Prolonged transgene expression in glomeruli using an EBV replicon vector system combined with HVJ liposomes

BACKGROUND: Various gene transfer vectors as well as delivery systems have been developed; however, many problems remain to be solved. We already achieved a technique to introduce genes into glomerular mesangial cells by hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) liposome-mediated gene transfer via renal artery. The main limitation of this method is the transient transgene expression. METHOD: For long-term gene expression in glomeruli, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replicon-based plasmid was employed, containing the latent viral DNA replication origin (oriP) and EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1), which are the minimum EBV component of transgene-nuclear retention. To examine the effect of EBV replicon apparatus on the duration of transgene expression in glomeruli in vivo, the EBV replicon vector pEBActLuc, and the control plasmid vector pActLuc were adopted. These plasmid vectors were transferred into the kidney via renal artery by using artificial viral envelope (AVE)-type HVJ liposome method, and glomerular luciferase activities were analyzed at various time points after transfection. RESULTS: On day 4, pEBActLuc and pActLuc transfer resulted in equal glomerular luciferase activity, and the luciferase gene expression was sustained for at least 56 days in glomeruli transfected with pEBActLuc, whereas it was reduced on seven days in glomeruli transfected with pActLuc. CONCLUSION: The combination of EBV replicon apparatus and HVJ liposomes appears to be a powerful tool for long-term gene expression in vivo, and furthermore, it may be a promising new therapeutic method for the progression of renal disease.     

Gene transfer targeting interstitial fibroblasts by the artificial viral envelope-type hemagglutinating virus of Japan liposome method

BACKGROUND: Tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis are commonly associated with most human glomerular diseases. The degree of tubulointerstitial damage, rather than the glomerular injury, could correlate with the degree of renal functional impairment and accurately predict long-term prognosis. In an effort to understand the pathogenesis of the progressive interstitial fibrosis, we developed a new strategy of gene transfer to the interstitial fibroblasts. METHODS: Either fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) or pEBAct-NlacF expression vector was introduced into the kidney of normal rats retrogradely via ureter by using the artificial viral envelope (AVE)-type hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) liposome method. RESULTS: FITC-labeled ODNs were accumulated diffusely in the nuclei of the interstitial cells in the transfected kidney 10 minutes after transfection, and the interstitial cells were identified as interstitial fibroblasts by immunostaining with ER-TR7. To examine the gene expression in the interstitium, pEBAct-NlacF gene-conjugated HVJ liposome was injected retrogradely through the ureter, and in consequence, nuclear beta-galactosidase activity was continuously observed in interstitial cells at least two weeks after transfection. CONCLUSION: This new strategy of gene transfer to the interstitial fibroblasts is useful for the investigation of the pathophysiology of tubulointerstitial lesion, and furthermore, it may be a promising new therapeutic method for the progression of interstitial fibrosis.     

The efficacy and safety of gene transfer into the porcine liver in vivo by HVJ (Sendai virus) liposome

BACKGROUND: Gene transfer systems using viral vectors are efficient; however, most viral vectors also tend to evoke immunologic reactions, thereby clinically causing serial side effects. HVJ-liposome vector is a hybrid vector consisting of liposome and an inactivated Sendai virus (Hemmagglutinating Virus of Japan [HVJ]), which has been reported to be less immunogenic and can also be repeatedly administered. We examined the usefulness of this vector for hepatic gene therapy in a pig model. METHODS: Genes encoding beta-galactosidase and luciferase were used as reporter genes. The pigs were injected with the reporter gene loaded-HVJ-liposome into the portal vein under total vascular exclusion of the liver. The transfection efficiencies were then assessed by beta-galactosidase staining, a luciferase assay, and RT-PCR for LacZ mRNA. Biochemical and histologic analyses were performed to evaluate tissue toxicity after gene transfer. RESULTS: The luciferase gene expression in the liver reached its highest level at 7 days after transfection. It continued to be detected up to 28 days after transfection, while all pigs remained healthy throughout the observation period. The transfection efficiency was 15% in the hepatocytes according to beta-galactosidase staining. Extrahepatic transgene expression was slightly observed in the lung and kidney, but not in the spleen or ovary. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest for the first time that the use of the HVJ-liposome vector is a safe and feasible modality for liver-directed gene transfer in pigs, and it might therefore be suitable for clinical gene therapy trials.     

Targeting of interstitial cells using a simple gene-transfer strategy.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial fibroblasts are central to the inflammatory response during the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We examined the efficiency of a new gene transfer method that targets interstitial cells by using parenchymal injection of DNA followed by electroporation. METHODS: Fluoresceinisothiocyanate-labelled oligodeoxynucleotides (FITC-ODNs) or expression vectors were directly injected into the cortex of the kidney, followed by electroporation. RESULTS: Transfection with FITC-ODNs or the EGFP expression vector resulted in efficient transfection in interstitial fibroblasts, but not in tubular epithelial cells or glomerular cells. Transfection efficiency was optimal after using a total of 150 microg of DNA in 1000 microl of PBS, combined with clamping of the renal vessels prior to electroporation. Gene expression peaked at 4 days after transfection and decreased by two orders of magnitude at 6 weeks post-transfection; however, expression recovered to near peak levels after parenchymal or intraperitoneal injection of FR901228, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that direct parenchymal injection of DNA combined with electroporation enables gene transfer into interstitial fibroblasts.     

Total vascular exclusion safely facilitates liver specific gene transfer by the HVJ (sendai virus)-liposome method in rats

BACKGROUND: Most virus mediated transfection systems are efficient; however, their highly immunogenic properties do tend to cause clinical problems. HVJ-liposome vector is a hybrid vector consisting of liposome and inactivated sendai virus (hemagglutinating virus of Japan HVJ), which has been reported to be have a low immunogenicity, while it can also be repeatedly administered. To enhance the transfection efficiency, especially in the liver, we investigated the efficacy of total vascular exclusion (TVE) during the portal vein injection (PVI) of the vectors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: beta-galactosidase and luciferase expression were used as reporter genes. Wistar rats were injected with HVJ-liposome through PVI without TVE (PVI group, n = 10) or PVI with TVE (PVI + TVE group, n = 10). The control rats were infused with equal volumes of saline through the portal vein (control group n = 12). The transfection efficiencies were assessed by beta-galactosidase staining and a luciferase assay. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed to evaluate the tissue toxicity after gene transfer. RESULTS: The reporter genes expression in the liver dramatically increased after PVI + TVE in comparison to after PVI alone (1.2 x 10(5)versus 1.5 x 10(4) RLU/mg protein, P < 0.05 according to a luciferase assay). Notably, the extrahepatic "leaky" transgene expression could be minimized by PVI + TVE, whereas the general condition remained unchanged according to both the biochemical parameters and histological findings. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that PVI + TVE may thus facilitate the liver-specific gene delivery using the HVJ-liposome method and this modality might also be applicable to other gene transfer systems.     

Gene transfer into rat renal cells using adeno-associated virus vectors

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have a number of attractive features, including lack of cytotoxicity, ability to transduce nondividing cells, and long-term transgene expression. We investigated whether rat renal cells could be efficiently transduced with AAV vectors. Rat glomerular mesangial cells were transduced with AAV-lacZ vector containing beta-galactosidase gene in vitro, and the expression of beta-galactosidase was evaluated by X-gal staining and ELISA. For ex vivo experiments, sections of rat kidneys were incubated with AAV-lacZ, and then evaluated by X-gal histochemical staining. The level of beta-galactosidase expression in cultured rat mesangial cells increased in a dose-dependent manner (ranging from 1 x 10(5) to 5 x 10(6) particles/cell). When transduced with 5 x 10(6) vector particles/cell of AAV-lacZ, about 50% of mesangial cells were stained positively with X-gal, and the level of beta-galactosidase expression reached 9.9 +/- 1.5 ng/mg protein. Expression was detectable during the culture period for at least 7 days. X-gal histochemical examination of the ex vivo transduced renal tissue revealed tubular cell and interstitial tissue staining. However, gene transfer was not clearly observed in glomeruli. These findings suggest that AAV vectors have the potential for gene therapy of renal diseases.     

DNAzyme for TGF-beta suppressed extracellular matrix accumulation in experimental glomerulonephritis

BACKGROUND: We developed an electroporation-mediated gene transfer method targeting glomerular mesangial cells. Injecting DNA solution via renal artery followed by electric pulses using tweezers-type electrodes could result in efficient transfection in mesangial cells. Therefore, this gene transfer system opened a feasible strategy to manipulate the function of several cytokines and growth factors in mesangial cells. Recently, a new generation of catalytic nucleic acid composed of DNA, named DNA enzyme (DNAzyme), has been developed. METHOD: We generated a DNAzyme (TGFDE) targeting transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and examined the therapeutic effect of TGFDE in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In cultured rat mesangial cells, treatment with TGFDE blocked TGF-beta1 mRNA expression, and thereby suppressed type I collagen mRNA expression. Next, we introduced TGFDE or scrambled DNAzyme (TGFSCR) into anti-Thy-1 model of nephritic rats by electroporation 3 days after disease induction. Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that glomerular message and protein expression of TGF-beta1, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and type I collagen were suppressed in TGFDE-transfected nephritic rats compared with untreated nephritic rats and TGFSCR-transfected rats on day 7. Consequently, we observed significant reduction in glomerular matrix score in TGFDE-transfected nephritic rats. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of TGF-beta1 expression by electroporation-mediated DNAzyme transfer might be useful for the therapy of glomerulonephritis.     

Local actions of endogenous angiotensin II in injured glomeruli

A previous study showed that exogenous angiotensin II (AngII) induces proliferation of glomerular cells through systemic actions of AngII. In the present study, the authors examined the mode of actions of endogenous AngII in injured kidneys that were made deficient in AT1 by using in vivo transfection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN). Thy-1 nephritis was induced in rats by injection of mAb 1-22-3. Four days later, glomerular transfection was performed by unilateral whole-kidney electroporation after AT1 AS-ODN delivery through the left renal artery (n = 7). The expression of renal AT1 was assessed by autoradiography. The effect of the AS-ODN transfection was assessed 3 d later and compared with transfection with control ODN (n = 6), systemically administered pharmacologic AT1 antagonist losartan (n = 5) as well as untreated Thy-1 animals (n = 5). Fluorescence-labeled AS-ODN was found transfected in almost all glomeruli and localized primarily to the mesangium. Compared with the contralateral untransfected kidney in both normal and Thy-1 rats, AS-ODN suppressed cortical AT1 expression by some 70%. The AS-ODN transfected kidneys of Thy-1 rats had significantly lower glomerular mesangial cell proliferation (7.38 +/- 0.68 cells/glomerulus) and extracellular matrix accumulation (0.262 +/- 0.009) than kidneys transfected with control ODN (10.94 +/- 0.51 cells/glomerulus and 0.342 +/- 0.031), contralateral untransfected kidneys (9.56 +/- 1.01 cells/glomerulus and 0.371 +/- 0.011), or kidneys that were exposed to Thy-1 alone (10.45 +/- 1.06 cells/glomerulus and 0.359 +/- 0.013). There were no significant differences in systolic BP among groups. In glomeruli, immunohistochemistry detected no difference in AT2 receptor expression, number of ED1-positive macrophages or number of apoptotic cells among groups. Thus, in renal injury induced by Thy-1 nephritis, selective suppression of mesangial AT1 expression by AS-ODN significantly reduced mesangial cell proliferation and matrix. These data provide in vivo evidence that injured glomeruli are sensitive to local tissue actions of AngII, which promote proliferation and matrix accumulation within the glomerulus.     

Nonviral and viral gene transfer to the kidney in the context of transplantation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Local modulation of the immune response through genetic manipulation of the graft is an attractive novel approach to overcome the toxicity of immunosuppressive therapy to prevent acute graft rejection. We have previously reported that the cationic polymer polyethylenimine 25k (PEI 25k) transduced reporter genes when injected into the renal artery, but with a low transfection efficiency. Here we compare the risk/benefit profiles of such a nonviral versus a viral technique of gene transfer to the kidney in the context of renal transplantation. METHODS: Donor kidneys from Lewis rats were perfused in a closed circuit with an artificial cell-free medium containing PEI 25k complexed to an expression vector coding for the beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene and subsequently transplanted in a syngeneic animal. In a second set of experiments, donor kidneys were injected or perfused with a replication-deficient adenovirus encoding the beta-gal gene (AdCMV. beta-gal; 1 x 10(9) plaque-forming units) before transplantation. RESULTS: Perfusion of the kidney with PEI 25k/DNA complexes resulted in large areas of hypoperfusion characterized by injured glomeruli and tubuli, capillary thrombosis and accumulation of C3 in glomerular capillaries. Reperfusion of the kidney was achieved by lowering the PEI 25k/DNA ratio, but no detectable transfection was observed. In animals receiving adenovirus, the beta-gal activity increased with time and was localized mainly in proximal and distal tubular cells, as documented by beta-gal histochemistry and in situ hybridization. A significantly increased expression of beta-gal was achieved by perfusion of the kidney with AdCMV.beta-gal before transplantation, beta-gal staining mainly localizing in proximal and distal tubular cells. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike nonviral methods of gene delivery, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to the kidney offers exciting perspectives for the development of molecular medicine in the field of organ transplantation.     

In vivo transfer of a neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression vector into the rat bladder by electroporation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of in vivo gene transfer by attempting to transfer the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene into rat bladder using electroporation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bladder was exposed through an abdominal midline incision in 8-week-old male rats. Plasmid DNA of the marker genes green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase, and the nNOS gene, was then injected into the subserosal space of the bladder and electroporation applied. At 72 h after gene transfer, GFP and luciferase were assayed in the isolated bladder and immunohistochemical staining used to detect nNOS; NO(x) released from isolated bladder strips was also assessed using microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: From the luciferase assay, 45 V, 1 Hz, 50 ms and eight pulses were selected as the optimum conditions for electroporation. Bladder specimens with GFP genes injected by electroporation showed bright and numerous sites of GFP expression in the smooth muscle layer. In rats with the nNOS gene injected by electroporation there was marked nNOS immunoreactivity, and NO(x) released from bladder strips was significantly greater than in the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that electroporation is a useful technique for in vivo gene transfer into rat bladder smooth muscles, and that the nNOS gene transferred by this procedure functionally expresses and contributes to NO production.     

乙肝病毒L颗粒作为肝癌靶向性基因治疗载体的研究

目的 评估乙肝病毒L蛋白颗粒作为一种新型肝癌靶向性基因治疗转运载体的可行性.方法 通过电穿孔方法(电压=400 V,脉冲时间=60 us,pGFP:L颗粒=4:10)将绿色荧光表达质粒pGFP导入乙肝病毒L颗粒,形成的L/pGFP颗粒转染各种肝来源细胞株以及非肝来源细胞株,以脂质体作为对照转染相同细胞株,荧光湿微镜检测各细胞株基因转运效率.结果 L/pG-FP颗粒对各种肝来源细胞株均保持较高的转染效率.对正常肝来源细胞L02的转染效率(67.0±2.6)%低于肝癌细胞株HepG2(75.0±3.5)%和7721(72.0±2.3)%,然而均显著高于脂质体的转染效率(P<0.05).非肝来源的乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7不能被L/pGFP颗粒有效转染.未接受电穿孔的L颗粒+pGFP混合液不能有效转染任何细胞株.结论 L颗粒能特异性、高效转运外源性基因至各种肝来源细胞,可作为一种安全高效的靶向性转运载体用于肝癌的基因治疗.     

Gene transfer to the rat kidney in vivo and ex vivo using an adenovirus vector: factors influencing transgene expression.

BACKGROUND: The characteristics of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into the kidney are not well examined. We studied the effects of contact time and temperature on adenovirus-mediated transgene expression in rat kidneys, using catheter-based in vivo gene transfer and a rat renal transplant model ex vivo. METHODS: An adenovirus vector containing the luciferase (Ad-Luc) or beta-galactosidase (Ad-LacZ) gene was introduced in vivo into the kidney via a renal artery catheter. Various contact times and temperatures were evaluated. Ex vivo, the renal graft was injected with Ad-Luc through the renal artery, chilled for 60 min and then transplanted. Luciferase expression was evaluated periodically by a non-invasive bioimaging system or histology. Cells expressing the LacZ gene were identified by immunoelectron microscopy. RESULTS: In in vivo gene transfer, successful transgene expression was achieved; however, its efficiency was independent of contact time or temperature. In ex vivo gene transfer, transgene expression in the renal graft peaked early and gradually decreased. Strong gene expression was observed in the recipients' livers. LacZ expression was detected in fibroblasts, parietal epithelial cells of Bowman's capsule, mesangial cells, podocytes and tubular cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study generated new information about in vivo and ex vivo gene transfer into the kidney, which would be useful for renal gene therapy.     

Transplanted mesenchymal stem cells accelerate glomerular healing in experimental glomerulonephritis

Bone marrow-derived cells contribute to glomerular cell turnover and repair, but the cell types involved are unknown. Whether rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can accelerate recovery from damage in rat mesangioproliferative anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis was studied. After injection into the left renal artery on day 2 after disease induction, fluorescently labeled MSC were detected in 20 to 50% of glomeruli and rare intrarenal vessels but not in the tubulointerstitium, in contralateral kidneys, or in medium controls. In control experiments, injected mesangial cells were detected less frequently in glomeruli in comparison with injected MSC. In nephritic outbred Wistar rats, MSC injection led to an approximately 50% reduction of mesangiolysis on days 4 and 6 after disease induction, accompanied by three- to four-fold higher intraglomerular cell proliferation on day 4 and more rapid mesangial reconstitution as detected by alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. Injection of MSC into tail veins or intra-arterial injection of mesangial cells instead of MSC failed to reproduce any of these findings. In inbred Lewis rats, anti-Thy1.1 nephritis followed an aggravated course with transient acute renal failure. Acute renal failure was ameliorated by MSC injection into the left renal artery on day 2 after disease induction. Again, MSC led to more rapid recovery from mesangiolysis, increased glomerular cell proliferation, and reduction of proteinuria by 28%. Double immunostaining of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled MSC for endothelial, mesangial, or monocyte/macrophage antigens showed that 85 to 95% of MSC that localized in glomeruli on day 6 failed to express these markers. In vitro, MSC secreted high amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor and TGF-beta1 but not PDGF-BB. In conclusion, even low numbers of MSC can markedly accelerate glomerular recovery from mesangiolytic damage possibly related to paracrine growth factor release and not to differentiation into resident glomerular cell types or monocytes/macrophages.     

血管内皮生长因子基因稳定转染兔骨髓基质干细胞的研究

目的 检测人血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)基因稳定转染对兔骨髓基质干细胞(BM-SC)VEGF表达的影响.方法 分离并培养兔骨髓基质干细胞,利用脂质体介导pcDNA3.1-VEGF165转染兔BMSC,G418筛选稳定表达pcDNA3.1-VEGFl65的细胞克隆,RT-PCR、Western blot法检测转染前后细胞中VEGF165 mRNA和蛋白的表达.结果 通过筛选获得了稳定表达pcDNA3.1-VEGF165的细胞克隆.逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、Western blot结果显示:稳定转染组BMSC中可检测到VEGF165 mRNA和蛋白的表达,空白和空载体组未见VEGF表达.结论 pcDNA3.1-VEGF165载体转染的兔BMSC可稳定表达外源性VEGF165 mRNA和蛋白,可作为治疗骨缺损和骨缺血性坏死研究的种子细胞.     

Transduction of rabbit saphenous artery: a comparison of naked DNA, liposome complexes, and adenovirus vectors.

The methods and efficiency of gene transfer into rabbit saphenous artery were examined in this study. The purpose was to develop an animal model capable of evaluating the use of angiogenic gene therapy to revascularize necrotic bone more rapidly and completely than by surgical implantation of blood vessels alone. The success of transduction using adenovirus vectors, liposome/DNA complexes, and naked DNA was evaluated with delivery to both intra-luminal and adventitial sites. Intra-luminal and adventitial (extra-luminal) application was used for the viral and liposome methods. Naked DNA was evaluated only in the intra-luminal site, based upon previous reports. Relative transduction success was expressed as the percentage of total cells with beta-galactosidase activity. A 20-mm length of saphenous artery exposed surgically was targeted for lacZ gene transfer. Two days after transduction, the arteries were harvested and stained with X-gal for beta-galactosidase activity. The percentage of endothelial, media and adventitial cells with beta-galactosidase activity was determined. Intra-arterial injection of adenovirus vector transduced the largest amount of cells in all three areas of the vessel (endothelium, media and adventitia). The adenovirus vectors when applied to the adventitia only transduced adventitial cells. Following intra-arterial injection of liposome/DNA complexes transduction was detected only in endothelium. Extra-luminal liposome and intra-arterial naked DNA delivery resulted in no detectable gene transfer. Intra-arterial delivery of an adenovirus vector would likely provide optimal gene transfer for possible angiogenic gene therapy.     

Electroporation enhances transfection efficiency in murine cutaneous wounds

Transfection of wounds with DNA-encoding growth factors has the potential to improve healing, but current means of nonviral gene delivery are inefficient. Repeated high doses of DNA, necessary to achieve reliable gene expression, are detrimental to healing. We assessed the ability of in vivo electroporation to enhance gene expression. Full-thickness cutaneous excisional wounds were created on the dorsum of female mice. A luciferase- encoding plasmid driven by a CMV promoter was injected at the wound border. Following plasmid administration, electroporative pulses were applied to injection sites. Pulse parameters were varied over a range of voltage, duration, and number. Animals were euthanized at intervals after transfection and the luciferase activity measured. Application of electric pulses consistently increased luciferase expression. The electroporative effect was most marked at a plasmid dose of 50 micro g, where an approximate tenfold increase was seen. Six 100- micro s-duration pulses of 1750 V/cm were found to be the most effective in increasing luciferase activity. High numbers of pulses tended to be less effective than smaller numbers. This optimal electroporation regimen had no detrimental effect on wound healing. We conclude that electroporation increases the efficiency of transgene expression and may have a role in gene therapy to enhance wound healing.     

脂质体介导的单纯疱疹胸苷激酶基因在人前列腺癌细胞中的表达

目的：提取并鉴定已构建的EB病毒表达载体pDR2-TK，利用脂质体介导的基因转染技术将pDR2-TK转染人前列腺癌细胞并对单纯疱疹胸苷激酶（HSV－TK）表达状况进行检测。方法：采用DNA大量制备及纯化系统提取pDR2-TK，酶切和DNA测序进行鉴定，采用阳离子脂质体法将pDR2-TK导入激素非依赖性人前列腺癌细胞系PC－3m，逆转录PCR（RT－PCR）法和SABC免疫组化法检测TK mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果：扩增提取的质粒经PstⅠ和EcoR Ⅴ酶切后各获得4个及2个片段，与原基因酶切图谱一致；所提取质粒PCR产物经DNA测序，与NCBI公布的HSV－TK基因序列对照，证实所提取质粒含目的基因序,旨质体法转染PC－3m细胞后，mRNA和蛋白均有HSV－TK的表达，其蛋白表达率约为22％。结论：pDR2-TK质粒含有目的的基因HSV－TK，阳离子脂质体法可将pDR2-TK导入人前列腺癌细胞并获得较高效率的表达。