Transduction of primary rat hepatocytes with bicistronic retroviral vector

INTRODUCTIONHepatocellular transplantation (HCT) could providea therapeutic alternative to orthotopic livertransplantation(OLT) in the treatment of hepaticmetabolic defects and experimental hepaticfailure.Under appropriate conditions,theengrafted liver cells can continue to express liver-specific functions for an indefinite period of time.

Construction and expression of retroviral vector pLEGFP-N1-TERT in preparation of seed cells for skin tissue engineering

Objective:To construct the retroviral vector pLEGFP-N1-telomerase reverse transcriptase(TERT)and to investigate the expression of TERT in neonatal mouse bypodermal cells.Methods:The polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-amplified TERT gene was inserted into plasmid pLEGFPN1.The positive clone was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing,then was transfected into packaging cells to produce retrovirus particles.Neonatal mouse hypodermal cells were infected with the virus to generate a stable cell line.The TERT mRNA expression level,telomerase activity,and enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)expression level were analyzed.Results:Retroviral vector pLEGFP-N1-TERT was constructed successfully,and a stable cell line of neonatal mouse hypodermal cells expressing EGFP was established.Western blot and immunohistochemical assay showed that the expression level of TERT was significantly elevated in the neonatal mouse hypodermal cells.Conclusions:A high titer of retrovirus pLEGFP-N1-TERT mediates high-level expression of the exogenous TERT gene in the neonatal mouse hypodermal cells.This protocol has potential applications for skin tissue engineering and cell transplantation therapy.

CONSTRUCTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF RETROVIRAL VECTOR EXPRESSING HUMAN INTERLEUKIN-17 GENE

Human interleukin 17(IL17) is a newly found cytokine secreted by activated T lymphocytes. Many of its characteristics remain unknown. To provide a way for understanding its role in immunology and hematology further, we constructed a recombinant retroviral vector pL17SN containing the human IL17 gene about 1.3kb with the coding region. The constructed retroviral vector packaged in CRIP cells could infect human primary fibroblasts, and could stimulate the primary fibroblasts secreting human GMCSF and IL6. The retroviral vector containing the human IL17 gene we constructed may present an efficient way to understand the biological functions of human IL17 and to investigate applications of IL17 in cancer gene therapy.

Expression of the Capsid Precursor Protein gene of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus and Green Fluorescent Protein Gene in BHK-21 Cells Mediated by Retroviral Vector

We have constructed a retroviral vector mediated mammalian cell expression system of the capsid precursor protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV).The recombinant retroviral vector pBABEpuro-P1-2A-EGFP was constructed by sequentially inserting capsid precursor protein gene(P1) of FMDV and enhanced green fluorescent protein gene(EGFP) into pBABEpuro.The recombinant retroviral vector and the pVSV-G plasmid were co-transfected into packaging cells(GP2-293) by liposomemediated transduction to produce the pseudovirus.The pseudovirus was used to infect BHK-21 cells and resistant cells were screened with puromycin.Green fluorescent proteins were observed by fluorescence microscopy and expression of the capsid precursor protein gene of FMDV was detected by indirect immunofluorescence.The recombinant retroviral vector pBABEpuro-P1-2A-EGFP was constructed successfully.The capsid precursor protein of FMDV and green fluorescent protein were expressed in BHK-21 cells.The mammalian cell expression system for the capsid precursor protein of FMDV has been constructed successfully,which lays the foundation of development of a FMDV subunit vaccine.

Construction of retroviral vectors to induce a strong expression of human interferon-β gene in human hepatoma cells

Establishing the hepatoma cell-specific expression of human interferon gene mediated by retroviral vectors. Methods: Human interferon-β complementary DNA (IFN-β cDNA) was inserted into polylinker site of pMNSM retroviral vector to construct recombinant retroviral vector pMNSIFNB, where the transcription of IFN-β gene was driven by SV40 early region promoter, and MNAIFNB, where the transcription of IFN-β gene was driven by SV40 early region promoter regulated by α-fetoprotein enhancer. The retroviral constructs were respectively introduced into PA317 amphotropic packaging cells by means of lipofectamine mediated gene transfer procedure. The plasmids transfection efficiency was among (4-25)ｘ103 colonies/μg DNA/106 PA317 cells. The retrovirus infection efficiency was among (4. 5-500)ｘ104 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/ml. The recombinant retroviruses were used to infect human hepatoma cells, renal cell carcinoma cells and melanoma cell lines in the presence of 4 μg/ml polybrene. Results: Dot hybridization of total RNA from the neomycin resistant colonies and interferon expression assay indicated that human α-fetoprotein enhancer induced efficient and specific transcription and expression of IFN-β gene driven by the promoter of different origin in human hepatoma cells by which α-fetoprotein was highly produced. Conclusion: Cis-active element of α-fetoprotein gene can drive IFN-β gene specifically expressed in human hepatoma cells, which presents some valuable materials for the hepatoma-specific immune gene therapy.

Construction and identification of a retroviral vector of bcl-2 mRNA-cleaving ribozyme gene

The bcl-2 mRNA-cleaving ribozyme (RZ) gene was synthesized with EcoRI and BamHI sites, each on one of the terminals. The synthesized gene was cloned to the HincII site of the plasmid pGEM-3Zf(-) and the recombinant plasmid was termed 3ZRZ (+)/(-). The gene was sequenced and found to be correct, and was used for in vitro transcription and in vitro cleaving of bcl-2 mRNA. The RZ gene was cut out from the plasmid and subcloned in a retroviral vector pDOR-neo at the BamHI and EcoRI sites, and the new recombinant retroviral vector was named pDOR-RZ.

THE ENHANCED GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN AS A MARKER FOR HUMAN TUMOR CELLS LABELLED BY RETROVIRAL TRANSDUCTION

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of marking the human tumor cells with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in vitro. Methods: The retroviral vector LGSN encoding EGFP was constructed and three human tumor cell lines were infected with LGSN amphotropic virus. Tumor cell lines that stably express EGFP were selected with G418. The integration and expression of EGFP gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry (FCM). Results: After gene transfection and ping-pong transduction, amphotropic producer line Am12/LGSN was generated with a stable green fluorescence signal readily detectable by FCM in up to 97% of examined cells. The viral titer in the supernatants was up to 8.2×105CFU/ml. After transduction and selection, G418-resistant leukemia K562, mammary carcinoma MCF-7, and bladder cancer 5637 cells were developed, in which the integration of both EGFP and neomycin resistance gene was confirmed by DNA amplification. In comparison with uninfected cells, FCM analysis revealed EGFP expression in up to 90% (range 85.5%–90.0%) of tumor cells containing LGSN provirus. Conclusion: The retroviral vector LGSN can effectively mark the human tumor cells with a stably EGFP expression which may be in studying tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis.

Retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP_2 in mesenchymal stem cells

Objective To develop retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP_2 in mesenchymal stem cells.Methods Mesenchymal stem cells from New Zealand white rabbits were transduced with retroviral pLEGFP-BMP_2 vector by the optimized retroviral transduction protocol.Fluorescent microscopy's examination was to evaluate the results of the transduction,flow cytometer's analysis was to evaluate the transduction efficiency and the Fluorescence-activated cell sorting method was to sort the transduced cells.Bioactivity test from C_2C_12K_4 cells was to show the expression and bio-activity of the fusion gene.Results Fluorescent microscopy showed the success of the transduction.By flow cytometer's analysis,the mean efficiency of the transduction with EGFP was(42.8±6.1)% SD.Transduced cells were sorted efficiently by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting method and after sorting,almost of those showed the expression of BMP_2.Fluorescently and strongly bioactivity test for C_2C_12K_4 cells demonstrated that fluorescent materials were located the surface of cells and the activity of luciferase increased compared with the control.Analysis of long-term expression showed there was no difference between 2 week-time point and 3 month-time point of culture post-sorting.Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cells can be transduced efficiently by retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP_2,the highly pure transduced cells are obtained by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting technique,the expressed chimeric protein embraced the double bioactivity of EGFP and BMP_2,and moreover,the expression had not attenuated over time.

Construction and packaging of pseudotype retrovirus containing human N-ras cDNA antisense sequence and its biological effects on human hepatoma cells

N-ras is one of the transforming genes in human hepatic cancer cells.It has been found that N-ras was overexpressed at the mRNA and protein level in hepatoma cells.In order to explore the biological roles of N-ras in human hepatic carcinogenesis and the potential application in control of cancer cell growth,a preudotype retrovirus containing antisense sequence of human N-ras was constructed and packaged.A recombinant retrovirus vector containing antisense or sense sequences of N-ras cDNA was constructed by pZIP-NeoSV(X)1.The pseudotype virus was packaged ang rescued by transfection and infection in PA317 and ψ 2 helper cells.It has been demonstrated that the pseudotype retrovirus containing antisense N-ras sequence did inhibit the growth of human PLC/PRF/5 hepatoma cells accompanied with inhibition of p21 expression,while the retrovirus containing sense sequence had none.The pseudotype virus had no effect on human diploid fibroblasts.

Study of the "killing" effect of retrovirus-mediated HyTK gene transfer on melanoma cell line

Recent research showed that the transfer of the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV tk) gene into malignant tumor cells could confer the tumor cells susceptibility to the antiviral drug ganciclovir (GCY), thus produce "killing" effect selectively on the tumor cells exposed to GCV. We constructed a recombinant retroviral vector LHyTK/N by inserting HyTK gene into the retroviral vector LXSN and cutting out the SV4O early promoter. The HyTK gene was transferred into mouse melanoma cell line B16 mediated by a recombinant virus. PCR analysis showed that the HyTK gene was successfully transferred and replication-competent virus was absent. The "killing" effect on B16/HyTK+ cells exposed to GCV (>0. 1 μmol/L) was evident when investigated under light microscope and by live cell counting.

RETROVIRUS-MEDIATED TNF-α GENE TRANSFER INTO TCA8113 CELLS

Objective To investigate whether TNF-α gene-modified Tca8113 cells (Tca8113/TNF-α) canbe used as vaccine for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods TNF-α gene was transduced into Tca8113 cellsin vitro with retroviral vector carring genes for both TNF-α and NeoR. After that, presence and expression of exoge-nous gene in the transgenic cells, expression of HLA antigen on the cells, expression of TNF-α and survival rate ofthe cells after irradiation and cryopreservation, and mutagenic activity of the cells were analyzed by PCR technique,EL1SA technique, FACS technique, 60Co irradiation inactivation test, cryopreservation test, and Ames test, respec-tively. Results The presence of both TNF-a and NeoR gene and expression of TNF-α gene were demonstrated intransgenic cells. The levels of the HLA-A, B, C, DR expressed by Tca8113/TNF-α were higher than by the parentalcells. Tca8113/TNF-α continued to secrete TNF-α for 14 d, there was a secretion peak time from d4 to d6;and, allthe cells died by dl4 after irradiation. The Level of TNF-α secreted by Tca8113/TNF-α cryopreserved for 48 h wasno different from that cryopreserved for 1 week after irradiation, the level of TNF-α secreted by the cryopreservedcells was just a little lower than that secreted by the noncryopreserved cells. Both DNA and supernatant of the cellshave no mutagenic activity. Conclusion TNF-α gene can be transduced into Tca8113 cells with retroviral vec-tor, and the cells can express TNF-α. Expression of HLA 1,11 antigens on Tca8113 cells can be increased by TNF-αgene transduction. Irradiation is a reliable inactivation method, and cryopreservation is a feasible conservationmethod for Tca8113/TNF-α. Ames test result indicate that Tca8113/TNF-α has no mutagenic activity.

Effects of recombinant retroviral vector mediated human insulin like growth factor-1 gene transfection on skeletal muscle growth in rat

Background This study transferred a recombinant gene encoding human insulin like growth factor-1 （hIGF-1） into modified primary skeletal myoblasts with a retroviral vector （pLgXSN） and determined whether the hIGF-1 promoted growth of skeletal muscle in rat.Methods hlGF-lcDNA was amplified in vitro from normal human liver cells by using RT-PCR and cloned into plasmid vector pLgXSN. The recombinant vector pLghIGF-1SN and control vector pLgGFPSN were transfected into packaging cell PT67 and G418 was used to select positive colony. Myoblasts were infected with a high titre viral supernatant and transduction efficiency was evaluated as GFP expression. The expression of hIGF-1 mRNA in myoblasts was investigated by immunocytochernistry and RT-PCR. MTT assays detected the growth of myoblasts in vitro. Myoblasts transduced with pLghlGF-1SN were injected into hind limb muscles of 10-12 week male SD rats. Formed tissues were harvested 4 weeks later. Myocyte diameter, mean weight of hind limb and body were measured to evaluate the skeletal muscle growth. Results Recombinant retroviral plasmid vector pLghlGF-1SN was constructed successfully. The titre of the packaged recombinant retrovirus was 1 × 106 cfu/ml. The transfection rate of PT67 cells reached 100% after G418 screening, hIGF-1 expression was positive in myoblast-IGF-1. The proliferation rate of myoblast-IGF-1 in vitro was higher than GFP-myoblast or myoblast （P〈 0.05）. The mean weights of hind limb and body of rats injected myoblast-IGF-1 were higher than those of the rats injected with myoblast-GFP or myoblast （P〈 0.05）. Myocyte diameter had a significant increase in IGF-1 group compared to GFP group and myobiast group （P〈 0.05）. Conclusions The transfection of the human IGF- 1 gene mediated by a retroviral vector can promote the growth of skeletal muscle in rats. Genetically modified primary skeletal myoblasts provide a possibly effective approach to treat some skeletal muscle diseases.

Anti-tumor effect of recombinant retroviral vector-mediated human ANGPTL4 gene transfection

Background This study was designed to obtain a recombinant retroviral vector containing the human hepatocellular carcinoma-related gene ANGPTL4 (angiopoietin-like 4) cDNA and to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of recombinant retroviral vector-mediated human ANGPTL4 gene transfection.Methods ANGPTL4 cDNA was cloned in vitro from normal human liver cells HL-7702 by using RT-PCR, and then subcloned into the plasmid vector pMSCV and sequenced. The retroviral plasmid vectors pMSCV-ANGPTL4, pVSV, and pGAG-POL were co-transfected into the packaging cell line 293 EBNA under mediation of lipofectamine. A high-titer retrovirus was obtained as a result, and HepG 2 cells were infected with this retrovirus in vitro. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy were used to detect expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP). The expression of ANGPTL4 mRNA in HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells was investigated using RT-PCR. The formation of tumors in nude mice and MTT assays were used to detect the growth of HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells in vivo and in vitro, respectively.Results The cDNA sequence of the cloned ANGPTL4 gene was consistent with the recently reported sequence. Thus, the recombinant retroviral vector pMSCV-ANGPTL4 was constructed successfully. The titer of the packaged recombinant retrovirus was 1.4×106 infective viral grains/ml, and the rate of HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells expressing GFP was 68.45%, with an average intensity of fluorescence 31.67 times greater in HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells than in HepG 2 cells. The expression of ANGPTL4 mRNA in HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells was higher than in HepG 2-pMSCV cells (154% higher) or HepG 2 cells (161% higher). The proliferation rate of HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells in vitro was obviously lower than those of HepG 2-pMSCV cells and HepG 2 cells (P<0.01). The mean volume and weight of tumors seeded from HepG 2-ANGPTL4 cells were obviously lower than the mean volume or weight of tumors seeded from HepG 2 cells and HepG 2-pMSCV cells (P<0.01).Conclusion A stable ANGPTL4-transfected human liver cancer cell line HepG 2-ANGPTL4 has been created. The transfer of the human ANGPTL4 gene mediated by a retroviral vector is a possibly effective approach for liver cancer therapy.

HIGH EFFICIENT TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION OF HUMAN CLOTTING FACTOR Ⅸ cDNA IN CULTURED HUMAN PRIMARY SKIN FIBROBLASTS FROM HEMOPHILIA B PATIENT BY RETROVIRAL VECTORS

To study the possibility of somatic gene therapy for hemophilia B via gene transfer to primary factor Ⅸ-deficient skin fibroblasts, we constructed four retroviral vectors containing factor Ⅸ cDNA driven by retroviral LTR promoter, SV40 early promoter and mouse MT-I promoter, respectively. These retroviral vectors were transfected into an amphotropic packaging cell line, PA317 cells, by electroporation, and a human iibrosarcoma cell line, HT1080 cells, was used to assay the factor Ⅸ-virus titers of these four virus-producing PA317 cells, which ranged from 2×10~4 to 5×10~5 cfu/ml. The factor Ⅸ proteins produced by bulk population of four virus-producing PA317 cells were determined by ELISA. Results showed that LTR promoter directed the highest production of factor Ⅸ at the rate of 584 rig/10~6 cells/24h, while SV40 early promoter and MT promoter directed about 10 and 20 times less production of factor Ⅸ than LTR promoter. The highest expressed retroviral vector XL-Ⅸ was used to infect a line of

Human clotting factor Ⅸ (hF Ⅸ ) secretion in goat milk after direct transfer with hF Ⅸ minigene into mammary gland by using retroviral vectors

THE mammary gland bioreactor system of lactating animal, established by germ-linemicroinjection and embryo transplantation, has been one of the most exciting projects in thefield of biotechnology. However, this system is costly, laborious and tim-cosuming. In 1994,Johanna et al. reported that secretion of a foreign protein, human growth hormone (hGH),in milk had been achieved after direct introduction of the cDNA into the mammary gland ofgoats by replication-defective retroviral vector. In that work, the in vivo expression of

Mesenchymal stem cells transduced by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector maintain their biological features and differentiation

Background Enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） has been an important reporter gene for gene therapy. Human mesenchymal stem cells （hMSCs） are ideal target cells in cell transplantation and tissue engineering. We investigated their biological characteristics and differentiation mediated by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral transduction.Methods hMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow by density gradient fractionation and adherence to plastic flasks. Individual colonies were selected and cultured in tissue dishes. Packaging cells PT67 were transfected by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector , and hMSCs were transduced by viral supernatant infection. Meanwhile, hMSCs-EGFP were identified by immune phenotypes and whether it could differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes under conditioned media was investigated.Results The rate of stably transduced hMSCs-EGFP was up to 96% after being screened by G418. hMSCs-EGFP exhibited fibroblast-like morphological features. Flow cytometric analyses showed that hMSCs-EGFP were positive for CD73, CD105, CD166, CD90 and CD44, but negative for CD34 and CD45. In addition, it could functionally be induced into osteocytes or adipocytes under conditioned media. These biological features of hMSCs-EGFP were consistent with those of hMSCs.Conclusions hMSCs transduced by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector can be used in vivo securely because they can maintain their biological characteristics and differentiation. It is a simple and reliable way to trace the changes of hMSCs in vivo by EGFP during cell transplantation and gene therapy.

Hybrid retroviral vector with MCK enhancers inserted in LTR for stable and specific expression of human factor IX in skeletal muscle

Background Retroviral vectors have been widely used to introduce foreign into various target cells in vitro,thus showing relatively high systemic delivery efficiency of various transgene products. The authors investigated the stability and efficiency of skeletal muscle-specific hybrid retroviral vectors in expression of human factor IX (FIX) in vitro and iv vivo. Methods FIX cDNA in LIXSN vector was replaced with a FIX minigene containing splicing donor and splicing acceptor sequence of first intron of human FIX gene. Two copies of muscle creatine kinase enhancer (MCK,Me2) were inserted in forward or reverse orientation at NheI site of 3’ long terminal repeat (LTR),resulting in two hybrid vectors,which were designated as LMe2IXm_2SN(F) and LMe2IXm_2SN(R),respectively. The vectors were tested in vitro and in vivo for stability and muscle-specificity of factor IX expression with SCID mice. Results Muscle cells carrying vector with Me2 expressed significantly higher levels of FIX (up to 1800 ng/106.24h) than those without Me2, thus suggesting that Me2 could specifically increase expression level of FIX in muscle cells. Myoblasts transduced with LMe2IXm_2SN(R) produced much less FIX in vivo in SCID mice than LMe2IXm_2SN(F). One or two copies of Me2 sequence were deleted in myoblasts transduced with LMe2IXm2SN(R) without changing the orientation of Me2. Conclusions LTR inserted with MCK enhancers can specifically increase human FIX expression in skeletal muscle cells in vitro and in vivo,and MCK enhancer should be positioned in the same orientation as that of LTR promoter.

Membrane immunoglobulin expressed by retroviral vector gene transfer mimics partial function of the B-cell receptor in vivo

Activation of B-cells is initiated by the ligation of B-cell receptors by its cognate antigen, inducing a series of signal cascades. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these important events is a crucial goal for immunologists. Chimeric B cell receptors provide a powerful tool for analysis of B-cell signal function. However, this method can only be used in tool cells, but cannot be used for in vivo study. Here, we constructed a retroviral vector to encode both heavy chains and light chains of a membrane immunoglobulin, and expressed them in primary B-cells using retroviral gene transfer. Our results demonstrate that the membrane immunoglobulin expressed by retroviral vectors transfer can initiate B-cell receptor-mediated signaling, resulting in the phosphorylation of Syk and Erk1/2 proteins. The results showed that B-cells expressing membrane immunoglobulin can make proliferative responses to cognate antigen both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we provide a methodology for rapidly analyzing the downstream signals of B-cell receptors both in vitro and in vivo, which could expedite the identification of proteins involved in B-cell function.

Cloning and expression of canine clotting factor Ⅸ cDNA in vitro mediated by retroviral vector

Oligonucleotide of cFIX eDNA (canine FIX, cFIX) was used to transcript mRNA of dog liver cell to cDNA by RT-PCR, and further construct it on the plasmid vector pGEM-T. The correct sequence of cFIX eDNA was obtained which covered the entire cFIX coding region. Furthermore, GlNaCcIX (driven by hCMV promoter) and GlNaMBcIX (driven by MCK enhancer and β-aetin promoter) were constructed using the retroviral vector backbone of GlNa. Canine skin fibroblast (CSF) was used as target cell, transduced with the above constructors respectively. The results showed that these modified CSF cells could express cFIX and that the expression levels were 173 ng/10~6 cell/24 h (GlNaCcIX) and 211 ng/10~6 cell/24 h (GlNaMBcIX) respectively. Those data offered a promising result for further animal study.

Construction and high expression of retroviral vector with human clotting factor IX cDNA in vitro

The construction of the high liter and highly expressed safety retroviral vector carrying human clotting factor IX cDNA is reported. Retroviral vectors LNCTX, LIXSN and LCTXSN, driven by hCMV, LTR and hCMV combined with LTR promoter respectively, were constructed, based on the retroviral vector LNL6, and transferred into packaging cell line PA317 with electroporalion. Human dolling factor IX was delected in the cultured cells transduced with LNCIX and LIXSN but not in the cells transduced with LCIXSN. The viral titer of PA317/LNC1X was 800000 CFU per mL. With ELISA detection, it was found that the cells transduced with this vector can express human clotting factor IX at the level of 3.3μg per 106 cells in 24 h in human fibrosarcoma cells HT-1080 and 2.5μg per 106 cells in 24 h in hemophilia B patients’ skin fibroblast HSF cells, and more than 80% of them were biologically active. The viral liter and expression of human FIX were increased, and the construction of retroviral vector backbone was