Comparative Analysis of Transduced Primary Human Dendritic Cells Generated by the Use of Three Different Lentiviral Vector Systems

Lentiviral gene transfer vectors are suitable for genetically modifying non-cycling primary human cells. In this study, we analyzed transduced human dendritic cells (DC) generated by the use of three different GFP-encoding lentiviral vectors, HIV-2 ROD A Δenv-GFP (ROD A), SIVsmm PBj ΔE EGFP (PBj), and SIVmac ΔE EGFP (SIVmac). CD14⁺ monocytes were isolated from buffy coat, transduced, and differentiated to immature and mature DC. Cytofluometric analysis of DC revealed high transduction efficiencies at MOI 1 for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-derived vectors PBj and SIVmac ranging between 80–90 and 70–90%, respectively. In contrast, transduction with ROD A resulted only in approximately 30%-positive DC at the same MOI. Of note, none of the analyzed vectors affected expression of maturation and/or activation markers. Moreover, transduction with PBj or SIVmac did not induce significant cytokine responses whereas ROD A transduction stimulated weak interferon-alpha responses. SIVmac transduced DC showed normal phagocytosis of antigen and normal allo T cell stimulatory capacity when compared with untreated DC. Thus, the SIVmac lentiviral transduction vector is suitable for efficient genetic modification of human DC without affecting phenotype or function and thus qualifies this vector as a versatile tool for use in basic research.     

Enrichment of an antigen-specific T cell response by retrovirally transduced human dendritic cells.

The superior ability of dendritic cells (DC) in triggering antigen-specific T cell responses makes these cells attractive tools for the generation of antitumor or antiviral immunity. We report here an efficient retroviral transduction system for the introduction of antigens into DC. A retroviral vector encoding several CTL epitopes in a string-of-beads fashion in combination with the marker gene green fluorescence protein (GFP) was generated. Polyepitope transduced EBV-LCL could be isolated on the basis of GFP expression and were found to be sensitive to lysis by antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells, demonstrating that antigens encoded by the retroviral construct were stably expressed, processed, and presented in the context of HLA class I molecules. CD34(+) cells isolated from G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood were transduced with high efficiency (40-60%) with this retroviral construct. These cells could be considerably expanded in vitro and differentiated into mature DC without loss of the transduced antigen. DC transduced with the polyepitope constructs were able to mount a CTL response against an influenza epitope in the context of HLA-A2, demonstrating the antigen-specific CTL priming capacity of retrovirally transduced DC. Staining of the T cells with tetramers of HLA-A2 and the influenza virus peptide demonstrated a marked antigen-specific CTL enrichment after 2 in vitro stimulations using DC transduced with the polyepitope. However, additional in vitro stimulations of the T cells with transduced DC did not result in a further enrichment of tetramer staining cells.     

Transduction of human dendritic cells with a recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara virus encoding MUC1 and IL-2

The epithelial mucin MUC1 is considered an opportune target antigen for cancer immunotherapy, as it is over-expressed and exhibits aberrant glycosylation in malignant cells. Because dendritic cells (DC) are powerful initiators of immune responses, efforts have focused on tumor antigen-bearing DC as potent cancer vaccines. In this study we have characterized the transduction of monocyte-derived DC with a highly attenuated vaccinia virus vector [modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)] encoding human MUC1 and the immunostimulatory cytokine IL-2. Analysis of transduced DC cultures generated from a number of donors revealed MUC1 expression in the range of 27-54% of the cells and a co-regulated secretion of bioactive IL-2. As shown by FACS analysis with MUCI-specific antibodies, the MVA-MUC1/IL-2-transduced DC predominantly expressed the fully processed glycoform of MUC1, typical of that displayed by normal epithelia. Over a 3-day period after transduction, transgene expression declined concurrent with an increase in MVA-induced cytopathic effects. The transduced DC stimulated allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation, indicating that DC immunostimulatory function is not impaired by vector transduction. In the presence of IL-2, MVA-transduced DC were able to enhance autologous lymphocyte proliferation. Also, vector expression was analyzed in DC cultures treated with TNF-alpha, a known DC maturation factor. As indicated by the up-regulation of several DC maturation markers, neither virus infection nor transgene expression influenced the maturation capacity of the cells. The MVA-MUC1/IL-2 vector effectively transduced both immature and TNF-alpha-matured DC. Overall, our results are encouraging for the clinical application of MVA-MUC1/IL-2-transduced DC.     

Prolonged maturation and enhanced transduction of dendritic cells migrated from human skin explants after in situ delivery of CD40-targeted adenoviral vectors

Therapeutic tumor vaccination with viral vectors or naked DNA, carrying the genetic code for tumor-associated Ags, critically depends on the in vivo transduction of dendritic cells (DC). Transfection of predominantly nonprofessional APC and only small numbers of DC may hamper proper T cell activation. Aim of this study was, therefore, the targeted, selective, and enhanced in situ transduction of DC. A human skin explant model was used to explore targeted transduction of cutaneous DC after intradermal injection of a bispecific Ab conjugate to link adenoviral (Ad) vectors directly to CD40 on the DC surface. A significantly enhanced transduction efficiency and selectivity, and an increased activation state of migrating DC were thus achieved. Moreover, DC transduced by CD40-targeted Ad maintained their Ag-specific CTL-stimulatory ability for up to 1 wk after the start of migration, in contrast to DC transduced by untargeted Ad, which had lost this capacity by that time. Because DC targeting in vivo might obviate the need for the in vitro culture of autologous DC for adoptive transfer, CD40-targeted Ad vectors constitute a promising new vaccine modality for tumor immunotherapy.     

Pseudotyped single-cycle simian immunodeficiency viruses expressing gamma interferon augment T-cell priming responses in vitro

To increase the safety and efficacy of human immunodeficiency virus vaccines, several groups have conducted studies using the macaque model with single-cycle replicating simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). However, these constructs had poor or diminished efficacy compared to live attenuated vaccines. We previously showed that immunization of macaques with live attenuated SIV with a deletion in the nef gene and expressing gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) results in significantly enhanced safety and efficacy. To further enhance safety, we constructed and characterized single-cycle SIVs, pseudotyped with the glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus, expressing different levels of macaque IFN-gamma. Expression of IFN-gamma did not alter the infectivity or antigenicity of pseudotyped SIV. The transduction of dendritic cells (DCs) by IFN-gamma-expressing particles resulted in the up-regulation of costimulatory and major histocompatibility complex molecules. Furthermore, T cells primed with DCs transduced by SIV particles expressing high levels of IFN-gamma and then stimulated with SIV induced significantly higher numbers of spot-forming cells in an enzyme-linked immunospot assay than did T cells primed with DCs transduced with SIV particles lacking the cytokine. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the transduction of DCs in vitro with pseudotyped single-cycle SIVs expressing IFN-gamma increased DC activation and augmented T-cell priming activity.     

Targeted gene modification in mouse ES cells using integrase‐defective lentiviral vectors

Lentiviral vectors efficiently integrate into the host genome of both dividing and nondividing cells, and so they have been used for stable transgene expression in biological and biomedical studies. However, recent studies have highlighted the risk of insertional mutagenesis and subsequent oncogenesis. Here, we used an integrase‐defective lentiviral (IDLV) vector to decrease the chance of random integration and examined the feasibility of lentiviral vector‐mediated gene targeting into murine embryonic stem (ES) cells. After transduction with wild‐type lentiviral vectors, none of the 512 G418 resistant clones were found to be homologous recombinant clones. Although the transduction efficiency was lower with the IDLV vectors (5.9% of wild‐type), successful homologous recombination was observed in nine out of the 941 G418 resistant clones (0.83 ± 1.32%). Pluripotency of the homologous recombinant ES cells was confirmed by the production of chimeric mice and subsequent germ line transmission. Because lentiviral vectors can efficiently transduce a variety of stem cell types, our strategy has potential relevance for secure gene‐manipulation in therapeutic applications. genesis 47:217–223, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Efficient transduction of monocyte- and CD34+-derived Langerhans cells with lentiviral vectors in the absence of phenotypic and functional maturation

BACKGROUND: Gene delivery in dendritic cells (DC) has raised considerable interest to modulate DC functions and induce therapeutic immunity or tolerance in an antigen-specific fashion. Among immature DC, Langerhans cells (LC) are attractive candidates for antigen delivery using lentiviral vectors (LV). METHODS: LC derived from monocytes (Mo-LC), or derived from CD34+ cells (CD34-LC) in the presence of cytokine cocktail, were transduced with LV expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (E-GFP) under the control of the ubiquitous phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter at a multiplicity of infection of 18, at days 0 to 3 for Mo-LC, or at days 0 to 12 for CD34-LC. We assessed gene transfer levels from the percentage of E-GFP+ cells in the final cultures, and examined the morphology, immunophenotype, state of differentiation and function of transduced LC. RESULTS: Day 0 transduction of monocytes or CD34+ progenitors before cytokine pre-activation and LC differentiation resulted in stable gene expression in 7.8% of Mo-LC and 24% of CD34-LC. Monocyte-derived DC (Mo-DC) differentiated in serum-free medium were also efficiently transduced up to 13.2%. Interestingly, Mo-LC cells committed towards LC phenotype were permissive for transduction up to day 3. Transduction levels of CD34-LC peaked at day 6 to 44% and decreased thereafter. LV transduction did not perturb viability, phenotype and function of E-GFP-expressing LC. CONCLUSIONS: LC generated ex vivo can serve as vaccine vehicles in humans through efficient transduction by LV. These LC will be helpful to assess in vitro the immunogenicity of gene therapy vectors, from the characterization of their phenotypic and functional maturation.     

Mature but not immature Fas ligand (CD95L)-transduced human monocyte-derived dendritic cells are protected from Fas-mediated apoptosis and can be used as killer APC

Several in vitro and animal studies have been performed to modulate the interaction of APCs and T cells by Fas (CD95/Apo-1) signaling to delete activated T cells in an Ag-specific manner. However, due to the difficulties in vector generation and low transduction frequencies, similar studies with primary human APC are still lacking. To evaluate whether Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) expressing killer APC could be generated from primary human APC, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) were transduced using the inducible Cre/Loxp adenovirus vector system. Combined transduction of DC by AdLoxpFasL and AxCANCre, but not single transduction with these vectors, resulted in dose- and time-dependent expression of FasL in >70% of mature DC (mDC), whereas <20% of immature DC (iDC) expressed FasL. In addition, transduction by AdLoxpFasL and AxCANCre induced apoptosis in >80% of iDC, whereas FasL-expressing mDC were protected from FasL/Fas (CD95/Apo-1)-mediated apoptosis despite coexpression of Fas. FasL-expressing mDC eliminated Fas(+) Jurkat T cells as well as activated primary T cells by apoptosis, whereas nonactivated primary T cells were not deleted. Induction of apoptosis in Fas(+) target cells required expression of FasL in DC and cell-to-cell contact between effector and target cell, and was not dependent on soluble FasL. Induction of apoptosis in Fas(+) target cells required expression of FasL in DC, cell-to-cell contact between effector and target cell, and was not dependent on soluble FasL. The present results demonstrate that FasL-expressing killer APC can be generated from human monocyte-derived mDC using adenoviral gene transfer. Our results support the strategy to use killer APCs as immunomodulatory cells for the treatment of autoimmune disease and allograft rejection.     

From pathogen to medicine: HIV-1-derived lentiviral vectors as vehicles for dendritic cell based cancer immunotherapy

Over the years, the unique capacity of dendritic cells (DC) for efficient activation of naive T cells has led to their extensive use in cancer immunotherapy protocols. In order to be able to fulfil their role as antigen-presenting cells, the antigen of interest needs to be efficiently introduced and subsequently correctly processed and presented by the DC. For this purpose, a variety of both viral and non-viral antigen-delivery systems have been evaluated. Amongst those, HIV-1-derived lentiviral vectors have been used successfully to transduce DC.This review considers the use of HIV-1-derived lentiviral vectors to transduce human and murine DC for cancer immunotherapy. Lentivirally transduced DC have been shown to present antigenic peptides, prime transgene-specific T cells in vitro and elicit a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response in animal models. Different parameters determining the efficacy of transduction are considered. The influence of lentiviral transduction on the DC phenotype and function is described and the induction of immune responses by lentivirally transduced DC in vitro and in vivo is discussed in detail. In addition, direct in vivo administration of lentiviral vectors aiming at the induction of antigen-specific immunity is reviewed. This strategy might overcome the need for ex vivo generation and antigen loading of DC. Finally, future perspectives towards the use of lentiviral vectors in cancer immunotherapy are presented.     

Lentiviral vector expression of tumour antigens in dendritic cells as an immunotherapeutic strategy

Therapeutic cancer vaccines need to stimulate a refractory immune system to make an effective anti-tumour response. We have explored the use of lentiviral vectors to deliver tumour antigen genes to dendritic cells (DC) as a possible mechanism of immune stimulation. Direct injection of a lentiviral vector encoding the melanoma antigen NY-ESO-1 in HLA-A2 transgenic mice primed NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ cells that could be expanded by boosting with an NY-ESO-1 vaccinia virus. The expanded cells could kill NY-ESO-1_157–165 peptide-pulsed targets in vivo. In order to examine the priming step directly, we constructed another lentiviral vector expressing the melanoma antigen Melan-A (MART-1). Here we show that Melan-A protein is also efficiently expressed after transduction of human DC cultured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. When these transduced DC are co-cultured with autologous naïve T cells, they cause the expansion of cells that recognise the HLA-A2 restricted Melan-A_27–35 epitope. The expanded cells are functional in that they release IFN-γ upon antigen stimulation. Melan-A lentiviral vector transduced DC caused a similar level of naïve T-cell expansion to Melan-A_27–35 peptide-pulsed DC in four experiments using different HLA-A2 positive donors. These data suggest that a vaccine based either on DC transduced with a lentiviral vector ex vivo, or on direct lentiviral vector injection, should be assessed in a phase I clinical trial.This article is a symposium paper from the “Robert Baldwin Symposium: 50 years of Cancer Immunotherapy”, held in Nottingham, Great Britain, on 30th June 2005.     

Expression of aberrantly glycosylated tumor mucin-1 on human DC after transduction with a fiber-modified adenoviral vector

BACKGROUND: DC-presenting tumor Ag are currently being developed to be used as a vaccine in human cancer immunotherapy. To increase chances for successful therapy it is important to deliver full-length tumor Ag instead of loading single peptides. METHODS: In this study we used a fiber-modified adenoviral vector (rAd5F35) containing full-length tumor Ag cDNA to transduce human monocyte (Mo)-derived DC in vitro. Cells were efficiently transduced and survived for at least 3 days after adenoviral transduction. Phenotype and function after maturation of Mo-DC were not impaired by infection with adenovirus particles. Expression of the tumor-associated Ag mucin-1 (MUC1) was detected using MAb defining different MUC1 glycoforms. RESULTS: Non-transduced mature Mo-DC express endogenous MUC1 with normal glycosylation. After transduction with the rAd5F35-MUC1 adenoviral vector, Mo-DC also expressed MUC1 with tumor-associated glycosylation (Tn and T glycoforms), although no changes in mRNA levels of relevant glycosyltransferases could be demonstrated. DISCUSSION: The presence of aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 may influence Ag presentation of the tumor glycoforms of MUC1 to immune cells, affecting tumor cell killing. These findings could be highly relevant to developing strategies for cancer immunotherapy based on DC vaccines using MUC1 as tumor Ag.     

Capacity of human beta-defensin expression in gene-transduced and cytokine-induced cells

The purpose of this study was to determine the capacity of cells transduced with human beta-defensins (HBDs) to express antimicrobial peptides, since sufficient expression level is required for effective antimicrobial activity. Retroviral vector pBabeNeo and lentiviral vector SIN18cPPTRhMLV (SIN18) carrying HBDs were utilized to transduce non-HBD-expressing cells such as fibroblasts or HBD-producing oral epithelial cells. We found that HBD-3 gene transfer to fibroblasts was possible not via retrovirus but by direct vector transfection. SIN18 had high transduction efficiencies (80.9-99.9%) and transduced cells expressed higher amounts of HBD-2 than those by pBabeNeo. Primary human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) expressed greater amounts of HBD-2 than primary fibroblasts after lentiviral transduction. Additionally, HBD-2 secretion from transduced HGECs cells was further increased when stimulated with IL-1 or TNFalpha. Our data indicate that while HBD-2 expression is limited in primary fibroblasts, its expression in HGECs may be maximized by gene transduction plus cytokine induction.     

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.     

Distinct roles of adenovirus vector-transduced dendritic cells, myoblasts, and endothelial cells in mediating an immune response against a transgene product

Adenovirus-mediated gene delivery via the intramuscular route efficiently promotes an immune response against the transgene product. In this study, a recombinant adenovirus vector encoding beta-galactosidase (Ad beta Gal) was used to transduce dendritic cells (DC), which are antigen-presenting cells, as well as myoblasts and endothelial cells (EC), neither of which present antigens. C57BL/6 mice received a single intramuscular injection of Ad beta Gal-transduced DC, EC, or myoblasts and were then monitored for anti-beta-galactosidase (anti-beta-Gal) antibody production, induction of gamma interferon-secreting CD8(+) T cells, and protection against melanoma tumor cells expressing beta-Gal. While all transduced cell types were able to elicit an antibody response against the transgene product, the specific isotypes were distinct, with exclusive production of immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) antibodies following injection of transduced DC and EC versus equivalent IgG1 and IgG2a responses in mice inoculated with transduced myoblasts. Transduced DC induced a strong ex vivo CD8(+) T-cell response at a level of 50% of the specific response obtained with the Ad beta Gal control. In contrast, this response was 6- to 10-fold-lower in animals injected with transduced myoblasts and EC. Accordingly, only animals injected with transduced DC were protected against a beta-Gal tumor challenge. Thus, in order to induce a strong and protective immune response to an adenovirus-encoded transgene product, it is necessary to transduce cells of dendritic lineage. Importantly, it will be advantageous to block the transduction of DC for adenovirus-based gene therapy strategies.     

Regulation of antigen presentation machinery in human dendritic cells by recombinant adenovirus

Recombinant adenoviral vectors (AdV) are potent vehicles for antigen engineering of dendritic cells (DC). DC engineered with AdV to express full length tumor antigens are capable stimulators of antigen-specific polyclonal CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. To determine the impact of AdV on the HLA class I antigen presentation pathway, we investigated the effects of AdV transduction on antigen processing machinery (APM) components in human DC. Interactions among AdV transduction, maturation, APM regulation and T cell activation were investigated. The phenotype and cytokine profile of DC transduced with AdV was intermediate, between immature (iDC) and matured DC (mDC). Statistically significant increases in expression were observed for peptide transporters TAP-1 and TAP-2, and HLA class I peptide-loading chaperone ERp57, as well as co-stimulatory surface molecule CD86 due to AdV transduction. AdV transduction enhanced the expression of APM components and surface markers on mDC, and these changes were further modulated by the timing of DC maturation. Engineering of matured DC to express a tumor-associated antigen stimulated a broader repertoire of CD8+ T cells, capable of recognizing immunodominant and subdominant epitopes. These data identify molecular changes in AdV-transduced DC (AdV/DC) that could influence T cell priming and should be considered in design of cancer vaccines.     

Early adenoviral gene expression mediates immunosuppression by transduced dendritic cell (DC): implications for immunotherapy using genetically modified DC

Long-lasting, high-level gene expression in the absence of a toxic or inflammatory response to viral Ags is necessary for the successful application of genetically modified dendritic cell (DC). We previously demonstrated that efficient transduction of mature DC using DeltaE1DeltaE3 adenoviruses suppressed their stimulatory capacity for T cells. The current study was designed to investigate in more detail the suppressive effect of Ad-DC. We demonstrate that immunosuppression is not mediated by alterations in the T cell phenotype or cytokine profiles released by stimulated T cells. Also DC phenotypes are not affected. However, we demonstrate a cell cycle arrest of the T cell population stimulated by adenovirally transduced DC. Surprisingly, only freshly transduced DC are perturbed in their stimulatory capacity. Experiments using cycloheximide to block early intracellular viral gene expression showed that viral genes expressed in DC are responsible for this transient immunosuppression. In agreement with these findings, high-capacity (gutless) Ad-vectors that differ in viral gene expression from conventional DeltaE1DeltaE3 adenovirus are suitable for an efficient transduction of human DC. DC transduced with gutless Ad-vectors showed a high allostimulatory capacity for CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Thus, the immunosuppressive effect of DeltaE1DeltaE3 Ad-transduced mature DC seems to be the result of early viral gene expression in DC that can be prevented using gutless Ad-vectors for transduction. These results have important implications for the use of genetically modified DC for therapeutic application.     

Adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) capsid-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes eliminate only vector-transduced cells coexpressing the AAV2 capsid in vivo

A recent clinical trial has suggested that recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector transduction in humans induces a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against the AAV2 capsid. To directly address the ability of AAV capsid-specific CTLs to eliminate rAAV-transduced cells in vitro and in vivo in mice, we first demonstrated that AAV2 capsid-specific CTLs could be induced by dendritic cells with endogenous AAV2 capsid expression or pulsed with AAV2 vectors. These CTLs were able to kill a cell line stable for capsid expression in vitro and also in a mouse tumor xenograft model in vivo. Parent colon carcinoma (CT26) cells transduced with a large amount of AAV2 vectors in vitro were also destroyed by these CTLs. To determine the effect of CTLs on the elimination of target cells transduced by AAV2 vectors in vivo, we carried out adoptive transfer experiments. CTLs eliminated liver cells with endogenous AAV2 capsid expression but not liver cells transduced by AAV2 vectors, regardless of the reporter genes. Similar results were obtained for rAAV2 transduction in muscle. Our data strongly suggest that AAV vector-transduced cells are rarely eliminated by AAV2 capsid-specific CTLs in vivo, even though the AAV capsid can induce a CTL response. In conclusion, AAV capsid-specific CTLs do not appear to play a role in elimination of rAAV-transduced cells in a mouse model. In addition, our data suggest that the mouse model may not mimic the immune response noted in humans and additional modification to AAV vectors may be required for further study in order to elicit a similar cellular immune response.     

Intravenous injection of a lentiviral vector encoding NY-ESO-1 induces an effective CTL response

Lentiviral vectors can efficiently transduce a variety of nondividing cells, including APCs. We assessed the immunogenicity of a lentiviral vector encoding the melanoma Ag NY-ESO-1 in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Direct i.v. injection of NY-ESO-1 lentivirus induced NY-ESO-1(157-165)-specific CD8(+) cells, detected ex vivo with an A2/H-2K(b) chimeric class I tetramer. These NY-ESO-1(157-165)-specific CD8(+) cells could be expanded by boosting with an NY-ESO-1 vaccinia virus and could kill NY-ESO-1(157-165) peptide-pulsed targets in vivo. Such direct lentiviral vector injection was similar in potency to the injection of in vitro-transduced dendritic cells (DC). In addition, human monocyte-derived DC transduced by the NY-ESO-1 lentivirus stimulated an NY-ESO-1(157-165)-specific specific CTL clone. These data suggest that direct lentiviral transduction of DC in vivo might provide a powerful immunotherapeutic strategy.     

杆状病毒转导不同哺乳动物骨髓来源间充质干细胞

杆状病毒作为一种新型基因载体,若能有效转导不同哺乳动物骨髓来源间充质干细胞(bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, BMSCs),将会成为干细胞基因修饰研究领域中更理想的一种基因载体.本文探讨了重组杆状病毒(BacV-CMV-EGFP)对不同哺乳动物BMSCs的转导效率.体外原代培养小鼠、大鼠、猪、恒河猴及人的BMSCs.用培养3代以上的哺乳动物BMSCs进行病毒转导实验,转导2d后用倒置荧光显微镜观察绿色荧光蛋白在不同哺乳动物BMSCs中的表达,并用流式细胞仪检测重组杆状病毒对不同哺乳动物BMSCs的转导效率.结果显示:原代培养的小鼠、大鼠、猪、恒河猴及人的BMSCs于体外传代3次以上后,细胞呈现较均一的梭形,漩涡状生长;倒置荧光显微镜观察显示,与小鼠、大鼠、猪的BMSCs相比,恒河猴及人有更多BMSCs表达绿色荧光蛋白,且荧光强度较强;杆状病毒对小鼠、大鼠、猪、恒河猴及人的BMSCs的转导效率分别为(21.21±3.02)%、(22.51±4.48)%、(39.13±5.79)%、(71.16±5.36)%及(70.67±3.74)%.上述结果表明,重组杆状病毒对不同哺乳动物BMSCs的转导效率不同,对恒河猴及人的BMSCs转导效率较高,说明重组杆状病毒可作为人或灵长类动物BMSCs基因修饰研究领域中更理想的基因载体.