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Biomedical subjects

J L Salzmann

Publications and source records attributed to J L Salzmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A hydroxyethylated cholesterol-based cationic lipid for DNA delivery: effect of conditioning.

We have synthesised a novel cholesterol-based cationic lipid to promote DNA transfer in cells. This lipid, dimethyl hydroxyethyl aminopropane carbamoyl cholesterol iodide (DMHAPC-Chol) contains a biodegradable carbamoyl linker and a hydroxyethyl group in the polar amino head moiety and is characterised by NMR. Liposomes prepared from this lipid and dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) in equimolar proportion showed a weak cytotoxicity as revealed by MTT assays and are efficient to deliver plasmids DNA evaluated by the expression of reporter genes in vitro and in vivo. In this paper, we present an original method to determine the lipid concentration based on the colorimetric detection of the colipid DOPE and the measure of the molar ratio DOPE/cationic lipid in the liposome by FTIR spectroscopy. The liposomes and lipid/DNA complexes structures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by quasi-elastic light scattering (QLS). TEM indicated that the complexes correspond to aggregates containing globular substructures with liposomes size. The method of immuno-gold labelling was used to detect plasmid in the complex and reveals the presence of DNA inside the aggregates. Transfection results showed efficient DNA transfer depending on the charge ratio and liposomes conditioning. Gel retardation results indicated that at a molar charge ratio between X = 1.5 and X = 2.5 (depending on the liposome conditioning), all DNA was taken by liposomes. We showed that conditioning by freeze-drying (lyophilization) facilitates storage and improves transfection efficiency. When the liposomes were lyophilized prior to DNA addition or when the complexes were subjected to freeze-thawing cycles, the obtained complexes showed a transfection with levels enhanced up to four and five-fold respectively for the lyophilized liposomes and freeze-thawed complexes. NMR was used to characterize the modifications under freezing which showed an effect on 31P spectra.

Animals↗

In vitro and in vivo transfection of melanoma cells B16-F10 mediated by cholesterol-based cationic liposomes.

In vitro and in vivo transgene expression in B16-F10 melanoma cells has been investigated using an original cationic liposome prepared with triethyl aminopropane carbamoyl cholesterol iodide (TEAPC-Chol) as carrier. TEAPC-Chol/DOPE (dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine) liposomes are unilamellar, very stable and not toxic in the used concentration range. The yield in complexation with plasmid DNA can reach 100% even in the presence of fetal calf serum. The transfection level has been evaluated by luminometric measurements of luciferase expression. With TEAPC-Chol/DOPE (1:1) liposomes, a relatively high transfection level in B16-F10 cells has been observed comparing to commercial reagents. For in vivo assays, the transfection level in tumors induced in Nude mice has been optimized by studying the effects of charge ratio, of the helper lipid and of the injection volume. Results showed that TEAPC-Chol/DOPE (1:1) liposomes have improved 10-fold transfection level versus direct gene transfer of free DNA.

Animals↗

Protection of mice against leukemia after vaccination with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells loaded with apoptotic leukemia cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that need to be activated before they can function to initiate primary and secondary immune responses in vivo. DCs are also specialized to maintain peripheral tolerance to self after uptake of apoptotic material, likely corresponding to both apoptotic bodies and whole apoptotic cells. Here, we report that murine bone marrow-derived DCs can be activated in vitro by exogenous signals received from apoptotic leukemia cells expressing on the cell surface a model tumor-associated antigen. Injected in vivo, these exogenously activated DCs can function as adjuvants to protect mice against leukemia by stimulating an antigen-specific cellular-mediated cytotoxic immune response. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating that DCs loaded with apoptotic leukemia cells protect mice against leukemia development.

Animals↗

Delivery and pathway in MCF7 cells of DNA vectorized by cationic liposomes derived from cholesterol.

We have investigated the delivery and the pathway in tumoral MCF7 cells of DNA carried by liposomes prepared from (trimethyl aminoethane carbamoyl cholesterol iodide (TMAE-Chol), a cholesterol-based cationic lipid with a quaternary ammonium on the polar head. The structure of DNA-liposome complexes depends on the length of DNA and on the lipid-DNA charge ratio X. Spherical beads constitute fine structures of the observed complexes even when they appear as aggregates. For oligonucleotide transfer, dissociation from liposomes after transfection, penetration of the oligonucleotides into nuclei, and a long resident time were observed. For plasmid transfer, a correlation between the variation in the transfection level and the ultrastructure of complexes was demonstrated. The results showed a cellular route of lipid/plasmid complexes from the beginning by endocytosis, entrapped into endosomes, released by the latter until entry in the perinuclear area, and then penetration of plasmids inside the nuclei resulting in the observed expression of the beta-galactosidase gene.

Biological Transport↗

A phase I/II dose-escalation study of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase "suicide" gene therapy for metastatic melanoma. Study Group on Gene Therapy of Metastatic Melanoma.

We performed a dose-escalating phase I/II study of retrovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1-TK) suicide gene therapy for metastatic melanoma. HSV-1 TK expression, which specifically sensitizes transduced and bystander cancer cells to ganciclovir (GCV) toxicity, was mediated by one (four patients, first dose step) to three (four patients, second dose step) injections of "M11" retrovirus vector-producing cells in melanoma cutaneous nodules. After a 7-day period allowed for cancer cell transduction, GCV was administered for 14 days. Safety was assessed by clinical and laboratory evaluations, and efficacy was assessed by tumor measurements and histology. M11 doses ranged from 76 to 1247 x 10(6) cells. Treatment-related adverse events were mild and transient, limited to inflammatory skin reactions at injection and fever on repeated injections. Plasma GCV was in the active range (>0.2 microg/ml); transgene was detected by polymerase chain reaction in three of six patients; treated tumor size was moderately affected under GCV as compared with untreated tumors, although 2 weeks after GCV administration important (>50%) treated-tumor necrosis was evidenced on histology in three of eight patients. All patients showed disease progression on long-term follow-up. Thus, M11-mediated HSV-1 TK gene therapy was well tolerated over a wide dose range. The limited tumor response is likely to be related to poor gene transfer efficiency. However, necrosis following GCV administration in transduced tumors indicates a potential for treatment efficacy.

Adult↗

A phase I/II study of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase "suicide" gene therapy for recurrent glioblastoma. Study Group on Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma.

Despite extensive surgery for glioblastoma, residual tumor cells always lead to relapse. Gene therapy based on retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK), which specifically sensitizes dividing cells to ganciclovir (GCV) toxicity, may help eradicate such cells. During glioblastoma surgery, HSV-1 TK retroviral vector-producing cells (M11) were injected into the surgical cavity margins after tumor debulking. After a 7-day transduction period, GCV was administered for 14 days. Safety was assessed by clinical and laboratory evaluations, and efficacy was assessed by MRI-based relapse-free survival at month 4 and by overall survival. Twelve patients with recurrent glioblastoma were treated without serious adverse events related to M11 cell administration or GCV. Quality of life was not negatively influenced by this treatment. Overall median survival was 206 days, with 25% of the patients surviving longer than 12 months. At 4 months after treatment, 4 of 12 patients had no recurrence; their median overall survival was 528 days, compared with 194 days for patients with recurrence (p=0.03 by the log rank test). One patient is still free of detectable recurrence, steroid free and independent, 2.8 years after treatment. Thus, brain injections of M11 retroviral vector-producing cells for glioblastoma HSV-1 TK gene therapy were well tolerated and associated with significant therapeutic responses. These results warrant further development of this therapeutic strategy in brain tumor, including recurrent glioblastoma.

Adult↗

Suicide gene therapy of chemically induced mammary tumor in rat: efficacy and distant bystander effect.

We examined the efficacy of suicide gene therapy for nitrosomethylurea-induced mammary tumors in rats. Individual tumors were directly injected with a retrovirus-producing cell line that releases retroviral vectors that transduce the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) gene. HSV1-TK specifically converts the nucleoside analogue ganciclovir (GCV) into a toxic metabolite. Compared to control rats receiving saline, we observed a significant tumor regression of the injected tumors following GCV administration, accompanied by a stromal inflammation and an extensive lymphocyte infiltration invading the tumor epithelium. It is noteworthy that the neighboring uninjected tumors also regressed, demonstrating the occurrence of a distant bystander effect. This is the first demonstration that HSV1-TK/GCV can efficiently treat multiple solid tumors directly generated from an epithelial tissue.

Animals↗

Plasmoviruses: nonviral/viral vectors for gene therapy.

We have generated a chimeric gene transfer vector that combines the simplicity of plasmids with the infectivity and long-term expression of retroviruses. We replaced the env gene of a Moloney murine leukemia virus-derived provirus by a foreign gene, generating a plasmid that upon transfer to tumor cells generates noninfectious retroviral particles carrying the transgene. We added to this plasmid an independent expression cassette comprising a cytomegalovirus promoter, an amphotropic retroviral envelope, and a polyadenylylation signal from simian virus 40. These constructs were designed to minimize the risk of recombination generating replication-competent retroviruses. Their only region of homology is a 157-bp sequence with 53% identity. We show that the sole transfection of this plasmid in various cell lines generates infectious but defective retroviral particles capable of efficiently infecting and expressing the transgene. The formation of infectious particles allows the transgene propagation in vitro. Eight days after transfection in vitro, the proportion of cells expressing the transgene is increased by 10-60 times. There was no evidence of replication-competent retrovirus generation in these experiments. The intratumoral injection of this plasmid, but not of the control vector lacking the env gene, led to foci of transgene-expressing cells, suggesting that the transgene had propagated in situ. Altogether, these "plasmoviruses" combine advantages of viral and non-viral vectors. They should be easy to produce in large quantity as clinical grade materials and should allow efficient and safe in situ targeting of tumor cells.

3T3 Cells↗

[Generation of a trans-complementable defective recombinant provirus and loading a transgene].

This work was aimed at generating a novel system for gene transfer to tumor cell, combining the advantages of non-viral gene transfer methods with those of transfer by recombinant retroviruses. We replaced the env gene of an infectious Moloney murine leukemia provirus with the gene coding for the thymidine kinase of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1-TK). The sole transfection of this construction allows the production of viral particles, and the encapsidation of a viral genome carrying transgene. We show that this gene is expressed at a level sufficient for conferring sensitivity to ganciclovir, a nucleoside analog that is metabolised in a toxic compound by HSV1-TK. We also show that the complementation of this recombinant defective provirus with a gene coding for a retroviral envelope, either expressed constitutively by the transduced cell, or by co-transfection, leads to the formation of infectious viral particles capable of transducing HSV1-TK into tumor cells.

Antiviral Agents↗

Gene therapy for liver tumors.

Therapeutic gene transfer has progressed quite rapidly in recent years. Noticeably, it has now reached the clinical stage in both fields of inherited and acquired diseases. Numerous studies of liver-targeted gene therapy and cancer gene therapy have supported the hope that such innovative approaches may be of help in the treatment of primary or secondary liver tumors. In this article, the main strategies of experimental, hepatic cancer gene therapy in the prospect of a clinical use are reviewed.

Adenoviridae↗

Regression of established macroscopic liver metastases after in situ transduction of a suicide gene.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) converts nontoxic nucleoside analogs such as ganciclovir into phosphorylated compounds that act as chain terminators and specifically kill dividing cells. This property could be exploited for the treatment of tumors that are made up of rapidly dividing cells invading a nonproliferating tissue. For this purpose, specific expression of the suicide gene into dividing tumor cells can be further targeted by using retroviral-mediated gene transfer. We investigated whether the direct intratumoral transduction of a suicide gene might induce the elimination of malignant solid tumors. Rats with established macroscopic liver metastases were given an intratumoral injection of packaging cells producing either HSV1-TK- or lacZ-expressing recombinant retroviral particles. All rats were next treated with ganciclovir. A dramatic regression of the tumor volume was observed in the HSV1-TK-treated animals. The residual tumors were mostly made up of a massive fibrotic reaction, with the mean cancer cell mass being reduced approximately 60-fold compared to controls. In some animals, the residual tumors were devoid of cancer cells. This treatment efficacy appears in part due to a "bystander effect" in which phosphorylated ganciclovir could be transferred from cell to cell and to an active local immune reaction evidenced by massive infiltration of the tumors by macrophages and both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. This efficient therapeutic approach might be an ultimate treatment for disseminated liver metastases in humans and could also be applied to treatment of a large variety of solid tumors.

Animals↗

Long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on the arterial wall of adult spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment with perindopril 2 mg/kg/day, by gavage, for 3 months on the mechanical function and structure of large arteries were studied in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats with established hypertension. Hemodynamic parameters, including instantaneous aortic blood flow and pressure, were recorded under anesthesia at the end of the treatment period. Systemic arterial compliance was calculated from aortic pressure and flow recordings; passive mechanical properties of the in situ localized carotid artery were measured. Histologic and morphologic parameters of the aortic media, including cross-sectional area and thickness, size, and density of smooth muscle nuclei and of elastin and collagen fibers, were measured using an automated image analysis system. ACE inhibitor treatment significantly decreased mean arterial pressure (-27%, p < 0.001) and total peripheral resistance (-30%, p < 0.05) while cardiac output was increased (29%, p < 0.05). Systemic arterial compliance and carotid compliance were both increased by treatment (63%, p < 0.05, and 83%, p < 0.05, respectively). Morphometric assessment of vascular structure showed that ACE inhibitor treatment significantly decreased medial cross-sectional area (-36%, p < 0.001) and thickness (-16%, p < 0.001) by affecting smooth muscle cell hypertrophy (nucleus size decreased by 26%, p < 0.05) without changes in smooth cell number. Collagen density was decreased by treatment (-42%, p < 0.05), whereas elastin density was not affected by treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

[Treatment of experimental liver tumors by in vivo suicide gene transfer in rats].

We investigated whether the transduction of a suicide gene might induce the elimination of malignant solid tumours. BDIX male rats were given an intra-hepatic injection of a mixture containing DHDK12 tumor cells and xenogeneic fibroblasts. The latter were producing either the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase HSV1-TK- or nls-lac Z(control)-expressing recombinant retroviral particles. 5 days later, a time at which the tumor is macroscopic, all the rats were treated with ganciclovir, a nucleoside analog that is metabolized by HSV1-TK into a toxic compound. After 5 days of treatment, a dramatic reduction in tumour volume was noted in the HSV1-TK group. These results delineate a new therapeutical strategy for the treatment of disseminated liver metastases or of a large variety of solid malignant tumours.

Animals↗

Remodeling of heart and arteries by chronic converting enzyme inhibition in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Hemodynamic and structural changes of the heart and large arterial vessels were studied in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats following 12 weeks administration of converting enzyme inhibitor (perindopril, 2 mg/kg daily by gavage). In both strains, a significant blood pressure reduction was observed. In normotensive rats, the hemodynamic changes involved significant increase in systemic arterial compliance whereas slight changes in left ventricular weight and aortic medial thickness were observed. In hypertensive rats, the increase in compliance was relatively small, whereas there was a major reduction in medial thickness. Furthermore, the reduction of the media thickness was much more pronounced than that of the left ventricular hypertrophy. The present results suggest that the cardiac and arterial changes observed following long term converting enzyme inhibition do not strictly parallel the blood pressure changes in hypertensive rats. Dissociation between cardiac and arterial changes may be observed.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Electrophysiological responses of hypertrophied rat myocardium to combined hypoxia, hyperkalemia, and acidosis.

We studied whether electrophysiological response to ischemia could be different in hypertrophied left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and in normal left ventricle of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. For that purpose, we used a two-compartment tissue bath in which one-half of a left ventricular strip was exposed to normal conditions and the other part to ischemic conditions (low pH, hypoxia, and hyperkalemia). Electrical activity was recorded using standard microelectrodes in normal and hypertrophied preparations. Under basal conditions, the action potential duration (APD) and effective refractory period (ERP) were longer in SHRs than in WKY rats (118 +/- 9 ms vs 81 +/- 3 ms, p less than 0.05 and 90 +/- 9 ms vs. 74 +/- 4 ms, p less than 0.05, respectively). During ischemia, the APD and ERP changed in opposite ways in both groups and we observed the development of postrepolarization refractoriness that was greater in hypertrophied than in normal hearts. Maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) values were 229 +/- 12 and 227 +/- 10 V/s in the SHR and the WKY preparations, respectively. Three minutes after the induction of ischemia, Vmax values decreased to 46 +/- 7 V/s in SHRs and to 106 +/- 12 V/s in WKY rats. A significant increase in subendocardial collagen density was measured in SHR left ventricle compared to WKY rats (4.39 +/- 0.34% vs. 1.66 +/- 0.15%, p less than 0.05), which might partly explain the impaired conduction observed in hypertrophied preparations during ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidosis↗

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in experimental hypertension: influence on heart and arteries.

Hemodynamic and structural changes of the heart and large arterial vessels were studied in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats following 12-week administration of converting enzyme inhibitor (perindopril, 2 mg/kg daily by gavage). In both strains, a significant blood pressure reduction was observed. In normotensive rats, the hemodynamic changes involved significant increase in systemic arterial compliance, whereas slight changes in left ventricular weight and aortic medial thickness were observed. In hypertensive rats, the increase in compliance was relatively small, whereas there was a major reduction in medial thickness. The reduction of the media thickness was much more pronounced than that of the left ventricular hypertrophy. In both strains, the collagen density in the subendocardial layers of the left ventricle was significantly decreased in treated vs untreated groups. The isomyosine profile of the left ventricular muscle was also modified by ACE inhibition with an increase in the V1 form and a decrease in the V3 form. The present results suggest that the cardiac and arterial changes observed following long-term converting enzyme inhibition do not strictly parallel the blood pressure changes in hypertensive rats. Dissociation between cardiac and arterial changes may be observed.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗