Adenovirus-mediated Bcl-2 gene transfer inhibits apoptosis and promotes survival of allogeneic transplanted hepatocytes

BACKGROUND: Donor hepatocyte apoptosis that is induced by host cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) limits the application of hepatocyte transplantation. Hepatocytes from Bcl-2 transgenic mice can resist the lethal effect of anti-Fas antibody. However, the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-2 expression on allogeneic transplanted hepatocytes remains elusive. This study tested the feasibility of Bcl-2 gene transfer as an approach to inhibit CTL-mediated apoptosis in allogeneic transplanted hepatocytes. METHODS: An adenovirus vector that encoded human Bcl-2 gene (AdCMVhBcl-2) was used to transfect cultured rat hepatocytes, which were then transplanted into allogeneic spleens. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation were examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay and immunohistochemistry for active caspase-3, respectively. Cocultivation of hepatocytes and allogeneic CD8(+) T lymphocytes was performed, and cytotoxicity on hepatocytes was examined by alanine transaminase release. RESULTS: Bcl-2 gene transfer inhibited apoptosis and increased liver-associated enzyme activities in allogeneic transplanted hepatocytes, which were associated with inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Alanine transaminase release in hBcl-2 modified hepatocytes was lower compared with controls, which could not be further decreased by inhibition of Fas ligand and granzyme B. CONCLUSIONS: Adenovirus-mediated Bcl-2 gene transfer blocks CTL-mediated apoptosis in allogeneic hepatocytes by inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Bcl-2 gene transfer could be used to promote survival of transplanted hepatocytes.