Retroviruses have been proven to cause infections and diseases in a series of mammalian hosts but not in dogs.Then,this letter discussed the dog susceptibility to retrovirus infection,encompassing arguments to underst...Retroviruses have been proven to cause infections and diseases in a series of mammalian hosts but not in dogs.Then,this letter discussed the dog susceptibility to retrovirus infection,encompassing arguments to understand why dogs may have not been infected by retroviruses thus far.The potential resistance of retrovirus in dogs enables this provocative short communication to discuss this question,looking at some evolutive aspects.The lineage of canids has shown,throughout its evolutionary history,a smaller accumulation of retroviruses in canid genomes,classifed as endogenous retroviruses.In this context,the genomes of canids seem to ofer obstacles,which have been evolutionarily conserved,in the face of retroviral infection.展开更多
Human endogenous retroviruses(HERVs) are retroviruses that infected human genome millions of years ago and have persisted throughout human evolution. About 8% of our genome is composed of HERVs, most of which are nonf...Human endogenous retroviruses(HERVs) are retroviruses that infected human genome millions of years ago and have persisted throughout human evolution. About 8% of our genome is composed of HERVs, most of which are nonfunctional because of epigenetic control or deactivating mutations. However, a correlation between HERVs and human cancer has been described and many tumors, such as melanoma, breast cancer, germ cell tumors, renal cancer or ovarian cancer, express HERV proteins, mainly HERV-K(HML6) and HERV-K(HML2). Although the causative role of HERVs in cancer is controversial, data from animal models demonstrated that endogenous retroviruses are potentially oncogenic. HERV protein expression in human cells generates an immune response by activating innate and adaptive immunities. Some HERV-derived peptides have antigenic properties. For example, HERV-K(HML-6) encodes the HER-K MEL peptide recognized by CD8+ lymphocytes. In addition, HERVs are twoedged immunomodulators. HERVs show immunosuppressive activity. The presence of genomic retroviral elements in host-cell cytosol may activate an interferon type I response. Therefore, targeting HERVs through cellular vaccines or immunomodulatory drugs combined with checkpoint inhibitors is attracting interest because they could be active in human tumors.展开更多
AIM： To determine the prevalence of porcine endogenous retrovirus （PERV） in various pig breeds raised in China including Chinese experimental mini-pigs by PERV-reverse transcriptase （PERV-RT enzyme）. Moreover, th...AIM： To determine the prevalence of porcine endogenous retrovirus （PERV） in various pig breeds raised in China including Chinese experimental mini-pigs by PERV-reverse transcriptase （PERV-RT enzyme）. Moreover, the potential for infection of PERV was investigated in patients treated with a bioreactor based on porcine liver cells （n = 3）. METHODS： Pig serum, liver and muscle cell-free supernatants were collected from various Chinese pig breeds. Porcine hepatocytes were isolated with a two-step perfusion method. Three patients with acute or chronic liver failure were treated with a bioartificial liver support system （BALSS） for 8-12 h and serum samples were collected from the patients before, immediately after and 30 d after treatment. RESULTS： The activities of PERV-RT enzyme in pig liver and muscle cell-free supernatants were higher than in normal human controls. PERV-TR enzyme activity did not increase in patients before and after 1 mo of treatment. PERV-RT activities were not significantly different when compared with pre-treatment group （1.544±0.155576）, the post-treatment groups （1.501±0.053507, 1.461±0.033808 and 1.6006667±0.01963 for 0, 14 and 30 d post-treatment, respectively, P〉0.05）, and normal control group （1.440±1.0641, P〉0.05）. RT enzyme activity in Chinese experimental mini-pigs was higher than in normal human control group （1.440±1.0641 U/mL, P〈0.05）, and not significantly different （P〉0.05） when compared with the pig breeds except in the muscle supernatants. All the samples including muscle and liver cell supernatants from the Chinese mini-experimental pigs and the four domestic Chinese pig breeds contained PERVs. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that the risk of PERV infection through BALSS containing porcine liver cells without immunosuppressants may be quite low. Although there were PERVs in Chinese experimental mini-pigs and porcine liver cell culture suspensions, we did not find any evidence of persistent PERV infection in patients treated with this porcine hepatocyte-based bioartificial liver.展开更多
Objective: To establish an efficient and safe gene transfer system mediated by retrovirus for gene marking and gene therapy of human leukemia. Method: The retroviral vector LXSN, containing the neomycin resistance (Ne...Objective: To establish an efficient and safe gene transfer system mediated by retrovirus for gene marking and gene therapy of human leukemia. Method: The retroviral vector LXSN, containing the neomycin resistance (NeoR) gene, was transferred into amphotropic packaging cells GP+envAm12 by liposome transfection or by ecotropic retrovirus transduction. Amphotropic retrovirus in supernatants with higher titer was used to infect human leukemic cell lines NB4, U937, and THP-1. The efficiency of gene transfer was assayed on colonies formed by transduced K562 cells. Results: The titer of DOSPER directly transfected GP+envAm12 cells determined on NIH3T3 cells was 8.0×105 CFU/ml, while that of producer infected with retrovirus was 1.6×107 CFU/ml. Integration of NeoR gene into all leukemia cells was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Absence of replication-competent virus was proved by both nested PCR for env gene and marker gene rescue assay. Gene transfer with the efficiency as high as 93.3 to 100% in K562 cells was verified by seminested PCR for integrated NeoR gene on colonies after 7 days’ culture. Conclusion: The efficiency and safety of retrovirus mediated gene transfer system might provide an optimal system in gene therapy for leukemia or genetic diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND： A novel hybrid bioartificial liver（HBAL） was constructed using an anionic resin adsorption column and a multi-layer flat-plate bioreactor containing porcine hepatocytes co-cultured with bone marrow mese...BACKGROUND： A novel hybrid bioartificial liver（HBAL） was constructed using an anionic resin adsorption column and a multi-layer flat-plate bioreactor containing porcine hepatocytes co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs）. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological safety of the HBAL by detecting the transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses（PERVs） into canines with acute liver failure（ALF） undergoing HBAL.METHODS： Eight dogs with ALF received a 6-hour HBAL treatment on the first day after the modeling by D-galactosamine administration. The plasma in the HBAL and the whole blood in the dogs were collected for PERV detection at regular intervals until one year later when the dogs were sacrificed to retrieve the tissues of several organs for immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for the investigation of PERV capsid protein gag p30 in the tissue. Furthermore, HEK293 cells were incubated to determine the in vitro infectivity.RESULTS： PERV RNA and reverse transcriptase activity were observed in the plasma of circuit 3, suggesting that PERV particles released in circuit 3. No positive PERV RNA and reverse transcriptase activity were detected in other plasma. No HEK293 cells were infected by the plasma in vitro. In addition, all PERV-related analyses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tissues were negative.CONCLUSION： No transmission of PERVs into ALF canines suggested a reliable microbiological safety of HBAL based on porcine hepatocytes.展开更多
The retrovirus integrase(IN) is responsible for integration of the reverse transcribed linear c DNA into the host DNA genome. First, IN cleaves a dinucleotide from the 3' OH blunt ends of the viral DNA exposing th...The retrovirus integrase(IN) is responsible for integration of the reverse transcribed linear c DNA into the host DNA genome. First, IN cleaves a dinucleotide from the 3' OH blunt ends of the viral DNA exposing the highly conserved CA sequence in the recessed ends. IN utilizes the 3' OH ends to catalyze the concerted integration of the two ends into opposite strands of the cellular DNA producing 4 to 6 bp staggered insertions, depending on the retrovirus species. The staggered ends are repaired by host cell machinery that results in a permanent copy of the viral DNA in the cellular genome. Besides integration, IN performs other functions in the replication cycle of several studied retroviruses. The proper organization of IN within the viral internal core is essential for the correct maturation of the virus. IN plays a major role in reverse transcription by interacting directly with the reverse transcriptase and by binding to the viral capsid protein and a cellular protein. Recruitment of several other host proteins into the viral particle are also promoted by IN. IN assists with the nuclear transport of the preintegration complex across the nuclear membrane. With several retroviruses, IN specifically interacts with different host protein factors that guide the preintegration complex to preferentially integrate the viral genome into specific regions of the host chromosomal target. Human gene therapy using retrovirus vectors is directly affected by the interactions of IN with these host factors. Inhibitors directed against the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) IN bind within the active site of IN containing viral DNA ends thus preventing integration and subsequent HIV/AIDS.展开更多
In order to amplify the complete genome of enJSRV from the strain of Inner Mongolia (enJSRV-NM), we used enJSRV-specific and JSRV-specific DNA probes in dot blot hybridization. Seven pairs of primers were designed bas...In order to amplify the complete genome of enJSRV from the strain of Inner Mongolia (enJSRV-NM), we used enJSRV-specific and JSRV-specific DNA probes in dot blot hybridization. Seven pairs of primers were designed based on Genbank sequences. Seven fragments were obtained by PCR and were cloned into the PMD19-T vectors. The recombinant plasmids were sequenced and analyzed. The results showed that the genome was 7 942 bp in length and contained four overlapping open reading frames corresponding to the gag, pro, pol and env genes as well as an additional open reading frame (orf-x) that overlaps the 3' end of the pol gene. The nucleotide acid sequences of the enJSRV-NM loci were compared with the sequences of South Africa enJS56A1 strain (Accession No. AF153615) and USA JSRV21 strain (Accession No. AF105220). The nucleotide acid identities were 99.2% and 92.3% respectively. Two zinc fingers were found in the NC region in the predicted amino acid sequence. However, the YXXM motif, which is a reliable molecular marker for the infectious exogenous virus, was not found in the TM region. It was found that the enJSRV-NM region was 90%-98% identical at the amino acid level to its exogenous infectious counterparts in most of the retroviral genome. This is the first nucleotide sequence of enJSRV reported in P.R China. The resource work has provided a wide range of information useful not only for expression genomics and annotation of genomic DNA sequence, but also for further research on the clinical diagnosis of OPA.展开更多
The suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells （Tregs） has been extensively studied and is well established for many diseases.The expansion,accumulation,and activation of Tregs in viral infections are of major inter...The suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells （Tregs） has been extensively studied and is well established for many diseases.The expansion,accumulation,and activation of Tregs in viral infections are of major interest in order to find ways to alter Treg functions for therapeutic benefit.Tregs are able to dampen effector T cell responses to viral infections and thereby contribute to the establishment of a chronic infection.In the Friend retrovirus （FV） mouse model,Tregs are known to expand in all infected organs.To better understand the characteristics of these Treg populations,their phenotype was analyzed in detail.During acute FV-infection,Tregs became activated in the spleen and bone marrow,as indicated by various T cell activation markers,such as CD43 and CD103.Interestingly,Tregs in the bone marrow,which contains the highest viral loads during acute infection,displayed greater levels of activation than Tregs from the spleen.Treg expansion was driven by proliferation but no FV-specific Tregs could be detected.Activated Tregs in FV-infection did not produce Granzyme B （GzmB） or tumor necrosis factor α （TNFα）,which are thought to be a potential mechanism for their suppressive activity.Furthermore,Tregs expressed inhibitory markers,such as TIM3,PD-1 and PD-L1.Blocking TIM3 and PD-L1 with antibodies during chronic FV-infection increased the numbers of activated Tregs.These data may have important implications for the understanding of Treg functions during chronic viral infections.展开更多
Objective： To construct recombinant Apoptin gene （vp3） retrovirus pLVP3 and to study its apoptosis inducing effect on human breast cancer cells 435 as well as to discuss its mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Methods...Objective： To construct recombinant Apoptin gene （vp3） retrovirus pLVP3 and to study its apoptosis inducing effect on human breast cancer cells 435 as well as to discuss its mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Methods： vp3 gene was cloned and recombinated into retrovirus vector pLP-LNCX-VP3 （pLVP3） at loxP site, which was transformed into package cell line PT67 and then into NIH3T3 cells for titer assay. The human breast cancer cell line 435 was infected with retrovirus pLVP3, and then MTT assay and Western blotting were adopted to detect cellular proliferation and Apoptin protein expression. Forty-eight hours after infection flow cytometry （FCM） was used for apoptosis detection and Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry （SELDI-TOF-MS） was used for protein profile assay. Nude mice model of human breast cancer cells 435 was set up to observe the tumor inhibiting rates of pLVP3, and TUNEL assay was used to detect tumor apoptosis as well as real-time PCR for vp3 gene expression. Results： Recombinant plasmid pLVP3 was successfully constructed. Virus titer reached to 5×10^8 pfu/ml in the PT67 culture supernatant. Forty-eight hours after infection, cellular inhibition rate was 65.1% in MTT assay, higher than that in blank control （P〈0.05） and Apoptin protein expressed more in test group in Western blotting. FCM assay showed apoptotic peaks with a percentage of 15.42%. SELDI-TOF-MS findings suggested that two protein peaks, M_2544.1＋H and M_3712.4＋H, were statistically different between infection group and control group （P〈0.05）. The tumor inhibition rates in pLVP3 group were 65.52% and 68.23%, much higher than that of control group （t=4.06, P〈0.01）. TUNEL assay findings showed that positive yellow stains were seen in pLVP3 retrovirus group and 5-FU positive control group without difference （t1=1.05, t2=0.84, P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The experiment demonstrated that vp3 could induce apoptosis in tumor cells in vivo and in vitro, which laid a basis for further study on molecular mechanism of tumor cell apoptosis induced by Apoptin and provided valuable reference for tumor gene therapy.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that the combination of olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs） and neurotrophic factor-3 （NT-3） in the rat lateral ventricle can promote nerve axonal regeneration and my...BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that the combination of olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs） and neurotrophic factor-3 （NT-3） in the rat lateral ventricle can promote nerve axonal regeneration and myelin sheath repair. However, this effect remains very short-lived. OBJECTIVE： To transfect NT-3 into OECs and to observe the biological activity of OEC-expressing NT-3. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This genetic engineering, in vitro experiment was performed in the Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University between January 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS： Trizol Reagent kit was purchased from Gibco, USA; reverse transcription kit, NT-3 Emax ImmunoAssay System reagent was purchased from Promega, USA. METHODS： Neonatal Wistar rat OECs were established as primary cultures and were transfected with pN2A-NT-3 viral vector. The OECs with the highest virus titer and stable cellular growth served as the transfection group; OECs transfected with NT-3-free retrovirus carrier pN2A served as the empty vector group; un-transfected OECs served as the control group. After adherence, the logarithmically cultured PC12-TrkC cells were plated in OECs supernatant from the transfection and empty vector groups, as well as 20 μL PBS, and cultured for 4 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： NT-3 mRNA expression in OECs, fluorescence of NT-3-positive cells in the transfection group and control group; influence of OECs secreting NT-3 on the differentiation ratio of PC12-TrkC cells. RESULTS： NT-3 mRNA expression was observed 24 hours after transfection and lasted for 28 days which was greater than the control and empty vector groups （P 〈 0.01）. A large number of NT-3-positive cells were observed in the transfection group, and immunofluorescence was greater than the control and empty vector groups. PC12-TrkC cells co-cultured with OECs from the transfection group exhibited a thick and long cell process, increased cell density, and the differentiation ratio was increased （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Recombinant double replica retrovirus NT-3 gene was stably and effectively expressed in OECs, and the expressed NT-3 possessed biological activity that promoted neuronal survival.展开更多
Objective: To explore the potentiality of retroviral etiology in human acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Methods: The expression of clone 6#11 in leukemic cell samples from 19 AML cases and peripheral blood mononuclear cel...Objective: To explore the potentiality of retroviral etiology in human acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Methods: The expression of clone 6#11 in leukemic cell samples from 19 AML cases and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from 20 controls was studied by means of Northern blot and reversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the expression level of clone 6#11 was significantly higher in AML patients than that in control. Conclusion: Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of novel retrovirus were associated with acute myeloid leukemia.展开更多
Objective To present an experimental method that allows isolation of greater epithelial ridge (GER) and lesser epithelial ridge(LER) cells from postnatal rat cochleae using a combinatorial approach of enzymatic digest...Objective To present an experimental method that allows isolation of greater epithelial ridge (GER) and lesser epithelial ridge(LER) cells from postnatal rat cochleae using a combinatorial approach of enzymatic digestion and mechanical separation and to investigate a retrovirus-mediated gene transfer technique for its possible utility in immortalization of the GER and LER cell lines, in an effort to establish an in vitro model system of hair cell differentiation. Methods GER and LER cells were dissected from postnatal rat cochleae and immortalized by transferring the SV40 large T antigen using a retrovirus. The established cell lines were confirmed through mor-phology observation, immunnocytochemical staining and RT-PCR analysis. The Hath1 gene was transferred into the cell lines using adenovirus-mediated techniques to explore their potential to differentiate into hair cells. Results The established cell lines were stably maintained for more than 20 passages and displayed many features similar to primary GER and LER cells. They grew in patches and assumed a polygonal morphology. Immunostaining showed labeling by SV40 large T antigen and Islet1(a specific marker for GER and LER). All passages of the cell lines expressed SV40 large T antigen on RT-PCR analysis. The cells also showed the capability to differentiate into hair cell-like cells when forced to express Hath1. Conclusion Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer can be used in establishing immortalized progenitor hair cell lines in newborn rat, which may provide an invaluable system for studying hair cell differentiation and regeneration for new treatment of sensory hearing loss caused by hair cell loss.展开更多
Donor cornea shortage is a primary hurdle in the development of corneal transplantation. Of all species, porcine corneas are the ideal transplantation material for humans. However, the xenoimmune rejection induced by ...Donor cornea shortage is a primary hurdle in the development of corneal transplantation. Of all species, porcine corneas are the ideal transplantation material for humans. However, the xenoimmune rejection induced by porcine corneal xenotransplantation compromises surgical efficacy. Although the binding of IgM/IgG in human serum to a genetically modified porcine cornea is significantly weaker than that of the wild type(WT), genetically modified porcine corneas do not display a prolonged graft survival time in vivo. Conversely, costimulatory blockade drugs, such as anti-CD40 antibodies, can reduce the xenoimmune response and prolong graft survival time in animal experiments. Moreover, porcine endothelial grafts can survive for more than 6mo with only the subconjunctival injection of a steroid-based immunosuppressants regime; therefore, they show great value for treating corneal endothelial disease. In addition, zoonotic transmission is a primary concern of xenotransplantation. Porcine endogenous retrovirus(PERV) is the most significant virus assessed by ophthalmologists. PERV integrates into the porcine genome and infects human cells in vitro. Fortunately, no evidence from in vivo studies has yet shown that PERV can be transmitted to hosts.展开更多
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent footprints of previous retroviral infections. They are integrated within the human germ line and constitute approximately 8% of our genome. They have the potential to ha...Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent footprints of previous retroviral infections. They are integrated within the human germ line and constitute approximately 8% of our genome. They have the potential to harm, given their capacity to alter the cellular metabolism, and could be involved in various pathological processes. This revision intends to highlight the importance of HERVs in health and disease, and the increasing interest of the scientific community in their biology. In this overview, we will present a brief summary of the structure and physiological function of HERVs and an analysis of their role in schizophrenia, a paradigm of mental illness, particularly stressing the importance of HERV research to explore the more basic mechanisms disrupted in this psychiatric condition.展开更多
Objective: To construct recombinant R7-l/B7-2 retrovirus vectors and observe the effects of B7-l/R7-2 gene expression on in ho and in for immune response against against murine hepatoma. Methods: The recombinant retro...Objective: To construct recombinant R7-l/B7-2 retrovirus vectors and observe the effects of B7-l/R7-2 gene expression on in ho and in for immune response against against murine hepatoma. Methods: The recombinant retrovirus vectors expressing B7-1/B7-2 were constructed by gene cloning technology to produce retrovirus-infected PE501 and PA317 cell lines and murine hepatoma Hepal-6. The expression of R7-l/B7-2 was detected by fluorescence activated cell soning analysis (FACS). B7-l/B7-2 positive Hepal-6 Cell lines were used in inducing anti-hepatoma immunity in ho and in the. Results: In contrast to the excessive growth of parental Hemal-6 tumor, the growth of B7-l/B7-2-positive Hepal-6 inoculated into syngenic mice regressed. B7-1/R7-2-positive or cytokine-treated Hepal-6 alone could only induce mild cytototicity; in contrast, B7-1/B7-2-positive Hemal-6 treated with cytokine-stimulated spleen cells and activated the cytotoxicity effectively. Immunity in mice with R7-1/B7-2-positive tumor cells or cytokine-beated Hepal-6 only provided partial protection against parental Hepa1-6 tumor, whereas pretreatment of the transfected tumor cells with IFN-r and TNF-a induced complete immunity protection in vivo. Mice receiving inoculation of cytokine-treated B7-l/R7-2-positive Hemal-6 cells presented regression of the establoshed pental tUmor and survived for more than l00 d, while those untreated mice died within 40 d. Conclu sions: B7-l/R7-2 expression is necessary but not sufficient in inducing anti-hepatoma immune response, whereas it is efficient when combined with the beatment of IFN-γ and TNF-a.展开更多
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. In the past few decades, many efforts have been made to improve the prognosis of GBM, however, with limited success. Many ...Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. In the past few decades, many efforts have been made to improve the prognosis of GBM, however, with limited success. Many gene therapy strategies for GBM have been developed and a few have progressed to clinical trials. Retroviral vectors have superior features for gene therapy in brain cancers, including tumor specificity, immunogenicity, and longer half-life. Early gene therapy trials in GBM patients based on transplantation of retrovirus-producing cells into the brain failed to prove efficacious. Adenoviral vectors, which can be prepared as high-titer virus solutions and undergo efficient transduction in tumor cells, failed in clinical trials, likely due to immunogenicity and instability of gene expression. Alternative therapeutics such as oncolytic viruses that specifically target and destroy cancer cells are currently under investigation. In addition to novel vectors, retroviral vectors are still attractive candidates for use in gene therapy against brain tumors. Since yields of properly-packaged viral particles from virus-producing cells have been very limited so far, gene therapy by direct injection of hightiter retroviral vectors into the patients’ brains was not possible. To overcome these disadvantages, a packaging cell line that yields high-titer retroviral solutions was established by our group, enabling the direct injection of massive retroviral vector stocks directly into the brain. Mouse glioma models were effectively cured with a combination of a suicide gene/ prodrug system and a highly-concentrated retrovirus solution. Preclinical assessments, including that of replication-competent retroviruses and tumorigenicity of the combination method, have confirmed the safety of the highly-concentrated retrovirus solution. Addi tional studies are needed to address the clinical utility of such combination gene therapies. Taken together, these data suggest that retroviral vectors are still good candidates for development in gene therapy applications.展开更多
基金Fapesp 2014/22827–7Ministério da Saúde do BrasilFundação Faculdade de Medicina and CNPq Grant to JC:301275/2019–0.
文摘Retroviruses have been proven to cause infections and diseases in a series of mammalian hosts but not in dogs.Then,this letter discussed the dog susceptibility to retrovirus infection,encompassing arguments to understand why dogs may have not been infected by retroviruses thus far.The potential resistance of retrovirus in dogs enables this provocative short communication to discuss this question,looking at some evolutive aspects.The lineage of canids has shown,throughout its evolutionary history,a smaller accumulation of retroviruses in canid genomes,classifed as endogenous retroviruses.In this context,the genomes of canids seem to ofer obstacles,which have been evolutionarily conserved,in the face of retroviral infection.
文摘Human endogenous retroviruses(HERVs) are retroviruses that infected human genome millions of years ago and have persisted throughout human evolution. About 8% of our genome is composed of HERVs, most of which are nonfunctional because of epigenetic control or deactivating mutations. However, a correlation between HERVs and human cancer has been described and many tumors, such as melanoma, breast cancer, germ cell tumors, renal cancer or ovarian cancer, express HERV proteins, mainly HERV-K(HML6) and HERV-K(HML2). Although the causative role of HERVs in cancer is controversial, data from animal models demonstrated that endogenous retroviruses are potentially oncogenic. HERV protein expression in human cells generates an immune response by activating innate and adaptive immunities. Some HERV-derived peptides have antigenic properties. For example, HERV-K(HML-6) encodes the HER-K MEL peptide recognized by CD8+ lymphocytes. In addition, HERVs are twoedged immunomodulators. HERVs show immunosuppressive activity. The presence of genomic retroviral elements in host-cell cytosol may activate an interferon type I response. Therefore, targeting HERVs through cellular vaccines or immunomodulatory drugs combined with checkpoint inhibitors is attracting interest because they could be active in human tumors.
文摘AIM： To determine the prevalence of porcine endogenous retrovirus （PERV） in various pig breeds raised in China including Chinese experimental mini-pigs by PERV-reverse transcriptase （PERV-RT enzyme）. Moreover, the potential for infection of PERV was investigated in patients treated with a bioreactor based on porcine liver cells （n = 3）. METHODS： Pig serum, liver and muscle cell-free supernatants were collected from various Chinese pig breeds. Porcine hepatocytes were isolated with a two-step perfusion method. Three patients with acute or chronic liver failure were treated with a bioartificial liver support system （BALSS） for 8-12 h and serum samples were collected from the patients before, immediately after and 30 d after treatment. RESULTS： The activities of PERV-RT enzyme in pig liver and muscle cell-free supernatants were higher than in normal human controls. PERV-TR enzyme activity did not increase in patients before and after 1 mo of treatment. PERV-RT activities were not significantly different when compared with pre-treatment group （1.544±0.155576）, the post-treatment groups （1.501±0.053507, 1.461±0.033808 and 1.6006667±0.01963 for 0, 14 and 30 d post-treatment, respectively, P〉0.05）, and normal control group （1.440±1.0641, P〉0.05）. RT enzyme activity in Chinese experimental mini-pigs was higher than in normal human control group （1.440±1.0641 U/mL, P〈0.05）, and not significantly different （P〉0.05） when compared with the pig breeds except in the muscle supernatants. All the samples including muscle and liver cell supernatants from the Chinese mini-experimental pigs and the four domestic Chinese pig breeds contained PERVs. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that the risk of PERV infection through BALSS containing porcine liver cells without immunosuppressants may be quite low. Although there were PERVs in Chinese experimental mini-pigs and porcine liver cell culture suspensions, we did not find any evidence of persistent PERV infection in patients treated with this porcine hepatocyte-based bioartificial liver.
文摘Objective: To establish an efficient and safe gene transfer system mediated by retrovirus for gene marking and gene therapy of human leukemia. Method: The retroviral vector LXSN, containing the neomycin resistance (NeoR) gene, was transferred into amphotropic packaging cells GP+envAm12 by liposome transfection or by ecotropic retrovirus transduction. Amphotropic retrovirus in supernatants with higher titer was used to infect human leukemic cell lines NB4, U937, and THP-1. The efficiency of gene transfer was assayed on colonies formed by transduced K562 cells. Results: The titer of DOSPER directly transfected GP+envAm12 cells determined on NIH3T3 cells was 8.0×105 CFU/ml, while that of producer infected with retrovirus was 1.6×107 CFU/ml. Integration of NeoR gene into all leukemia cells was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Absence of replication-competent virus was proved by both nested PCR for env gene and marker gene rescue assay. Gene transfer with the efficiency as high as 93.3 to 100% in K562 cells was verified by seminested PCR for integrated NeoR gene on colonies after 7 days’ culture. Conclusion: The efficiency and safety of retrovirus mediated gene transfer system might provide an optimal system in gene therapy for leukemia or genetic diseases.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81300338)Postdoctoral Fellowship of Jiangsu province(1202057C)Project funding of Clinical Medical Center of Digestive Disease in Jiangsu province(BL2012001)
文摘BACKGROUND： A novel hybrid bioartificial liver（HBAL） was constructed using an anionic resin adsorption column and a multi-layer flat-plate bioreactor containing porcine hepatocytes co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs）. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological safety of the HBAL by detecting the transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses（PERVs） into canines with acute liver failure（ALF） undergoing HBAL.METHODS： Eight dogs with ALF received a 6-hour HBAL treatment on the first day after the modeling by D-galactosamine administration. The plasma in the HBAL and the whole blood in the dogs were collected for PERV detection at regular intervals until one year later when the dogs were sacrificed to retrieve the tissues of several organs for immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for the investigation of PERV capsid protein gag p30 in the tissue. Furthermore, HEK293 cells were incubated to determine the in vitro infectivity.RESULTS： PERV RNA and reverse transcriptase activity were observed in the plasma of circuit 3, suggesting that PERV particles released in circuit 3. No positive PERV RNA and reverse transcriptase activity were detected in other plasma. No HEK293 cells were infected by the plasma in vitro. In addition, all PERV-related analyses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tissues were negative.CONCLUSION： No transmission of PERVs into ALF canines suggested a reliable microbiological safety of HBAL based on porcine hepatocytes.
基金Supported by Partially National Institutes of Health grants from NIAID(AI100682 to Grandgenett DP)NIGMS(GM109770 to Aihara H)
文摘The retrovirus integrase(IN) is responsible for integration of the reverse transcribed linear c DNA into the host DNA genome. First, IN cleaves a dinucleotide from the 3' OH blunt ends of the viral DNA exposing the highly conserved CA sequence in the recessed ends. IN utilizes the 3' OH ends to catalyze the concerted integration of the two ends into opposite strands of the cellular DNA producing 4 to 6 bp staggered insertions, depending on the retrovirus species. The staggered ends are repaired by host cell machinery that results in a permanent copy of the viral DNA in the cellular genome. Besides integration, IN performs other functions in the replication cycle of several studied retroviruses. The proper organization of IN within the viral internal core is essential for the correct maturation of the virus. IN plays a major role in reverse transcription by interacting directly with the reverse transcriptase and by binding to the viral capsid protein and a cellular protein. Recruitment of several other host proteins into the viral particle are also promoted by IN. IN assists with the nuclear transport of the preintegration complex across the nuclear membrane. With several retroviruses, IN specifically interacts with different host protein factors that guide the preintegration complex to preferentially integrate the viral genome into specific regions of the host chromosomal target. Human gene therapy using retrovirus vectors is directly affected by the interactions of IN with these host factors. Inhibitors directed against the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) IN bind within the active site of IN containing viral DNA ends thus preventing integration and subsequent HIV/AIDS.
基金National Natural Science Foundation ofChina (Grant No. 30560108)
文摘In order to amplify the complete genome of enJSRV from the strain of Inner Mongolia (enJSRV-NM), we used enJSRV-specific and JSRV-specific DNA probes in dot blot hybridization. Seven pairs of primers were designed based on Genbank sequences. Seven fragments were obtained by PCR and were cloned into the PMD19-T vectors. The recombinant plasmids were sequenced and analyzed. The results showed that the genome was 7 942 bp in length and contained four overlapping open reading frames corresponding to the gag, pro, pol and env genes as well as an additional open reading frame (orf-x) that overlaps the 3' end of the pol gene. The nucleotide acid sequences of the enJSRV-NM loci were compared with the sequences of South Africa enJS56A1 strain (Accession No. AF153615) and USA JSRV21 strain (Accession No. AF105220). The nucleotide acid identities were 99.2% and 92.3% respectively. Two zinc fingers were found in the NC region in the predicted amino acid sequence. However, the YXXM motif, which is a reliable molecular marker for the infectious exogenous virus, was not found in the TM region. It was found that the enJSRV-NM region was 90%-98% identical at the amino acid level to its exogenous infectious counterparts in most of the retroviral genome. This is the first nucleotide sequence of enJSRV reported in P.R China. The resource work has provided a wide range of information useful not only for expression genomics and annotation of genomic DNA sequence, but also for further research on the clinical diagnosis of OPA.
基金supported by the German Research Association(DFG)Transregio 60 project B4 and DI1914/1-1(www.dfg.de)part of the GK1045 funding provided by the DFG
文摘The suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells （Tregs） has been extensively studied and is well established for many diseases.The expansion,accumulation,and activation of Tregs in viral infections are of major interest in order to find ways to alter Treg functions for therapeutic benefit.Tregs are able to dampen effector T cell responses to viral infections and thereby contribute to the establishment of a chronic infection.In the Friend retrovirus （FV） mouse model,Tregs are known to expand in all infected organs.To better understand the characteristics of these Treg populations,their phenotype was analyzed in detail.During acute FV-infection,Tregs became activated in the spleen and bone marrow,as indicated by various T cell activation markers,such as CD43 and CD103.Interestingly,Tregs in the bone marrow,which contains the highest viral loads during acute infection,displayed greater levels of activation than Tregs from the spleen.Treg expansion was driven by proliferation but no FV-specific Tregs could be detected.Activated Tregs in FV-infection did not produce Granzyme B （GzmB） or tumor necrosis factor α （TNFα）,which are thought to be a potential mechanism for their suppressive activity.Furthermore,Tregs expressed inhibitory markers,such as TIM3,PD-1 and PD-L1.Blocking TIM3 and PD-L1 with antibodies during chronic FV-infection increased the numbers of activated Tregs.These data may have important implications for the understanding of Treg functions during chronic viral infections.
文摘Objective： To construct recombinant Apoptin gene （vp3） retrovirus pLVP3 and to study its apoptosis inducing effect on human breast cancer cells 435 as well as to discuss its mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Methods： vp3 gene was cloned and recombinated into retrovirus vector pLP-LNCX-VP3 （pLVP3） at loxP site, which was transformed into package cell line PT67 and then into NIH3T3 cells for titer assay. The human breast cancer cell line 435 was infected with retrovirus pLVP3, and then MTT assay and Western blotting were adopted to detect cellular proliferation and Apoptin protein expression. Forty-eight hours after infection flow cytometry （FCM） was used for apoptosis detection and Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry （SELDI-TOF-MS） was used for protein profile assay. Nude mice model of human breast cancer cells 435 was set up to observe the tumor inhibiting rates of pLVP3, and TUNEL assay was used to detect tumor apoptosis as well as real-time PCR for vp3 gene expression. Results： Recombinant plasmid pLVP3 was successfully constructed. Virus titer reached to 5×10^8 pfu/ml in the PT67 culture supernatant. Forty-eight hours after infection, cellular inhibition rate was 65.1% in MTT assay, higher than that in blank control （P〈0.05） and Apoptin protein expressed more in test group in Western blotting. FCM assay showed apoptotic peaks with a percentage of 15.42%. SELDI-TOF-MS findings suggested that two protein peaks, M_2544.1＋H and M_3712.4＋H, were statistically different between infection group and control group （P〈0.05）. The tumor inhibition rates in pLVP3 group were 65.52% and 68.23%, much higher than that of control group （t=4.06, P〈0.01）. TUNEL assay findings showed that positive yellow stains were seen in pLVP3 retrovirus group and 5-FU positive control group without difference （t1=1.05, t2=0.84, P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The experiment demonstrated that vp3 could induce apoptosis in tumor cells in vivo and in vitro, which laid a basis for further study on molecular mechanism of tumor cell apoptosis induced by Apoptin and provided valuable reference for tumor gene therapy.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30770751the Foundation for Youth of Shandong Bureau of Public Health,No.2007QZ002the Doctoral Foundation of Shandong Scientific and Technological Bureau,No. 2008BS03004
文摘BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that the combination of olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs） and neurotrophic factor-3 （NT-3） in the rat lateral ventricle can promote nerve axonal regeneration and myelin sheath repair. However, this effect remains very short-lived. OBJECTIVE： To transfect NT-3 into OECs and to observe the biological activity of OEC-expressing NT-3. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This genetic engineering, in vitro experiment was performed in the Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University between January 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS： Trizol Reagent kit was purchased from Gibco, USA; reverse transcription kit, NT-3 Emax ImmunoAssay System reagent was purchased from Promega, USA. METHODS： Neonatal Wistar rat OECs were established as primary cultures and were transfected with pN2A-NT-3 viral vector. The OECs with the highest virus titer and stable cellular growth served as the transfection group; OECs transfected with NT-3-free retrovirus carrier pN2A served as the empty vector group; un-transfected OECs served as the control group. After adherence, the logarithmically cultured PC12-TrkC cells were plated in OECs supernatant from the transfection and empty vector groups, as well as 20 μL PBS, and cultured for 4 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： NT-3 mRNA expression in OECs, fluorescence of NT-3-positive cells in the transfection group and control group; influence of OECs secreting NT-3 on the differentiation ratio of PC12-TrkC cells. RESULTS： NT-3 mRNA expression was observed 24 hours after transfection and lasted for 28 days which was greater than the control and empty vector groups （P 〈 0.01）. A large number of NT-3-positive cells were observed in the transfection group, and immunofluorescence was greater than the control and empty vector groups. PC12-TrkC cells co-cultured with OECs from the transfection group exhibited a thick and long cell process, increased cell density, and the differentiation ratio was increased （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Recombinant double replica retrovirus NT-3 gene was stably and effectively expressed in OECs, and the expressed NT-3 possessed biological activity that promoted neuronal survival.
基金this study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 39670326).
文摘Objective: To explore the potentiality of retroviral etiology in human acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Methods: The expression of clone 6#11 in leukemic cell samples from 19 AML cases and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from 20 controls was studied by means of Northern blot and reversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the expression level of clone 6#11 was significantly higher in AML patients than that in control. Conclusion: Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of novel retrovirus were associated with acute myeloid leukemia.
文摘Objective To present an experimental method that allows isolation of greater epithelial ridge (GER) and lesser epithelial ridge(LER) cells from postnatal rat cochleae using a combinatorial approach of enzymatic digestion and mechanical separation and to investigate a retrovirus-mediated gene transfer technique for its possible utility in immortalization of the GER and LER cell lines, in an effort to establish an in vitro model system of hair cell differentiation. Methods GER and LER cells were dissected from postnatal rat cochleae and immortalized by transferring the SV40 large T antigen using a retrovirus. The established cell lines were confirmed through mor-phology observation, immunnocytochemical staining and RT-PCR analysis. The Hath1 gene was transferred into the cell lines using adenovirus-mediated techniques to explore their potential to differentiate into hair cells. Results The established cell lines were stably maintained for more than 20 passages and displayed many features similar to primary GER and LER cells. They grew in patches and assumed a polygonal morphology. Immunostaining showed labeling by SV40 large T antigen and Islet1(a specific marker for GER and LER). All passages of the cell lines expressed SV40 large T antigen on RT-PCR analysis. The cells also showed the capability to differentiate into hair cell-like cells when forced to express Hath1. Conclusion Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer can be used in establishing immortalized progenitor hair cell lines in newborn rat, which may provide an invaluable system for studying hair cell differentiation and regeneration for new treatment of sensory hearing loss caused by hair cell loss.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81470608)
文摘Donor cornea shortage is a primary hurdle in the development of corneal transplantation. Of all species, porcine corneas are the ideal transplantation material for humans. However, the xenoimmune rejection induced by porcine corneal xenotransplantation compromises surgical efficacy. Although the binding of IgM/IgG in human serum to a genetically modified porcine cornea is significantly weaker than that of the wild type(WT), genetically modified porcine corneas do not display a prolonged graft survival time in vivo. Conversely, costimulatory blockade drugs, such as anti-CD40 antibodies, can reduce the xenoimmune response and prolong graft survival time in animal experiments. Moreover, porcine endothelial grafts can survive for more than 6mo with only the subconjunctival injection of a steroid-based immunosuppressants regime; therefore, they show great value for treating corneal endothelial disease. In addition, zoonotic transmission is a primary concern of xenotransplantation. Porcine endogenous retrovirus(PERV) is the most significant virus assessed by ophthalmologists. PERV integrates into the porcine genome and infects human cells in vitro. Fortunately, no evidence from in vivo studies has yet shown that PERV can be transmitted to hosts.
文摘Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent footprints of previous retroviral infections. They are integrated within the human germ line and constitute approximately 8% of our genome. They have the potential to harm, given their capacity to alter the cellular metabolism, and could be involved in various pathological processes. This revision intends to highlight the importance of HERVs in health and disease, and the increasing interest of the scientific community in their biology. In this overview, we will present a brief summary of the structure and physiological function of HERVs and an analysis of their role in schizophrenia, a paradigm of mental illness, particularly stressing the importance of HERV research to explore the more basic mechanisms disrupted in this psychiatric condition.
文摘Objective: To construct recombinant R7-l/B7-2 retrovirus vectors and observe the effects of B7-l/R7-2 gene expression on in ho and in for immune response against against murine hepatoma. Methods: The recombinant retrovirus vectors expressing B7-1/B7-2 were constructed by gene cloning technology to produce retrovirus-infected PE501 and PA317 cell lines and murine hepatoma Hepal-6. The expression of R7-l/B7-2 was detected by fluorescence activated cell soning analysis (FACS). B7-l/B7-2 positive Hepal-6 Cell lines were used in inducing anti-hepatoma immunity in ho and in the. Results: In contrast to the excessive growth of parental Hemal-6 tumor, the growth of B7-l/B7-2-positive Hepal-6 inoculated into syngenic mice regressed. B7-1/R7-2-positive or cytokine-treated Hepal-6 alone could only induce mild cytototicity; in contrast, B7-1/B7-2-positive Hemal-6 treated with cytokine-stimulated spleen cells and activated the cytotoxicity effectively. Immunity in mice with R7-1/B7-2-positive tumor cells or cytokine-beated Hepal-6 only provided partial protection against parental Hepa1-6 tumor, whereas pretreatment of the transfected tumor cells with IFN-r and TNF-a induced complete immunity protection in vivo. Mice receiving inoculation of cytokine-treated B7-l/R7-2-positive Hemal-6 cells presented regression of the establoshed pental tUmor and survived for more than l00 d, while those untreated mice died within 40 d. Conclu sions: B7-l/R7-2 expression is necessary but not sufficient in inducing anti-hepatoma immune response, whereas it is efficient when combined with the beatment of IFN-γ and TNF-a.
文摘Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. In the past few decades, many efforts have been made to improve the prognosis of GBM, however, with limited success. Many gene therapy strategies for GBM have been developed and a few have progressed to clinical trials. Retroviral vectors have superior features for gene therapy in brain cancers, including tumor specificity, immunogenicity, and longer half-life. Early gene therapy trials in GBM patients based on transplantation of retrovirus-producing cells into the brain failed to prove efficacious. Adenoviral vectors, which can be prepared as high-titer virus solutions and undergo efficient transduction in tumor cells, failed in clinical trials, likely due to immunogenicity and instability of gene expression. Alternative therapeutics such as oncolytic viruses that specifically target and destroy cancer cells are currently under investigation. In addition to novel vectors, retroviral vectors are still attractive candidates for use in gene therapy against brain tumors. Since yields of properly-packaged viral particles from virus-producing cells have been very limited so far, gene therapy by direct injection of hightiter retroviral vectors into the patients’ brains was not possible. To overcome these disadvantages, a packaging cell line that yields high-titer retroviral solutions was established by our group, enabling the direct injection of massive retroviral vector stocks directly into the brain. Mouse glioma models were effectively cured with a combination of a suicide gene/ prodrug system and a highly-concentrated retrovirus solution. Preclinical assessments, including that of replication-competent retroviruses and tumorigenicity of the combination method, have confirmed the safety of the highly-concentrated retrovirus solution. Addi tional studies are needed to address the clinical utility of such combination gene therapies. Taken together, these data suggest that retroviral vectors are still good candidates for development in gene therapy applications.
