Adenovirus-Mediated Inducible Expression of a PD-L1 Blocking Antibody in Combination with Macrophage Depletion Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in a growing number of malignancies. However, overcoming primary or secondary resistances is difficult due to pharmacokinetics issues and side effects associated with high systemic exposure. Local or regional expression of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using gene therapy vectors can alleviate this problem. In this work, we describe a high-capacity adenoviral vector (HCA-EFZP-aPDL1) equipped with a mifepristone-inducible system for the controlled expression of an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody. The vector was tested in an immune-competent mouse model of colorectal cancer based on implantation of MC38 cells. A single local administration of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1 in subcutaneous lesions led to a significant reduction in tumor growth with minimal release of the antibody in the circulation. When the vector was tested in a more stringent setting (rapidly progressing peritoneal carcinomatosis), the antitumor effect was marginal even in combination with other immune-stimulatory agents such as polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (pI:C), blocking mAbs for T cell immunoglobulin, mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) or agonistic mAbs for 4-1BB (CD137). In contrast, macrophage depletion by clodronate liposomes enhanced the efficacy of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1. These results highlight the importance of addressing macrophage-associated immunoregulatory mechanisms to overcome resistance to ICIs in the context of colorectal cancer.     

提高腺病毒对肿瘤细胞转染效率的药物效果评价

为了解决在肿瘤基因治疗中腺病毒载体介导的转染细胞效率低的问题,高效、低毒的转染试剂为其提供了一条新途径.采用正十二烷基-β-D-麦芽糖苷(n-Dodecyl-β-D-Maltoside,DDM)、DC-Chol、SDS联合腺病毒e GFP-Ad转染肝癌细胞Hep G2、食管癌细胞EC109及人正常肝细胞L-02与食管正常细胞Het-1A,48 h后观察绿色荧光蛋白表达情况并计阳性细胞率,评价联合转染试剂处理提高e GFP-Ad转染肿瘤细胞的效率.实验结果表明,DDM(3μg/m L)、DC-Chol(1 000μg/m L)、SDS(0.5μg/m L)联合e GFP-Ad转染肿瘤细胞Hep G2和EC109的效率分别可达85%和78%、80%和76%、45%和41%,与单独e GFP-Ad相比,转染效率分别提高16倍和14.6倍、15倍和14.2倍、8倍和7.2倍;且与正常细胞相比,DDM能显著提高对肿瘤细胞的转染效率,二者差异具有高度统计学意义.作为非脂质体类试剂,DDM能显著提高腺病毒对肿瘤细胞的转染效率,为进一步提高腺病毒介导的肿瘤基因治疗提供有效方法与技术参考.     

表达甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶的重组腺病毒的构建及其免疫原性

目的构建表达甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶(Neuraminidase,NA)的重组腺病毒,并检测其免疫原性。方法从质粒pMD19T-simple-NA中扩增NA基因,克隆至穿梭质粒pShuttleCMV中,经同源重组获得重组腺病毒质粒,转染Ad-293细胞,包装出重组腺病毒Ad-NA,RT-PCR和免疫荧光法检测NA基因在Vero细胞中的转录和表达。CsCl密度梯度离心纯化重组腺病毒,免疫小鼠,ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清中抗NA抗体滴度。结果重组腺病毒质粒经PacⅠ酶切鉴定表明带有目的基因的穿梭质粒已整合到腺病毒基因组中;NA基因在Vero细胞中成功转录和表达;重组腺病毒可刺激小鼠产生抗NA抗体,初免后4周,抗体水平达最高,为1∶100 000。结论成功构建了表达甲型H1N1流感病毒NA蛋白的重组腺病毒,其可刺激小鼠产生有效的免疫应答,为甲型H1N1流感病毒基因工程疫苗的研发奠定了基础。     

Identification of Human Adenovirus in Respiratory Samples with Luminex Respiratory Virus Panel Fast V2 Assay and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

In order to compare the last version of the Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) Fast assay for human Adenovirus (hAdv) detection with a specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which is considered the gold standard for hAdv detection, nasopharyngeal samples collected from 309 children (age range, four months to eight years) with respiratory tract infection were tested using the RVP Fast v2 assay (Luminex Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada) and a specific TaqMan qPCR to identify hAdv DNA. The RVP Fast v2 assay detected 30/61 (49.2%) hAdv infections that had been identified by real-time qPCR, demonstrating a significantly lower detection rate (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of the RVP Fast v2 assay in comparison to qPCR was lower in younger children (42.9% vs. 57.7%; Cohen’s kappa coefficient, 0.53); in samples with co-infections (40.0% vs. 56.7%; Cohen’s kappa coefficient, 0.52); and in samples with hAdv type C (45.9% vs. 57.1%; Cohen’s kappa coefficient, 0.60). Samples with lower viral loads were associated with a significantly lower sensitivity of the RVP Fast v2 assay (35.1% vs. 68.2%, p = 0.01; Cohen’s kappa coefficients, 0.49). The RVP Fast v2 assay has important limitations for the detection of hAdv and cannot be used to evaluate whether hAdvs are the main etiologic agent responsible for an outbreak or when epidemiological studies are performed.     

Measuring number‐concentrations of nanoparticles and viruses in liquids on‐line

BACKGROUND: The surge of studies on artificial and natural nanoparticles has revealed a new world for engineering and life sciences, but in most instances, the small scale has made their number‐concentration determination in liquids a challenging problem. Former success has mostly been limited to special particles measured by indirect techniques. A new approach is required for this determination to facilitate the production and application of nanoparticles in different systems. RESULT: Here, an approach is described using a nanoparticle tracking system based on Brownian motion, which can be used to determine the number‐concentration of nanoparticles, including viruses, in liquids on‐line. Extensive analysis showed the influence of suspension concentration and particle size on the accuracy of measurements. Natural nanoparticles of Adenovirus and several types of artificial nanoparticles, including precision nanobeads, uniform inorganic silica microspheres, monodisperse gold metal colloids and aggregated Aerosil nanoparticles, were measured and compared by counting the monitored particle number obtained using light scattered from individual particles, from which the particle number‐concentration, the product yield and the aggregation could be evaluated. CONCLUSION: This approach was compared with the mathematical calculation method and the emission spectrophotometry technique used for practical applications. The results showed this new approach had improved accuracy for determination of the particle number‐concentration. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of real-time PCR assays to genotyping of F-specific phages in river water and sediments in Japan

Genotyping of F-specific RNA phages is currently one of the most promising approaches to differentiate between human and animal fecal contamination in aquatic environments. In this study, a total of 18 river water and sediment samples were collected from the Tonegawa River basin, Japan, in order to describe the genogroup distribution of F-specific RNA and DNA phages using genogroup-specific real-time PCR assays. F-specific phages were detected in nine (100%) river water and six (67%) sediment samples. Eighty-five phage plaques were isolated from these samples and subjected to real-time PCR assays specific for the phages. F-specific RNA phages of human genogroups (II and III) were detected in 32 (38%) plaques, whereas those of animal genogroups (I and IV) were detected in 17 (20%) plaques. No correlation was observed between the genogroup distribution of F-specific RNA phages and the occurrence of human adenovirus genomes, suggesting that genotyping of the phages alone is inadequate for the evaluation of the occurrence of viruses in aquatic environments. SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay revealed the presence of F-specific DNA phages in four (5%) plaques, which were further classified into two genogroups (fd- and f1-like phages) by sequence analysis. Thirty-two (38%) plaques were not classified as the F-specific phage genogroups, indicating the limited applicability of these real-time PCR assays to a wide range of aquatic environmental samples worldwide.     

燕麦蒽酰胺生理功能研究进展

目的 探究尾静脉注射短链酰基辅酶A脱氢酶(SCAD)重组腺病毒能否改善自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)血管重构。方法 实验分为6组:Wistar+NS组、Wistar+GFP组、Wistar+Ad-SCAD组、SHR+NS组、SHR+GFP组和SHR+Ad-SCAD组。腺病毒包装的SCAD和GFP纯化后,以尾静脉方式注射给药8周。采用超声心动图检测大鼠心功能情况；采用无创血压仪检测大鼠的血压变化；主动脉HE染色、天狼星红染色、DHE染色、TUNEL染色、EVG染色,观察血管重构。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测相关基因mRNA表达变化、Western blot检测相关蛋白表达变化,观察游离脂肪酸、一氧化氮(NO)和ATP含量变化。结果 (1)尾静脉注射SCAD重组腺病毒,大鼠主动脉中SCAD蛋白出现过表达,mRNA水平增高,SCAD酶活性增加；(2)在病理状态下,增加主动脉中SCAD表达,可以降低血压,改善心功能,改善血管管腔大小,减少胶原沉积,减少血管活性氧(ROS)的生成和细胞凋亡；(3)在病理状态下,SCAD的表达增加可减少血清和主动脉中游离脂肪酸的含量,增加组织中的ATP水平,激活内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)磷酸化,增加主动脉NO的生成。结论 自发性高血压大鼠主动脉SCAD的表达增加能逆转高血压血管重构,可能与其减少血清中游离脂肪酸的含量、增加NO水平、减少活性氧生成、消除氧化应激有关。     

EGFR-Binding Peptides: From Computational Design towards Tumor-Targeting of Adeno-Associated Virus Capsids

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a central role in the progression of many solid tumors. We used this validated target to analyze the de novo design of EGFR-binding peptides and their application for the delivery of complex payloads via rational design of a viral vector. Peptides were computationally designed to interact with the EGFR dimerization interface. Two new peptides and a reference (EDA peptide) were chemically synthesized, and their binding ability characterized. Presentation of these peptides in each of the 60 capsid proteins of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) via a genetic based loop insertion enabled targeting of EGFR overexpressing tumor cell lines. Furthermore, tissue distribution and tumor xenograft specificity were analyzed with systemic injection in chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Complex correlations between the targeting of the synthetic peptides and the viral vectors to cells and in ovo were observed. Overall, these data demonstrate the potential of computational design in combination with rational capsid modification for viral vector targeting opening new avenues for viral vector delivery and specifically suicide gene therapy.