Direct technetium-99m labeling of anti-hepatoma monoclonal antibody fragment:a radioimmunoconjugate for hepatocellular carcinoma imaging

AIM To directly radiolabel an anti-hepatomamAb fragment HAb18 F（ab’）2 with 99mTc bystannous-reduced method,and assess thestability,biodistribution and radioimmun-oimaging（RⅡ）.METHODS Immunoreactive fraction wasdetermined according to Lindmo’s method.Ellman’s reagent was used to determine thenumber of thiols in the reduced F（ab’）2.Labelingefficiency and homogeneity were measured bypaper chromatography,sodium dodecylsulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis（SDS-PAGE）and autoradiography.Challenge assay involvedthe incubation of aliquots of labeled antibody inethylenediaminetetraacetate（ EDTA ）and L-cysteine（L-cys）solutions with different molarratio at 37℃ for 1h,respectively.Investigationsin vivo utilized nude mice bearing humanhepatocellular carcinoma（HHCC）xenograftswith gamma camera imaging and tissuebiodistribution studies at regular intervals.RESULTS The labeling procedure was finishedwithin 1.5 h compared with the'pretinning'method which would take at least 21h.In vitrostudies demonstrated that the radiolabeled mAbfragment was homogeneous and retained itsimmunoreactivity.Challenge studies indicatedthat 99mTc-labeled HAb18 F（ab’）2 in EDTA is morestable than in L-cys.Imaging and biodistribution showed a significant tumor uptake at 24 h post-injection of 99mTc-labeled HAb18 F（ab’）2.Theblood,kidney,liver and tumor uptakes at 24hwere 0.56±0.09,56.45±11.36,1.43±0.27 and6.57±3.01（%ID/g）,respectively.CONCLUSION 99mTc-HAb18 F（ab’）2 conjugateprepared by this direct method appears to be aneffective way to detect hepatoma in nude micemodel.

Enhanced radioimmunotherapeutic efficacy of a monoclonal antibody cocktail against SMMC-7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma

The improved tumoricidal effect of the radioatibody mixture ("cocktail") has been reported recently for the treatment of colon tumor. In the present study, we demonstrated the enhanced radioimmunotherapeutic efficacy of a monoclonal atibody (MAb) cocktail against human hepatocellular carcinoma. Therapeutic efficacy was determined by measuring the change in tumor size over a period, determining the percentage of growth inhibition of each treatment at various times after radioantibody therapy. boioimmunotherapy of SMMC-7721 human hepatoma xenografts in athymic nude mice with combination of 131I labeled Hepama-1 and 131Llabeled 9403 mouse MAbs was more effective than using either Hepeam-1 or 9403 Mab alone The MAb cocktail could target a greater number of hepstoma cells and increase the magnitude of hepatoma cen uptde of radioamibodies. The in vjtro results explain the enhanced effect of the MAb cocktail in in vjvo model system.

Inhibiting effects of ^(131)I-labeled anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies injected intrasplenically on liver metastasis from human colonic adenocarcinoma

I-labeled anti-CEA monoclonal antibody injected intrasplenically has better effects on inhibiting liver metastasis from human colonic adenocarcinoma than that through tail vein in nu/nu mice model.

Effects of monoclonal antibodies against human stathmin 1 combined paclitaxel on proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

Objective： We investigated the effects of monoclonal antibodies against stathmin 1 combined paclitaxel on the proliferation of HCC cells. Methods： HepG2 cells were treated with monoclonal antibodies against stathmin 1, paclitaxel alone or their combination, with the untreated cells used as the control, 24, 48, 72, 96 h later, the cell growth condition was observed by invert microscope and inhabitation rate was studied by MTT assay; The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI. Results： The population decreased and shape, size changed after treating with different concentration of experimental groups. Monoclonal antibodies against stathmin 1 and paclitaxel used alone or in combination both inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, the inhibition ratio of their combination was more higher （P 〈 0.05）, and a synergistic effect of the two agents was noted in their combined action （P 〈 0.05）. Combined treatment of the cells resulted in significantly higher apoptosis rate than that in the other groups （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Monoclonal antibodies against stathmin 1 and paclitaxel used alone or in combination both can inhibit proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce apoptosis. A synergistic effect is obsewed between the monoclonal antibodies against stathmin 1 and paclitaxel in their inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation.

Tumour Localization of A Mitomycin C-Monoclonal Antibody MGb_2 Conjugate in Nude Mice with Human Gastric Carcinoma Xenografts

MGb2 is a monoclonal antibody againstgastric cancer.It can be well localized in thetumour tissue and has been successfully used inthe radioimmunoimaging in the patients withgastric cancer.The conjugate of MGb2 withchemotherapeutic drug mitomycin C（MMC）al-so shows highly selective cytotoxic effect uponhuman gastric cancer cells in vitro.

Tumor localization of anti-gastric cancer monoclonal antibody MGb_2-daunomycin conjugate in nude mice bearing human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901

In the present study,an anti-gastric cancer monoclonal antibody MGb2-daunomycin（DM）conjugate was prepared by cis-aconitic anhydride method.The distribution of the conjugatein nude mice bearing human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 was investigated.Four to five moleculesof DM were introduced into each molecule of antibody while the antigen-binding capacity ofthe antibody was well-retained.This conjugate could be satisfactorily localized in the tumortissue.Ninety-six hours after intraperitoneal injection of 125I-MGb2-DM conjugate,the ratio ofradioactivity per milligram of tumor to that per milligram of blood reached 203,the result beingquite similar to that of unmodified MGb2.

RADIOIMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF XENOGRAFTED HUMAN GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA WITH ^(131)I-LABELED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY RWS_(4) IN NUDE MICE

The monoclonal antibody (MAb) RWS4 specific to membrane-associated antigen of human gastric adenocarcinoma was purified by protein A-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography and labeled with 131I by chloramine-T method. 131-RWS,, was injected (65 μCi/10μg/0.2 ml, intraperitoneally) into the stomach cancer-bearing nude mice (solid tumor about 1 cm in diameter), and its biodistribution was studied by SPECT and gamma-counter over a peroid of 7 days. A clear image of transplanted tumor was observed on the 4th day, and the image became more clear on the 6th day. After SPECT scanning, the animals were killed on the 3rd to 7th day separately and radioactivity was detected in various organs. The ratios of T/NT were calculated. The results were shown as follows: tumor/blood, was 3.41±0.29 on the 6th day and the tumor/other organs (liver, spleen, stomach, lung, heart, kidney and brain etc.) were>3. The specificity of the 131I-RWS4 was 7.74±0.65.

INHIBITION OF HUMAN EXPERIMENTAL GASTRIC CARCINOMA METASTASIS IN VIVO BY P-SELECTIN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY

Objective To study the role of cell adhesion molecule P-selectin monoclonal antibody (MAb) in tumor metastasis of an orthotopic metasta tic model. Methods SUD mice were implanted orthotopically SGC-7901 human gastric cancer tissue. 3d later, animals received i. v. injections of PBS or P-selectin MAb (100μg/injection) twice weekly for 3 weeks. 42d after operation, all animals were sacrificed. Tissues from all organs were obtained for histopathological evaluation. Results 10 of the animals ( n = 11) treat-ed with PBS were found to develop metastatic tumors in the regional lymph nodes, liver, and lung. In contrast, 2 of the animals ( n = 9) treated with P-selectin MAb developed metastatic tumors in the organs examined. The expression of P-selectin mRNA in gastric cancer tissue of SCID mice with tumor metastasis was higher than that without such metastasis. Conclusion P-selectin expression is associated with tumor metastasis, and the metastasis may be inhibited by the MAb.

^(125)I-labeled anti-b FGF monoclonal antibody inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory efficacy of 125I-labeled anti-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) monoclonal antibody (mAb) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: bFGF mAb was prepared by using the 1G9B9 hybridoma cell line with hybridization technology and extracted from ascites fluid through a Protein G Sepharose affinity column. After labeling with 125I through the chloramine-T method, bFGF mAb was further purified by a Sephadex G-25 column. Gamma radiation counter GC-1200 detected radioactivity of 125I-bFGF mAb. The murine H22 HCC xenograft model was established and randomized to interventions with control (phosphate-buffered saline), 125I-bFGF mAb, 125I plus bFGF mAb, bFGF mAb, or 125I. The ratios of tumor inhibition were then calculated. Expression of bFGF, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), platelet-derived growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: The purified bFGF mAb solution was 8.145 mg/mL with a titer of 1:2560000 and was stored at -20 °C. After coupling, 125I-bFGF mAb was used at a 1: 1280000 dilution, stored at 4 °C, and its specific radioactivity was 37 MBq/mg. The corresponding tumor weight in the control, 125I, bFGF mAb, 125I plus bFGF mAb, and 125I-bFGF mAb groups was 1.88 ± 0.25, 1.625 ± 0.21, 1.5 ± 0.18, 1.41 ± 0.16, and 0.98 ± 0.11 g, respectively. The tumor inhibition ratio in the 125I, bFGF mAb, 125I plus bFGF mAb, and 125I-bFGF mAb groups was 13.6%, 20.2%, 25.1%, and 47.9%, respectively. Growth of HCC xenografts was inhibited significantly more in the 125I-bFGF mAb group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Expression of bFGF and FGFR mRNA in the 125I-bFGF mAb group was significantly decreased in comparison with other groups (P < 0.05). Groups under interventions revealed increased expression of VEGF mRNA (except for 125I group) compared with the control group.CONCLUSION: 125I-bFGF mAb inhibits growth of HCC xenografts. The coupling effect of 125I-bFGF mAb is more effective than the concomitant use of 125I and bFGF mAb.

Targeting Effect Study of ￣(3) H-Mitoxantrone Nanosphereson Hepatocellular Carcinoma(HCC) Model in Nude Mice

The distribution of ￣(3)H-mitoxantrone polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanospheres(￣(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS)in the viscera,muscle and tumors of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)model in nude mice was studied with liquid scintillation counting techniique. The results showed that the ￣(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS had remarkable liver targeting effect. The content of ￣(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NSin liver and heterotopic liver tumor was found to be 71.31±10. 49% of total amount of drug in animal body. It was also found that the content of ￣(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS in liver was higher than that in liver tissue, and the content of ￣(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS in annpit tumor was higher than that in armpit muscle tissue,but had no significant difference;It provides an ideal preparation for the DHAQ admini-stration.

Metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma models in nude mice and cell line with metastatic potential

Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and intervention of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) and a low metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D35) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metastasis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding. Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-1 increased gradually following tumor progression in LCI-D20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level. Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including anti-angiogenesis,antisense approach, metalloproteinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vitro and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.

Preparation and activity of conjugate of monoclonal antibody HAb18 against hepatoma F( ab′ )_2 fragment and staphylococcal enterotoxin A

AIM To prepare the conjugate of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) protein which is a bacterial SAg and the F(ab')2 fragment of mAb HAbl8 against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and identify its activity in order to use SAg in the targeting therapy of HCC.METHODS MAb HAbl8 was extracted from the abdominal dropsy of Balb/ c mice, and was purified through chromatography column SP-40HR with Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system. The F(ab')2 fragment of mAb HAb18 was prepared by papainic digestion method. The conjugate of mAb HAb18 F(ab')2fragment and SEA was prepared with chemical conjugating reagent N-succinimidyl-3-( 2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) and purified through chromatography column Superose 12with FPLC system. The molecular mass and purity of each collected peak were identified with SDS-PAGE assay. The protein content was assayed by Lowry's method. The antibody activity of HAb18 F (ab')2 against HCC in the conjugate was identified by indirect immunocytochemical ABC method, and the activity of SEA in the conjugate to activate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was identified with MTT assay.RESULTS The lgG mAb HAb18 was extracted,and purified successfully. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that it reacted with most of HHCC cells of human HCC cell line. There were two peaks in the process of purification of the prepared HAb18 F(ab)2-SEA conjugate. SDS-PAGE assay demonstrated that the molecular mass of the first peak was about 130 ku, and the second peak was the mixture of about 45 ku and a little 100 ku proteins. The immunocytochemical staining was similar in HAb18 F (ab ')2-SEAconjugate and HAb18 F (ab ')2, i.e., thecytoplasm and/or cell membranes of most HHCC cells were positively stained. The MTT assay showed that the optical absorbance (A) value at 490 nm of HAb18 F (ab')2-SEA conjugate was 0.182 ± 0.012, that of negative control was 0.033± 0.009, and there was significant difference between them ( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION SPDP is a good proteinconjugating reagent and can be used in preparing protein conjugate. The conjugate of mAb HAb18F(ab')2 fragment and SEA protein was preparedsuccessfully in present study and can be used in the experimental study of HCC targeting therapy with the conjugate of SAg and anti-HCC mAbs or their fragments.

Anti-tumor activities and apoptosis-regulated mechanisms of bufalin on the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice

AIM: To investigate anti-tumor activities and apoptosis-regulated mechanisms of bufalin in the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice.METHODS: BEL-7402 cells of human hepatocellular carcinoma were inoculated to form subcutaneous tumors, and were implanted into the liver to establish orthotopic transplantation tumor models of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice. Seventy-five animals were randomized divided into five groups (n = 15). Bufalin was injected intraperitoneally into three groups at doses of 1.5 mg/kg (BF1), 1 mg/kg (BF2) and 0.5 mg/kg (BF3) for d 15-24, respectively. The NS group was injected an equal volume of saline as above and adriamycin was injected intraperitoneally into the ADM group at a dose of 8.0 mg/kg for d 15. Ten mice in each group were killed at d 25 and the survival time in each group was calculated. We also observed the morphologic alterations in the myocardium, brain, liver, kidney and tumor tissues by pathology and electron microscopy, measured the apoptotic rate by TUNEL staining method, and detected the expression of apoptosis-regulated genes bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR in tumor tissues. RESULTS: The tumor volumes in each group of bufalin were reduced significantly (35.21 ± 12.51 vs 170.39 ± 25.29; 49.83 ± 11.46 vs 170.39 ± 25.29; 83.99 ± 24.63 vs 170.39 ± 25.29, P < 0.01, respectively), and the survival times were prolonged in group BF1-2 (31.8 ± 4.2 vs 23.4 ± 2.1 and 29.4 ± 3.4 vs 23.4 ± 2.1, P < 0.05, respectively), and necrosis was mainly in severe or moderate degree in group BF1-2. No morphologicalchanges were detected in the myocardium, brain, liver and kidney tissues. Apoptotic characteristics could be seen in group BF1-2. The positive rates of bcl-2 and bax protein expression of each group by immunohistochemical staining were 10.0%, 10.0%, 20.0%, 10.0% and 20.0%; 90.0%, 80.0%, 80.0%, 40.0% and 30.0%, respectively. Loss of expression of bcl-2 mRNA in each group was to be found and the density of bax mRNA was increased progressively with increase of dose of bufalin by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Bufalin has significant anti-tumor activities in the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice with no marked toxicity and was able to induce apoptosis of transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated mainly via up-regulating the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bax, which may be involved in its anti-tumor mechanism of bufalin.

^(99m)Tc-labeled HAb18 McAb Fab fragment for radioimmunoimaging in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To establish a method of labeling anti hepatoma McAb (HAb18) Fab fragment modifier with 99m Tc. METHODS HAb18 Fab was modified with 2 iminotholane and labeled with 99m Tc by transchelation from 99m Tc GH. Labeling yield, radiochemical purity and immunoreactivity were determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC SG), paper chromatography (PC), gel chromatography (GC) and cell binding assay, respectively. The nude mice bearing human hepatoma were used for radioimmunoimaging (RII). RESULTS A radiolabeling yield of 50%-80% was obtained, and immunoreactivity (IR) was 30%-40%. Radioimaging results showed that 99m Tc HAb18 McAb Fab fragment was concentrated in the tumor 4-8 hours after injection, and the maximum concentration was seen in 12-24 hours, and the T/NT value was 5 18 and 7 48 at 6h and 8h after the injection. CONCLUSION 99m Tc HAb18 McAb Fab fragment could be specifically localized in the tumor of nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma within 24 hours and this method might be effectively used for labeling McAb Fab fragment with

Antitumor activities of human autologous cytokineinduced killer(CIK)cells against hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

AIM: To characterize the anticancer function of cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) and develop an adoptive immunotherapy for the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we evaluated the proliferation rate, phenotype and the antitumor activity of human CIK cells from healthy donors and HCC patients in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and patients with primary HCC were incubated in vitro and induced into CIK cells in the presence of various cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2 and monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD3. The phenotype and characterization of CIK cells were identified by flow cytometric analysis. The cytotoxicity of CIK cells was determined by (51)Cr release assay. RESULTS: The CIK cells were shown to be a heterogeneous population with different cellular phenotypes. The percentage of CD3+/CD56+ positive cells, the dominant effector cells, in total CIK cells from healthy donors and HCC patients, significantly increased from 0.1-0.13% at day 0 to 19.0-20.5% at day 21 incubation, which suggested that the CD3+ CD56+ positive cells proliferated faster than other cell populations of CIK cells in the protocol used in this study. After 28 day in vitro incubation, the CIK cells from patients with HCC and healthy donors increased by more than 300-fold and 500-fold in proliferation cell number, respectively. CIK cells originated from HCC patients possessed a higher in vitro antitumor cytotoxic activity on autologous HCC cells than the autologous lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and PBMC cells. In in vivo animal experiment, CIK cells had stronger effects on the inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice bearing BEL-7402-producing tumor than LAK cells (mean inhibitory rate, 84.7% vs 52.8%, P【0.05) or PBMC (mean inhibitory rate, 84.7% vs 37.1%, P【0.01). CONCLUSION: Autologous CIK cells are of highly efficient cytotoxic effector cells against primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells and might serve as an alternative adoptive therapeutic strategy for HCC patients.

Establishment of cell clones with different metastatic potential from the metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97

AIM: To establish clone cells with different metastatic potential for the study of metastasis-related mechanisms. METHODS: Cloning procedure was performed on parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97, and biological characteristics of the target clones selected by in vivo screening were studied. RESULTS: Two clones with high (MHCC97-H) and low (MHCC97-L) metastatic potential were isolated from the parent cell line. Compared with MHCC97-L, MHCC97-H had smaller cell size (average cell diameter 43 microm vs 50 microm) and faster in vitro and in vivo growth rate (tumor cell doubling time was 34.2h vs 60.0h). The main ranges of chromosomes were 55-58 in MHCC97-H and 57-62 in MHCC97-L. Boyden chamber in vitro invasion assay demonstrated that the number of penetrating cells through the artificial basement membrane was (37.5 +/- 11.0) cells/field for MHCC97-H vs (17.7 +/- 6.3)/field for MHCC97-L. The proportions of cells in G0-G1 phase, S phase, and G2-M phase for MHCC97-H/MHCC97-L were 0.56/0.65, 0.28/0.25 and 0.16/0.10, respectively, as measured by flow cytometry. The serum AFP levels in nude mice 5wk after orthotopic implantation of tumor tissue were (246 +/- 66) microg.L(-1) for MHCC97-H and (91 +/- 66) microg.L(-1) for MHCC97-L. The pulmonary metastatic rate was 100% (10/10) vs 40% (4/10). CONCLUSION: Two clones of the same genetic background but with different biological behaviors were established, which could be valuable models for investigation on HCC metastasis.

Osteopontin increases hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth in a CD44 dependant manner

AIM:To investigate the role of osteopontin(OPN) and its splice variants in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:The expression of OPN variants in HCC cell lines as well as HCC tissue samples and nontumour tissue was studied using polymerase chain reaction.OPN variant cDNAs were cloned into a mammalian expression vector allowing both transient expression and the production of stable OPN expressing cell lines.OPN expression was studied in these cells using Western blotting,immunofluoresnce and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.A CD44 blocking antibody and siRNA targeting of CD44 were used to examine the role of this receptor in the OPN stimulated cell growth observed in culture.Huh-7 cells stably expressing either OPN-A,-B or-C were injected subcutaneously into the flanks of nude mice to observe in vivo tumour growth.Expression of OPN mRNA and protein in these tumours was examined using reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:OPN is expressed in HCC in 3 forms,the full length OPN-A and 2 splice variants OPN-B and-C.OPN variant expression was noted in HCC tissue as well as cognate surrounding cirrhotic liver tissue.Expression of these OPN variants in the HCC derived cell line Huh-7 resulted in secretion of OPN into the culture medium.Transfer of OPN conditioned media to na ve Huh-7 and HepG2 cells resulted in significant cell growth suggesting that all OPN variants can modulate cell proliferation in a paracrine manner.Furthermore the OPN mediated increase in cellular proliferation was dependent on CD44 as only CD44 positive cell lines responded to OPN conditioned media while siRNA knockdown of CD44 blocked the proliferative effect.OPN expression also increased the proliferation of Huh-7 cells in a subcutaneous nude mouse tumour model,with Huh-7 cells expressing OPN-A showing the greatest proliferative effect.CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates that OPN plays a significant role in the proliferation of HCC through interaction with the cell surface receptor CD44.Modulation of this interaction could represent a novel strategy for the control of HCC.

Transcription factor EGR-1 inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma cell lines

AIM: The transcription factor EGR-1 (early growth response gene-1) plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and development. It has identified that EGR-1 has significant transformation suppression activity in some neoplasms, such as fibrosarcoma, breast carcinoma. This experiment was designed to investigate the role of egr-1 in the cancerous process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and esophageal carcinoma (EC), and then to appraise the effects of EGR-1 on the growth of these tumor cells. METHODS: Firstly, the transcription and expression of egr-1 in HCC and EC, paracancerous tissues and their normal counterpart parts were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, with normal human breast and mouse brain tissues as positive controls. Egr-1 gene was then transfected into HCC (HHCC, SMMC7721) and EC (ECa109) cell lines in which no egr-1 transcription and expression were present. The cell growth speed, FCM cell cycle, plate clone formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice were observed and the controls were the cell lines transfected with vector only. RESULTS: Little or no egr-1 transcription and expression were detected in HCC, EC and normal liver tissues. The expression of egr-1 were found higher in hepatocellular paracancerous tissue (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.143, probably because fewer in number of cases) and dysplastic tissue of esophageal cancer (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.001). The growth rate of egr-1-transfected HHCC (HCC cell line) cells and ECa109 (EC cell line) cells was much slower than that of the controls. The proportion of S phase cell, clone formation and tumorigenicity were significantly lower than these of the controls' (decreased 45.5% in HHCC cells and 34.1% in ECa109 cells; 46.6% and 41.8%; 80.4% and 72.6% respectively). There were no obvious differences between SMMC7721 (HCC) egr-1-transfected cells and the controls with regard to the above items. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of egr-1 might play a role in the dysregulation of normal growth in the cancerous process of HCC and EC. Egr-1 gene of transfected HHCC and ECa109 cells showed obvious suppression of the cell growth and malignant phenotypes, but no suppression in SMMC7721 (HCC cell line) cells.

Auphen and dibutyryl cAMP suppress growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating expression of aquaporins 3 and 9 in vivo

AIM: To investigate whether the regulation of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and AQP9 induced by Auphen and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) inhibits hepatic tumorigenesis.METHODS: Expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was detected by Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and RT-PCR in HCC samples and paired non-cancerous liver tissue samples from 30 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. A xenograft tumor model was used in vivo. Nine nude mice were divided into control, Auphen-treated, and dbcAMP-treated groups (n = 3 for each group). AQP3 and AQP9 protein expression after induction of xenograft tumors was detected by IHC and mRNA by RT-PCR analysis. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and histological evaluation were used to detect apoptosis of tumor cells, and the concentration of serum &#x003b1;-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured using RT-PCR and an ELISA kit.RESULTS: The volumes and weights of tumors decreased significantly in the Auphen- and dbcAMP-treated mice compared with the control mice (P &#x0003c; 0.01). The levels of AQP3 were significantly lower in the Auphen treatment group, and levels of AQP9 were significantly higher in thedbcAMP treatment mice than in the control mice (P &#x0003c; 0.01). The reduction of AQP3 by Auphen and increase of AQP9 by dbcAMP in nude mice suppressed tumor growth of HCC, which resulted in reduced AFP levels in serum and tissues, and apoptosis of tumor cells in the Auphen- and dbcAMP-treated mice, when compared with control mice (P &#x0003c; 0.01). Compared with para-carcinoma tissues, AQP3 expression increased in tumor tissues whereas the expression of AQP9 decreased. By correlating clinicopathological and expression levels, we demonstrated that the expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was correlated with clinical progression of HCC and disease outcomes.CONCLUSION: AQP3 increases in HCC while AQP9 decreases. Regulation of AQP3 and AQP9 expression by Auphen and dbcAMP inhibits the development and growth of HCC.

Expression and identification of recombinant soluble single-chain variable fragment of monoclonal antibody MC3

AIM: To generate soluble single chain variable fragments (ScFv) of monoclonal antibody MC3 recognizing colorectal and gastric carcinomas. METHODS: mRNA was isolated from the hybridoma cell line producing MC3 and the DNAs encoding variable domains of heavy and light chains (VH and VL) of the antibody were amplified separately by RT-PCR and assembled into ScFv DNA with a linker DNA. The ScFv DNA was ligated into the phagemid vector pCANTAB5E and the ligated sample was transformed into E.coli TG1.The transformed cells were infected with M13KO7 helper phage to yield recombinant phages. After two rounds of panning with gastric carcinoma cell line AGS highly expressing MC3-binding antigen, the phage clones displaying ScFv fragments of the antibody were selected by ELISA. 4 phage clones showing strong signal in ELISA were used to infect E.coli HB2151 to express soluble ScFvs. The soluble ScFvs were identified by Dot blot and Western blot, and their antigen-binding activity was assayed by ELISA. The VH and VL DNAs of the ScFv DNA derived from phage clone 19 were sequenced. RESULTS: The VH,VL and ScFv DNAs were about 340 bp, 320 bp and 750 bp respectively. After two rounds of panning to the recombinant phages, 18 antigen-positive phage clones were selected from 30 preselected phage clones by ELISA. All the soluble ScFvs derived from the 4 out of the 18 antigen-positive phage clones were about M(r)32000 and concentrated in periplasmatic space under the given culture condition. The soluble ScFvs could bind the antigen, and they shared the same binding site with MC3. The sequences of the VH and VL DNAs of the MC3 ScFv showed that the variable antibody genes belonged to the IgG1 subgroup,kappa-type. CONCLUSION: The soluble ScFv of MC3 is successfully produced, which not only provides a possible novel targeting vehicle for in vivo and in vitro study on associated cancers, but also offers the antibody a stable genetic source.