Induction of apoptosis in BCL-2-expressing rat prostate cancer cells using the Semliki Forest virus vector.

The Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vector is a transient RNA expression vector that has an inherent p53-independent apoptosis-inducing property. It is administered as recombinant SFV particles (rSFV) that undergo 1 round of replication only and express a gene cloned into the multicloning site. In our study we have investigated the ability of the SFV vector to induce apoptosis and inhibit tumour growth in rat prostate cancer (AT3-Neo) cells expressing the Bcl-2 oncogene (AT3-Bcl-2 cells), which normally inhibits apoptosis. rSFV expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (rSFV-EGFP), or recombinant RNA transfected into cells by electroporation, induced delayed apoptosis in AT3-Bcl-2 cells. SFV-mediated expression of a cloned pro-apoptotic Bax gene by the vector, however, enhanced apoptosis induction both in AT3-Bcl-2 cells and standard BHK-21 cells. Such Bax-expressing particles could be produced only at low titers compared to EGFP-expressing particles under standard conditions for particle production, but lowering the incubation temperature for particle production to 33 degrees C partially alleviated this effect. Bax-expressing particles were shown to inhibit the growth of AT3-Neo and AT3-Bcl-2 tumours in nude mice, as did high titre EGFP-expressing particles. It is concluded that SFV recombinant particles have potential as anti-tumour agents to treat apoptosis-resistant tumours.     

干扰RNA对HepG2肝癌细胞内源性c-myc表达的抑制作用

目的 研究干扰RNA(RNAi)对HepG2细胞的c-myc基因表达的干扰效应。方法 建立装载靶向c-mvc基因小干扰性RNA(siRNA)的表达载体。用脂质体法将此表达载体转染HepG2细胞株,以转染空载细胞作为对照。采用定量PCR和Western blot检测c-myc基因的表达。用流式细胞仪及荧光显微镜检测AnexinV标记的凋亡细胞。结果 转染siRNA的表达载体可以抑制内源c-myc基因在转录和转译上的表达,抑制率达67％。c-myc基因的表达抑制与HepG2细胞的凋亡相关联。结论 转染siRNA的表达载体可明显抑制肝癌细胞株HepG2 c-myc基因的表达,并伴有细胞的凋亡。     

Importance of serine 200 for functional activities of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein of Newcastle Disease Virus

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus with replication competence in human tumor cells and interesting anti-neoplastic and immune stimulatory properties. In order to increase tumor selectivity of replication, we prepared mutants from the avirulent strain Ulster with monocyclic replication cycle and adapted them for multicyclic replication in human melanoma cells. Two mutants (M1 and M2) showed interesting functional differences: while M2 showed T cell co-stimulatory effects in a tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay, M1 did not. A distinct difference of these 2 virus mutants appeared also when testing their capacity to induce interferon-alpha and -beta as well as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) molecules in human monocytes. Sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) molecules of the 2 virus mutants showed 7 non-silent mutational differences. Upon cloning of the HN mutant genes into an expression vector and transfection of cells, only HN derived from M2 (HN-M2) was detected at the cell surface by immunostaining with specific antibodies and showed hemadsorption and neuraminidase activity. In order to define which amino acid was responsible for the loss of functional activity of HN derived from M1 (HN-M1), distinct HN mutants were generated via site-directed mutagenesis and tested. Substitution of serine 200 by a proline abrogated HN expression and its hemadsorption and neuraminidase activities. Molecular modeling revealed that proline 200 in HN influences flexibility of a loop near the entrance to the neuraminidase active site, a function that may be crucial for the functions of this viral protein.     

Newcastle disease virus as an antineoplastic agent: induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and augmentation of its cytotoxicity

The oncolytic strain 73-T of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been reported to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer patients, but little is known about its mechanism of action. In this study, NDV strain 73-T and a wild-type isolate of NDV were found to be potent inducers of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production by both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and rat splenocytes. Antibody inhibition experiments identified TNF-alpha as the major species of TNF induced by NDV in PBMCs. The effect of recombinant human TNF-alpha (rHuTNF-alpha) on human cancer cells was then examined. Neither rHuTNF-alpha nor supernatants from NDV-stimulated PBMCs were cytotoxic toward the TNF-resistant human malignant melanoma cell line MEL-14. However, when MEL-14 cells were treated with NDV strain 73-T, both rHuTNF-alpha and supernatants from NDV-stimulated PBMCs killed 48% and 55%, respectively, of these tumor cells. Treatment with NDV also conferred TNF susceptibility to the TNF-resistant human malignant melanoma cell line MEL-21 and the human myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. In contrast to its enhanced cytotoxicity toward NDV-treated cancer cells, rHuTNF-alpha had no effect on NDV-treated normal human PBMCs proliferating in response to concanavalin A. These results suggest two important mechanisms for the antineoplastic activity of NDV: (a) induction of TNF-alpha secretion by human PBMCs and (b) enhancement of the sensitivity of neoplastic cells to the cytolytic effects of TNF-alpha.     

Enhancement of tumor-specific immune response with plasmid DNA replicon vectors

To enhance the immunogenicity of nucleic acid vaccines, we used plasmid DNA vectors that contained replicons derived from the prototype alphavirus, Sindbis, and another alphavirus, Semliki Forest virus. When transfected into cells or injected directly into animal muscle, these plasmids launch a self-replicating RNA vector (replicon) which in turn directs the expression of a model tumor antigen. Immunization with plasmid DNA replicons elicited immune responses at doses 100 to 1000-fold lower than conventional DNA plasmids and effectively treated mice bearing an experimental tumor expressing the model antigen. Significantly, replicon-based DNA plasmids did not produce a greater quantity of antigen; instead, antigen production differed qualitatively. Plasmid DNA replicons mediated antigen production that was homogeneous in all transfected cells and associated with the apoptotic death of the host cells. Because of their safety and efficacy, plasmid DNA replicons may be useful in the development of recombinant vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer.     

Induction of P815 tumor immunity by DNA-based recombinant Semliki Forest virus or replicon DNA expressing the P1A gene

AIM: To compare the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of alphaviruses in the same tumor model, we used a DNA-based approach to generate a replicon DNA and recombinant Semliki Forest virus (rSFV) particles expressing P1A, the P815 mastocytoma tumor associated antigen, and compared the immune effect of each vaccine. METHODS: Six to eight-week-old female DBA/2 mice were inoculated with P1A plasmid or viral vaccines. Spleen cells were assayed for antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell activity. Tumor growth or survival rate was observed in preventive and therapeutic experiments, respectively. RESULTS: We found that the rSFV particles prevented tumor growth when delivered prior to innoculation of mice with P815 cells, and more importantly, improved survival when delivered after the initiation of tumor growth. Naked P1A replicon DNA also functioned as a protective and therapeutic vaccine, although with less potency than rSFV particles. Virus particles also elicited a stronger cellular immune response as measured by target cell lysis. CONCLUSION: rSFV particles have stronger specific prophylactic and therapeutic immune effects in mice than replicon DNA-based DNA vaccines, though the latter is more effective than traditional plasmid vectors (e.g. pCI-neo vector).     

Importance of retinoic acid-inducible gene I and of receptor for type I interferon for cellular resistance to infection by Newcastle disease virus

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus with oncolytic properties which shows promising effects in the treatment of cancer. Anti-cancer effects are due to the virus ability: i) to replicate in and kill tumor cells, leading finally to their selective elimination; and ii) to induce the stimulation of antitumor activities in immune cells. NDV does not harm normal cells and has a high safety profile. In this study, we first report a direct correlation between the degree of cell resistance to NDV infection and the cellular expression of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) which is a cytosolic viral RNA receptor. RIG-I plays an important role in the recognition of and response to infection by RNA viruses. We also demonstrate that impairment of the interferon (IFN) pathway through deletion of the receptor for type I IFN (IFNR1) in primary macrophages leads to NDV replication. In tumor cells, addition of exogenous IFN-α4 is shown to lead to tumor growth reduction and inhibition of viral replication. Finally, increase of the RIG-I concentration of tumor cells via plasmid transfection is shown to be associated with a stronger resistance to NDV infection. These findings shed new light on the crucial role played by the cytosolic receptor RIG-I and the plasma membrane receptor IFNR1 as key molecules to protect cells against infection by NDV.     

新城疫病毒HN基因诱导肝癌细胞SMMC7721凋亡的作用机制

目的 探索含新城疫病毒(NDV)HN基因的质粒pVHN诱导人肝癌细胞SMMC7721凋亡的作用及其机制。方法 以脂质体介导方法在体外转染pVHN于SMMC7721细胞24h后,通过MTT方法检测细胞活性状态;采用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测法,通过碘化丙啶(PI)染色测定细胞死亡率;以罗丹明123染色测定线粒体跨膜电位(△ψ)的改变;提取细胞基因组DNA进行电泳,检测DNA有无断裂;用底物颜色反应检测Caspase-3活性。结果 细胞SMMC7721在体外转染pVHN后,死亡率达50．0％(转染空载体质粒对照组为5．2％);细胞基因组DNA呈梯状谱带;线粒体△ψ下降,Caspase-3活性明显升高。结论 新城疫病毒HN基因在体外转染细胞SMMC7721,能明显诱导细胞SMMC7721凋亡,其发生机制可能是由于HN基因的导入引起线粒体△ψ下降,进而激活Caspase-3使细胞凋亡。     

二氟甲基鸟氨酸及反义bcl-2协同诱导HL60细胞凋亡

目的　观察二氟甲基鸟氨酸 (DFMO)及反义bcl 2调控bcl 2基因表达对HL6 0细胞凋亡的诱导作用。方法　构建反义bcl 2逆转录病毒重组体 ,建立产病毒细胞系 ,转染HL6 0细胞 ,用形态观察、生长曲线、FCM分析、集落形成、DNA电泳图谱、分子杂交及免疫组化等方法研究细胞生长特性及细胞凋亡诱导。结果　成功地构建了反义bcl 2逆转录病毒重组体及产病毒细胞系。以此转染HL6 0细胞 ,引起了bcl 2mRNA及蛋白表达下降 ,但生长速率、细胞周期分布及鸟氨酸脱羧酶 (ODC)基因表达水平与亲本细胞比较差别不大 ;无明显的细胞凋亡 ,仅集落形成能力有所减弱。用小剂量DFMO处理反义bcl 2转染的细胞 ,不仅生长受到明显抑制 ,而且可诱导细胞凋亡。结论　DFMO与反义bcl 2对HL6 0细胞增殖抑制及凋亡诱导有协同作用。抑制bcl 2表达能提高肿瘤细胞对DFMO作用的敏感性。     

联合应用新城疫病毒及其 HN基因对小鼠黑色素瘤抑制效应的研究

背景与目的:尽管新城疫病毒( Newcastle disease virus, NDV)对多种肿瘤具有抑制作用 ,但其抑瘤机制尚不完全清楚.以前的研究结果表明,该病毒的血凝素神经氨酸酶( hemagglutinin-neuraminidase,HN)基因在该病毒的抗肿瘤作用上发挥重要作用且 HN蛋白表达后能够定位于肿瘤细胞膜上,以 HN蛋白作为肿瘤细胞的外源抗原来研究其抑瘤作用尚未见报道.本研究拟探讨 HN蛋白作为外源抗原在新城疫病毒抗肿瘤的作用以及二者联合应用对小鼠黑色素瘤的抑制效应.方法:在 C57BL/6小鼠右后肢皮下接种 B16黑色素瘤细胞 2× 105个.荷瘤第 2天,左后肢肌肉注射含新城疫病毒 HN基因的重组质粒,荷瘤第 7天,瘤内注射新城疫病毒 2× 109pfu;同时设单独 HN基因或 NDV治疗组及注射 PBS的对照组.通过抑瘤率观察动物体内的抑瘤效果;通过特异性细胞毒 T淋巴细胞( cytotoxic T lymphocyte,CTL)实验, ICAM Ⅰ、 CD48及新城疫病毒 HN蛋白在肿瘤细胞表面表达检测,探讨 HN蛋白所介导的抑瘤作用.结果:联合应用新城疫病毒及该病毒 HN基因对肿瘤的抑制效果明显好于单独 HN基因及新城疫病毒,抑瘤率达 82.8%,特异性 CTL反应增强,对靶细胞的杀伤率为 18.4%;单独 HN基因及新城疫病毒治疗组的抑瘤率分别为 56.6%、 41.0%,特异性 CTL活性分别为 4.4%、 10.1%;瘤内注射 NDV的肿瘤细胞表面检测到 HN分子的表达, ICAM Ⅰ、 CD48分子表达上调.结论:定位于肿瘤细胞表面的 HN蛋白介导机体对肿瘤细胞的特异性杀伤,联合应用新城疫病毒及该病毒 HN基因显著增强了机体对肿瘤细胞的杀伤效应.     

Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase expression is regulated by E-cadherin through the suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade

To elucidate the role of E-cadherin in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression, we transfected to squamous carcinoma cells with E-cadherin cDNA. HN5 cells and mock-transfected HN5-neo cells expressed proMMP-2 and active MMP-2. E-cadherin-transfected HN5-EC cells produced comparable proMMP-2 but low active MMP-2; and membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) mRNA declined. Phosphorylated ERK, a marker of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade, also declined in HN5-EC cells. The addition of anti-E-cadherin antibody resulted in the disappearance of these alterations in HN5-EC cells. These results suggest that E-cadherin suppresses MAP kinase cascade and down-regulates MT1-MMP.     

Alphavirus vectors as tools in cancer gene therapy

Alphavirus vectors, particularly those based on the replicon of Semliki Forest virus, have shown great potential as gene delivery vehicles for various applications in cancer gene therapy. The rapid production of high-titer recombinant SFV particles, which show impressive transduction rates in various mammalian cell lines, primary cultures and in vivo, results in high levels of transgene expression. Additionally, SFV vectors induce apoptosis in transduced host cells, which can further increase their efficiency in tumor therapy. Because of the broad host range some attempts to target the gene delivery have been engineered for Sindbis virus vectors, where IgG binding domains of protein A have been introduced into the envelope structure of the recombinant particles to allow attachment of virus to host cells through the interaction of protein A with monoclonal antibodies. SFV vectors have also been employed for the production of retrovirus-like particles for establishment of long-term gene expression. Tumor vaccine approaches have been taken by injection of SFV vectors as naked RNA molecules, DNA plasmids or recombinant particles to achieve both therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy. The continuous improvement of alphavirus vectors will further expand the application range in the future.     

Desensitization of human breast-cancer cells by interferon-alpha

Continuous exposure of human breast cancer cells, MCF-7, to interferon-alpha (IFN) induces a state.of non-responsiveness termed as desensitization. mRNA 561 is transiently induced by IFN-alpha in MCF-7 cells, peak cytoplasmic levels are reached by six to twelve hours; the mRNA level declines steadily and is reduced to uninduced levels by forty eight hours. Induction of mRNA 561 was used as an index of responsiveness of cells to IFN-alpha and desensitization was characterized in MCF-7 cells and in MCF-7 cells transfected by the v-H-ras oncogene (MCF-7ras). The kinetics and degree of IFN-mediated induction of mRNA 561 was comparable in both the cell lines. Desensitization was observed in MCF-7 cells and not in MCF-7ras. It was a reversible event, requiring de novo protein synthesis as inclusion of cycloheximide inhibited desensitization. The cellular elements that mediate such a phenomena are elicited by IFNs during the initial phases of IFN action and may be polypeptides. The refractory period, the time after which MCF-7 cells become responsive, was determined to be five days. In conclusion, we demonstrate the use of mRNA 561 induction in evaluating desensitization. Inhibition of protein synthesis or transfection with ras blocks desensitization in MCF-7 cells.     

Adhesive function of newcastle-disease virus hemagglutinin in tumor-host interaction

Infection of metastatic lymphoma cells (ESbL) by a low dose of a non-lytic strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) leads to viral replication followed by strong cell surface expression of viral antigens, especially hemagglutinin neuraminidase (HN). The expressed HN was functional and facilitated cell-cell interactions and cell attachment. This was shown for NDV infected tumor cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The interactions could be strongly inhibited by antibodies against the viral HN protein. Increased binding was also seen with HN c-DNA transfectants expressing the HN as the only viral protein. Viral infection did not influence proliferation and lysability of the infected tumor cells. Following intravenous injection of tumor cells, the number of hepatic metastases was significantly reduced when the cells had been pre-infected with NDV. This reduction of metastases correlated with an increased survival time of the animals. As potential mechanisms of these NDV effects we propose augmentation of cell-eel interactions and immune functions and reduction of invasive capacity of NDV infected, as compared to non-infected tumor cells.     

Selective gene transfer to tumor cells by recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus via a bispecific fusion protein

Much interest exists presently in development of vectors for gene therapy of tumors based on RNA viruses because these viruses replicate in the cytoplasm and do not integrate into DNA. The negative stranded paramyxovirus, Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) from chicken has the additional advantages of preferential replication in tumor cells and of oncolytic and immunostimulatory properties. We here describe the bispecific fusion protein alphaHN-IL-2 which binds to NDV, inhibits its normal cell binding property and introduces a new binding specificity for the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). We demonstrate selective gene transfer to tumor cells expressing IL-2R via the bispecific fusion protein when using recombinant NDV carrying as marker gene the enhanced green fluorescence protein (NDFL-EGFP). Hemadsorption (HA) and neuraminidase activities (NA) of the HN protein of NDV were shown to be blocked by alphaHN-IL-2 simultaneously and the absence of HA-activity of modified NDV was confirmed in vivo. Retargeted virus-binding to IL-2R positive tumor cells was not sufficient for the process of cellular infection. It required in addition membrane fusion via the viral F-protein. By modification of recombinant NDV with a bispecific molecule, our results demonstrate a novel and safe strategy for selective gene transfer to targeted tumor cells.     

Active specific immunotherapy of renal cell carcinoma: cellular and humoral immune responses

We investigated the effect of vaccinating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with irradiated autologous or allogeneic tumor cells and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as adjuvant on cellular and humoral antitumor immunity. By Western blot analysis, we found that vaccination induced antibody formation in 33 of 34 patients against NDV proteins but not against tumor cell related antigens. NDV proteins detected had molecular weights of 53 kDa, 55-56 kDa, and 66 kDa. ADCC by patients' isolated PBMC and patients' sera against autologous or allogeneic tumor cells was not enhanced after vaccine treatment in a nonradioactive cytotoxicity assay. Target cells infected with NDV were lysed more effectively (p < 0.05) in ADCC after vaccination than noninfected targets. Natural cellular cytotoxicity of patients' isolated PBMC was not altered during vaccine treatment. Specific lysis rates against autologous and allogeneic RCC cells not exceeded 10% (effector:target ratio 50:1). Specific lysis of K-562 cells was > 20%; a slight decrease in lysis during vaccination was not significant. Numbers of lymphocyte subsets from patients' peripheral blood analyzed by FACS revealed significant expression of CD20+ (p < 0.02) and CD39+ (p < 0.03) cell numbers by vaccine therapy. Cytokine detection in patients' sera by ELISA showed significant increases (p < 0.05) for IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha but not for IFN-alpha four h post vaccination. Thus, immunomodulation with autologous or allogeneic RCC tumor cell vaccines is mainly due to cytokine induction, whereas tumor specific humoral or cellular responses are not detectable in patients' peripheral blood.     

Semliki Forest virus biodistribution in tumor-free and 4T1 mammary tumor-bearing mice: a comparison of transgene delivery by recombinant virus particles and naked RNA replicon

Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vectors are promising tools for cancer gene therapy because they ensure a high level of transgene expression and a rapid and strong cytopathic effect. However, broad tissue tropism and transient expression make it more difficult to develop an optimal cancer treatment strategy. In this study, we have compared the distribution of recombinant SFV particles (recSFV) and naked viral RNA replicon (recRNA) in tumor-free and 4T1 mammary tumor-bearing mice as a consequence of different vector administration strategies. The high potential of SFV recRNA as a biosafe approach for the development of therapeutic treatment was demonstrated. Intravenous (i.v.) inoculation of recRNA provided primary brain targeting in both tumor-free and 4T1 tumor mouse models, but local intratumoral inoculation revealed a high expression level in tumors. Moreover, we observed the predominant tumor targeting of recSFV at a reduced viral dose on i.v. and intraperitoneal (i.p.) virus inoculation, whereas the dose increase led to a broad virus distribution in mice. To prolong transgene expression, we have tested several i.v. and i.p. reinoculation strategies. A detailed evaluation of vector distribution and readministration properties could have an impact on cancer gene therapy clinical trial safety and efficacy.     

Dendritic cells transfected with tumor RNA for the induction of antitumor CTL in colorectal cancer

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells known, currently tested for vaccination studies in cancer patients. The use of tumor-derived RNA to load DC overcomes the requirement of defined HLA types and the identification of tumor antigens expressed by the tumors. Here, we show that human monocyte-derived DC generated under serum-free conditions by GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-alpha acquire a mature phenotype and expression of the chemokine receptor CCR-7, which plays a pivotal role in DC migration to the afferent lymph nodes. We demonstrate the feasibility of total RNA transfection into such DC using the renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line N43-EGFP, which was stably transfected with an EGFP-encoding vector. Moreover, we show that DC transfected with RNA from colorectal cancer cells present HLA class I-restricted antigenic epitopes to induce a primary antitumor CTL response in vitro. Interestingly, the CTL induced by SW480 RNA also recognized another colon cancer line, HCT116, and the RCC line A498. Our results confirm the feasibility of total RNA transfection of serum-free generated DC for the induction of CTL against colon cancer and RCC cells, and support the relevance of shared tumor rejection epitopes between colorectal cancer and RCC.