ObjectiveTo construct tumor specific tubercle bacillus antigen Ag85A gene lentiviral vector driven by murine telomerase catalytic subunit promoter (PmTERT), paving the way for further research in tumor targeting immuno-gene therapy. MethodsPmTERT was amplified by PCR method, with murine genomic DNA as template. Then, transcriptional activities of PmTERT in various murine and human cell strains were studied by luciferase assay. Ag85A expression lentiviral vectors driven by cytomegalo virus (CMV) promoter and PmTERT respectively (pLVX-Ag85ACMV and pLVX-Ag85A-PmTERT) were constructed with nucleic acid cloning approach. And above recombinants were verified with DNA sequencing and Western blot. ResultsLucifease assay revealed that 331 bp PmTERT cloned in present research had transcriptional activity in murine Lewis lung cancer cells, human lung adenocarcinoma cells A549, and human esophageal cancer cells EC-109, while no transcriptional activity in murine fibroblasts NIH3T3 and human embryo fibroblasts MRC-5. Western blot revealed expression of Ag85A in pLVX-Ag85A-CMV transfected Lewis and NIH3T3 cells, pLVX-Ag85A-PmTERT transfected Lewis cells, no expression in pLVX-Ag85A-PmTERT transfected NIH3T3 cells. ConclusionPmTERT has tumor specific transcriptional activity. Ag85A gene can express selectively in tumor cells, driven by PmTERT.
Objective To summarize the research progress of microRNA (miRNA) and its non-viral vector in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and to investigate the potential of non-viral vector delivery of miRNA in clinical application. Methods The related literature about the role of miRNA in IDD and its non-viral delivery system was reviewed and analyzed. Results MiRNA can regulate the related gene expression level and further participate in the pathophysiologic process in degenerated intervertebral disc, miRNA delivered by various non-viral vectors has obtained an ideal effect in some diseases. Conclusion MiRNA plays a great role in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of IDD, as a safe and effective strategy for gene therapy, non-viral vector provides new possibilities for IDD treated with miRNA.
Objective To study the effect of immunogene therapy on the improvement of the outcome of malignant tumor. Methods Literatures about immunogene therapy of malignant tumor were collected and reviewed. Results The major methods of immunogene therapy of malignant tumor were as follows： ①Transference of cytokin genes into lymphocytes. ②Genetically engineered autologous tumor cells used as vaccine. ③Combined gene therapy.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of malignant tumor can be improved by immunogene therapy.
The treatment of hereditary retinopathy depends on gene replacement or editing therapy, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector is one of the most widely used gene transfer vectors. The delivery methods of AAV vector-mediated target genes to the retina inlucde intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, and suprachorioidal injection. Intravitreal injection of AAV vector is currently the most commonly used delivery route, which can effectively improve the functions of retina disorders such as blinding retinal dystrophy in mice. Subretinal injection of AAV vector can deliver the target gene to the local retina, resulting in stronger efficiency of transfection and gene expressio, however, the high technical operations are required. In recent years, as a new high-profile delivery route suprachorioidal injection of AAV vector can achieve more extensive transfection of target genes in the retina of rabbits and rats. At present, the efficiency of AAV vector transduction in the retina is affected by the delivery mode. In the future, it is necessary to further explore the effect of AAV vector delivery mode on the transduction efficiency in order to find an important delivery route for mediating gene therapy for retinal diseases.
Objective To investigate if the course of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is delayed by injecting lentivirus (Lv) vector carrying bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) genes directly into the nucleus pulposus. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits, 2.0-2.5 kg in weight and 4 months in age, were used to establish the IDD models at L3, 4, L4, 5, and L5, 6 discs with annular puncture via transabdominal approach. Thirty rabbits with successful modeling were randomly divided into 5 groups, 6 rabbits every group. At 4 weeks after modeling, rabbits were injected with Lv-BMP-2 (group A), with Lv-BMP-2 and Lv-Id1 (group B), with Lv-Id1 (group C), with Lv-green fluorescent protein (group D), and with PBS (group E). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks after injection, T2-mapping MRI was performed on 2 rabbits each group to obtain the T2 values, and then subsequently the lumbar disc tissues were harvested to test the mRNA expressions and contents of collagen type II and proteoglycan by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and ELISA methods. Results T2-mapping MRI demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the T2 value between different groups at immediate and 2 weeks after injection (P>0.05). The T2 value of groups A and B was significantly higher than that of groups C, D, and E at 4 weeks after injection (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between group A and group B (P>0.05). The T2 value of group B was significantly higher than that of the other groups at 8 weeks after injection (P<0.05). The real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and ELISA showed that the expressions and contents of collagen type II and proteoglycan in group B were significantly higher than those in the other groups at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after injection (P<0.05). Conclusion Combined application of Lv-BMP-2 and Lv-Id1 can delay IDD changes in rabbit IDD models.
PNAS-4 is a novel pro-apoptosis gene identified latetly. In recent years, there has been a large number of research reports on the basic studies about PNAS-4 in cancer gene therapy and gene therapy of PNAS-4 alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy manifested a good application prospect, but its molecular mechanisms to promote apoptosis is not clear yet. In this paper, recent research about PNAS-4 in cancer gene therapy is briefly reviewed, and recent hypotheses on its molecular mechanisms to promote apoptosis are especially elucidated. Based on its newly identified characteristics of structural domain, we made a point that PNAS-4 might regulate functions of some target protein related to apoptosis by deSumoylation as a new deSumoylating isopeptidase, and consequently promote apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate target gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsHerpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVTK) gene was inserted into the gene of AFP enhancer/ALB promoter with adenoassociated virus (AAV) plasmid (WAV2) as a carrier, and a hybrid plasmid pWAV2/AFPALB/HYTK was constructed. Besides, plasmid pEGFP1/AFPALB was also constructed. Two kinds of plasmids were transferred into AFP positive cells HepG2 and AFP negative cells 7721, SPC and 7901.ResultsIt was found that enhance green fluorescence protein could only be seen in AFP positive cells HepG2. 710 bp DNA was amplified only in AFP positive HepG2 cells.ConclusionPlasmid pWAV2/AFPALB/HYTK for HCC demonstrates specificity in vitro.
Objective To summarize the research progress of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis in lower limb ischemia, so as to provide a new method for non-invasive treatment of lower limb ischemia. Method The literatures on studies of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis in lower limb ischemia in recent years were read and reviewed. Results The incidence of peripheral arterial disease had been increasing annually. How to effectively reduce the amputation rate and mortality rate of patients with critical limb ischemia was still a clinical problem that needs to be solved urgently. A large number of basic and clinical studies had shown that gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis could effectively induce angiogenesis and collateral circulation in ischemic tissue of lower limb, leading to the significant improvements of blood perfusion in ischemic areas. Additionally, the construction of many kinds of new non-viral gene delivery vectors could also improve the safety and effectiveness of gene therapy to a certain extent. Conclusion Although promising therapeutic effect of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis brings new ideas and strategies for the treatment of lower limb ischemia, issues still exist that have not been solved.
ObjectiveTo construct a cationic microbubble (CMB), and investigate the enhancement of gene transfection efficiency and therapeutic effect of ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) in vivo with CMB compared to definity MB (DMB).Methods In vitro, the CMB was prepared by the method of thin film hydration. The morphology, size, zeta potential, and gene-carrying capacity of CMB were compared with the DMB. In vivo, the firefly luciferase gene which was used as a reporter gene was targeted transfected into myocardium of 16 rats with CMB and DMB, respectively. The gene transfection efficiency and targeting were observed dynamically. Then, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model was performed on 64 rats. The models of 60 rats were successfully confirmed by using ultrasonography at 5 days after I/R. The rats were divided into 3 groups (n=20) randomly. The control group received DMB carrying empty plasmid for transfection; DMB group received DMB carrying AKT plasmid for transfection; and CMB group received CMB carrying AKT plasmid for transfection. The cardiac perfusion, cardiac function, infarct size, and infarct thickness were measured by ultrasonography and histological observations after treatment. In addition, the capillary and arteriolar densities were measured with immunohistochemical staining. The myocyte apoptosis was measured with TUNEL staining. The protein expressions of AKT, phospho-AKT (P-AKT), Survivin, and phospho-BAD (P-BAD) were measured by Western blot.ResultsThe size of CMB was uniformly. The zeta potential of CMB was significantly higher than that of DMB (t=28.680, P=0.000). The CMB bound more plasmid DNA than the DMB (P<0.05). The luciferase activity of myocardium were higher in CMB group than in DMB group bothin vitro and in vivo measurements (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in the ratio of signal intensity in anterior wall to posterior wall, ejection fraction (EF), and fractional shortening (FS) at 5 days after I/R (P>0.05), but the above indexes were significant higher in CMB and DMB groups than in control group at 21 days after I/R (P<0.05). Besides, the above indexes were significant higher in CMB group than in DMB group at 21 days after I/R (P<0.05). The infarct size was the smallest and infarct thickness was the thickest in the CMB group, followed by DMB group, control group at 21 days after I/R. The capillary and arteriolar densities of CMB and DMB groups were significant higher than those of control group at 21 days after I/R (P<0.05). Besides, the capillary and arteriolar densities of CMB group were significant higher than those of DMB group (P<0.05). The apoptotic cells were the most in the control group, followed by DMB group, CMB group at 3 days after gene transfection, showing significant differences between groups (P<0.05). The protein expressions of AKT, P-AKT, Survivin, and P-BAD were significant higher in CMB and DMB groups than those in control group at 3 days after gene transfection (P<0.05). Besides, these protein expressions were significant higher in CMB group than those in DMB group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe DNA-carrying capacity and gene transfection efficiency are elevated by CMB, although its physicochemical property is the same as DMB. When ultrasound-targeted AKT gene transfection is used to treat myocardial I/R injury in rats, delivery of AKT with the CMB can result in higher transfection efficiency and greater cardiac functional improvements compared to the DMB.
Objective To explore the tumor suppressive effect of superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) for mice beared by Lewis lung cancer cell (LLCC). Methods SEB gene expressive plasmid PCDH-SEB-GFP was constructed and transfected into LLCC and it was detected by Western blot. Tumor-bearing mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of LLCC and SEB expressive plasmid PCDH-SEB-GFP was successfully injected into the tumor to observe its suppressive effect on the growth of Lewis lung cancer in mice. Results SEB expression was detected after transfection of LLCC with SEB gene plasmid PCDH-SEB-GFP. Intratumoral injection of plasmid PCDH-SEB-GFP could significantly inhibit the growth of Lewis lung cancer in tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions Intratumoral injection of superantigen SEB expressive plasmid can inhibit the growth of Lewis lung cancer in mice. It deserves a further study that SEB gene can work as an exogenous antigen gene in immune gene therapy for lung cancer.