Gene transfer into primary cultures of fetal neural stem cells by a recombinant adenovirus carrying the gene for green fluorescent protein

Objective: To evaluate the transduction efficiency of a recombinant adenovirus carrying the gene for green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP) into the primary cultures of fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) by the expression of GFP. Methods: The Ad-GFP was constructed by homologous recombination in bacteria with the AdEasy system; NSCs were isolated from rat fetal hippocampus and cultured as neurosphere suspensions. After infection with the recombinant Ad-GFP, NSCs were examined with a fluorescent microscopy and a flow cytometry for their expression of GFP. Results: After the viral infection, flow cytometry analysis revealed that the percentage of GFP-positive cells was as high as 97.05%. The infected NSCs sustained the GFP expression for above 4 weeks. After differentiated into astrocytes or neurons, they continued to express GFP efficiently. Conclusion: We have success- fully constructed a viral vector Ad-GFP that can efficiently infect the primary NSCs. The reporter gene was showed fully and sustained expression in the infected cells as well as their differentiated progenies.

Recombinant adenovirus containing hyper-interleukin-6 and hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates acute-on-chronic liver failure in rats

AIM: To investigate the protective efficacy of recombinant adenovirus containing hyper-interleukin-6 (Hyper-IL-6, HIL-6) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (Ad-HGF-HIL-6) compared to that of recombinant adenovirus containing either HIL-6 or HGF (Ad-HIL-6 or Ad-HGF) in rats with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).METHODS: The recombinant adenoviruses containing HIL-6 and/or HGF were constructed. We established an ACLF model, and rats were randomly assigned to control, model, Ad-GFP, Ad-HIL-6, Ad-HGF or Ad-HGF-HIL-6 group. We collected serum and liver tissue samples to test pathological changes, biochemical indexes and molecular biological indexes.RESULTS: Attenuated alanine aminotransferase, prothrombin time, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), endotoxin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon-γ were observed in the Ad-HGF-, Ad-HIL-6- and Ad-HGF-HIL-6-treated rats with ACLF. Likewise, reduced hepatic damage and apoptotic activity, as well as reduced HMGB1 and Bax proteins, but raised expression of Ki67 and Bcl-2 proteins and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were also observed in the Ad-HGF-, Ad-HIL-6- and Ad-HGF-HIL-6-treated rats with ACLF. More significant changes were observed in the Ad-HGF-HIL-6 treatment group without obvious side effects. Furthermore, caspase-3 at the protein level decreased in the Ad-HIL-6 and Ad-HGF-HIL-6 treatment groups, more predominantly in the latter group.CONCLUSION: This study identifies that the protective efficacy of Ad-HGF-HIL-6 is more potent than that of Ad-HGF or Ad-HIL-6 in ACLF rats, with no significant side effects.

Construction of the recombinant adenovirus vector carrying antisense multidrug resistance gene

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance proteins serve as transporters for chemical drugs in human malignancies. The objective of this study was to construct a homologous recombinant adenovirus carrying a reversal fragment of multidrug resistance gene 1 (mdr1) gene cDNA sequence. METHODS: The fragment of the mdr1 gene from the plasmid pHaMDRI-1 carrying the whole human mdr1 cDNA sequence was inserted reversely into the shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV of adenoviral vector system AdEasy. The homologous recombination process was taken place in E. coli BJ5183 with the backbone plasmid pAdEasy-1. After packaging in 293 cells, recombinant adenoviral plasmid was generated. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction endonucleases digest, DNA sequence analysis and fluorescence microscopic photograph, respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant adenovirus pAdEasy-GFPASmdr1 was successfully constructed and identified by PCR, restriction digest, and sequencing with strong green fluorescence expression in fluorescence microscopic photograph. CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant adenoviral mdr1 vector would introduce the antisense mdr1 gene into the human multidrug resistance hepatocellular cell fine effectively, which would provide an experimental basis to study the multidrug resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Construction of Rat Calcineurin A α cDNA Recombinant Adenovirus Vector and Its Identification

Rat calcineurin （CAN） A a isoform （Ppp3ca） cDNA recombinant adenovirus vector was constructed in order to explore the effect of CaN on the myocardium apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. Total RNA was isolated from the heart of the adult Wistar rht, and Ppp3ca CDS segment of approximate 1.59 kb size was amplified by reverse transcriptional PCR method. Ppp3ca cDNA segment was cloned into pMD18-T Simple vector for sequencing, and the right clone was named T-Ppp3ca. Ppp3ca cDNA segment obtained from T-Ppp3ca was ligated with pShuttle2-IRES-EGFP to construct a recombinant plasmid pShuttle2-Ppp3ca-IRES-EGFP. Ppp3ca-IRES-EG- FP expression cassette containing CMV, Ppp3ca-IRES-EGFP and SV40 polyA DNA fragment （3.97 kb） obtained from pShuttle2-Ppp3ca-IRES-EGFP was connected with pAdeno-X backbone sequence to construct a recombinant plasmid pAdeno Ppp3ca. After being identified by PCR and enzyme digestion, recombinant plasmid pAdeno-Ppp3ca was packaged in HEK293 cells. Supernatant of adenovirus from HEK293 cells was collected after a visible cytopathic effect （CPE） appeared. The DNA of the recombinant adenovirus was extracted with the standard method. The presence of the recombinant adenovirus was verified by PCR. The results showed that sequencing results verified that the PCR product of Ppp3ca gene was identical to GenBank. Agarose electrophoresis showed the bands of recombined plasmid pAdeno-Ppp3ca and the recombinant adenovirus identified by enzyme digestion and PCR were in the right range corresponding with expectation. It was concluded that the recombinant adenovirus carrying rat calcineurin A a （Ppp3ca） cDNA as well as a report gene-enhancer green fluorescent protein gene was successfully constructed in this experiment.

EXPRESSION AND GLYCOSYLATION OF ROTAVIRUS STRAIN SA11 VP4 PROTEIN IN A RECOMBINANT ADENOVIRUS

Objective. Using a recombinant human adenovirus to express modified VP4 gene of rotavirus SA11 strain. Methods. A whole VP4 gene was obtained with PCR and induced the signal peptide at the gene N terminal. The chimera gene was cloned into pCMV plasmid that consists of human cytomegalovirus promoter, and then the gene was cloned to the transfer vector of human adenovirus type 5. Homologous recombination was performed by co- transfection to 293 cell lines with recombinant plasmid and viral genome using CaPO4 precipitation. Results. No mutation was found in the whole VP4 gene sequence of 2362 base pair. The expressed product in recombinant adenovirus was confirmed to be specific and more antigenicity by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Both the Western blot and immunoprecipitation assay showed that the molecular mass of the expressed protein was higher than the wild type VP4 protein, and that the modified product was corresponding to a glycosylation of VP4 protein. Conclusion. To modify the target gene might be an effective method to enhance the stability, antigenicity and immunogenicity of expressed protein.

Generation and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Adenovirus Co-Expressing the E2 Protein of Classical Swine Fever Virus and the GP5 Protein of Porcine Reproduction and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

Classical swine fever （CSF） and porcine reproduction and respiratory syndrome （PRRS） are both economically important, highly contagious diseases of swine worldwide. To develop an effective vaccine to control these two diseases, we constructed a recombinant adenovirus rAdV-GP52AE2, using a replication-defective human adenovirus serotype 5 as a delivery vector, to co-express the GP5 protein of highly pathogenic porcine reproduction and respiratory syndrome virus （PRRSV） and the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus （CSFV）. Foot-and-mouth disease virus （FMDV） 2A peptide was used as a linker between the GP5 and E2 proteins to allow automatic self-cleavage of the polyprotein. The GP5 and E2 genes were expressed as demonstrated by immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting. Immunization of mice resulted in a CSFV-neutralizing antibody titer of 1：128 and a PRRSV-neutralizing antibody titer of 1：16. The lymphoproliferative responses were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the stimulation index of CFSV-specific and PRRSV-specific lymphocytes in the rAdV-GP52AE2 group was significantly higher than that in the negative control group. The results show that rAdV-GP52AE2 can induce both effective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in mice. The protective efficacy of the recombinant virus against CSF was evaluated in immunized rabbits, which were protected from fever induced by challenge with C-strain. Our study provides supporting evidence for the use of FMDV 2A to develop a bivalent genetically-engineered vaccine.

Recombinant adenovirus-mediated overexpression of 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase

3β-Hydroxysteroid-△24 reductase （DHCR24） is a multifunctional enzyme that localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and has neuroprotective and cholesterol-synthesizing activities. DHCR24 overexpression confers neuroprotection against apoptosis caused by amyloid β deposition. The present study aimed to construct two recombinant adenoviruses driving DHCR24 expression specifically in neurons. Two SYN1 promoter DNA fragments were obtained from human （h） and rat （r）. Recombinant Ad-r（h）SYN1-DHCR24 was transfected into AD-293, N2A （mouse neuroblastoma）, and MIN6 （mouse pancreatic carcinoma） cells. Western blot analysis showed DHCR24 was specially expressed in 293 and N2A cells, but no specific band was found in MIN6 cells. This demonstrates that the recombinant adenoviruses successfully express DHCR24, and no expression is observed in non-neuronal cells. TUNEL assay results showed apoptosis was inhibited in adenovirus-transfected neurons. Detecting reactive oxygen species by immunoflu- orescence, we found that adenovirus transfection inhibits apoptosis through scavenging excess reactive oxygen species. Our findings show that the recombinant DHCR24 adenoviruses induce neuron-specific DHCR24 expression, and thereby lay the foundation for further studies on DHCR24 gene therapy for Alzheimer＇s disease.

Rapid construction of phosphatase and tensin homolog-deleted on chromosome ten gene recombinant adenovirus using the AdEasy system

Recent studies have shown that phosphatase and tensin homolog-deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN） gene plays an important role in ischemic brain damage and synaptic plasticity. The AdEasy system, which has been widely used, greatly simplifies preparation of recombinant adenovirus. Therefore, recombinant defective adenovirus vector carrying human PTEN tumor suppressor gene （Ad-PTEN） was constructed using the AdEasy-1 system and was transfected into HEK293 cells for packaging and amplification. Infection efficiency and expression intensity were observed in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons infected with Ad-PTEN in vitro. Results revealed a cytopathic effect in green fluorescent protein expression, which increased with prolonged time. After three cycles of amplification, the adenovirus titer was increased to an adequate titer for infecting hippocampal neurons. The entire process typically requires 4-5 weeks for completion. Results suggested that recombinant defective adenovirus vector carrying the PTEN gene was successfully and rapidly constructed using the AdEasy system.

Optical control after transfection of channelrhodopsin-2 recombinant adenovirus in visual cortical cells

Channelrhodopsin-2 ectopically expressed in the retina can recover the response to blue light in genetically blind mice and rats, but is unable to restore visual function due to optic nerve or optic tract lesions. Long Evans rats at postnatal day 1 were used for primary culture of visual cortical cells and 24 hours later, cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus carrying channelrhodopsin-2 and green fluorescent protein genes. After 2 4 days of transfection, green fluorescence was visible in the cultured cells. Cells were stimulated with blue light （470 nm）, and light-induced action potentials were recorded in patch-clamp experiments. Our findings indicate that channelrhodopsin-2-recombinant adenovirus transfection of primary cultured visual cortical cells can control the production of action potentials via blue light stimulation.

Construction and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Adenovirus Expressing the HA Gene of H5N1 Subtype Swine Influenza Virus

To construct a recombinant adenovirus shuttle plasmid pDC315-H5HA-EGFP,the HA gene of A/Swine/Fujian/1/2001(H5N1) was amplified by RT-PCR and then inserted into adenovirus shuttle plasmid pDC315.A replication-defective recombinant adenovirus expressing the HA gene(rAd-H5HA-EGFP) was generated by co-transfecting the recombinant shuttle plasmid pDC315-H5HA-EGFP and the genomic plasmid pBHGlox△E1,E3Cre in HEK293 cells.The recombinant adenovirus was confirmed by PCR,RT-PCR and Western blot assay.These results demonstrated that HA protein was properly expressed by the rAd-H5HA-EGFP in HEK293 cells and had natural biological activities.The TCID50 of the rAd-H5HA- EGFP was assessed to be 2.26×1010/mL after propagation and purification.Immunization of BALB/ c mice indicated that rAd-H5HA-EGFP induced HI antibodies and protected mice from replication of the challenge virus in their lungs.

Construction of Recombinant Adenovirus Carrying GRIM19 and Its Effect on SW480 Cells

In order to examine the effect of GRIM19 on colon cancer cell SW480, the recombinant adenovirus carrying GRIM19 gene was constructed and transfected into SW480 cells. GRIM19 cDNA was amplified by PCR with the template pcxn2-GRIM19 and cloned into the shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV. The plasmid pAdTrack-CMV-GRIM19 was linearized by PmeⅠ and homologously recombined with bone plasmid pAdEasy-1 in BJ5183, followed by identification by enzyme digestion. After transfection of linearized pAd-GRIM19 with PacⅠ into HEK293 cells, Ad-GRIM19 was obtained and amplified by 3 circles. SW480 cells were infected with Ad-GRIM19. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. Agarose electrophoresis revealed the bands of recombinant plasmids identified by enzyme digestion were in the right range corresponding with expectation. Under the fluorescent microscopy, the package of Ad-GRIM19 in HEK293 cells and the expression of Ad-GRIM19 in SW480 cells were observed. The transfection of Ad-GRIM19 into SW480 cells increased the apoptosis rate of SW480 cells as compared with controls, It was concluded that Ad-GRIM19 was successfully constructed and the overexpression of GRIM19 in colon cancer cell lines could promote the apoptotic cell death.

The therapy and mechanisms of replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus Ad-p14ARF in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect and mechanisms of recombinant adenovirus Ad-p14ARF in hepatocel- lular carcinoma cell lines. Methods: Morphology and trypan blue assay were adopted to evaluate the proliferation of different liver cancer cells after Ad-p14ARF infection. Cell apoptosis was confirmed by detecting phosphatidylserine (PS) externaliza- tion with Annexin V/PI double staining. Western blotting assay analyzed the expression of related proteins. Subcutaneous tumor model of BEL7402 was established to evaluate the therapeutic ability of Ad-p14ARF. Results: Ad-p14ARF suppressed cell growth, proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis of cancer cell lines with different genetic background. Ad-p14ARF in- hibited growth of liver cancer cells (HepG2, BEL7402) in a dose-dependent manner. Ad-p14ARF leaded to overexpression of Bax and p21, which were the downstream regulating genes of p53. Ad-p14ARF suppressed tumor growth significantly in the experimental therapy in nude mice bearing subcutaneous tumor of BEL7402. Conclusion: P14ARF gene is a powerful tumor suppressor gene to be used in cancer gene therapy. It may play an important role in gene therapy against the malignancies in the future.

Intratracheal administration of recombinant adenovirus containing IL-18 gene in treatment of experimental metastatic lung carcinoma

Objective: To study the treatment of experimental metastatic lung carcinoma by intratracheal injection of IL-l8 gene recombinant adenovirus. Methods: (1)The mouse IL-18 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, and the concentration of IL-18 and associated cytokines in lung lavages and blood were determined by ELISA at different time points after intratracheal injection of IL-18 recombinant adenovirus. (2)The lung metastasis nodes, mouse survival periods and survival rates were evaluated. NK activity and CTL activity were determined by 51Cr 4 h release method. Results: (1) IL-18 mRNA was detectable in lung tissue 6 h after intratracheal use of IL-18 recombinant adenovirus. and the concentration of IL-18 in lung lavage was higher than that in peripheral blood. Neither IL-18 mRNA nor IL-18 was detectable in control group. (2) Intratracheal use of IL-18 recombinant adenovirus resulted in increased CTL and NK activity, longer survival time and higher survival rates compared with the control group, showing significant therapeutic effect on expermental lung metastasis. Conclusion: Intratracheal use of adenovirus vector containing IL- 18 gene has therapeutic effect on the lung metastasis, denoting that gene therapy of lung diseases could be applied through airway directly with recombinant adenovirus.

Construction of recombinant type 5 adenovirus expressing human DBC2 gene in bladder cancer cells

Objective:The aim of the study was to construct recombinant type 5 adenovirus expressing the human DBC2(deleted in breast cancer 2) gene for in vitro and in vivo assay in human bladder cancer research.Methods:The human DBC2 gene was first subcloned into a shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV.After recombining with pAdEasy-1 vector in BJ5183 cells,the new recombinant vector pAdEasy-DBC2-CMV was transfected into HEK-293 cells to produce adenovirus.The human bladder cancer cell line T24 was infected with DBC2-containing adenovirus particles.Both RNA and protein were collected from cells harvested at 72 h after infection.Real time quantitative PCR(qPCR) and Western blot were used to examine mRNA and protein levels.Fluorescence microscopy was utilized to observe the expression of reporter green fluorescence protein.Results:Electrophoresis showed there was a 2.2 kb size band produced from high fidelity PCR.Pac I digest of the final produced recombinant vector yielded band sizes of approximately 30 kb and 4.5 kb.After virus infection with the pAdEasy-DBC2-CMV vector,the T24 cell line was observed to highly express green fluorescence protein under a fluorescence microscope.qPCR and Western blot assay identified that the DBC2 gene was overexpressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in virus transfected cells.Conclusion:By using the pAdEasy adenovirus system,we successfully constructed an adenovirus that could highly overexpress the tumor suppressor DBC2 gene in a bladder cancer cell line.This viral construct would be widely used for our further research in gene functional assays and gene therapy in bladder cancer.

Combined use of Ad-hENDO-VEGI_(151) and Dexamethasone for prevention and treatment of keratoplasty rejection:an experimental study

Objective：To evaluate the probability and efficacy of endostatin-vascular endothelial growth inhibitor （VEGI） recombinant adenoviruses combined with dexamethasone on suppressing heterolamellar corneal transplantation rejection. Methods： Heterolamellar corneal transplantation models were established in 64 New Zealand rabbits, which were randomized into 4 groups of 16 rabbits each. After the transplantation, all the 64 right eyes were injected subconjunctively with 0.2 ml saline （saline group）, 0. 1 ml AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 plus 0. 1 ml saline （AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 group）, 0. 1 ml Dexamethasone （DXM） plus 0.1 ml saline （DXM group）, 0. 1 ml AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 plus 0. 1 ml DXM （AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM group） with one time each 3 days for 10 times. Graft survival and ocular surface were observed for 6 weeks. The fusion protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry 6 weeks after transplantation. Results： Both the CNV index, rejection index and the xenograft rejection rate in the AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM group were statistically lower than those in other groups. AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM group： 1. 375 0±0. 500 0, 2. 750 0 ±1. 843 9 and 6.25% respectively 6 week after keratoplasty; Saline group： 3. 437 5±0. 512 3, 8. 812 5± 1. 108 7, 100. 00%; AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 group： 2. 312 5±0. 478 7, 5. 625 0±0. 957 4, 62.50%; DXM group： 3. 000 0±0. 816 5, 5. 562 5±1. 315 0, 56.25% （P〈0.01）. Immunohistochemical staining showed the fusion protein expressed mainly in corneal epithelium. Conclusion： The fusion protein expressed by the recombinant adenovirus has significant effect on inhibiting neovascularization after heterolamellar corneal transplantation. The topical application of AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM suppressed effectively the postoperative xenograft rejection rate of heterolamellar corneal transplantation.

Inhibition of Dual Specific Oncolytic Adenovirus on Esophageal Cancer via Activation of Caspases by a Mitochondrial-dependent Pathway

We investigated the anti-tumor effects of dual cancer specific-oncolytic adenovirus Ad-VP on esophageal cancer（EC）. The anti-tumor activity of Ad-VP was compared with that of the control recombinant adenoviruses （Ad-GP, Ad-Apoptin, Ad-EGFP） in human esophageal cancer cell EC-109 and human normal liver cell L02 in vitro. In 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT） assays, the growth of EC-109 cells was slightly inhibited by Ad-GP, Ad-Apoptin and Ad-EGFE However, Ad-VP induced a significant cytotoxic effect. Infection of EC-109 cells with Ad-VP resulted in a significant induction of apoptosis of them in vitro, detected by 4＇,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole（DAPI） or acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining. The results of Western blot and flow cytometric assay indicate the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential（Aψm）, the release of eytochrome c and the activation of caspase-3, 6 and 7 in Ad-VP infected EC-109 cells. In contrast, all these assays show almost no effects of the recombinant adenoviruses on L02 cells. These results demonstrate that the treatment of tumors with Ad-VP selectively inhibits tumor growth and induces apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. Ad-VP may provide a novel and powerful strategy for cancer gene therapy.

Transfection of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor gene promotes neuronal differentiation

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor recombinant adenovirus vector-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells using inductive medium containing retinoic acid and epidermal growth factor. Cell viability, micro- tubule-associated protein 2-positive cell ratio, and the expression levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and growth-associated protein-43 protein in the su- pernatant were significantly higher in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with empty virus plasmid-transfected bone marrow mes- enchymal stem cells. Furthermore, microtubule-associated protein 2, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and growth-associated protein743 mRNA levels in cell pellets were statistically higher in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor/bone marrow mesen- chymal stem cells compared with empty virus plasmid-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. These results suggest that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have a higher rate of induction into neuron-like cells, and this enhanced differentiation into neuron-like cells may be associated with up-regulated expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and growth-associated protein-43.

Effect of p27mt gene on apoptosis of the colorectal cancer cell line Lovo

AIM： To construct p27mt recombinant adenovirus, transfect the colorectal cell line Lovo and observe the effects of p27mt on Lovo cell apoptosis and cell cycle inhibition. METHODS： We constructed recombinant adenovirus containing p27mt by homologous recombination in bacteria. The colorectal cancer cell line Lovo was infected with recombinant replication-defective adenovirus Ad- p27mt, and expression of p27mt was determined by Western blotting; the inhibitory effect of p27mt on Lovo cells was detected by cytometry. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. DNA fragment analysis identified the occurrence of apoptosis. RESULTS： The recombinant adenovirus which already contained p27mt target gene was successfully constructed. When multiplicity of infection was ≥50, the infection efficiency was 100%. After transfection of Lovo cells with Ad-p27mt the cells had high p27 expression which was identified by immunoblotting assay. PI staining and flow cytometry showed that 77.96% of colorectal cancer cells were inhibited in phase G0/G1, while in the Ad-LacZ group and blank control group, 27.57% and 25.29% cells were inhibited in the same phase, respectively. DNA fragment analysis, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay demonstrated that p27mt is able to induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. CONCLUSION： p27mt has an obvious blocking effect on colorectal cancer cell cycle, and most cells were inhibited in phase G0/G1. Therefore, p27mt can induce apoptosis in colorectal cells.

Adenovirus-mediated human β-nerve growth factor gene transfer has a protective effect on cochlear spiral ganglion after blast exposure

Objective:To study whether adenovirus-mediated human β-nerve growth factor (Ad-hNGFβ) gene has any protective effect on blast hearing impairment. Methods:Deafness was induced by blast exposure (172.0 dB) in 30 healthy guinea pigs. On day 7 of blast exposure, Ad-hNGFβ was infused into the perilymphatic space of 20 animals as the study group (hNGFβ group), and artificial perilymph fluid (APF) was infused into the perilymphatic space of the other 10 animals as the control group. At weeks 1, 4 and 8 after blast exposure, the animals were sacrificed and the cochleae were removed for immunohistochemical and HE stainings. Results: Expression of Ad-hNGFβ protein was detected in each turn of the cochlea at the 1st week, with almost equal intensity in all turns. At the 4th week, the reactive intensity of the expression of Ad-hNGFβ protein decreased. At the 8th week, no expression was detectable. The results of HE staining showed that the amount of spiral ganglions in hNGFβ group was significantly greater than that of the control group at week 4 (P<0.01). Conclusion: Ad-hNGFβ can be expressed at a high level and for a relatively long period in the blast impaired cochlea, suggesting that Ad-hNGFβ has a protective effect on cochlear spiral ganglion cells after blast exposure and the efficient gene transfer into cochlea had been achieved without toxicity.

Co-expression of sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig mediated by adenovirus prolonged mouse skin allograft survival

Objective： To investigate the role of simultaneous blockade of CD40/CD40L and B7/CD28 pathways in the immune tolerance via co-expression of sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig mediated by replication-defective adenovirus. Methods： Ad-sCD40LIg- IRES2-CTLA4Ig, replication-defective adenovirus co-expressing sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig, was constructed and identified. The co-expression of sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig was evaluated with confocal laser scanning microscope and Western blotting. Skin transplantations of C57BL/6 to BALB/c mice were performed. PBS, Ad-Shuttle-CMV and Ad-sCD40LIg-IRES2-CTLA4Ig were administered. Skin graft survival was monitored and the mRNA expression of both genes was evaluated in the skin allografts. Results： Ad-sCD40LIg-IRESE-CTLA4Ig was constructed successfully and identified. The co-expression of sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig was identified with confocal laser scanning microscopy and Western blotting. Compared to the skin graft mean survival time （MST） of non-treated group （（5.75±0.71） d） or Ad-Shuttle-CMV-treated group （（5.50±0.53） d）, the skin graft MST was dramatically prolonged in the Ad-sCD40LIg-IRESE-CTLA4Ig-treated group （（ 16.38± 1.19） d, P〈0.001）. The mRNA expression of both genes was detected. Conclusion： Ad-sCD40LIg-IRES2-CTLA4Ig, a replication-defective adenovirus carrying genes encoding sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig, was constructed. Simultaneous blockade of CD40/CD40L and B7/CD28 costimulatory pathway mediated by replication-defective adenovirus significantly prolonged skin allografi survival in mice.