the wild-type capsid vector Ad5Luc, transduction with AdL.F(RAEK-HA) and AdL.PB(HA) resulted in reduced ERK-p38 activation and less IP-10 mRNA expression. The decreased IP-10 expression induced by the tropism-modified vectors was due to diminished transduction, since increasing multiplicity of infection resulted in increased IP-10 expression. Inhibition of adenovirus penetration with bafilomycin A1 or ammonium chloride attenuated the activation of ERK-p38 and IP-10 mRNA expression following infection, suggesting that endosomal escape was required to trigger these pathways. In vivo, direct inhibition of ERK and p38 signaling pathways inhibited adenovirus vector-induced IP-10 expression in mouse liver 1 h following transduction. These results demonstrate the importance of signaling via ERK and p38 in the early host response to adenovirus vectors and will permit the development of novel strategies to improve the safety and efficacy of these agents in human gene therapy.     

Efficient gene transfer to airway epithelium using recombinant Sendai virus

Clinical studies of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest that the key problem is the efficiency of gene transfer to the airway epithelium. The availability of relevant vector receptors, the transient contact time between vector and epithelium, and the barrier function of airway mucus contribute significantly to this problem. We have recently developed recombinant Sendai virus (SeV) as a new gene transfer agent. Here we show that SeV produces efficient transfection throughout the respiratory tract of both mice and ferrets in vivo, as well as in freshly obtained human nasal epithelial cells in vitro. Gene transfer efficiency was several log orders greater than with cationic liposomes or adenovirus. Even very brief contact time was sufficient to produce this effect, and levels of expression were not significantly reduced by airway mucus. Our investigations suggest that SeV may provide a useful new vector for airway gene transfer.