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Biomedical subjects

Yong Qian

Publications and source records attributed to Yong Qian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Kinase domain insert containing receptor promoter controlled suicide gene system selectively kills human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

AIM: To study the selective killing of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by a double suicide gene under the regulation of a kinase domain insert containing receptor (KDR) promoter and mediated by an adenoviral gene vector. METHODS: Human KDR promoter was cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and two recombinant adenoviral plasmids pAdKDR-CdglyTK, pAdCMV-CDglyTK were constructed according to a two-step transformation protocol. These two newly constructed plasmids were then transfected into 293 packaging cells to grow adenovirus, which were further multiplied and purified. HUVECs and LoVo cells were infected with either of the two resultant recombinant adenoviruses (AdKDR-CDglyTK and AdCMV-CDglyTK) respectively, and the infection rates were estimated by detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Infected cells were cultured in culture media containing different concentrations of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) and ganciclovir (GCV), and the killing effects were measured. RESULTS: The two recombinant adenoviral plasmids pAdKDR-CdglyTK, pAdCMV-CDglyTK were successfully constructed and transfected into 293 cells. The resultant recombinant adenoviruses infected cells caused similar infection rates; and the infected cells exhibited different sensitivity to the prodrugs: HUVECs infected with AdCMV-CDglyTK and LoVo cells infected with AdCMV-CDglyTK were highly sensitive to the prodrugs, and HUVECs infected with AdKDR-CDglyTK were similarly sensitive but significantly more sensitive than the LoVo cells infected with AdKDR-CdglyTK (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Selective killing of HUVECs may be achieved by gene transfer of double suicide gene under the regulation of the KDR promoter. This finding may provide an optional way to target gene therapy of malignant tumors by abrogation of tumor blood vessels.

Adenoviridae↗

Predicting cancer drug response by proteomic profiling.

PURPOSE: Accurate prediction of an individual patient's drug response is an important prerequisite of personalized medicine. Recent pharmacogenomics research in chemosensitivity prediction has studied the gene-drug correlation based on transcriptional profiling. However, proteomic profiling will more directly solve the current functional and pharmacologic problems. We sought to determine whether proteomic signatures of untreated cells were sufficient for the prediction of drug response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In this study, a machine learning model system was developed to classify cell line chemosensitivity exclusively based on proteomic profiling. Using reverse-phase protein lysate microarrays, protein expression levels were measured by 52 antibodies in a panel of 60 human cancer cell (NCI-60) lines. The model system combined several well-known algorithms, including random forests, Relief, and the nearest neighbor methods, to construct the protein expression--based chemosensitivity classifiers. The classifiers were designed to be independent of the tissue origin of the cells. RESULTS: A total of 118 classifiers of the complete range of drug responses (sensitive, intermediate, and resistant) were generated for the evaluated anticancer drugs, one for each agent. The accuracy of chemosensitivity prediction of all the evaluated 118 agents was significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that of random prediction. Furthermore, our study found that the proteomic determinants for chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil were also potential diagnostic markers of colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that it was feasible to accurately predict chemosensitivity by proteomic approaches. This study provides a basis for the prediction of drug response based on protein markers in the untreated tumors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Constructing molecular classifiers for the accurate prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Individualized therapy of lung adenocarcinoma depends on the accurate classification of patients into subgroups of poor and good prognosis, which reflects a different probability of disease recurrence and survival following therapy. However, it is currently impossible to reliably identify specific high-risk patients. Here, we propose a computational model system which accurately predicts the clinical outcome of individual patients based on their gene expression profiles. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Gene signatures were selected using feature selection algorithms random forests, correlation-based feature selection, and gain ratio attribute selection. Prediction models were built using random committee and Bayesian belief networks. The prognostic power of the survival predictors was also evaluated using hierarchical cluster analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The predictive accuracy of an identified 37-gene survival signature is 0.96 as measured by the area under the time-dependent receiver operating curves. The cluster analysis, using the 37-gene signature, aggregates the patient samples into three groups with distinct prognoses (Kaplan-Meier analysis, P < 0.0005, log-rank test). All patients in cluster 1 were in stage I, with N0 lymph node status (no metastasis) and smaller tumor size (T1 or T2). Additionally, a 12-gene signature correctly predicts the stage of 94.2% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the prediction models based on the expression levels of a small number of marker genes could accurately predict patient outcome for individualized therapy of lung adenocarcinoma. Such an individualized treatment may significantly increase survival due to the optimization of treatment procedures and improve lung cancer survival every year through the 5-year checkpoint.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cyanidin-3-glucoside, a natural product derived from blackberry, exhibits chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity.

Epidemiological data suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower incidence of cancer. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a compound found in blackberry and other food products, was shown to possess chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity in the present study. In cultured JB6 cells, C3G was able to scavenge ultraviolet B-induced *OH and O2-* radicals. In vivo studies indicated that C3G treatment decreased the number of non-malignant and malignant skin tumors per mouse induced by 12-O-tetradecanolyphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin. Pretreatment of JB6 cells with C3G inhibited UVB- and TPA-induced transactivation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These inhibitory effects appear to be mediated through the inhibition of MAPK activity. C3G also blocked TPA-induced neoplastic transformation in JB6 cells. In addition, C3G inhibited proliferation of a human lung carcinoma cell line, A549. Animal studies showed that C3G reduced the size of A549 tumor xenograft growth and significantly inhibited metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that C3G inhibited migration and invasion of A549 tumor cells. These finding demonstrate for the first time that a purified compound of anthocyanin inhibits tumor promoter-induced carcinogenesis and tumor metastasis in vivo.

Animals↗

Determination and assessment of HCHs and DDTs residues in sediments from Lake Dongting, China.

The contamination of organochlorine pesticides hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and their eco-environmental assessment in surface sediments from Lake Dongting, the second-largest freshwater lake in China, were studied. Concentrations of summation HCH (=alpha-HCH + beta-HCH + gamma-HCH +delta-HCH) were 0.21-9.59 ng/g dry weight and those of summation DDT = p,p'-DDD+p,p'-DDE+o,p'-DDT+p,p'-DDT) ranged from under detectable limit to 10.15 ng/g dry weight. The ratios of alpha-HCH to gamma-HCH were above 7 at most sampling sites while no or a small amount of beta-HCH were found at all sites, suggesting the degradation of HCH used in the history and possibly current use of HCH in the region. The low ratios (below 2.0 in most cases) of (p,p'-DDE+p,p'-DDD) to p,p'-DDT and high levels of individual isomers of DDT at some sites also suggested that there have still been fresh inputs of DDT into Lake Dongting. Through the comparison between concentrations of HCH and DDT residues in sediments of Lake Dongting and those from other places in China and also from the results of our eco-environmental assessment, it can be concluded that Lake Dongting is the water body with high contamination of both HCH and DDT in its sediments in comparison with other water bodies in China.

China↗

Luteolin and chrysin differentially inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 expression and scavenge reactive oxygen species but similarly inhibit prostaglandin-E2 formation in RAW 264.7 cells.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with cancer, atherosclerosis, and other chronic diseases. Dietary flavonoids have been reported to possess antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties, but their mechanisms of action and structure-activity relations have not been fully investigated. We hypothesized that differences in antioxidant activity between the structurally similar flavones, luteolin and chrysin (differing only in B-ring hydroxylation patterns), would differentially affect inflammation-associated Cox-2 expression and PGE2 formation. Pretreatment of RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells with 25, 50, or 100 micromol/L concentrations of luteolin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Cox-2 protein expression (P < 0.0001). Chrysin pretreatment did not reduce LPS-induced Cox-2 protein expression at any level tested. Conversely, both luteolin and chrysin completely suppressed LPS-induced PGE2 formation (P < 0.001). Luteolin, but not chrysin, inhibited xanthine/xanthine oxidase-generated superoxide formation at 100 micromol/L in a cell-free system (P < 0.001). Although both luteolin and chrysin reduced LPS-induced hydroxyl radical formation relative to the positive control (P < 0.001), luteolin was superior to chrysin (P = 0.003). In summary, luteolin and chrysin suppressed PGE2 formation equally well, despite differential effects on Cox-2 protein expression and on superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging. These data indicate that flavones may display similar antiinflammatory activity via different mechanisms.

Cell Survival↗

Dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene using ultrafine Ca-Fe composite oxides.

Ca-Fe composite oxides with different Ca/Fe atomic ratios were synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with elemental X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Their dechlorination activities were evaluated using hexachlorobenzene (HCB) as a model compound. The results indicate that the dechlorination activity is related to the composition of metal oxides. Different compositions lead to the formation of different phases of Ca-Fe composite oxides. When Ca/Fe atomic ratio was 3.4, the dechlorination activity reached 97%, which was the highest in the dechlorination of HCB at 300 degrees C for 0.5 h. This may be related to the formation of Ca(2)Fe(2)O(5) phase and small agglomerate size of oxide crystal of about 1 microm. The effect of reaction time on HCB dechlorination and the pathway of dechlorination were investigated using the Ca-Fe composite oxide with the highest activity. It was found that hydrodechlorination took place in the destruction of HCB, the dechlorination efficiency is almost 100% after 2 h reaction. After reaction, quantitative measurement of chloride ion and qualitative analysis of CaCO(3) indicate besides hydrodechlorination, other degradation routes may be present. The mechanism of synergic dechlorination using Ca-Fe composite oxides was discussed.

Adsorption↗

Inhibition of activator protein-1, NF-kappaB, and MAPKs and induction of phase 2 detoxifying enzyme activity by chlorogenic acid.

Chlorogenic acid, the ester of caffeic acid with quinic acid, is one of the most abundant polyphenols in the human diet. The antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties of chlorogenic acid have been established in animal studies. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms through which chlorogenic acid inhibits carcinogenesis. In this study, we found that chlorogenic acid inhibited the proliferation of A549 human cancer cells in vitro. The results of the soft agar assay indicated that chlorogenic acid suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced neoplastic transformation of JB6 P+ cells in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of JB6 cells with chlorogenic acid blocked UVB- or TPA-induced transactivation of AP-1 and NF-kappaB over the same dose range. At low concentrations, chlorogenic acid decreased the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases, p38 kinase, and MAPK kinase 4 induced by UVB/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, yet higher doses were required to inhibit extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Chlorogenic acid also increased the enzymatic activities of glutathione S-transferases (GST) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase. Further studies indicated that chlorogenic acid could stimulate the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor) as well as subsequent induction of GSTA1 antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated GST activity. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway might be involved in the activation of Nrf2 translocation. These results provide the first evidence that chlorogenic acid could protect against environmental carcinogen-induced carcinogenesis and suggest that the chemopreventive effects of chlorogenic acid may be through its up-regulation of cellular antioxidant enzymes and suppression of ROS-mediated NF-kappaB, AP-1, and MAPK activation.

Agar↗

ILK mediates actin filament rearrangements and cell migration and invasion through PI3K/Akt/Rac1 signaling.

One of the hallmarks of integrin signaling is an increase in cell migration and invasion, both of which are associated with actin filament rearrangements. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a cytoplasmic effector of integrin receptors. ILK is known to be involved in multiple cellular functions. However, the signaling pathways involved in ILK-mediated cellular structure and motility remain to be elucidated. Here, we have demonstrated that overexpression of ILK was sufficient to induce actin filament rearrangements, to form cell motility structures, and to increase cell migration and invasion in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent manner. This corresponds with the activation of both Akt and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K1). Overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of Akt inhibited ILK-dependent activation of p70S6K1, indicating that Akt is upstream of p70S6K1 in response to ILK signaling. Overexpression of ILK was sufficient to induce Rac1 activation, which was abolish by a PI3K inhibitor, indicating that Rac1 activity is involved in ILK signaling in a PI3K dependent manner. Inhibition of Akt, Rac1, or p70S6K1 inhibited the effects of ILK on actin filaments and cell migration, suggesting a regulatory role of the PI3K/Akt/p70S6K1/Rac1 signaling pathway in response to ILK signaling. We have shown that overexpression of a dominant-negative ILK was sufficient to abolish fibronectin peptide (PHSRN)-induced rearrangements of actin filaments and cell migration and invasion. Taken together, our results identify a mechanism through which ILK can regulate both integrin-associated rearrangements of actin filaments and cell migration and invasion at the integrin receptor-proximal region.

Animals↗

Induction of a cell stress response gene RTP801 by DNA damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate through CCAAT/enhancer binding protein.

RTP801 is a newly discovered stress response gene that is induced by hypoxia and other cell stress signals. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which a DNA damaging agent, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), induces RTP801 transcription. In HaCaT human keratinocytes, MMS was able to induce a rapid increase in the mRNA level of RTP801. Correspondingly, MMS treatment was capable of stimulating a 2.5 kb RTP801 promoter. Deletion studies with the promoter demonstrated a critical region between -1057 and -981 bp of the promoter that is responsive to MMS treatment. Point mutations of the consensus Elk-1 and C/EBP sites within this region were able to abrogate the stimulatory effect of MMS, indicating that Elk-1 and C/EBP are both involved in the transcriptional regulation of the RTP801 gene by MMS. Furthermore, a gel mobility shift assay revealed that MMS was able to initiate rapid formation of a protein complex that bound the C/EBP site of the promoter. In addition, an anti-C/EBPbetaantibody was capable of further shifting the bound protein complex. Therefore, these studies indicate that RTP801 is a transcriptional target of MMS in human keratinocytes and that C/EBP is implicated in transcriptional control of the gene.

Binding Sites↗

Influence of metal oxides on PCDD/Fs formation from pentachlorophenol.

Chlorophenols (ClPhs) are considered as important precursors for PCDD/Fs formation. The influences of series of metal oxides including MgO, Al2O3, CaO, BaO, TiO2, V2O5, MnO2, Fe2O3, Co3O4, CuO, Ag2O, ZnO, HgO, SnO, PbO, La2O3, CeO2, and Eu2O3 on PCDD/Fs formation from pentachlorophenol (PCP) were investigated in a laboratory-scale reactor. The results indicated that most of the above metal oxides have obvious suppressing effects on the total amount of PCDD/Fs formation from precursor PCP except for CuO, ZnO, MnO2, TiO2 and Co3O4 with promotion effects at 280 degrees C for 2 h. Although MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, PbO, La2O3 and Eu2O3 could reduce the amount of octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD), they promote the formation of more toxic 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD at the same time. The total suppressing efficiencies of several metal oxides including CaO, BaO, PbO, Ag2O, HgO and SnO which have lower Z/r (charge to radius ratio) <2 are all over 90%. The theories of generalized acid-base and atomic parameter (Z/r) were used to speculate the effecting mechanisms. The factors including time and temperature on suppressing efficiencies of CaO, BaO and PbO have also been studied in the present paper. The results showed that the total suppressing efficiencies of CaO, BaO and PbO increase with the increase of heated time and temperature.

Air Pollution↗

Inhibition of PCDD/Fs formation from dioxin precursors by calcium oxide.

Research aimed at understanding the inhibition effect of CaO on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) formation form dioxins precursors, such as chlorophenols (CPs) and chlorobenzenes (CBs). The results indicated that a clear dioxin inhibition effect occurred both in open and sealed system when CaO was used. In the open system, PCDDs were the main congeners and the inhibition efficiency was all over 99% in the experiments. In the experiments with CaO, less than 0.1% of the initial PCP was detected in the absorption tube and only about 1% of the initial PCP was examined as calcium pentachlorophenate in the reaction tube. In the sealed system, the inhibition efficiency was over 90% at temperature range between 280 and 450 degrees C when PCP was used as model precursor. When HCB and 2,3,4,5-T4CP replaced PCP, significant inhibition effect was also observed. As CaO has the advantageous properties of non-toxicity and non-volatile nature, it is our hope that the result will contribute to the development of a new technique to cope with the problem of dioxin pollution in MWIs.

Air Pollution↗

Synergic effect of calcium oxide and iron (III) oxide on the dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene.

Dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was achieved by a mixture of commercial CaO and alpha-Fe2O3 (CaO/alpha-Fe2O3) in closed systems at temperatures of 300 degrees C and 350 degrees C, which exhibited a synergic effect compared to CaO or alpha-Fe2O3 alone, and the dechlorination efficiency was dramatically enhanced. When CaO and alpha-Fe2O3 coexisted, HCB was dechlorinated by about 98% after 0.5 h reaction at 300 degrees C. All TeCB-, TrCB-, and DCB-isomers were detected, showing the presence of more than one dechlorination pathway. The pathway to form 1,2,4-TrCB must be a major pathway because the greatest amount of 1,2,4-TrCB was detected. There existed discrepancy of the material balance between the starting and dechlorinated materials. It implies that besides dechlorination other decomposition processes may be present. The mechanism of synergic effect of calcium and iron oxides was investigated.

Calcium Compounds↗

Estimation of OCDD degradation rate in soil.

The current concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were determined in soils contaminated with Chinese technical product sodium pentachlorophenate (Na-PCP). The estimated half-life of octachlorodioxin (OCDD) was about 14 years in contaminated soils based on the local historical record and mass balance calculation during the past 43 years (1960-2003). The isomer profiles remained the same regardless of paddy field soil or riverbank soil. The results indicated that the congener-specific information was efficient in estimating the PCDD/Fs fate in contaminated soils.

Agriculture↗

Cdc42 regulates arsenic-induced NADPH oxidase activation and cell migration through actin filament reorganization.

Although arsenic is a human carcinogen, the molecular mechanisms of its action remain to be understood. The present study reports that exposure to arsenic induced actin filament reorganization, resulting in lamellipodia and filopodia structures through the activation of Cdc42 in SVEC4-10 endothelial cells. It was also found that arsenic induced the formation of the superoxide anion (O2*) in SVEC4-10 cells. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analysis demonstrated that arsenic stimulation induced serine phosphorylation of p47phox, a key component of NADPH oxidase, indicating that arsenic induces O2* formation through NADPH oxidase activation. Inhibition of arsenic-induced actin filament reorganization by either overexpression of a dominant negative Cdc42 or pretreatment of an actin filament stabilizing regent, jasplakinolide, abrogated arsenic-induced NADPH oxidase activation, showing that the activation of NADPH oxidase was regulated by Cdc42-mediated actin filament reorganization. This study also showed that overexpression of a dominant negative Rac1 was sufficient to abolish arsenic-induced O2*- production, implying that Rac1 activities are required for Cdc42-mediated NADPH oxidase activation in response to arsenic stimulation. Furthermore, arsenic stimulation induced cell migration, which can be inhibited by the inactivation of either Cdc42 or NADPH oxidase. Taken together, the results indicate that arsenic is able to activate NADPH oxidase through Cdc42-mediated actin filament reorganization, leading to the induction of an increase in cell migration in SVEC4-10 endothelial cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Analysis of the role of the leucine zipper motif in regulating the ability of AFAP-110 to alter actin filament integrity.

AFAP-110 has an intrinsic ability to alter actin filament integrity as an actin filament crosslinking protein. This capability is regulated by a carboxy terminal leucine zipper (Lzip) motif. The Lzip motif facilitates self-association stabilizing the AFAP-110 multimers. Deletion of the Lzip motif (AFAP-110(Deltalzip)) reduces the stability of the AFAP-110 multimer and concomitantly increases its ability to crosslink actin filaments, in vitro, and to activate cSrc and alter actin filament integrity, in vivo. We sought to determine how the Lzip motif regulates AFAP-110 function. Substitution of the c-Fos Lzip motif in place of the AFAP-110 Lzip motif (AFAP-110(fos)) was predicted to preserve the alpha-helical structure while changing the sequence. To alter the structure of the alpha-helix, a leucine to proline mutation was generated in the AFAP-110 alpha-helical Lzip motif (AFAP-110(581P)), which largely preserved the sequence. The helix mutants, AFAP-110(Deltalzip), AFAP-110(fos), and AFAP-110(581P), demonstrated reduced multimer stability with an increased capacity to crosslink actin filaments, in vitro, relative to AFAP-110. An analysis of opposing binding sites indicated that the carboxy terminus/Lzip motif can contact sequences within the amino terminal pleckstrin homology (PH1) domain indicating an auto-inhibitory mechanism for regulating multimer stability and actin filament crosslinking. In vivo, only AFAP-110(Deltalzip) and AFAP-110(581P) were to activate cSrc and to alter cellular actin filament integrity. These data indicate that the intrinsic ability of AFAP-110 to crosslink actin filaments is dependent upon both the sequence and structure of the Lzip motif, while the ability of the Lzip motif to regulate AFAP-110-directed activation of cSrc and changes in actin filament integrity in vivo is dependent upon the structure or presence of the Lzip motif. We hypothesize that the intrinsic ability of AFAP-110 to crosslink actin filaments or activate cSrc are distinct functions.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Formation of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the process of production of 1,4-dichlorobenzene.

The occurrence and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a typical process of production of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) were investigated systematically in this study. P5CDFs and H6CDFs were the main congeners of PCDD/Fs, while only low levels of other PCDD/Fs were detected in the samples. The concentrations of PCBs were up to 4614 ng/g in the semi-manufactured products, and 1797 ng/g in the product p-DCB. It was also found that high chlorinated PCB congeners increased with the further chlorination. The levels of PCDD/Fs decreased obviously in the purification process, while PCBs could not be removed effectively. Polychlorophenols and other important dioxin precursors (1,4-dichloro-2-phenoxybenzene and 2-phenyl-2',5,5'-trichlorophenol) were also analyzed. Polychlorophenols which ortho- and para-positions of the hydroxyl were substituted by chlorine were the main congeners. In addition, a possible pathway of the formation of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the production of p-DCB was presented. The results of this article suggest that re-estimation on the risk of using p-DCB products, especially the products for daily use such as mothballs, is expected.

Benzofurans↗

Killing effect of suicide gene system under control by KDR promotor on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study the killing effect of adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene under the regulation of kinase domain-containing receptor (KDR) promoter on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: The sequences of human KDR promoter gene, CD gene and TK gene were amplified by PCR, and the plasmid pKDR-CDglyTK was constructed. A two-step transformation protocol was employed for the construction of a recombinant adenoviral plasmid pAdKDR-CDglyTK that was transfected into 293 packaging cells to further multiply and purify the adenovirus. HUVECs were infected by the resultant recombinant adenovirus of different multiplicities of infection (MOI), and the infection rate was measured by observing the expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP). The infected cells were cultured in the culture media containing ganciclovir (GCV) and/or 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) at different concentrations, and the killing effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Recombinant adenovirus AdKDR-CDglyTK were successfully constructed, which could efficiently infect HUVEC cells, with the infection rate associated with the MOI of the recombinant adenovirus. HUVEC cells infected with AdKDR-CDglyTK were highly sensitive to the prodrugs, their survival rate correlated to both the concentration of the prodrugs and the MOI of the recombinant adenovirus. The killing effect of the two produrgs used in combination was much stronger than that of exclusive use of GCV or 5-FC. CONCLUSIONS: Prodrug/KDR-CdglyTK system is effective in killing HUVEC cells, and its killing effect is correlated with the concentration of the prodrugs and the MOI of the recombinant adenovirus. Combination of the two prodrugs produces stronger killing effect on the cells.

Adenoviridae↗