白蛋白微泡促进报告基因在细胞表达的实验研究

目的: 探讨白蛋白微泡作为非病毒载体在基因传输中的作用。方法:6孔板培养脐静脉内皮细胞(EC)和血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC),每孔加pcDNA3.1/His/LacZ质粒20 μg,加不同浓度微泡或不加微泡,超声条件为连续波,频率2MHz,机械指数1.8,照射时间1 min,48 h后计算蓝染细胞百分率和β-半乳糖苷酶活性。另以不同浓度微泡及超声照射时间处理细胞,测定细胞增殖情况。结果:与单纯超声质粒组相比,含微泡组蓝染细胞率增加约10-15倍(其中内皮细胞组11.6倍,平滑肌细胞组15.2倍),报告基因表达定量增加近8倍。微泡浓度为10％时细胞转染效率最高。超声照射对细胞增殖无影响,微泡浓度为50％时有明显的细胞毒作用。结论:白蛋白微泡在超声作用下能明显增加基因的传输效率,有可能成为一种安全有效的基因治疗的载体。     

新型载基因微泡的制备及其在心肌细胞报告基因转染中的应用

为了提高基因黏附微泡的稳定性和基因携带容量，采用改良超声声振法将质粒-多聚乙酰亚胺（PEI）复合物整合至微泡包膜上而制备出新型载基因微泡。电泳分析及细菌转化实验表明PEI能降低超声声振对质粒结构及功能的破坏。新型载基因微泡具有良好的声学及血液流变学性能，其基因携带量明显高于基因黏附微泡。分别采用超声破裂新型载基因微泡及基因黏附微泡介导心肌细胞β-半乳糖酶基因转染。结果表明，超声破裂载基因微泡能增强裸质粒转染效率达107倍．其基因表达水平为超声破裂基因黏附微泡组的6．85倍。提示经改良法制备的新型载基因微泡是一种安全高效的基因转运载体，超声破裂载基因微泡能明显增强心肌细胞的基因转染效率。     

Plasmid DNA-based gene transfer with ultrasound and microbubbles

Gene therapy offers a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases, but it is not yet a common option in the real world because of various problems. Viral vectors show high efficiency of gene transfer, but they have some problems with toxicity and immunity. On the other hand, plasmid DNA-based gene transfer is very safe, but its efficiency is relatively low. Especially, plasmid DNA gene therapy is used for cardiovascular disease because plasmid DNA transfer is possible for cardiac or skeletal muscle. Clinical angiogenic gene therapy using plasmid DNA gene transfer has been attempted in patients with peripheral artery disease, but a Phase III clinical trial did not show sufficient efficiency. Recently, a Phase III clinical trial of hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy in peripheral artery disease (PAD) showed improvement of ischemic ulcers, but it could not salvage limbs from amputation. In addition, a Phase I/II clinical study of fibroblast growth factor gene therapy in PAD extended amputation-free survival, but it seemed to fail in Phase III. In this situation, we and others have developed plasmid DNA-based gene transfer using ultrasound with microbubbles to enhance its efficiency while maintaining safety. Ultrasound-mediated gene transfer has been reported to augment the gene transfer efficiency and select the target organ using cationic microbubble phospholipids which bind negatively charged DNA. Ultrasound with microbubblesis likely to create new therapeutic options inavariety of diseases.     

基质细胞衍生因子1靶向超声对比剂在体内可与血管内皮细胞紧密结合

背景：基质细胞衍生因子1是心肌梗死区域微环境中效力最强的趋化因子,在趋化干细胞修复梗死心肌以及在促进血管新生方面起到重要的作用。微泡和声学活性物质携带靶向配基,可制备成超声成像靶向对比剂并与活体细胞结合,用于分子成像,超声分子成像的关键是寻找“成像靶点”,并成功制备能与“成像靶点” 特异、高效结合的靶向超声对比剂。 目的：实验制备和评价携基质细胞衍生因子1单克隆抗体的靶向微泡超声对比剂。 方法：采用“生物素-亲和素”桥接法构建携基质细胞衍生因子1单克隆抗体的靶向微泡超声对比剂,并从外观、pH值、粒径测定、光镜及荧光显微镜下观、流式细胞仪检测等多个方面对靶向对比剂进行评价。4头中华小型猪均结扎左冠状动脉前降支第一对角支制备心肌梗死模型,2头开胸但不结扎左冠状动脉前降支第一对角支,均注入靶向超声对比剂,心肌组织冰冻切片后采用免疫荧光法检测靶向微泡的体内稳定性。 结果与结论：通过生物素-亲和素桥接法可将基质细胞衍生因子1抗体和超声微泡两者结合。体外实验中对比剂外观：表现为半透明的淡黄或绿色,静置后分层。非靶向对比剂pH值为7.02±0.12,靶向微泡对比剂的pH值为6.10±0.19。荧光显微镜下观察靶向微泡明亮且呈指环状绿色荧光环绕外壳周边,剧烈震荡后表面荧光无明显改变。靶向对比剂在携带基质细胞衍生因子1抗体之后微泡粒径大小为(2 422.62±238.82) nm。流式细胞仪检测显示,靶向对比剂在不同时间段的基质细胞衍生因子1携带率稳定,静置1 h后携带率稳定且剧烈震荡前后差异无显著性意义。在体内实验中可见靶向微泡在心梗部位血管内皮细胞处聚集。结果证实,经生物素-亲和素桥接法制备的携基质细胞衍生因子1单克隆抗体靶向微泡超声对比剂体内可与血管内皮细胞结合,在体外结合率高而且结合稳定。     

阳离子脂质体介导的基因转移机制

背景：与病毒载体相比,许多天然与合成的阳离子类脂以脂质体的形式用于基因转移,具有无免疫原性、易生产、质粒免受核酸酶降解和无致瘤性等优点,并且作为病毒载体的有效替代物,阳离子脂质体能用于细胞的体内和体外转染。 目的：介绍阳离子脂质体介导的基因转移机制研究进展。 方法：由第一作者用计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI：1987/2010)和PubMed (1987/2010)数据库,检索词分别为“基因治疗、阳离子脂质体、基因转移、机制”和“gene therapy, cationic liposome, gene transfer, mechanism”,语言分别设定为中文和英文。从阳离子脂质体基因转染和基因转移机制进行总结,综述了阳离子脂质体介导的基因转移机制。 结果与结论：共检索到108篇,按纳入和排除标准对文献进行筛选,共纳入20篇文章。综述了阳离子脂质体介导的基因转移机制,包括阳离子脂质体/DNA复合物的形成、细胞吸收、内含体释放和复合物解体以及细胞核摄入等方面的研究内容。结果提示,对类脂构效关系和基因转移机制的研究,是提高阳离子脂质体转染效率和优化基因治疗的关键。     

Low toxicity of cationic lipid-based emulsion for gene transfer

Cationic liposome has been studied as one of the most promising non-viral gene delivery systems. However, it has major drawbacks such as the formation of large aggregates at higher concentrations and the instability in the serum due to cationic lipid. As an alternative gene delivery system, cationic emulsion was formulated and transfection efficiency was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, in comparison with cationic liposome. Cationic emulsion was prepared with varying compositions of 3 beta [N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane) carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol), dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE), caster oil and Tween 80. Cationic liposome was prepared with DC-Chol and DOPE. The particle size of all the DNA/lipid complexes varied from 150 to 230 nm. The in vitro transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA was assessed by the expression of green fluorescent protein as a reporter. Of various formulations, cationic emulsion E2 (DC-Chol/DOPE/Castor Oil/Tween 80 = 0.3:0.3:0.3:0.15) and cationic liposome L3 (DC-Chol/DOPE = 0.6:0.3) showed improved transfection. DNA/E2 complexes exhibited higher transfection efficiencies (17.39+/-0.58%) in comparison with DNA/L3 complexes (11.47+/-0.59%). DNA/E2 complexes also showed a better physical stability and a stronger serum resistance than DNA/L3 complexes. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of DNA/E2 complexes was comparable to that of DNA/L3 complexes. When DNA/lipid complexes were intravenously administered, DNA/E2 complexes showed a prolonged circulation in blood and mRNA expression in various tissues compared with DNA/L3 complexes. These results suggest that cationic emulsion E2 could be a potential gene delivery system in clinical approaches because of enhanced in vivo gene transfer with low toxicity.     

Restoration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulated chloride channel activity in human cystic fibrosis tracheobronchial submucosal gland cells by adenovirus-mediated and cationic lipid-mediated gene transfer.

In human airways, the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is predominantly expressed in serous cells of the tracheobronchial glands. Despite considerable evidence that submucosal glands are important contributors to the pathophysiology of CF lung disease, most attempts at CFTR gene transfer have primarily targeted airway surface epithelial cells. In this study, we systematically evaluated CFTR gene transfer into cultures of immortalized CF human tracheobronchial submucosal gland (6CFSMEO) cells using adenovirus and cationic lipid vectors. We found that the efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer was comparable in 6CFSMEO and CFT1 cells (a surface airway epithelial cell line isolated from a subject with CF). So was the ranking order of adenovirus vectors containing different enhancers/promoters (CMV > E1a approximately phosphoglycerokinase), as determined by both X-Gal staining and quantitative measurement of beta-galactosidase activity. Further, we provide the first demonstration that cationic lipids mediate efficient gene transfer into 6CFSMEO cells in vitro. The transfection efficiency at optimal conditions was higher in 6CFSMEO than in CFT1 cells. Finally, either infection with adenoviral vectors or transfection with cationic lipid:plasmid DNA complexes encoding CFTR significantly increased chloride (Cl-) permeability, as assessed using the 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-quinolinium (SPQ) fluorescence assay, indicating restoration of functional CFTR Cl- channel activity. These data show that although the mechanisms of transfection may be different between the two cell types, 6CFSMEO cells are as susceptible as CFT1 cells to transfection by adenoviral and cationic-lipid gene transfer vectors.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of cationic lipid and plasmid DNA onto gold surface for stent-assisted gene transfer

Intravascular stent-assisted gene transfer is an advanced approach for the therapy of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and stenosis. This approach requires a stent that allows local and efficient administration of therapeutic genes to the target cells at the vascular wall. To create such a stent, a method was developed for loading plasmid DNA onto the metal surface. The method involves the formation of self-assembled monolayer on the noble metal surface followed by electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly of a cationic lipid/plasmid DNA complex and free plasmid DNA. In this in vitro feasibility study, the thin plainer film and the wire of gold were used as a substrate. The LBL assembly process was characterized by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and static contact angle measurement. Plasmid DNA loaded in the multilayer exhibited improved resistance against nuclease digestion. When cultured directly on the DNA-loaded surface, cells were transfected to express exogenous gene in the DNA loading-dependent manner. Plasmid DNA could also be transferred to endothelial cells from its apical side by placing the DNA-loaded gold wire onto the cell layer.     

A cationic prodrug/therapeutic gene nanocomplex for the synergistic treatment of tumors

The combination of gene therapy and chemotherapy may increase the therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of patients. In this work, the cationic polymer prodrug/plasmid nanocomplexes were designed to in vivo synergistically treat drug-resistant breast tumors. Cationic β-cyclodextrin-polyethylenimine-Dox (PC-Dox) conjugates were prepared for carrying wt p53 plasmid in the form of PC-Dox/p53 nanocomplexes to achieve synergistic cancer therapeutic effects of drug and gene therapies. Such PC-Dox/p53 nanocomplexes ensure that both drug and gene can be delivered to the same cancer cells. The physicochemical properties and Dox release profiles of the PC-Dox conjugates, as well as their antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo, were determined. mRNA expression and western blot experiments also proved that co-delivery of Dox with wt p53 plasmid from PC-Dox/wt p53 complexes could promote wt p53 gene expression largely. By investigating anticancer efficacy via multi-drug resistant MCF-7/Adr breast cancer cells, it was found that PC-Dox/wt p53 complexes promoted the inhibition of tumor growth in vivo and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. With the efficient ability to co-deliver drug and gene, such multifunctional PC-Dox/pDNA complexes should have great potential applications in cancer therapy.     

Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction enhances the therapeutic effect of intracoronary transplantation of bone marrow stem cells on myocardial infarction

Objective: The combination of intracoronary transplantation and ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction may promote effective and accurate delivery of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) into the infarct zone. To test this hypothesis in this study we examined the effectiveness of ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction in combination with intracoronary transplantation of BMSCs for the treatment of myocardial infarction in canine model of acute myocardial infarction. Method: The dogs were randomly assigned to four groups: PBS, ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction, BMSCs, BMSCs together with ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction. At 28 days post-surgery, cardiac function and the percentage of perfusion defect area to total left ventricular perfusion area (DA%) were determined by myocardial contrast echocardiography. Nitro blue tetrazolium staining was performed to determine myocardial infarct size, hematoxylin and eosin staining for assessing microvascular injury, Masson’s staining for analyzing myocardial tissue collagen, immunohistochemical analysis of α-actin to measure cardiac contractile function and of BrdU-labeled myocardial cells to measure the number of the BMSCs homing to the infarcted region. Results: The transplantation of BMSCs significantly improved heart function and DA% (P < 0.05). The group that received ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction with BMSCs transplantation showed the most improvement in heart function and DA% (P < 0.05). This group also showed a denser deposition of BMSCs in the coronary artery and more BrdU positive cells in the infarcted region, had the maximum number of α-actin positive cells, showed the smallest myocardial infarct area compared to other groups (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction increases the homing of BMSCs in the target area following intracoronary transplantation, which allows more BMSCs to differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes, thereby reducing myocardial infarct size and improving cardiac function.     

A cationic peptide consists of ornithine and histidine repeats augments gene transfer in dendritic cells

Condensing the plasmid with high molecular weight cationic polymers such as poly-L-lysine (PLL) and poly-L-ornithine (PLO) can enhance antigen-specific immunity generated from genetic vaccination with naked DNA encoding antigens. While these high molecular weight polymers are clearly effective in transfection experiments, clinical applications are limited by their physical heterogeneity and toxicity. Three chemically defined low molecular weight cationic peptides, K(16), K(10)H(6), and O(10)H(6), were examined in the context of DNA binding, toxicity, and efficiency of gene transfer in dendritic cells (DC). The results showed that while all three peptides can bind to a plasmid encoding a reporter gene with similar efficiency, in vitro transfection with DNA complexed with O(10)H(6) complexed resulted in the highest level of gene expression. Moreover, free O(10)H(6) was not toxic to DC, while the lysine-based peptides caused significant cell death in DC cultures. We also showed that DC transfected ex vivo with DNA complexed with O(10)H(6) was capable of eliciting antigen-specific INFgamma production in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate ornithine and histidine repeats are suitable building blocks of non-viral gene transfer vector for DC.     

超声微泡介导转染FKBP12.6基因对小鼠H9c2(2-1)心肌细胞中Ca2+浓度的影响

目的:探讨超声微泡介导转染FKBP12.6基因后,对小鼠H9c2(2-1)心肌细胞中Ca2 浓度的影响。方法:将pcDNA3.1-FKBP12.6质粒与白蛋白包裹微泡造影剂混合,经超声转染H9c2(2-1)细胞后,通过倒置显微镜观察心肌细胞生长状况的变化;激光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞内Ca2 浓度的变化;免疫组织化学方法检测FKBP12.6蛋白的表达。结果:超声触发微泡破裂转染的FKBP12.6基因可在心肌细胞高效表达,细胞生长良好。高表达FKBP12.6的心肌细胞中,总的钙离子浓度增加。结论:超声微泡介导FKBP12.6基因转染心肌细胞,可以明显增加心肌细胞中的Ca2 浓度,心肌细胞的收缩能力增强。     

The use of MMP2 antibody-conjugated cationic microbubble to target the ischemic myocardium,enhance Timp3 gene transfection and improve cardiac function

The objective of this study was to synthesize a cationic microbubble (CMB) conjugated with an antibody against matrix metalloproteinase 2 (CMB_MMP2) to increase microbubble accumulation and gene transfection in the infarcted myocardium and to restore ventricular function following an ischemic insult. We previously reported that our CMBs enhanced the efficiency of gene transfection following ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) in rodent hearts. Therefore, we conjugated a thiolated MMP2 antibody to the PEG chains on the CMB surface, which was verified by fluorescent microscopy. Rats underwent ischemia/reperfusion injury 3 days prior to UTMD delivery of the control or Timp3 plasmid. The CMB_MMP2 improved microbubble accumulation in the infarct region, with 57% more contrast intensity compared to the non-conjugated CMB. UTMD-mediated CMB_MMP2 delivery of the Timp3 gene significantly increased TIMP3 protein levels in the infarct scar and border zone at 3 days post-UTMD compared to delivery by the non-conjugated CMB. Both MMP2 and MMP9 activity were reduced in the CMB_MMP2Timp3 group, which resulted in smaller and thicker infarcts and improved cardiac function. UTMD therapy with this CMB_MMP2 provides an efficient platform for the targeted delivery of factors intended to preserve ventricular structure and improve cardiac function after ischemic injury.     

Enhanced gene delivery to PC12 cells by a cationic polypeptide

Targeted gene delivery to diseased subtypes of neurons will be beneficial to the success of gene therapy of neurological disorders. We designed a recombinant cationic polypeptide to facilitate gene delivery to neuronal-like PC12 cells that express the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors. The recombinant polypeptide was composed of a targeting moiety derived from loop 4-containing hairpin motif of NGF and a DNA-binding moiety of 10-lysine sequence and expressed in Escherichia coli. It activated NGF receptor, TrkA and its downstream signaling pathways in PC12 and promoted the survival of neuronally differentiated PC12 cells deprived of serum. The polypeptide could also bind plasmid DNA and enhance polycation-mediated gene delivery in NGF receptor-expressing PC12 cells, but not in COS7 cells lacking NGF receptors. The enhancement of gene transfer in PC12 was inhibited by pretreatment of free, unbound polypeptides, suggesting a NGF-receptor-specific effect of the polypeptide. These observations demonstrated the concept of using receptor-mediated mechanism for targeted gene delivery to neurons.     

阳离子脂质体介导IL-15基因治疗小鼠肺转移模型的实验研究

目的:用阳离子脂质体(CL)包裹pcDNA3.1-IL15制备阳离子脂质体质粒DNA复合物CL-IL15,观察其抗小鼠B16-F10肺转移瘤的治疗作用,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法:构建hIL-15真核表达载体,测定脂质体-质粒DNA复合物的最佳包封率;将该复合物转染CHO-K1细胞株,West-ern blott检测体外转染条件下IL-15蛋白的表达情况,MTT法检测细胞转染上清对CTLL-2细胞株的增殖刺激作用;建立B16-F10小鼠黑色素瘤肺转移模型,尾静脉给药,每隔1 d给药1次,共6次,治疗结束24 h后观察各组肿瘤肺转移情况;LDH释放法(乳酸脱氢酶释放法)检测脾淋巴细胞的杀伤作用,冰冻切片免疫荧光法观察NK细胞对肿瘤组织的浸润。结果:成功构建hIL-15表达载体,并验证其与阳离子脂质体的质量比为1∶5时,包裹后形成的复合物具有较好的包封率;可以在体外有效转染并表达具生物活性的分泌型IL-15蛋白;CL-IL15复合物治疗小鼠肿瘤肺转移模型,可以显著减少肿瘤肺转移结节数目,提高脾细胞对肿瘤细胞杀伤活性(P<0.05),增加NK细胞在肿瘤组织中的浸润比例。结论:阳离子脂质体质粒DNA复合物CL-IL15可有效地抑制小鼠B16-F10肺转移瘤,其作用机制可能与IL-15诱导脾细胞对肿瘤细胞的杀伤、激活NK(natural killer)细胞对肿瘤组织的浸润等机制有关。     

Inhibition of nonviral cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer into primary human respiratory cells by interferon-gamma

The effect of interferon (IFN) gamma on cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer into primary respiratory epithelial cells was investigated. Treatment of primary respiratory epithelial cells with IFN-gamma resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the intermediate filament cytokeratin 13 and a decrease in cellular proliferation, indicating that respiratory cells underwent squamous differentiation. IFN-gamma pretreatment resulted in a dramatic inhibition of transfection efficiency mediated by a cationic liposome (DOTAP). Incubation of squamous nasal cells with DOTAP/DNA complexes for various periods at 4 degrees C and evaluation of luciferase levels suggested that IFN-gamma pretreatment inhibits complex binding to the cells. In primary nasal and bronchial cells cytofluorimetric analysis demonstrated that IFN-gamma reduces binding of FITC-labeled complexes. The data indicate that differentiation of respiratory epithelial cells to a squamous phenotype, which may occur in chronic respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, induces a refractory condition to gene transfer by nonviral cationic liposomes.     

Efficacy of cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer to mesangial cells in vitro and in vivo

Mesangial cells represent a major target for gene transfer approaches to the kidney. To establish a liposome-based system for transfection of mesangial cells we analyzed the efficacy and toxicity of different cationic liposomes and other nonviral transfection methods in primary cultures of rat and human mesangial cells using the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene as a marker. In addition, an expression vector containing a human renin cDNA under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter/enhancer was generated, introduced into mesangial cells, and assayed in a system of transient gene expression. In vivo, gene transfer was studied after infusion of liposome/DNA complexes in the kidney of rats via the renal artery. Transfection efficiency ranged from 5.5% with DMRIE Liposomes in rat mesangial cells to 1.1% with LipofectAmine liposomes in human mesangial cells. Cytotoxicity following transfection was dependent on the transfection method. Transfection with the human renin expression vector led to the secretion of 11 pg/10(4) cells/48 h human renin in rat mesangial cells, 3,600 pg/10(4) cells/48 h in 293 cells, and 113 pg/10(4) cells/48 h human renin in opossum kidney cells. In vivo, infusion of liposomes was accompanied by nephrotoxicity and did not result in marker gene expression. Together the data demonstrate that cationic liposomes are useful tools for transferring genes into mesangial cells, including human mesangial cells. Cationic liposomes provide a functional system for the synthesis and secretion of human renin in mesangial cells and other mammalian kidney cells. The current limitation of the evaluated liposomes for an efficient in vivo gene transfer to mesangial cells is the toxicity upon intrarenal arterial administration.     

Pluronic-based cationic block copolymer for forming pDNA polyplexes with enhanced cellular uptake and improved transfection efficiency

PEGylated cationic polymers have been extensively studied for substituting virus as gene delivery vehicles. These polymers can produce water-soluble polyionic complexes (polyplexes) with plasmid DNA (pDNA) and show enhanced stability compared to non-PEGylated polyplexes. However, PEGylation always diminishes the transfection efficiency of polyplexes probably due to poor cellular internalization of the particles and difficulty in releasing the pDNA cargo from the complexes intracellularly for gene expression. As non-ionic surfactants, Pluronic block copolymers have been shown to interact with plasma membrane and promote cellular uptake of various small molecules and biomacromolecules. To evaluate whether Pluronic could improve the transfection efficiency of polyplexes, Pluronic P85- and PEG-based cationomers comprising poly{N-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethyl] aspartamide (P[Asp(DET)]) cationic blocks were synthesized and tested for their transfection ability. In this study, it was demonstrated that although the stability of the PEG-based polyplexes was better than that of the P85-based polyplexes based cationic polymers, the P85-based polyplex could achieve significantly higher transfection than the PEG counterparts. The improvement of gene delivering ability was shown to be correlated with the enhanced cellular internalization of the P85-based polyplexes.