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At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Attenuation of collagen-induced arthritis in mice by treatment with vector cells engineered to secrete interleukin-13.

The anti-inflammatory effects of the recently identified cytokine interleukin (IL)-13 on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was explored and compared to those of IL-4 using systemic administration of these cytokines via two injections of xenogeneic vector cells transfected with a plasmid construct. CIA was induced in DBA/I mice by immunization with native bovine type II collagen (CII). Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts transfected with the mouse IL-13 or IL-4 genes were inoculated subcutaneously on days 10 and 25 post-priming with CII and mice were monitored for signs of arthritis by observers unaware of the status of the animal. Incidence and severity of CIA were significantly reduced in the groups of mice treated with IL-13 and IL-4 gene-transfected CHO cells compared to control groups receiving nontransfected cells. Expression of various cytokines in spleen cells from individual mice was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction at different times after immunization. Our data show that IL-13-induced suppression of CIA coincided with a decreased TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the spleen of treated animals. This may explain at least partially the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-13 in CIA. Thus, our results may have important implications for the clinical use of T helper (Th)1/TH2 modulatory cytokines as therapeutic agents in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗

A genetically engineered cell line resistant to subgroup J avian leukosis virus infection (C/J).

A cell line (DF-1¿J) expressing the envelope protein isolated from the ADOL-Hc1 strain of the avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) was used to analyze receptor interference to six different isolates of ALV-J as well as ALV subgroups A-D. The traditional gag-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as flow cytometry was used to evaluate viral infection. The parental cell line (DF-1) was susceptible to all ALV subgroups tested while the DF-1¿J cell line was selectively resistant to the subgroup J isolates. The DF-1¿J cell line was resistant to infection by all six ALV-J isolates as determined using the gag-specific ELISA. There was no interference with the other ALV subgroups (A-D) induced by the expression of the ADOL-Hcl envelope. The ALV-J isolates used in this analysis are serologically distinct when analyzed by flow cytometry. Convalescent sera to ADOL-Hcl cross-reacts with all of the ALV-J isolates tested; however, sera to HPRS-103 did not bind to four of the six isolates. Based on the intensity and differential binding of these antisera using flow cytometry, the six ALV-J isolates used can be grouped into four categories. Thus the DF-1¿J cell line is resistant to infection by a serologically and genetically diverse group of ALV-J isolates and should be useful as a diagnostic tool.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nature and potential of the reactive response to mouse mammary adenocarcinoma cells engineered with interleukin-2, interleukin-4 or interferon-gamma genes.

A spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma of BALB/c mice was transduced with the murine interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-gamma genes. The ability of clones releasing IL-2, IL-4 or IFN-gamma to form tumors after s.c. challenge was compared to the TS/A parental cells (TS/A-pc) and to cells transduced with the neomycin resistance gene alone. Cytokine-gene-transduced clones activated a strong inflammatory reaction. The elicited by IL-2 and IL-4-gene-transduced cells efficiently led to tumor rejection. This reaction depended on the activation of several cell mechanisms, those classed as nonspecific being predominant. The repertoire of reactive leukocytes recruited in the reaction varies as a function of the secreted cytokine. The growth of a secondary contralateral TS/A-pc challenge after clone rejection was significantly impaired.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Experimental gene therapy of cancer using tumor cells engineered to secrete interleukin-13.

Cytokines locally delivered to the site of a tumor boost both specific and nonspecific host anti-tumor defenses. Interleukin (IL)-13 is a recently described cytokine produced by mouse type 2 helper T lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibition of tumor growth induced by IL-13 delivered locally within or around transplanted tumor cells in mice. We observed that local administration of IL-13 at the site of transplanted tumor cells in vivo had potent inhibitory effects on growth of both immunogenic (P815 mastocytoma, H-2d) or nonimmunogenic (3LL lung carcinoma, H-2b) tumor cells. Mice injected with transfected P815 cells secreting large amounts of IL-13 rejected the P815 tumor and developed systemic specific anti-tumor immunity leading to long-lasting specific anti-tumor protection. Less efficient anti-tumoral effects were obtained with the nonimmunogenic 3LL tumor model when local administration of IL-13 was achieved by co-inoculating xenogeneic chinese hamster ovary (CHO) IL-13 cells. Several local injections of CHO IL-13 cells were needed to obtain rejection of 3LL tumors and no induction of long-lasting anti-3LL memory was obtained. Several studies were performed to elucidate the IL-13 anti-tumoral effects. Experiments with nude mice indicated that Il-13 can also stimulate nonspecific anti-tumor defenses. The histological examination of P815 IL-13 cells undergoing rejection showed monocytic cells and neutrophils infiltrating the tumor. Studies indicated that IL-13 administered in vitro did not directly stimulate the cytotoxicity of peritoneal macrophages and natural killer cells. However, experiments with Boyden chemotaxis chambers indicated that IL-13 was chemotactic for macrophages. Finally, preliminary experiments in vitro suggest that IL-13 improved antigenic presentation of P815 membranes. Thus, anti-tumor effects of IL-13 in vivo most probably result from pleiotropic effects including recruitment of nonspecific cells and improved stimulation of immune-specific anti-tumor effectors.

Animals↗

(S,S)-2,3-Dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoic acid: microbial access with engineered cells of Escherichia coli and application as starting material in natural-product synthesis.

Cyclohexadiene-trans-5,6-diols such as (S,S)-2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoic acid (2,3-trans-CHD) have been shown to be of importance as chiral starting materials for the syntheses of bioactive substances, especially for the syntheses of carbasugars. By using methods of metabolic-pathway engineering, the Escherichia coli genes entB and entC, which encode isochorismatase and isochorismate synthase, were cloned and over-expressed in E. coli strains with a deficiency of entA, which encodes 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate synthase. A 30-fold increase in the corresponding EntB/EntC enzyme activities affects the accumulation of 2,3-trans-CHD in the cultivation medium. Although the strains did not contain deletions in chorismate-utilising pathways towards aromatic amino acids, neither chorismate nor any other metabolic intermediates were found as by-products. Fermentation of these strains in a 30 L pH-controlled stirred tank reactor showed that 2,3-trans-CHD could be obtained in concentrations of up to 4.6 g L(-1). This demonstrates that post-chorismate metabolites are accessible on a preparative scale by using techniques of metabolic-pathway engineering. Isolation and separation from fermentation salts could be performed economically in one step through anion-exchange chromatography or, alternatively, by reactive extraction. Starting from 2,3-trans-CHD as an example, we established short syntheses towards new carbasugar derivatives.

Benzoates↗

In vivo release of dopa and dopamine from genetically engineered cells grafted to the denervated rat striatum.

Fibroblastic 3T3 and endocrine RIN cells were genetically modified by infection with a recombinant retrovirus encoding the form I of human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and selection in tyrosine-free medium. These cells were grafted to rats unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxy-dopamine. Both cell types survived implantation into the striatum, expressed TH immunoreactivity, and as assessed by microdialysis 8-9 days after implantation, secreted high amounts of DOPA and/or dopamine into the surrounding host striatum. The modified 3T3 cells secreted large amounts of DOPA that was efficiently decarboxylated to dopamine by the host striatal tissue; the newly synthesized dopamine was stored only to a limited extent in the denervated striatum. The modified RIN cells synthesized dopamine that was stored intracellularly and released in a regulated fashion. The grafted DOPA-secreting cells produced 4-5 times higher extracellular dopamine levels than the dopamine-secreting cells, and they were more efficient in reducing apomorphine-induced rotation. No effect was observed with either cell type on amphetamine-induced turning behavior.

Animals↗

Engineered cell therapy for sustained local myocardial delivery of nonsecreted proteins.

Novel strategies for the treatment of congestive heart failure have taken the form of gene and cell therapy to induce angiogenesis, optimize calcium handling by cardiac myocytes, or regenerate damaged myocardial tissue. Arguably both gene- and cell-based therapies would be benefited by having the ability to locally deliver specific transcription factors and other usually nonsecreted proteins to cells in the surrounding myocardial tissue. The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) tegument protein VP22 has been shown to mediate protein intercellular trafficking to mammalian cells and finally localize into the nucleus, which makes it a useful cargo-carrying functional protein in cell-based gene therapy. While VP22 has been studied as a means to modulate tumor growth, little is known about the distribution and transport kinetics of VP22 in the heart and its potential application in combination with autologous cell transplantation for the delivery of proteins to myocardial tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of VP22 fusion protein intercellular trafficking combined with autologous cell transplantation in the heart. In an in vitro study untransfected rat heart cells were cocultured with stably transfected rat cardiac fibroblasts (RCF) with fusion constructs of VP22. The control experiment was untransfected rat heart cells co-plated with RCF stably transfected with enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP). The Lewis rat model was selected for in vivo study. In the in vitro studies there was a 14-fold increase in the number of GFP-positive cells 48 h after initiating coculture with VP22-eGFP RCF compared to eGFP RCF. In the rat model, transplantation of VP22-eGFP expressing RCF led to VP22-eGFP fusion protein delivery to an area of myocardial tissue that was 20-fold greater than that observed when eGFP RCF were transplanted. This area appeared to reach a steady state between 7 and 10 days after transplantation. The VP22-eGFP area consisted of eGFP-positive endothelium, smooth muscle cells, and cardiac myocytes with delivery to an area of approximately 1 mm2 of myocardial tissue. Our data suggest a viable strategy for the delivery of proteins that are not naturally secreted or internalized, and provide the first insight into the feasibility and effectiveness of cell-penetrating proteins combined with cell transplantation in the heart.

Animals↗

New tool to monitor membrane potential by FRET Voltage Sensitive Dye (FRET-VSD) using Spectral and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). Interest in cell engineering.

In this work, we investigated a voltage-sensitive fluorescent system to monitor membrane potential by spectral and lifetime fluorescence microscopy. A two-component FRET sensor has been designed that utilizes fluorescent phospholipids acceptor (DHPE-TRITC) bound on one side of the membrane and donor molecules (oxonol) which are sensitive to membrane potential. We used multiphoton excitation and FLIM to deliver contrast lifetimes of different line cancerous cells. These results provide new information concerning the differential response to depolarized cancerous cells from resting cells when compared to fibroblast normal cells. Given the sensitivity and the fast time response, this FRET system may be particularly useful for applications involving compression of tissues by mechanical forces.

Animals↗

Induction of immunity to prostate cancer antigens: results of a clinical trial of vaccination with irradiated autologous prostate tumor cells engineered to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor using ex vivo gene transfer.

Vaccination with irradiated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-secreting gene-transduced cancer vaccines induces tumoricidal immune responses. In a Phase I human gene therapy trial, eight immunocompetent prostate cancer (PCA) patients were treated with autologous, GM-CSF-secreting, irradiated tumor vaccines prepared from ex vivo retroviral transduction of surgically harvested cells. Expansion of primary cultures of autologous vaccine cells was successful to meet trial specifications in 8 of 11 cases (73%); the yields of the primary culture cell limited the number of courses of vaccination. Side effects were pruritus, erythema, and swelling at vaccination sites. Vaccine site biopsies manifested infiltrates of dendritic cells and macrophages among prostate tumor vaccine cells. Vaccination activated new T-cell and B-cell immune responses against PCA antigens. T-cell responses, evaluated by assessing delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions against untransduced autologous tumor cells, were evident in two of eight patients before vaccination and in seven of eight patients after treatment. Reactive DTH site biopsies manifested infiltrates of effector cells consisting of CD45RO+ T-cells, and degranulating eosinophils consistent with activation of both Th1 and Th2 T-cell responses. A distinctive eosinophilic vasculitis was evident near autologous tumor cells at vaccine sites, and at DTH sites. B-cell responses were also induced. Sera from three of eight vaccinated men contained new antibodies recognizing polypeptides of 26, 31, and 150 kDa in protein extracts from prostate cells. The 150-kDa polypeptide was expressed by LNCaP and PC-3 PCA cells, as well as by normal prostate epithelial cells, but not by prostate stromal cells. No antibodies against prostate-specific antigen were detected. These data suggest that both T-cell and B-cell immune responses to human PCA can be generated by treatment with irradiated, GM-CSF gene-transduced PCA vaccines.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Molecular mechanisms of energy transduction in cells: engineering applications and biological implications.

The synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate by F1F0-ATP synthase, the universal enzyme in biological energy conversion, using the energy of a transmembrane gradient of ions, and the use of ATP by the myosin-actin system to cause muscular contraction are among the most fundamental processes in biology. Both the ATP synthase and the myosin-actin may be looked upon as molecular machines. A detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms of energy transduction by these molecular machines has been carried out in order to understand the means by which living cells produce and consume energy. These mechanisms have been compared with each other and their biological implications have been discussed. The thermodynamics of energy coupling in the oxidative phosphorylation process has been developed and the consistency of the mechanisms with the thermodynamics has been explored. Novel engineering applications that can result have been discussed in detail and several directions for future work have been pointed out.

ATP Synthetase Complexes↗

Immunotherapy with autologous tumor cells engineered to secrete Tag7/PGRP, an innate immunity recognition molecule.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that the innate component of immune defense plays an important role in the establishment of antigen-specific immune response. We have previously isolated a novel mouse gene tag7/PGRP that was shown to be involved in the innate component of the immune system, and its insect homologue is an upstream mediator of Toll signaling in Drosophila. METHODS: Transiently or stably genetically modified mouse tumor cell lines expressing Tag7 were used. Tumor growth rate and animal survival were analyzed. Possible effector cells involved in tumor suppression were detected immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Transfection of mammary gland adenocarcinoma cells with the tag7 cDNA did not alter their growth rate in vitro but diminished their tumorogenicity in vivo in syngeneic and immunodeficient animals. Increased incidence of apoptosis was registered in the modified tumors. Transient expression of Tag7 by mouse melanoma M3 cells elicited protective immunity against parental tumor cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that tumors after immunization with the genetically modified cells were infiltrated with Mac1(+) cells, B220(+) cells, and NK cells. Using nude mice we observed rejection of modified cells, but did not detect memory formation. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that secretion of the Tag7 protein by genetically modified cells can induce mobilization of antigen-presenting cells and innate effectors. Memory mechanisms are mediated by T cell response. For the first time our results demonstrate that local secretion of Tag7-the molecule involved in innate immunity-may play an important role in the induction of effective antitumor response in mice.

Animals↗

Amnion cells engineering: a new perspective in fetal membrane healing after intrauterine surgery?

In this study we aimed to set up an in vitro culture of the rabbit amnion in order to support in vivo fetal membrane healing capacity following fetoscopy. Fetal membranes were collected from a mid-gestational rabbit, and cultured on collagen support material for 14 days. 34 rabbits at 22-23 days gestational age (GA) underwent fetoscopy. The entry site was randomly allocated to 4 closure technique study groups: group I, human amnion membrane (n = 23); group II, collagen foil (n = 16); group III, collagen plug (n = 19), and group IV, collagen plug with cultured amnion cells (n = 19). In all groups membrane access sites were additionally sealed with fibrin sealant, and the myometrium was closed with sutures. Fetal survival, amnion membrane integrity, and the presence of amniotic fluid were evaluated at 30 days GA. Cultures showed good survival in the collagen support material. Increased cellularity, survival and proliferations were observed. The amnion at the access site resealed in 58-64% of cases in groups II-IV, but none of the tested techniques was significantly better than the other. Histological examination indirectly revealed the anatomic repair of the membranes, since no entrapment of the membranes could be demonstrated in the myometrial wound.

Amnion↗

Behavioural effects of genetically engineered cells releasing dopa and dopamine after intracerebral grafting in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

The relative importance of synaptic versus paracrine dopamine transmission for the occurrence of functional effects following intrastriatal grafting is not fully established. In the present study we grafted cell lines, expressing the form I of human tyrosine hydroxylase after infection with a recombinant retrovirus and selection in tyrosine-free-medium, to the denervated striatum in order to analyse the extent to which extracellular dopamine levels can be restored and the effect of a diffuse release of dopamine on motor impairement in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. In petri dish, the modified fibroblast cells (NIH.3T3) release DOPA constitutively whereas the modified endocrine cells (RIN) store and release dopamine in a regulated way. Interestingly, in denervated striatum, grafts of modified fibroblast cells produce DOPA which was efficiently converted into dopamine by the host striatal tissue. In the grafted striatum, both fibroblast and endocrine cells restore subnormal levels of diffuse release of dopamine which is notably unaffected and stimulated, respectively, by high concentration of potassium, in connection with the in vitro properties of the grafted cells. The intrastriatal grafts of modified cells partially reversed the apomorphine-induced but not the amphetamine-induced motor asymmetry. We discuss the implications of these results in the context of Parkinson disease.

Animals↗

Novel human endothelial cell-engineered polyurethane biomaterials for cardiovascular biomedical applications.

A tri-block coupling-polymer composed of 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO), abbreviated MPEO, was used as the template surface-modifying additive (SMA), based on which selected amino acids (lysine, arginine, glycin, and aspartic acid) and RGD peptide were respectively conjugated as functional endgroups of the PEO spacer-arms through sulfonyl chloride-activation routes. After the immobilization of biofunctional factors, the SMA-MPEO derivatives were noncovalently introduced onto the biomedical poly(ether urethane) (PEU) surfaces by physical blending methods. The SMA synthesis and PEU surface modification were monitored and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were collected and harvested manually by collagenase digestion. The cell culture was performed respectively on the MPEO derivative-modified PEU surfaces and also on the surfaces of the commercially available polystyrene cell-culture plates (TCPS) for control. The cell adhesion rates and cell proliferation rates of the in vitro cultivated HUVEC were measured using flow cytometry. The individual cell viability rates were determined with MTT assay. The cell morphologies of the living HUVECs were investigated by optical inverted microscopy, and more detailed information was acquired from scanning electrical microscopy. The results indicated that the efficacy of SMA functional endgroups was the dominant factor for HUVEC compatibility; the proper-sized PEO spacers (M(w) 2 k) could support and mobilize the functional endgroups, optimizing the surface (interface) environment for the cell growth. As the endgroups of the SMA-MPEO derivatives and the bio-functional factors, the basic amino acids (lysine and arginine) demonstrated similar performances to that of the widely acknowledged cell growth-promoter, RGD peptide, which were superior to TCPS. Therefore, these MPEO derivative-modified PEU materials are promising to serve as novel polymeric permanent implants or interventional devices for cardiovascular biomedical applications.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Modulation of proinflammatory cytokine production in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-transgenic mice by treatment with cells engineered to secrete IL-4, IL-10 or IL-13.

TNF-alpha is one of the major proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory joint disease, in human rheumatoid arthritis as well as in murine models of this disease. It was previously described that a highly destructive chronic spontaneous inflammatory arthritis develops in mice expressing a human TNF-alpha transgene modified with the 3' untranslated region of beta-globin. The present study investigates in this mouse model the effects of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 administered in vivo on proinflammatory cytokine expression. Groups of TNF-alpha-transgenic mice were engrafted with xenogeneic transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts secreting murine IL-4, IL-10 or IL-13. In vivo treatments consisted of 3 or 4 weekly engraftments, starting when the mice were 4weeks old. Control groups of transgenic mice were engrafted with beta-galactosidase gene-transfected CHO cells or injected with medium. A significant decreased expression of TNF-alpha transgene, endogenous mouse TNF-alpha and IL-1 mRNA was observed in splenocytes of mice treated for 3 or 4 weeks with CHO/IL-4 and CHO/IL-13, and, to a lesser extent, with CHO/IL-10, compared with controls. Finally, attenuation of histological scores of arthritides was statistically significant only in the group of CHO/IL-4-treated mice after 3weeks of treatment (P<0.05), and was not significant in any other group. These results show that IL-4, IL-10 or IL-13, administered by gene therapy, can decrease the mRNA steady state levels of both endogenous and transgenic cytokines in human TNF-alpha transgenic mice. In addition, IL-4 can slightly attenuate the development of arthritides in this model.

Animals↗

Pathogenic lymphoid cells engineered to express TGF beta 1 ameliorate disease in a collagen-induced arthritis model.

Collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice is a model of rheumatoid arthritis with marked synovitis and erosions. The disease can be adoptively transferred to SCID mice with arthritogenic splenocytes from DBA/1 mice injected with bovine collagen type II. However, infection of arthritogenic splenocytes with a retrovirus expressing TGF beta 1 inhibits development of arthritis in SCID mice. When DBA/1 mice, at onset of arthritis have additional arthritogenic splenocytes transferred, exacerbation occurs, reflected in a rapid increase in the number of arthritic joints, increased paw swelling and higher levels of anti-collagen antibody. By infecting arthritogenic splenocytes ex vivo with TGF beta 1 retrovirus, this exacerbation was inhibited. TGF beta 1 was effective in lowering inflammation of joints with already established arthritis and inhibiting the spreading of the disease to other joints. Transient reduction in anti-collagen antibody levels could also be obtained using purified T cells infected with TGF beta 1 retrovirus. In addition, expression of TGF beta 1 in lymphocytes reduced the levels of gelatinase (MMP2) activity in inflamed joints.

Animals↗

Prediction of the micro-fluid dynamic environment imposed to three-dimensional engineered cell systems in bioreactors.

Bioreactors allowing culture medium perfusion overcome diffusion limitations associated with static culturing and provide flow-mediated mechanical stimuli. The hydrodynamic stress imposed to cells will depend not only on the culture medium flow rate, but also on the scaffold three-dimensional (3D) micro-architecture. We developed a CFD model of the flow of culture medium through a 3D scaffold of homogeneous geometry, with the aim of predicting the shear stress acting on cells as a function of parameters that can be controlled during the scaffold fabrication process, such as the scaffold porosity and the pore size, and during the cell culture, such as the medium flow rate and the diameter of the perfused scaffold section. We built three groups of models corresponding to three pore sizes: 50, 100 and 150 microm. Each group was made of four models corresponding to 59%, 65%, 77%, and 89% porosity. A commercial finite-element code was used to set up and solve the problem and to analyze the results. The mode value of shear stress varied between 2 and 5 mPa, and was obtained for a circular scaffold of 15.5 mm diameter, perfused by a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The simulations showed that the pore size is a variable strongly influencing the predicted shear stress level, whereas the porosity is a variable strongly affecting the statistical distribution of the shear stresses, but not their magnitude. Our results provide a basis for the completion of more exhaustive quantitative studies to further assess the relationship between perfusion, at known micro-fluid dynamic conditions, and tissue growth in vitro.

Bioreactors↗