Objective To construct replication-defective adenovirus containing tk gene (ADV-tk). Methods Recombinant adenovirus of ADV-tk was constructed using homologous recombination in cells. After the interested tk gene fragment in the recombinant plasmid obtained was confirmed by PCR, the titre of purified recombinant adenovirus was detected. In vitro study, tk gene in SMMC7721 cells transfected by ADV-tk was investigated by RT-PCR. In vivo study, ADV-tk was injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c nude mice with liver cancer and apoptosis cells in tumor were observed. Results Recombinant adenovirus containing ADV-tk was proved successfully. The titre of purified recombinant adenovirus was 1.4×1010 pfu/ml. In vitro study, tk was integrated and expressed by SMMC-7721 cells. In vivo study, with the injection of ADV-tk, apoptosis cells in tumor increased. Conclusion A replication-defective adenovirus containing tk gene is successfully constructed, which may useful for further research on tumor suicide gene therapy with ADV-tk.
Objective To investigate the effect of Adenovirus-mediated averse vascular endothelial growth factor165（Ad-aVEGF165）on the growth of human melanoma cells(A375) in vivo and in vitro.Methods In vitro,the 100 multiplicity of infection of Aadenovirus-mediated green fluorescent protein（Ad-GFP）and Ad-aVEGF165 were transfected into human endothelium cell of vessel 304（ECV 304） and A 375. ECV 304 cells were divided into 3 groups: A 375 group, AdGFP group and AdaVEGF 165group. A375cells were also divided into 3 groups:1640 group, Ad-GFP group and AdaVEGF165 group. Their effects were analyzed by proliferation assay, cell cycle, and VEGF expression. In vivo,A375cells were injected into the axilla of the nude mouse. When the tumor formed, they were transplanted into another 15 mice. After treatment, the tumor was excised for naked eye observation, HE observation and microvascular density(MVD) counting. Results The cell supernatant fluid of A 375 group and AdGFP group could stimulate ECV304 cell growth，butthat of AdaVEGF165 group could inhibit the growth of ECV304 cell.All the A375cells in 3 groups had the proliferation trend, showing no statistically significant difference（Pgt;0.05）. ECV 304 cell proliferation index(PI) in Ad-aVEGF165group reduced（Plt;0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference（Pgt;0.05） in the PI of A 375 cell. The A 375cell integral optical densities were 234.41±13.8 in 1640 group， 222.73±3.67 in AdGFP group and 180.84±6.34 in Ad-aVEGF165group. The tumor volume in Ad-aVEGF165 group was smaller than that in Ad-GFP group and PBS group at 2 weeks after operation, the trend became much obvious with the time delay. AdaVEGF165 brought to much tissue necrosis under HE stain. The MVD of PBS group, Ad-GFP group and Ad-aVEGF165group were 65 10/view,52±11/view and 30±6/view, respectively. Conclusion In Vitro, Ad-VEGF 165gene could inhibited ECV304 cells’ growth by weakening VEGF expression of A 375cells. In vivo, Ad-aVEGF 165could inhibit the growth of human melanoma from blockinmicrovascular.
Objective To investigate the effect of TIMP-2 gene that was transfected by adenovirus on extracellular matrix of abdominal aortic through assessing the changes of morphology and histopathology of the rat models with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods The rat models with abdominal aortic aneurysm were constructed by intraluminally perfusing porcine pancreatic elastase. Twenty-four SD rats with aneurysm were then randomly divided into 3 groups: AdTIMP-2 group (perfused locally with solution of TIMP-2 gene transfected by adenovirus vector to abdominal aorta), AdCMV group (transfected by non-viral vector), and PBS group. After 14 days, the concentrations of elastin and collagen that were collected from the samples of aortic wall were measured by image analysis system and the fixed aortic tissues were examined by light microscopy and some other specific staining methods. Results None of abdominal aortic aneurysm developed in TIMP-2 gene transfected group, with significantly higher rates of developed aneurysm in the other groups (P＜0.01). The diameters of arteries on day 14 in the AdTIMP-2 group were (2.33±0.06) mm, which were significantly smaller than those in the AdCMV group 〔（3.52±0.11） mm〕 and PBS group 〔（3.43±0.09） mm〕. The elastic fibers and collagenous fibers were preserved with more integrity in AdTIMP-2 group and inflammation cells that were observed in adventitia of artery were also less than those of the other groups. Conclusion TIMP-2 gene transfected by adenovirus vector could restore the degradation of extracellular matrix that was aroused by elastase and could block the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm, which may provide a new strategy for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Objective To study efficiency and security of the recombinant adenoviralmediated gene transfer to the donor heart during the heart transplantation. Methods A total of 140 healthy male Wistar rats,aged 10 weeks, weighing 200250 g, were equally divided into the donor group and the recipient group, and then 70 rats in the recipient group were randomly andequally divided into 2 subgroups: the gene transfer group and the control group. The rat model of heterotopic heart transplantation(Abdomen)was developed, the donor hearts were removed and their coronary arteries were perfused with 800 μlof the recombinant adenoviral vectors encoding the β-galactosidase gene（Ad-LacZ）. The grafts were stored in the 4℃ cold saline solution for 30 minutes, and then the syngeneic transplant was performed. In the control group, saline of tales doses was perfused. The donor hearts were harvested at 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28days (n=7)after transplantation, and the β-galactosidase activity was assessed by the X-gal staining. At 28 days the major organs of the recipients were tested by the histopathological analysis and the polymerase chain reaction of the adenoviral E1A sequences. Results The successful gene transfer of the βgalactosidase gene was demonstrated in the adenovirus-perfused hearts, with no staining in the control group. The gene expression reached a peak level at 3, 5 and 7 days, and the averaged numbers of the total βgalactosidase positive staining cells per slice were 66.4±23.1, 91.3±32.4 and 68.7±22.7, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups (Pgt;0.05). At 14 days the gene expression gradually declined (32.1±13.9), and the significant difference was found when compared with that at 3, 5 and 7 days (Plt;0.05). At 28 days the cells positive for β-galactosidase were sparse (3.9±3.4), and the gene transfer was significantly less efficient compared with that at 3, 5, 7 and 14 days (Plt;0.05). The major organs of the recipients were not affected seriously at 28 days. No virus spread to other organs in this experimental protocol. Conclusion The ex vivo adenoviralmediated gene transfer intracoronarily to the donor heart during the heart transplantation is feasible and safe.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of rabbit synovial-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) differentiating into fibrocartilage cells by the recombinant adenovirus vector mediated by bone morphogenetic protein 2/7 (BMP-2/7) genes in vitro. Methods SMSCs were isolated and purified from 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits [male or female, weighing (2.1 ± 0.3) kg]; the morphology was observed; the cells were identified with immunocytological fluorescent staining, flow cytometry, and cell cycles. The adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiations were detected. The recombinant plasmid of pAdTrack-BMP-2-internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-BMP-7 was constructed and then was used to infect SMSCs. The cell DNA content and the oncogenicity were tested to determine the safety. Then infected SMSCs were cultured in incomplete chondrogenic medium in vitro. Chondrogenic differentiation of infected SMSCs was detected by RT-PCR, immunofluorescent staining, and toluidine blue staining. Results SMSCs expressed surface markers of stem cells, and had multi-directional potential. The transfection efficiency of SMSCs infected by recombinant plasmid of pAdTrack-BMP-2-IRES-BMP-7 was about 70%. The safety results showed that infected SMSCs had normal double time, normal chromosome number, and normal DNA content and had no oncogenicity. At 21 days after cultured in incomplete chondrocyte medium, RT-PCR results showed SMSCs had increased expressions of collegan type I and collegan type II, particularly collegan type II; the expressions of RhoA and Sox-9 increased obviously. Immunofluorescent staining and toluidine blue staining showed differentiation of SMSCs into fibrocartilage cells. Conclusion It is safe to use pAdTrack-BMP-2-IRES-BMP-7 for infecting SMSCs. SMSCs infected by pAdTrack-BMP-2-IRES-BMP-7 can differentiate into fibrocartilage cells spontaneously in vitro.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of human heme oxygenase 1 augmentation in vein grafts by adenoviral mediated gene transfer of heme oxygenase 1 (Ad hHO 1) on intimal hyperplasia.MethodsTwenty one Japanese white rabbits were divided into three groups: control group, Ad null control group, and Ad hHO 1 group(each group 7 rabbits). During the operation of rabbits jugular vein into carotid artery interposition grafting, harvested rabbit jugular vein segments were exposed for 30min at room temperature to heparin saline, recombinant replication deficient adenovirus encoding hHO 1(Ad hHO 1, 1× 10 9pfu/ml), and nude recombinant replication deficient adenovirus (Ad null, 1×10 9pfu/ml). Quantitative histological studies of the vein segments were performed 28 days after operation. Protein of hHO 1 was detected with method of immunohistochemical staining(S P) in 14 days and 28 days after operation.ResultsThe average intimal thickness, medial thickness and intimal to medial(I/M) ratio were calculated for each group 28 days after bypass operation. Compared to intimal thickness, I/M ratio of control group veins and Ad null group veins,Ad hHO 1 group veins decreased significantly( P lt;0.01). There was no statistically difference in medial thickness ( P gt;0 05). Strong staining of hHO 1 was detected in vein grafts wall of Ad hHO 1 group.ConclusionAd hHO 1 gene therapy may inhibit intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts in rabbits.
Objective To construct recombinant adenovirus vector co-expressing human interleukin (hIL)-10 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) for study of the expression of genes of interest in vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）. Methods hIL-10 cDNA was amplified from pUCm-T/hIL-10 cDNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and cloned into shuttle plasmid pShuttle-IRES-hrGFP-1. Kanamycin resistance screeninged for recombinant plasmids, which were linealized with PmeⅠand transformed into BJ5183-AD-1 containing pAdEasy-1 by electroporation after determining the insert’s sequence correct by NotⅠ and XholⅠdigestion， sequencing and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST). Prepared recombinant adenovirus plasmids were transformed into XL10-Gold cells. Amplified plasmids were transfected to AD-293 cells for packaging after being linearized with PacⅠ. PCR was used to determine target gene; The titer of the recombinant adenovirus was measured. VSMCs were transfected by recombinant adenovirus and viewed under fluorescence microscope. hIL-10 concentration in transfected VSMCs supernant was measured by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Results Recombinant shuttle plasmids contained interest gene. Recombinant adenovirus had 30 kb and 3 kb fragments after digestion with PacⅠ. PCR indicated that the recombinant adenovirus contained interest gene. The titer of recombinant adenovirus was 3×10１0 efu/ml. Transfected VSMCs had GFP expression and hIL-10 concentration in supernatant was 25 ng/106 cells. Conclusion The recombinant adenovirus co-expressing hIL-10 and GFP is successfully constructed and could effectively express in VSMCs, this lays the foundation for the gene therapy of vascular intimal hyperplasia.