DNA immune responses induced by codelivery of IL-12 expression vectors with hepatitis C structural antigens

Objective: To demonstrate the utility of DNA vaccines for the tailored methods, the efficacy of enhanced immune responses, and the types of increased im- mune responses. Methods: Four recombinant plasmids constructed in- cluded the coding regions for the core protein (pC) and for the core, E_1 and E_2 together (pCE_1E_2), IL- 12 p35 and p40. These plasmids were transfected into mammalian cells to test their protein expression and were injected into the quadriceps muscles of BALB/ C mice for measurement of specific antibodies and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Results: All the recombinant plasmids were shown to express specific antigens stably in mammalian cells. Codelivery of pIL-12 expression cassettes with pC and pCE_1E_2 in mice resulted in the enhancement of Ag-dependent CTL responses and the reduction of specific Ab response. The CTL activity was: pC= 18.65%±5.71%, pCE_1E_2=20.07%±11.11%, pC +pIL-12=60.11%±17.37%, pCE_1E_2+pIL-12= 67.48%±15.57%, respectively. The average A val- ues of anti-HCV were pC=0.415±0.127, pCE_1E_2= 0.358±0.096, pC+pIL-12=0.210±0.086, pCE_1E_2 +pIL-12=0.258±0.125. Conclusion: Codelivery of pIL-12 with plasmid DNA can enhance the efficacy of immune responses and shift the type of immune responses.

Comparison of Five Expression Vectors for the Ha Gene in Constructing a DNA Vaccine for H6N2 Influenza Virus in Chickens

A number of eukaryotic expression vectors have been developed for use as DNA vaccines. They showed varying abilities to initiate immune responses;however, there is little data to indicate which of these vectors will be the most useful and practical for DNA vaccines in different species. This report examines the use of five expression vectors with different promoters and Kozak sequence to express the same hemagglutinin (HA) protein of an H6N2 avian influenza virus for DNA vaccination in chickens. Although intramuscular vaccination with seven DNA constructs elicited no or limited measurable H6 HA antibody responses in Hy-Line chickens, variable reduction in virus shedding for either oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs post-virus challenge were observed. This indicated that all DNA constructs generated some levels of protective immunity against homologous virus challenge. Interestingly, lower dose (50 or 100 μg) of plasmid DNAs consistently induced better immune response than higher dose (300 or 500 μg). In the transfection experiments there appeared to be a hierarchy in the in vitro expression efficiency in the order of pCAG-optiHAk/ pCAG-HAk > pCI-HAk > VR-HA > pCI-HA > pCI-neo-HA > pVAX-HA. Since the level of in vitro expression correlates with the level of immune response in vivo, in vitro expression levels of the DNA constructs can be used as an indicator for pre-selection of plasmid vaccines prior to in vivo assessment. Moreover, our results suggested that the Kozak sequence could be used as an effective tool for DNA vaccine design.

EFFECTS OF ANTISENSE EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR AND ITSRECEPTOR RETROVIRAL EXPRESSION VECTORS ON CELLGROWTH OF HUMAN PANCREATIC CARCINOMA CELL LINE

A 150 bp epidermal growth factor (EGF) cDNA fragment and a 1024 bp epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cDNA fragment were inserted into 5.05 kb pBabe-puro retroviral vectors between BamH I and EcoR I sites in 3'-5' and / or 5'-3' orientation. The vectors were ligated with EGF and EGFR fragments by T-4 Ligase. The recombinant retroviral vectors were then packaged with packaging cell line PA317 through calcium phosphate mediated transfection. The viral supernatant of transfected PA317 cell lines were used to infect the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line PC-7. The resultant transformant cell lines: PC-7 / AS-EGF, PC-7 / S-EGFR, PC-7 / AS-EGFR and PC-7 / pBabe were tested for their endogenous EGF and EGFR mRNA expressions, cell growth rate, 3H-TdR incorporation rate, soft agar colony formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice. The results showed that there were noticeable inhibitions of cell growth, 3H-TdR incorporation rate, soft agar colony formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice in PC-7 / AS-EGF and PC-7 / AS-EGFR transformant cell lines. The endogenous EGF mRNA expression was blocked in PC-7 / AS-EGF cell line and the endogenous EGFR mRNA was significantly down-regulated in PC-7 / AS-EGFR cell line.

Overexpression of the mTERT gene by adenoviral vectors promotes the proliferation of neuronal stem cells in vitro and stimulates neurogenesis in the hippocampus of mice

We sought to construct the adenoviral vector carrying the gene encoding mouse telomerase reverse transcriptase（mTERT）,as well as detect its expression and effect on the proliferation of neuronal stem cells.mTERT was am-plified by RT-PCR and then the eukaryotic expression vector of pDC-EGFP-TERT was constructed.After DNA sequence analysis,we detected that there were 293 cells transfected with pDC-EGFP-TERT and helper adenovirus plasmid pBHG lox ΔE1,and three Cre using Lipofectamine 2000 mediation,named Ad-mTERT-GFP,to pack-age adenoviral particles.The Ad-mTERT-GFP was used to infect neuronal stem cells and then the expression and activity of mTERT were detected.In addition,Bromodeoxyuridine labeling test identified the impact of mTERT overexpression on proliferation of neuronal stem cells.The recombinant adenoviral vector confirmed that mTERT was successfully constructed.Overexpression of mTERT stimulated the proliferation of neuronal stem cells both in vitro and in vivo.mTERT overexpression via adenoviral vector carrying mTERT cDNA upregulated the ability of proliferation in neuronal stem cells.

Construction of PR domain eukaryotic expression vector and its inhibitory effect on esophageal cancer cells

Objective：PR domain is responsible for the tumor suppressing activity of RIZ1.The study aimed to construct human PR domain eukaryotic expression vectors,transfect human esophageal cancer cells （TE13）,and evaluate the anticancer activity of PR domain on human esophageal cancer TE13 cells.Methods：First,mRNA was extracted from human esophageal cancer tissue by RT-PCR,then reversetranscribed to cDNA.After amplifying from the DNA template,PR domain was linked to T vector.Second,after extraction,PR domain was cut using enzyme and linked to pcDNA3.1（＋）.Then,the plasmid was transfered to Trans1-T1 phage resistant competent cells,following by extracting the ultrapure plasmid,and transfecting into TE13 cells.In the end,the protein expression of pcDNA3.1（＋）/PR domain in TE13 was detected by Western blot,and the apoptosis of TE 13 by technique of flow cytometry.Results：More than 5,000 bp purposed band of pcDNA3.1（＋）/PR domain plasmid was found by agarose gel electrophoresis.After transfection,the PR domain （molecular weight of about 28 Da） was found only in 3,4 and 5 groups by Western blot.Flow cytometry assay showed apoptosis in experimental group was significantly more than that in the control group （P＜0.05）.Conclusions：The PR domain eukaryotic expression vector was constructed successfully.The protein of the PR domain could be expressed in esophageal cancer TE13 cells firmly after transfection,and a single PR domain could promote apoptosis of TE13 cells.

Construction of recombinant plasmid and prokaryotic expression in E. Coli and biological activity analysis of human placenta arresten gene

BACKGROUND: The proliferation and metastasis of cancers depend on angiogenesis. This property provides the feasibility for the treatment of cancer by inhibition of angiogenesis, and many angiogenic inhibitors have been demonstrated to effectively inhibit angiogenesis and consequently the growth of solid cancer. As for the newly identified angiogenesis inhibitor, arresten, some studies have found its high activity on restrainting tumor vessel. This study was to assess the anti-angiogenic activity of arresten. METHODS: The arresten gene was obtained from a healthy puerpera's placenta tissue by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, and molecular cloning to prokaryotic expression plasmid pBV220 by recombination strategy. The prokaryotic expression plasmid pBV220/arr was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequenced. The pBV220/arr was transformed into E. coli JM109, DH5α, BL21 and BL21 (DE3) by the CaCl_2 transformation method. The arresten expression level was detected by SDS-PAGE. The expressed product was purlfled, re-naturalized and detected for its biological activity of inhibiting the angiogenesis of chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). RESULTS: The arresten gene was cloned and pBV220/arr was constructed. The arresten expression level of protein was highly increased after pBV220/arr was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). SDS-PAGE showed that the expressed arresten proteins were mainly inclusion bodies and had a molecular weight of 26 kDa. The expressed arresten protein showed evident biological activities. CONCLUSIONS: The successful construction of recombinant plasmid pBV220/arr and the effective expression in E. coil have laid a foundation for further study of its anti-angiogenic function and may pave the way for future antitumor application.

Construction of neuron specific vector of human antisense noggin gene expression

Thenoggin gene is present in the central nervous system in embryonic and postnatal mammals, and plays an important role in maintaining nervous system development and physiological function A 0.76-kb sequence of human noggin gene was cloned by polymerase chain reaction with the digestion site of Hind Ill and Xba I on the 5＇ end. The cloned fragment was reversely inserted into pCS2＋[Tal]-GFP plasmid, an neural cell-specific antisense eukaryotic expression vector. The plasmid expresses antisense for human noggin specifically in neurons, which may facilitate understanding of the physiological function of noggin.

Cloning of Porcine Lactoferrin Gene and Construction of Expression System in Recombinant Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus was selected as a bacterial carrier for expression of N-lobe of porcine lactoferrin （PLFN）. A pair of primers was designed with Oligo6.0 and used to amplify PLFN gene. It was in accordance with the characters of translational fusions from gene and expression vector plasmid. A 1 077 bp fragment of the gene from PLF was cloned from mammary gland tissue of the lactating sow on the third day by RT-PCR; the gene was connected with the vector plasmid pPG612.1 and transformed into the host strain JM109. The recombinant expression vector plasmid pPG612-PLFN was created and identified by using plasmid extraction, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into Lactobacillus casei ATCC393, Lactobacillus plantarum KLDS 1.0344, Lactobacillus paracasei KLDS 1.0652 and Lactobacillus pentosus KLDS 1.0413 by electroporation, and produced the recombinant strains of pPG612-PLFN/L, casei, pPG612-PLFN/L, plantarum, pPG612-PLFN/ L. paracasei and pPG612-PLFN/L, pentosus, respectively. The results indicated that PLFN gene had inserted into the expression vectors and achieved multiple Laetobacillus expression systems. It electes the base for the expression and production of recombinant porcine lactoferrin in Lactobaeillus

Construction of Shuttle Expression Plasmid and Stable Expression of Foreign Gene in Mycobacteria and E．Coli

By employing the pUC19 as a backbone,the regulatory and signal sequences which encode kanamycin resistance, and mycobacterial plasmid origin of replication (oriM) were cloned into the pUC19. The recombinant E. Coli-mycobacteria shuttle expression plasmid PBCG-8000 was constructed. The PBCG-8000 was able to replicate in both E. Coli and mycobacteria (including BCG) systems, and to confer stable kanamycin resistance upon transformants. The study should facilitate the development of BCG and other mycobacteria into multivalent vaccine vectors.

The inhibitory effects of siRNA expression vector on CXCR4 expression in prostate carcinoma cell lines

Objective： To investigate the inhibitory effects of RNAi （ RNA interference, RNAi） expression vector on CXCR4 expression in prostate carcinoma cell lines. Methods： Small interference RNA （siRNA） expression vectors for CXCR4 gene were constructed and transfected into prostate carcinoma cell lines（PC-3m and LNCaP）with liposomes. T expression of CXCR4 was detected by RT-PCR and western blot. Results： T expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein in the PC-3m and LNCaP cells was reduced by RNAi expression vectors. The inhibitory rate of CXCR4 mRNA expression in the PC-3m cells was 87.81% ± 10.20% ,56.10% ± 9.32% at the 24th hour and the 48th hour, compared with 56.93% ±8.78% ,49.24% ± 11.23% in LNCaP cells. The inhibitory rate of the expression of CXCR4 protein was 64.71% ± 6.68% ,58.66% ± 11.56% respectively. Conclusion： The expression of CXCR4 gene can effectively be inhibited by RNAi expression vectors.

Construction and characterization of calreticulin-HBsAg fusion gene recombinant adenovirus expression vector

AIM: To generate recombinant adenoviral vector con-taining calreticulin (CRT)-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) fusion gene for developing a safe, effective and HBsAg-specific therapeutic vaccine.METHODS: CRT and HBsAg gene were fused using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), endonuclease diges-tion and ligation methods. The fusion gene was cloned into pENTR/D-TOPO transfer vector after the base pairs of DNA (CACC) sequence was added to the 5′ end. Adenoviral expression vector containing CRT-HBsAg fusion gene was constructed by homologous recombinan-tion. The human embryo kidney (HEK) 293A cells were transfected with linearized DNA plasmid of the recombi-nant adenoviral vector to package and amplify recombi-nant adenovirus. The recombinant adenovirus titer was characterized using the end-dilution assay. The expres-sion of the CRT/HBsAg fusion protein in Ad-CRT/HBsAg infected 293A cells was detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: The CRT-HBsAg fusion gene was char-acterized by PCR and sequencing and its length and sequence were confirmed to be accurate. The CRT-HB-sAg fusion gene recombinant pENTR/D-TOPO transfer vector was constructed. The recombinant adenoviral vector, Ad-CRT/HBsAg, was generated successfully. The titer of Ad-CRT/HBsAg was characterized as 3.9 × 1011 pfu/mL. The CRT-HBsAg fusion protein was ex-pressed by HEK 293A cells correctly. CONCLUSION: CRT/HBsAg fusion gene recombinant replication-defective adenovirus expression vector is constructed successfully and this study has provided an experimental basis for further studies of Hepatitis B vi-rus gene therapy.

Gene Therapy of HSV-TK Transferred by the EBV based Expression Vector on Experimental Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To study the therapeutic effects of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene transferred by the EBV based expression vector on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma, pDR2 TK gene was delivered into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC 7721 by using liposome mediated transfection technique,and then gene expression was detected by RT PCR, and the killing effects were examined through MTT method. In the nude mice hepatoma model,the antitumor effects of pDR2 TK /GCV system was evaluated in terms of tumor growth. MTT results showed that the pDR2 TK /GCV had cytotoxic effect and about 70 % SMMC 7721 cells were killed when GCV was at 1000 μmol/L. In vivo experiment showed that the tumor size in nude mice with transferred pDR2 TK gene was significantly smaller than that in control group . On the 10th day the tumor in 3 mice (60 %) disappeared completely after GCV treatment. It is concluded that the pDR2 TK/GCV system has marked killing effects on the experimental hepatocellular carcinoma.

Expression of Aminopeptidase N1(APN1),the Main Receptor Protein for Bacillus thuringiensis CrylA Toxin from Helicoverpa armigera Larval Midgut in Trichoplusia ni cells

The aim of this article is to successfully express the Bt （Bacillus thuringiensis） toxin receptor protein located on the internal membrane of larval midgut of cotton bollworm （Helicoverpa armigera Hübner） within eukaryotic expression system, which is one of the key links for clarifying the relationship between receptor and Bt resistance. The fragments of aminopeptidase N1 （APN1） gene without signal peptide in the susceptible and the resistant H. armigera were cloned separately using PCR method, and were separately cloned into pUC 19 vector. After sequencing the gene, the fragments encoding for APN1 without signal peptide were cloned into the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system with transfer vector pFastBacHTB under the polyhedron gene promoter. The recombinant transposing plasmid pFastBacHTB/APN1 was screened and then transformed into Escherichia coli DH10Bac. It was cultured in LB medium, which contained Te, Kan, Ge, X-gal, and IPTG. The resulting recombinant bacmid was transfected into cells of the insect Trichoplusia ni and recombinant baculoviruse was obtained. The lysate of cells infected with recombinant baculoviruse was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and blot analysis. The results showed that the recombinant baculoviruse was fully capable of expressing APN1. The APN1 gene successfully expressed in T. ni cell established the base for continuing the research on its function and relationshio of resistance with Bt.

Cloning of XET gene from Anthocephalus chinensis and its plant expression vector construction

A full-length cDNA sequence of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase gene （XET）, abundantly expressed in the cambium of Anthocephalus chinensis was cloned by conserved PCR, rapid-amplification of cDNA ends and by chromosome walking. Analytical results of the DNA sequence show that a 912 bp complete open reading frame （ORF） encoded a 303-amino acid protein was in the 1205 bp full cDNA sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of AcXET, which contained the conserved specific EIDFE catalytic site sequence to XETs was homologous to the other known XET proteins. In order to study the gene function of AcXET and obtain transgenic plants, a plant expression vector pBIAcXET was constructed by recombinating the AcXET fragment from the cloning vector pMD19AcXET and the binary vector pBI121 between the XbaI and SmaI sites. The fragment ofAcXET gene was inserted between the CaMV 35S promotor and the coding region of the GUS gene in pBI121. The identification results show that the plant expression binary vector pBIAcXET was constructed successfully. These results lay the foundation for studying the molecular mechanism ofAcXET gene during wood formation.

Construction of Prokaryotic Expression Vector for pbv220/NT4-ADNF-9

Objective To construct a prokaryotic expression vector bearing fusion gene NT4-ADNF-9 for future studies on genetic therapies for sensorineural deafness. Methods Double strand ADNF-9 cDNA was synthesized using asymmetrical primer/ templates and ligated to the 3’ terminal of signal and leader peptides of neurotrophin 4 (NT4). The fusion gene NT4 -ADNF-9, was subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pBV220, and named pBV220/ NT4-ADNF-9. DNA sequence of the fusion gene was analyzed. The fusion protein was isolated by SDS-PAGE and its bioactivity was evaluated using primary culture of day 8 chicken embryonic DRGcells. Results The correct sequence of fusion gene NT4-ADNF-9 was successfully subcloned into the pBV220 vector. The expressed ADNF-9 protein showed its effects in promoting cell survival and neurite growth. Conclusion Prokaryotic expression vector pBV220/NT4-ADNF-9 was constructed successfully and the expressed fusion protein demonstrated satisfactory bioactivity.

Construction of a Food-Grade Expression Vector Based on pMG36e by Using an α-Galactosidase Gene as a Selectable Marker

Construction of a food-grade expression vector for application to lactic acid bacteria（LAB） is of importance for dairy fermentation system. An α-galactosidase（aga） gene encoding an enzyme degrading melibiose was amplified by PCR from the plasmid p RAF800 of Lactococcus lactis NZ9000. The aga gene was introduced into pMG36 e to substitute the p rimary antibiotic selectable marker of pMG36 e, resulting in construction of a new food-grade expression vector pMG36-aga. To testify the expression efficiency of exogenous gene in pMG36-aga, a 1.5 kb long α-amylase（amy） gene from Ba cillus li cheniformis was cloned by PCR and introduced into the plasmid pMG36-aga. The resultant plasimd pMG36-aga-amy was transformed into L. lactis ML23 by electroporation. The positive clones were selected with the medium containing melibiose as the sole carbon source. Th e selection efficiency of aga was 8.71×103 CFU with a standard deviation of 9.1×102 CFU ？g-1 DNA of pMG36-aga. Furthermore, the SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the pMG36-aga-amy expressed a 56.4 kDa protein which was the same as the putati ve molecular weight of α-amylase. The starch plate assay also indicated that L. lactis ML23 displayed high activity of α-amylase by expressing of amy gene of pMG36-aga-amy.

Inhibition of HOXB7 Gene Expression in Melanoma Cells by Small Interfering RNA

Objective： HOXB7 gene is a kind of transcription regulator over-expressed in malignant melanoma （MM） cell lines. It can specifically up-regulate the expression of angiogenic factors and tumor growth factors such as bFGF, GROa, VEGF and induce angiogenesis in melanoma, resulting in the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. We designed and synthesized HOXB7 specific siRNA to study its interfering effect on the expressions of HOXB7 and bFGF genes in melanoma A375 cell line and the biologic characteristics of A375 cells. Methods： Three synthesized siRNA with different sequences were separately transfected into A375 cells by lipofecter 2000. The expression of HOXB7 and bFGF mRNA in transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR 24 and 48 hours after transduction. The expression of bFGF protein in the transfected cells were detected by flowcytometry 48 hours after transfection. MTT assay was used to analyze the cell proliferation rate of siRNA transfected cells. Based on the in vitro experiment results, one effective siRNA sequence was selected for the construction of in vivo siRNA expression vector. Then, a malignant melanoma animal model was established. The siRNA expression plasmid was injected into the tumor foci and its influence on the growth and angiogenesis of tumor was observed. Results： The mRNA expressions of both HOXB7 and bFGF genes in the A375 cells reduced significantly 24 and 48 hour after transfection of siRNA. Expression level of the protein of angiogenic factor bFGF induced by HOXB7 gene in siRNA transfected cells was significantly lower than that in control cells 48 hours after transduction. Cell proliferation was also suppressed in siRNA transfected cells. Two of the three siRNA strands showed prominent interference effect. The in vivo study indicated that the tumor size and the microvessel density in the tumor both reduced after injection of HOXB7siRNA plasmid. Conclusion： Down-regulation of HOXB7 gene expression can effectively reduce the expression of angiogenic factor bFGF and the proliferation of MM cells. Besides, the growth and angiogenesis of MM tumor were also inhibited.