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Biomedical subjects

G Dranoff

Publications and source records attributed to G Dranoff.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

A cell surface marker gene transferred with a retroviral vector into CD34+ cord blood cells is expressed by their T-cell progeny in the SCID-hu thymus.

Gene transduction into immature hematopoietic cells collected at birth from the umbilical cord could be useful for the treatment of genetic or acquired disorders of the hematopoietic system diagnosed during pregnancy. The SCID-hu mouse is a convenient model to investigate T-cell lineage gene therapy, since it allows replication of human intrathymic T-cell development. CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood were cocultured with CRIP MFG-murine CD2 (mCD2) cells that produce recombinant retroviruses encoding the mCD2 antigen, a cell surface marker easily detectable by flow cytometry. After 3 and 4 days in coculture, a mean of 19% and 39% human hematopoietic cells, respectively, expressed the mCD2 antigen. CD34+ cells cocultured for 4 days were used to reconstitute human fetal thymus implanted in SCID mice. Five to 10 weeks later, the mCD2 antigen was detected on approximately 10% of human thymocytes repopulating the thymic grafts in four of nine SCID mouse chimeras. Vector genomes were detected in graft cell DNA by Southern blot. Analysis of vector integration indicated that positive cells were of polyclonal origin in three animals and predominantly monoclonal in the other one. Our data show that foreign genes can be transduced into CD34+ cord blood cells endowed with T-cell differentiation potential, and suggest strategies for T-cell lineage gene therapy in the neonate.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Pulmonary epithelial cell expression of GM-CSF corrects the alveolar proteinosis in GM-CSF-deficient mice.

Mutation of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene by homologous recombination caused alveolar proteinosis in mice. To further discern the role of GM-CSF in surfactant homeostasis, the synthesis of GM-CSF was directed to the respiratory epithelium of GM-CSF-hull mutant mice (GM-/-) with a chimeric gene expressing GM-CSF under the control of the promoter from the human surfactant protein-C (SP-C) gene. Transgenic mice bearing the SP-C-GM-CSF construct (SP-C-GM+) were bred to GM-/- mice resulting in complete correction of alveolar proteinosis in bitransgenic GM-/-, SP-C-GM+ mice. No effects of the transgene were found outside the lung. GM-CSF was increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the bitransgenic mice. Surfactant proteins-A and -B and phospholipid in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were normalized in the GM-/-, SP-C-GM+ mice. SP-A, -B, and -C mRNAs were unaltered in lungs from GM-CSF-deficient and -replete mice. Expression of GM-CSF in respiratory epithelial cells of transgenic mice restores surfactant homeostasis in GM-/- mice. From these findings, we conclude that GM-CSF regulates the clearance or catabolism rather than synthesis of surfactant proteins and lipids.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Surfactant metabolism in transgenic mice after granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor ablation.

Mice made granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-deficient by homologous recombination maintain normal steady-state hematopoiesis but have an alveolar accumulation of surfactant lipids and protein that is similar to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in humans. We asked how GM-CSF deficiency alters surfactant metabolism and function in mice. Alveolar and lung tissue saturated phosphatidylcholine (Sat PC) were increased six- to eightfold in 7- to 9-wk-old GM-CSF-deficient mice relative to controls. Incorporation of radiolabeled palmitate and choline into Sat PC was higher in GM-CSF deficient mice than control mice, and no loss of labeled Sat PC occurred from the lungs of GM-CSF-deficient mice. Secretion of radiolabeled Sat PC to the alveolus was similar in GM-CSF-deficient and control mice. Labeled Sat PC and surfactant protein A (SP-A) given by tracheal instillation were cleared rapidly in control mice, but there was no measurable loss from the lungs of GM-CSF-deficient mice. The function of the surfactant from GM-CSF-deficient mice was normal when tested in preterm surfactant-deficient rabbits. GM-CSF deficiency results in a catabolic defect for Sat PC and SP-A.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed1996

A gene transfer system establishes interleukin-6 neither promotes nor suppresses renal injury.

Conflicting reports claim that circulating interleukin (IL)-6 promotes or suppresses renal disease. Although autoimmune MRL-lpr mice have an increase in serum IL-6, and kidneys can produce IL-6, the relevance of systemic and local exposure remains undefined. To investigate the impact of IL-6 on kidney disease, we constructed a gene transfer approach to deliver sustained, stable IL-6 into the kidney and circulation. We infused syngeneic genetically modified tubular epithelial cells (IL-6-TEC) under the renal capsule of autoimmune and nonautoimmune mice. IL-6-TEC did not incite renal injury in any strain. Furthermore, serum IL-6 levels, which were increased three- to fivefold by IL-6-TEC, did not alter the contralateral kidney. Therefore, neither local nor systemic exposure to IL-6 promoted renal injury. As opposed to IL-6, we previously established that granulocyte macrophage (GM)-colony-stimulating factor (CSF) initiates renal injury in autoimmune mice. To determine whether IL-6 could suppress GM-CSF-incited damage, we infused GM-CSF-TEC TEC along with IL-6-TEC. Local production of IL-6 into the kidney did not alter the tempo or severity of GM-CSF-induced injury. Thus neither local nor systemic delivery of IL-6 promotes or suppresses kidney disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Macrophage growth factors introduced into the kidney initiate renal injury.

BACKGROUND: CSF-1 expression precedes renal injury in autoimmune MRL-lpr mice and is responsible for macrophage (M phi) proliferation and survival in the kidney. By comparison, C3H-lpr mice do not express CSF-1 in the kidney, and despite the lpr mutation, kidneys remain normal. The purpose of this study was to test the capacity of local and systemic expression of M phi growth factor, CSF-1 to initiate renal injury in normal (C3H-(++), MRL-(++) and autoimmune (C3H-lpr, MRL-lpr) mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a gene transfer system to deliver cytokines into the kidney by transducing renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) using retroviral vectors expressing CSF-1 or another M phi growth factor, GM-CSF. We placed transduced syngeneic cytokine-TEC under the renal capsule of normal and autoimmune prone mice prior to renal injury and evaluated renal pathology at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 90 days postimplant. RESULTS: CSF-1-TEC and GM-CSF-TEC, but not uninfected TEC, caused extensive local renal injury in strains with the lpr mutation. At 3-7 days the infiltrating cells were mainly M phi, and by 28 days they were predominantly lymphocytes. By comparison, the kidneys of MRL-(++) and C3H-(++) mice remained normal. Implanted genetically modified TEC caused a sustained increase of CSF-1 or GM-CSF in the circulation which did not modify the contralateral kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Gene transfer of M phi growth factors into the kidney initiates severe local renal injury in autoimmune prone mice with the lpr mutation, but does not compromise the kidney in nonautoimmune hosts. Of note, introduction of M phi growth factors into the kidney of C3H-lpr mice which do not spontaneously develop renal injury incites renal damage. These studies offer a gene transfer approach to explore the impact of local and systemic cytokine production on renal injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Gene therapy of metastatic cancer by in vivo retroviral gene targeting.

We have achieved efficient transduction of tumour metastases in vivo by the vascular delivery of retroviral producer cells. Experimental liver metastases in mice were created by intrasplenic injection of tumour cells into the portal venous circulation. Following the establishment of micrometastases, delivery of retroviral producer cells by the same route with a vector containing the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene demonstrated selective in vivo gene transfer to tumour deposits. By this approach, two retroviral producer cell lines encoding cytokines (IL-4 and IL-2) directed tumoricidal inflammatory responses to established metastases. Cytokine gene targeting inhibited metastasis formation and caused significant overall reduction in tumour burden. These results suggest a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of disseminated cancer.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Involvement of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in pulmonary homeostasis.

The in vivo function of murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was investigated in mice, carrying a null allele of the GM-CSF gene, that were generated by gene targeting techniques in embryonic stem cells. Although steady-state hematopoiesis was unimpaired in homozygous mutant animals, all animals developed the progressive accumulation of surfactant lipids and proteins in the alveolar space, the defining characteristic of the idiopathic human disorder pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Extensive lymphoid hyperplasia associated with lung airways and blood vessels was also found, yet no infectious agents could be detected. These results demonstrate that GM-CSF is not an essential growth factor for basal hematopoiesis and reveal an unexpected, critical role for GM-CSF in pulmonary homeostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Demonstration of a rational strategy for human prostate cancer gene therapy.

The potential efficacy and clinical feasibility of gene therapy for prostate cancer were tested. Efficacy was tested using the Dunning rat prostate carcinoma model. Rats with anaplastic, hormone refractory prostate cancer treated with irradiated prostate cancer cells genetically engineered to secrete human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) showed longer disease-free survival compared to either untreated control rats or rats receiving prostate cancer cell vaccine mixed with soluble human GM-CSF. A gene modified prostate cancer cell vaccine thus provided effective therapy for anaplastic, hormone refractory prostate cancer in this animal model. An evaluation of the clinical feasibility of gene therapy for human prostate cancer based on these findings was then undertaken. Prostate cancer cells from patients with stage T2 prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy were first transduced with MFG-lacZ, a retroviral vector carrying the beta-galactosidase reporter gene. Efficient gene transfer was achieved in each of 16 consecutive cases (median transduction efficiency 35%, range 12 to 65%). Cotransduction with a drug-selectable gene was not required to achieve high yield of genetically modified cells. Histopathology confirmed malignant origin of these cells and immunofluorescence analysis of cytokeratin 18 expression confirmed prostatic luminal-epithelial phenotype in each case tested. Cell yields (2.5 x 10(8) cells per gram of prostate cancer) were sufficient for potential entry into clinical trials. Autologous human prostate cancer vaccine cells were then transduced with MFG-GM-CSF, and significant human GM-CSF secretion was achieved in each of 10 consecutive cases. Sequential transductions increased GM-CSF secretion in each of 3 cases tested, demonstrating that increased gene dose can be used to escalate desired gene expression in individual patients. These studies show a preclinical basis for proceeding with clinical trials of gene therapy for human prostate cancer.

Gene Transfer Techniques↗
PubMed1994

Activities of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor revealed by gene transfer and gene knockout studies.

We used retroviral mediated gene transfer and gene knockout technologies to explore the in vivo functions of murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) [1, 2]. In tumor vaccination experiments, GM-CSF was the most potent molecule of a large number of cytokines, adhesion molecules and other immunomodulators for the induction of specific and long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. Vaccination required activities of both CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes, and likely involved the augmentation by GM-CSF of host professional antigen-presenting cell function. Mice engineered by homologous recombination techniques in embryonic stem cells to lack GM-CSF demonstrated no significant perturbations in steady-state hematopoiesis. All mutant animals, however, developed the accumulation of surfactant proteins and lipids in the alveolar space, the defining feature of the idiopathic human disorder pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Surfactant lipid and protein content were increased in the absence of alterations in surfactant protein mRNA, supporting the concept that surfactant clearance or catabolism was perturbed. Extensive lymphoid hyperplasia associated with lung airways and blood vessels was also found, yet no infectious agents could be isolated. These results demonstrate that GM-CSF is not an essential growth factor for basal hematopoiesis and reveal an unexpected, critical role for GM-CSF in pulmonary homeostasis. It is tempting to speculate that the ability of GM-CSF to modulate the uptake and processing of particulate material underlies the mechanisms of immunostimulation and surfactant accumulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

High efficiency gene transfer into primary human tumor explants without cell selection.

Preclinical studies with murine tumor models have demonstrated that autologous tumor cell vaccines engineered to secrete certain cytokines in a paracrine fashion elicit systemic immune responses capable of eliminating small amounts of established tumor. These results have engendered much interest in developing this strategy for gene therapy of human cancer. The major limitation to creating genetically modified autologous human tumor vaccines is efficient gene transfer into primary tumor explants, since the majority of human tumors fail to proliferate in long-term culture. Using the retroviral vector MFG in conjunction with short-term culture techniques, we have achieved, in the absence of selection, a mean transduction efficiency of 60% in primary renal, ovarian, and pancreatic tumor explants, and we have developed an autologous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor secreting tumor vaccine for clinical trials.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Vaccination with irradiated tumor cells engineered to secrete murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulates potent, specific, and long-lasting anti-tumor immunity.

To compare the ability of different cytokines and other molecules to enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells, we generated 10 retroviruses encoding potential immunomodulators and studied the vaccination properties of murine tumor cells transduced by the viruses. Using a B16 melanoma model, in which irradiated tumor cells alone do not stimulate significant anti-tumor immunity, we found that irradiated tumor cells expressing murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulated potent, long-lasting, and specific anti-tumor immunity, requiring both CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Irradiated cells expressing interleukins 4 and 6 also stimulated detectable, but weaker, activity. In contrast to the B16 system, we found that in a number of other tumor models, the levels of anti-tumor immunity reported previously in cytokine gene transfer studies involving live, transduced cells could be achieved through the use of irradiated cells alone. Nevertheless, manipulation of the vaccine or challenge doses made it possible to demonstrate the activity of murine GM-CSF in those systems as well. Overall, our results have important implications for the clinical use of genetically modified tumor cells as therapeutic cancer vaccines.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Influence of glutamine on the growth of human glioma and medulloblastoma in culture.

Cellular supply of glutamine, an essential substrate for growth, is derived from extracellular fluid and de novo synthesis. We investigated the relative importance of these sources to the growth of six human anaplastic glioma- and one human medulloblastoma-derived permanent cell lines. Exogenous glutamine was limiting for the proliferation of glioma-derived lines D-54 MG, U-118 MG, and U-251 MG. In contrast, medulloblastoma-derived line TE-671 and glioma-derived lines U-373 MG, D-245 MG, and D-259 MG grew in the absence of supplemental glutamine. Two cell lines with contrasting glutamine requirements, D-54 MG and TE-671, were used to explore the pharmacological interference with glutamine metabolism. DL-alpha-Aminoadipic acid, a reported glutamic acid analogue with gliotoxic properties, significantly inhibited the growth of both lines. These effects were reversed by increasing glutamine, suggesting that the major action of DL-alpha-aminoadipic acid is as a glutamine antagonist. In contrast, the glutamine synthetase inhibitor delta-hydroxylysine demonstrated activity only against TE-671. Acivicin and 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, glutamine analogues available for clinical use, reduced the proliferation of both cell lines at pharmacological concentrations. Methionine sulfoximine, a glutamine synthetase inhibitor previously used clinically, produced marked growth inhibition only against TE-671. These findings indicate that the synthesis and utilization of glutamine are potentially exploitable targets for the chemotherapy of some human gliomas and medulloblastomas.

2-Aminoadipic Acid↗
PubMed1985

Combination chemotherapy in vitro exploiting glutamine metabolism of human glioma and medulloblastoma.

The human glioma-derived cell line D-54 MG and the human medulloblastoma-derived cell line TE-671 have been shown to be sensitive in culture to the pharmacological interference with glutamine metabolism by acivicin, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, and methionine sulfoximine. Using as a guide the multiple contributions of glutamine to the biosynthesis of proteins, purines, and pyrimidines, we now have identified six additional antimetabolites active against these lines in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations. The 50% growth-inhibitory levels of the drugs against D-54 MG in 6-day continuous exposure experiments were: L-asparaginase, 0.057 IU/ml; 5-fluorouracil, 0.5 micrograms/ml; 6-mercaptopurine, 0.8 micrograms/ml; actinomycin D, 0.0007 micrograms/ml; N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartic acid, 2.3 micrograms/ml; and 5-azacytidine, 0.2 micrograms/ml (3-day exposure. The corresponding 50% growth-inhibitory values in TE-671 were: L-asparaginase, 0.54 IU/ml; 5-fluorouracil, 1.5 micrograms/ml; 6-mercaptopurine, 4.7 micrograms/ml; actinomycin D, 0.00044 micrograms/ml; N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartic acid, 4.5 micrograms/ml; and 5-azacytidine, 0.49 micrograms/ml. Dipyridamole up to 10 micrograms/ml was inactive against both lines. The isobologram method was used to evaluate the effectiveness of several two-drug combinations which were biochemically designed. The sums of the optimal fractional inhibitory concentrations for the pairs were: acivicin plus L-asparaginase, 0.14; acivicin plus methionine sulfoximine, 0.40; 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine plus methionine sulfoximine, 0.60; acivicin plus 6-mercaptopurine, 1.0, all in TE-671; and acivicin plus 5-fluorouracil, 0.79, in D-54 MG. Our findings suggest that an antimetabolite regimen exploiting glutamine sensitivity might improve the chemotherapy of some human gliomas and medulloblastomas.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interpreting cancer vaccine clinical trials.

A number of cancer vaccine strategies have entered initial Phase I clinical testing. In this review, Dr. Glenn Dranoff discusses the prospects that appropriate immunologic monitoring of patients in these trials can help delineate important differences among the various immunization strategies and prioritize the most promising approaches for further clinical development.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗