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O Kan

Publications and source records attributed to O Kan.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

EIAV vector-mediated delivery of endostatin or angiostatin inhibits angiogenesis and vascular hyperpermeability in experimental CNV.

We evaluated the efficacy of equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV)-based lentiviral vectors encoding endostatin (EIAV.endostatin) or angiostatin (EIAV.angiostatin) in inhibiting angiogenesis and vascular hyperpermeability in the laser-induced model of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Equine infectious anaemia virus.endostatin, EIAV.angiostatin or control (EIAV.null) vectors were administered into the subretinal space of C57Bl/6J mice. Two weeks after laser injury CNV areas and the degree of vascular hyperpermeability were measured by image analysis of in vivo fluorescein angiograms. Compared with EIAV.null-injected eyes, EIAV.endostatin resulted in a 59.5% (P<0.001) reduction in CNV area and a reduction in hyperpermeability of 25.6% (P<0.05). Equine infectious anaemia virus.angiostatin resulted in a 50.0% (P<0.05) reduction in CNV area and a 23.9% (P<0.05) reduction in hyperpermeability. Equine infectious anaemia virus.endostatin, but not EIAV.angiostatin significantly augmented the frequency of apoptosis within the induced CNV as compared with injected controls. TdT-dUTP terminal nick end labeling analysis 5 weeks post-injection, and histological and retinal flatmount analysis 12 months post-injection revealed no evidence of vector- or transgene expression-related deleterious effects on neurosensory retinal cells, or mature retinal vasculature in non-lasered eyes. Highly expressing EIAV-based vectors encoding endostatin or angiostatin effectively control angiogenesis and hyperpermeability in experimental CNV without long-term deleterious effects, supporting the use of such a strategy in the management of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Stable and efficient intraocular gene transfer using pseudotyped EIAV lentiviral vectors.

BACKGROUND: We have developed minimal non-primate lentiviral vectors based on the equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV). We evaluated the in vivo expression profiles of these vectors delivered regionally to ocular tissues to define their potential utility in ocular gene therapy. METHODS: EIAV vectors pseudotyped with VSV-G or rabies-G envelope proteins were delivered subretinally, intravitreally or into the anterior chambers (intracameral administration) in mice. Reporter gene (eGFP) expression was analysed using in vivo retinal imaging or histological examination of eyes and brains at intervals between 3 days and 16 months. We investigated the effects of vector titre, pseudotype, genome configuration, site of intraocular administration, intentional retinal trauma and the degree of retinal maturation on the spatial and temporal expression profiles of these vectors. RESULTS: Subretinal vector delivery resulted in efficient and stable transduction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and variable transduction of photoreceptors up to 16 months post-injection. Retinal trauma facilitated the local transduction of neurosensory retinal cells. Intracameral administration of VSV-G- but not rabies-G-pseudotyped vectors produced stable eGFP expression in corneal endothelial cells and trabecular meshwork. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular tropism and expression kinetics of optimised EIAV vectors after intraocular administration make them attractive vehicles for delivering therapeutic genes in the management of inherited and acquired retinal and anterior segment disorders.

Animals↗

Direct retroviral delivery of human cytochrome P450 2B6 for gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy of cancer.

Human cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) metabolizes the prodrug cyclophosphamide (CPA) to produce phosphoramide mustard that cross-links DNA leading to cell death. We have constructed a novel retroviral vector encoding CYP2B6 (designated "MetXia-P450") and used it to transduce the human tumor cell lines HT29 and T47D. MetXia-P450 transduction sensitised these cells to the cytotoxic effects of the prodrug CPA. Results from in vitro experiments demonstrated adverse effects on the clonogenic survival of cyclophosphamide-treated cells transduced with MetXia-P450. Cytotoxic activity accompanied by bystander effect was particularly evident in 3-D multicellular spheroid models suggesting that this in vitro system may be a more appropriate model for assessing the efficacy of gene directed-enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT). We have applied this approach in a clinically relevant gene therapy protocol on established subcutaneous tumor xenografts. These studies show for the first time the efficacy of a P450-based GDEPT strategy mediated by a direct retroviral gene transfer in vivo.

Animals↗

Insertional mutagenesis as a route to identifying genes involved in self renewal of haemopoietic stem cells.

The genes controlling self renewal in the haemopoietic system are still unknown. Using retroviral insertional mutagenesis we have established multipotent haemopoietic stem cell lines (FDCP-mix) that possess an increased self renewal capacity in vitro. To identify genes involved in the regulation of self renewal, proviral integration sites were cloned from FDCP-mix cells and used as probes to screen independently isolated FDCP-mix cell lines for a common proviral insertion site. So far, two common integration sites have been identified, A25 and M4. A25 is rearranged in 50% of the FDCP-mix cell lines and M4 in 10%. Genes located at or near these sites are likely candidates for the control of self renewal of haemopoietic stem cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

The macrophage - a novel system to deliver gene therapy to pathological hypoxia.

The use of activated macrophages in the treatment of cancer has been largely ineffectual. By 'arming' these cells with the ability to express a therapeutic gene we demonstrate significant advances in the efficacy of this approach. We have used a hypoxia-regulated adenoviral vector to transduce human macrophages with either a reporter or a therapeutic gene encoding human cytochrome P4502B6 (CYP2B6). Infiltration of transduced macrophages into a tumour spheroid results in induction of gene expression. We demonstrate significant tumour cell killing only in the presence of cyclophosphamide via activation by P4502B6 and show that this can be further targeted to tumours through hypoxia regulated gene expression. Gene Therapy (2000) 7, 255-262.

Adenoviridae↗

The Hox-2.4 gene is not involved in the generation of IL-3 dependent multipotent FDCP-mix cell lines.

The establishment of IL-3-dependent multipotent progenitor cell lines from Hox-2.4-expressing bone marrow cells suggests that homeobox genes may contribute to immortalization of early myeloid cells. A survey of 20 independently derived multipotent IL-3-dependent cell lines established from either src-virus-infected long-term bone marrow cultures (FDCP-mix) or Multi-CSF-virus (M3MuV)-infected bone marrow revealed that Hox-2.4 was not expressed in any of these cell lines. In addition DNA rearrangements were not observed. We conclude that activation of Hox-2.4 is not an obligatory event in the immortalization of early myeloid cells.

Animals↗

Apoptosis is regulated by the rate of glucose transport in an interleukin 3 dependent cell line.

In the absence of a survival stimulus, the interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent IC.DP cell line undergoes a process termed programmed cell death or apoptosis. Survival can be induced by IL-3, which can also stimulate proliferation of IC.DP cells. IC.DP cells have been stably transfected with the p160v-abl protein tyrosine kinase, activation of the kinase at the permissive temperature permits cell survival in the absence of IL-3 by suppression of apoptosis, although the growth factor is still required for proliferation. Both IL-3 and activation of the v-ABL tyrosine kinase stimulated glucose transport, which may in part be due to a translocation of transporters to the cell surface. Inhibition of glucose uptake markedly increased the rate of apoptosis in these cells, an effect that could be reversed by the provision of alternative energy sources such as glutamine. Growth factor- or oncogene-mediated increases in glucose uptake may therefore represent an important regulatory point in the suppression of apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗

Cellular signalling events stimulated by myeloid haemopoietic growth factors.

In haemopoietic cells, proliferation, commitment to development, lineage restriction and survival via suppression of apoptosis can all be controlled by haemopoietic growth factors. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of these events can now be studied since recombinant forms of most of these haemopoietic growth factors are now available. Recent advances in cell purification techniques and the development of multipotent cell lines (see Spangrude et al, 1988; Whetton, 1990; Heyworth et al, 1988, 1990a; Jones et al, 1990) have provided suitable cell populations on which to study the cellular signalling events associated with differentiation and lineage restriction. This process has started with the elucidation of the structure and expression of many of the myeloid growth factor receptors, which should now facilitate progress in the study of the signal transduction mechanisms these growth factors employ. Another important facet of these studies will be to determine whether a single growth factor with multiple target cell types, ranging from multipotent cells to postmitotic cells (e.g. neutrophils), employs distinct signalling mechanisms depending on the target cell in question. The cellular signalling events elicited by each of these growth factors and the ways in which they can regulate the transcriptional activation of genes associated with specific developmental events are going to be key areas of haemopoietic research in the next few years.

Adult↗

Interferon-gamma stimulates the survival and influences the development of bipotential granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells.

The effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on a highly enriched population of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) were assessed. When added with myeloid growth factors (interleukin-3 [IL-3], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], or macrophage-CSF [M-CSF]), IFN-gamma inhibited the formation of colonies in soft agar assays. Furthermore IFN-gamma stimulated an increase in the number of macrophages present in colonies formed in the presence of IL-3. IFN-gamma also inhibited M-CSF-, GM-CSF-, or IL-3-stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation in highly enriched GM-CFC. However, when added in the absence of hematopoietic growth factors, IFN-gamma promoted the survival of GM-CFC and had a modest stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis. The direct interaction of the IFN with GM-CFC was confirmed by showing its ability to rapidly activate the sodium/hydrogen antiport in GM-CFC, as do the mitogens GM-CSF, M-CSF, and IL-3. However, the effect of IFN-gamma on intracellular pH and DNA synthesis was transient and pretreatment with IFN markedly inhibited the ability of GM-CSF, M-CSF, and IL-3 to activate the sodium/hydrogen antiport. IFN-gamma has a dual effect on GM-CFC, decreasing the rate of cell death but also limiting the proliferative response to CSFs.

Animals↗

Development of multipotential haemopoietic stem cells to neutrophils is associated with increased expression of receptors for granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor: altered biological responses to GM-CSF during development.

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) dependent multipotent haemopoietic stem cells FDCP-Mix A4 (A4) were induced to differentiate and develop into mature neutrophils in response to Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) plus granulocyte CSF (G-CSF). This resulted in an increase in cell number over seven days of culture, following which the cells lost the ability to undergo further proliferation. The effect of GM-CSF on these cells has been assessed at various stages of development. Clonogenic cells, able to respond to GM-CSF, were generated only at days 3, 4 post-induction. From day 5 onwards, mature post-mitotic neutrophils are produced and clonogenic cells are lost. Loss of proliferative potential, in response to GM-CSF, was confirmed using [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Receptors for GM-CSF, were also measured during development using [125I]-GM-CSF binding assays. Although the dissociation constant for GM-CSF binding sites did not vary considerably, the number of such sites increased dramatically from about 20 (day 0, when the cells have a primitive morphology) to about 1000 by day 6 (when the cells are predominantly mature neutrophils). GM-CSF-stimulated Na+/H+ antiport activation was also determined. Although few GM-CSF receptors are expressed at day 0, there is a significant response (63% of maximal) to GM-CSF in terms of intracellular alkalinisation: this response increased markedly until, by day 4 (700 GM-CSF binding sites/cell), there is a maximal activation of the antiport by GM-CSF. By day 7 (greater than 900 GM-CSF binding sites/cell), however, there is significant reduction in activation of the Na+/H+ antiport by GM-CSF. Nonetheless, increased viability of these mature cells is still seen in response to GM-CSF. These results suggest that not only does expression of GM-CSF receptors alter during development of multipotential cells to mature neutrophils, but that these receptors are coupled to different intracellular effector mechanisms as the cells progressively mature.

Cell Differentiation↗

The role of hemopoietic growth factors in self-renewal and differentiation of IL-3-dependent multipotential stem cells.

A multipotent hemopoietic cell line has been employed to assess the influence of the hemopoietic growth factors, IL-3, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and CSF-1 on the processes of self-renewal, the generation of lineage restricted progenitor cells and the production of mature neutrophils and macrophages. At a high concentration of IL-3, the cells undergo self-renewal and demonstrate little or no ability to undergo differentiation in the presence of the other growth factors. In the absence of IL-3, the cells show minimal (GM-CSF) or no (G-CSF or CSF-1) ability to respond to these other growth factors. When combined with a low concentration of IL-3, the ability of the cells to respond to GM-CSF, G-CSF, and CSF-1 is enhanced and a selective preference for the neutrophil or macrophage lineage is seen depending on the combination used, i.e., the presence of CSF-1 preferentially promotes macrophage development and G-CSF preferentially promotes neutrophil development. Conditions optimal for neutrophil development were seen using a combination of low IL-3 concentrations plus GM-CSF plus G-CSF. In such conditions, the cells undergo extensive proliferation and progressively lose their clonogenic potential (i.e., differentiation much greater than self-renewal) and acquire the biochemical markers characteristic of fully mature phagocytes.

Animals↗