A tumor vaccine containing anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 bispecific antibodies triggers strong and durable antitumor activity in human lymphocytes

We recently reported on newly designed virus-targeted bispecific CD3- and CD28-binding molecules for human T-cell activation. When bound via one arm to a human virus-modified tumor cell vaccine, these reagents caused a polyclonal T-cell response and overcame the potential various T-cell evasion mechanisms of tumor cells. In our current study, we demonstrated the induction of strong antitumor activity in human lymphocytes upon coincubation with a virus-modified tumor vaccine containing anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 bispecific antibodies. Blood mononuclear cells or purified T cells that were coincubated with such a tumor vaccine for 3 days were able to destroy monolayers of human breast carcinoma and other carcinoma cells. Serial transfer to new tumor cell monolayers revealed antitumor cytotoxic activity in such effector cells that lasted for about 10 days. Nontumor target cells appeared to be much less sensitive to the activated effector cells. Although the bispecific molecules alone did not activate effector cells, their binding to virus-infected tumor cells was important and more effective than their binding to free virus. Antitumor activity of the activated effector cells was mediated through soluble factors as well as through direct cell contact of effector cells with the nontargeted bystander tumor cells. Since the virus-modified tumor vaccine is well tolerated and already exhibits a certain effectiveness in cancer patients, the combination with new bispecific molecules has the potential to introduce additional antitumor effects. The reagents can also be combined with Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV)-based oncolytic virotherapy.

Conservation genetics and population history of the threatened European mink Mustela lutreola, with an emphasis on the west European population

In species of great conservation concern, special attention must be paid to their phylogeography, in particular the origin of animals for captive breeding and reintroduction. The endangered European mink lives now in at least three well-separated populations in northeast, southeast and west Europe. Our aim is to assess the genetic structure of these populations to identify 'distinct population segments' (DPS) and advise captive breeding programmes. First, the mtDNA control region was completely sequenced in 176 minks and 10 polecats. The analysis revealed that the western population is characterized by a single mtDNA haplotype that is closely related to those in eastern regions but nevertheless, not found there to date. The northeast European animals are much more variable (pi = 0.012, h = 0.939), with the southeast samples intermediate (pi = 0.0012, h = 0.469). Second, 155 European mink were genotyped using six microsatellites. The latter display the same trends of genetic diversity among regions as mtDNA [gene diversity and allelic richness highest in northeast Europe (H(E) = 0.539, R(S) = 3.76), lowest in west Europe (H(E) = 0.379, R(S) = 2.12)], and provide evidences that the southeast and possibly the west populations have undergone a recent bottleneck. Our results indicate that the western population derives from a few animals which recently colonized this region, possibly after a human introduction. Microsatellite data also reveal that isolation by distance occurs in the western population, causing some inbreeding because related individuals mate. As genetic data indicate that the three populations have not undergone independent evolutionary histories for long (no phylogeographical structure), they should not be considered as distinct DPS. In conclusion, the captive breeding programme should use animals from different parts of the species' present distribution area.

Tumor-targeted gene transfer in vivo via recombinant Newcastle disease virus modified by a bispecific fusion protein

Previously we have demonstrated that a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) carrying the transgene EGFP can be retargeted to IL-2 receptor positive tumor cells by a bispecific fusion protein alphaHN-IL-2 in vitro. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the specificity and efficiency of gene delivery to tumor cells in vivo via this modified RNA virus. Prior ex vivo infection of murine lymphoma cells by the modified virus resulted in selective EGFP expression in IL-2R+ target tumor cells in vivo. Direct fluorescence microscopy and immunohistology showed viral replication in target positive tumor tissue resulting in much more EGFP expression than in target negative tumor tissue, 24 h after intratumoral injection of the alphaHN-IL-2 modified NDV. A quantitative real-time RT-PCR for EGFP mRNA. confirmed the selective gene expression in IL-2R+ tumor cells. Biodistribution studies showed that EGFP transgene delivery was reduced by 35-100% in liver, spleen, kidney, lung and thymus by the modified virus, while 98% of the transgene was delivered to IL-2R+ tumors. In conclusion, the modification of NDV by the bispecific protein does not compromise severely the efficiency of gene delivery into IL-2R-positive tumors, but greatly reduces viral gene expression in IL-2R-negative tumors and in normal tissues.

Selective gene transfer in vitro to tumor cells via recombinant Newcastle disease virus

We developed a novel strategy to target recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to tumor cells for gene therapy. Modifying the virus with a bispecific fusion protein allowed virus receptor-independent tumor cell binding and gene transfer. The targeting molecule (alpha)HN-IL-2 contains an scFv antibody cloned from a neutralizing hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN)-specific hybridoma linked to the human cytokine IL-2. A recombinant NDV expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (NDFL-EGFP) was applied to show the expression of foreign genes in virus-infected tumor cells. At 24 hours after infection with the modified virus (NDFL-EGFP/(alpha)HN-IL-2), FACS analysis and fluorescence microscopy revealed neutralization of natural infection in IL-2 receptor-negative Jurkat leukemia cells, but targeted expression of EGFP in IL-2 receptor-positive human leukemia-derived MT-2 cells. The targeted gene delivery of NDFL-EGFP/(alpha)HN-IL-2 in MT-2 cells was blocked by the target ligand human IL-2. Selective virus entry to IL-2 receptor bearing tumor cells was also observed in a mixture of Jurkat and MT-2 cell lines. These results demonstrate that a recombinant NDV carrying a foreign gene can be successfully targeted to a specific tumor through a bispecific protein, which thereby increases the selectivity of gene transfer.

T-cell triggering by CD3- and CD28-binding molecules linked to a human virus-modified tumor cell vaccine

The aim was to develop T cell costimulatory molecules that are broadly applicable to augment anti-tumor immune responses upon application of a virus-modified tumor vaccine to cancer patients. We generated recombinant bispecific single-chain antibodies with one specificity directed against the CD3 or the CD28 antigen on human T cells and the other against the viral target molecule hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). By re-directing unstimulated primary human T cells against HN-expressing NDV-infected tumor cells, the bispecific molecule bsHN-CD3 cross-linked effector and target cells and rapidly induced cytotoxicity at nanomolar concentrations. The bsHN-CD28 molecule exerted T cell co-stimulatory function. Maximal T cell activation was achieved with tumor cells infected by NDV and modified with both new stimulatory molecules. This was revealed by T cell proliferation, upregulation of CD69 and CD25 and by release of cytokines, interferons and chemokines. The new molecules combine high-effectivity with specificity and safety.

Selective gene transfer to tumor cells by recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus via a bispecific fusion protein

Much interest exists presently in development of vectors for gene therapy of tumors based on RNA viruses because these viruses replicate in the cytoplasm and do not integrate into DNA. The negative stranded paramyxovirus, Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) from chicken has the additional advantages of preferential replication in tumor cells and of oncolytic and immunostimulatory properties. We here describe the bispecific fusion protein alphaHN-IL-2 which binds to NDV, inhibits its normal cell binding property and introduces a new binding specificity for the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). We demonstrate selective gene transfer to tumor cells expressing IL-2R via the bispecific fusion protein when using recombinant NDV carrying as marker gene the enhanced green fluorescence protein (NDFL-EGFP). Hemadsorption (HA) and neuraminidase activities (NA) of the HN protein of NDV were shown to be blocked by alphaHN-IL-2 simultaneously and the absence of HA-activity of modified NDV was confirmed in vivo. Retargeted virus-binding to IL-2R positive tumor cells was not sufficient for the process of cellular infection. It required in addition membrane fusion via the viral F-protein. By modification of recombinant NDV with a bispecific molecule, our results demonstrate a novel and safe strategy for selective gene transfer to targeted tumor cells.

Field-dependent diamagnetic transition in magnetic superconductor Sm1.85Ce0.15CuO4-y

The magnetic penetration depth of single crystal Sm(1.85)Ce(0.15)CuO(4-y) was measured down to 0.4 K in dc fields up to 7 kOe. For insulating Sm2CuO4, Sm3+ spins order at the Ne el temperature, T(N)=6 K, independent of the applied field. Superconducting Sm(1.85)Ce(0.15)CuO(4-y) (T(c) approximately 23 K) shows a sharp increase in diamagnetic screening below T(*)(H) which varied from 4.0 K (H=0) to 0.5 K (H=7 kOe) for a field along the c axis. If the field was aligned parallel to the conducting planes, T(*) remained unchanged. The unusual field dependence of T(*) indicates a spin-freezing transition that dramatically increases the superfluid density.

Annotation pattern of ESTs from Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells and analysis of the ribosomal protein genes reveal insect-specific features and unexpectedly low codon usage bias

MOTIVATION

A whole set of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) from the Sf9 cell line of Spodoptera frugiperda is presented here for the first time. By this way we want to identify both conserved and specific genes of this pest species. We also expect from this analysis to find a class of protein sequences providing a tool to explore genomic features and phylogeny of Lepidoptera.

RESULTS

The ESTs display both housekeeping as well as developmentally regulated genes, and a high percentage of sequences with unknown function. Among the identified ORFs, almost all ribosomal proteins (RPs) were found with high EST redundancy and hence sequence accuracy. The codon usage found among RP genes is in average surprisingly much less biased in Lepidoptera than in other organisms. Other Spodoptera genes also displayed a low bias, suggesting a general genome expression feature in this Lepidoptera. We also found that the L35A and L36 RP sequences, respectively, display 40 and 10 amino-acid insertions, both being present only in insects. Sequence analysis suggests that they are probably not subjected to a strong selective pressure and may be good phylogenetic markers for Lepidoptera. Most interestingly, the Lepidoptera sequences of 9 RP genes displayed a specific signature different from the canonical one. We conclude that the RP family allows valuable comparative genomics and phylogeny of Lepidoptera.

AVAILABILITY

All EST sequence data are available from the private 'Spodo-Base' upon request.

High cell surface expression of Newcastle disease virus proteins via replicon vectors demonstrates syncytia forming activity of F and fusion promotion activity of HN molecules

For functional studies, the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and the fusion protein (F) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were expressed in BHK cells using two vectors which are based on the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon. The first system of high protein expression works by transfection of RNA which before has been in vitro transcribed from a vector containing the gene for the SFV self-amplifying replicase (REP) and a foreign gene using the SP6 promoter. A high level of protein (HN or F) expression was detected 18-20 h after transfection. To study the host range of this expression system, a panel of different cell lines were compared for transfections with SFV RNA. A wide range of expression efficiency was observed, the highest being BHK cells. The second system is based on a DNA plasmid in which the SFV-REP and a foreign gene are expressed in cells under the transcriptional and translational control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early enhancer T7 promoter. DNA-electroporated BHK cells expressed also high levels of the recombinant proteins but at a delayed time point (40-48 h) as compared with the corresponding RNA. Co-expression of the two NDV proteins, HN and F, via this DNA vector in the same cells led to syncytium formation in the cell monolayer, showing that both proteins expressed in this way, were functionally active. F alone, expressed via this vector, displayed residual fusion activity suggesting its proteolytic cleavage and its functional independence from HN.

Nodal order parameter in electron-doped Pr(2-x)CexCuO(4-delta) superconducting films

The London penetration depth, lambda(ab)(T), is reported for thin films of the electron-doped superconductor Pr(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4-delta) with varying Ce concentration, x=0.13, 0.15, and 0.17. Measurements down to 0.35 K were carried out using a tunnel-diode oscillator with excitation fields applied both perpendicular and parallel to the conducting planes. Films at all three doping levels exhibited power law behavior indicative of d-wave pairing with impurity scattering. These results are fully consistent with previous measurements on single crystals.

A genomic BAC library and a new BAC-GFP vector to study the holocentric pest Spodoptera frugiperda

Two genomic tools for the study of Lepidoptera and the holocentric structure of their chromosomes are presented in this paper. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed using nuclear DNA partially digested with HindIII from eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda. The library contains a total of 36,864 clones with an average insert size of 125 kb, which corresponds to approximately 11.5 genome equivalents. Hybridization screening of the library was performed with eight single-copy genes, giving an average hit of 10 clones per marker gene. Colinearity between the genome and BACs was demonstrated at the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) locus. Probing of the library with a PCR fragment internal to the 18S ribosomal gene allowed an estimation of the rDNA locus size close to 115 repeats per haploid genome. A new vector (pBAC3.6eGFP) for transient transfection into S. frugiperda cell lines has been constructed. It is based on the BAC vector, pBAC3.6e, in which a gene encoding GFP was inserted under the control of the densovirus P9 promoter. This vector has the advantage to accommodate large genomic inserts and to be transfected in a large lepidopteran host range. It was used to construct a second BAC library from Sf9 cell nuclear DNA in order to allow a comparison between somatic and cell line genome organization.

Importance of serine 200 for functional activities of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein of Newcastle Disease Virus

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus with replication competence in human tumor cells and interesting anti-neoplastic and immune stimulatory properties. In order to increase tumor selectivity of replication, we prepared mutants from the avirulent strain Ulster with monocyclic replication cycle and adapted them for multicyclic replication in human melanoma cells. Two mutants (M1 and M2) showed interesting functional differences: while M2 showed T cell co-stimulatory effects in a tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay, M1 did not. A distinct difference of these 2 virus mutants appeared also when testing their capacity to induce interferon-alpha and -beta as well as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) molecules in human monocytes. Sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) molecules of the 2 virus mutants showed 7 non-silent mutational differences. Upon cloning of the HN mutant genes into an expression vector and transfection of cells, only HN derived from M2 (HN-M2) was detected at the cell surface by immunostaining with specific antibodies and showed hemadsorption and neuraminidase activity. In order to define which amino acid was responsible for the loss of functional activity of HN derived from M1 (HN-M1), distinct HN mutants were generated via site-directed mutagenesis and tested. Substitution of serine 200 by a proline abrogated HN expression and its hemadsorption and neuraminidase activities. Molecular modeling revealed that proline 200 in HN influences flexibility of a loop near the entrance to the neuraminidase active site, a function that may be crucial for the functions of this viral protein.

Characterization and transcriptional profiles of three Spodoptera frugiperda genes encoding cysteine-rich peptides. A new class of defensin-like genes from lepidopteran insects?

The present work describes sequence and transcription of three Spodoptera frugiperda genes encoding 6-cysteine-rich peptides. Sequence alignments indicate that the predicted peptides belong to the insect defensin family, although phylogenetic analyses suggest they form a cluster distinct from that of other neopteran insect defensins. The three genes were identified in a non-immune-challenged Sf9 cells cDNA (DNA complementary to RNA) library (Landais et al., Bioinformatics, in press) and were named spodoptericin, Sf-gallerimycin and Sf-cobatoxin. Spodoptericin is a novel defensin-like gene that appears to be weakly up-regulated following injection of bacteria and fungi. Interestingly, no sequence motif clearly homologous to cis regulatory element involved in the regulation of antimicrobial genes was found. An homologue of the spodoptericin gene was identified in the SilkBase Bombyx mori cDNA library. Sf-gallerimycin is related to the Galleria mellonella gallerimycin gene and is induced after immune challenge by injection of bacteria in the larval fat body as well as in hemocytes. In silico analysis of the sequence upstream from the cDNA reveals the presence of at least one motif homologous to a nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding site. Finally, Sf-cobatoxin is related to the G. mellonella cobatoxin-like gene. Despite high levels of constitutive expression compared to the two previous genes, transcription of Sf-cobatoxin is increased after immune, in particular, bacterial challenge. We therefore confirm that these three genes encode potential candidate molecules involved in S. frugiperda innate humoral response.

Junonia coenia densovirus-based vectors for stable transgene expression in Sf9 cells: influence of the densovirus sequences on genomic integration

The invertebrate parvovirus Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) shares similarities with terminal hairpins and nonstructural (NS) protein activities of adeno-associated virus (AAV) despite their evolutionary divergence (B. Dumas, M. Jourdan, A. M. Pascaud, and M. Bergoin, Virology, 191:202-222, 1992, and C. Ding, M. Urabe, M. Bergoin, and R. M. Kotin, J. Virol. 76:338-345, 2002). We demonstrate here that persistent transgene expression in insect cells results from stable integration of transfected JcDNV-derived vectors into the host genome. To assess the integrative properties of JcDNV vectors, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gfp marker gene was fused in frame into the major open reading frame (ORF1) of the viral sequence under the control of the P9 capsid protein promoter. In addition, the influence of the nonstructural proteins on the posttransfection maintenance of the vectors was examined by interruption of one or all three NS ORFs. Following transfection of Sf9 cells with each of the JcDNV constructs, clones showing persistent GFP expression were isolated. Structural analyses revealed that the majority of the JcDNV plasmid sequence was integrated into the genome of the fluorescent clones. Integration was observed whether or not NS proteins were expressed. However, the presence of NS genes in the constructs greatly influenced the number of integrated copies and their distribution in the host genome. Disruption of NS genes expression resulted in integration of head-to-tail concatemers at multiple sites within the genome. Further analyses demonstrated that the cis JcDNV 5' inverted terminal repeat region was the primary site of recombination. Sequence analyses of integration junctions showed rearrangements of both flanking and internal sequences for most integrations. These findings demonstrate that JcDNV vectors integrate into insect cells in a manner similar to AAV plasmids in mammalian cells.

Superconductivity and field-induced magnetism in Pr2-xCexCuO4 single crystals

We report muon-spin rotation and relaxation (muSR) measurements on single crystals of the electron-doped high-T(c) superconductor Pr2-xCexCuO4. In a zero external magnetic field, superconductivity is found to coexist with dilute Cu spins that are static on the muSR time scale. In an applied field, we observe a mu(+)-Knight shift that is primarily due to the magnetic moment induced on the Pr ions. Below the superconducting transition temperature T(c), an additional source of local magnetic field appears throughout the volume of the sample. This finding is shown to be consistent with field-induced antiferromagnetic ordering of the Cu spins. Measurements of the temperature dependence of the in-plane magnetic penetration depth lambda(ab) in the vortex state are also presented.

Two ways to induce innate immune responses in human PBMCs: paracrine stimulation of IFN-alpha responses by viral protein or dsRNA

In order to study mechanisms of induction of IFN-alpha by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), we used two replicon systems which are based respectively on DNA and RNA of the Semliki forest virus (SFV) and transfected these into baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) which do not produce interferon-alpha. Co-incubation of BHK cells which were transfected with the two vector systems, with human PBMCs, showed that production of IFN-alpha takes place by two different ways. When using the DNA-based SFV vector, only transfectants expressing cell surface HN molecules of NDV (and not the mock-transfected cells) elicited such a response via interaction of these HN molecules with viral receptors on PBMCs. In contrast, BHK cells transfected with RNA which had been in vitro transcribed from the RNA-based SFV vector without foreign gene as insert (mock-transfected) elicited a comparable IFN-alpha response. Transfer by transfection of poly(I:C), an analogue of double stranded RNA (dsRNA), into the BHK cells induced also by itself the production of IFN-alpha. Therefore induction of "danger signals" (as double-strand RNA replicative intermediates) might be responsible for this discrepancy observed in IFN-alpha induction in PBMCs between the two studied SFV vector systems based on transfection of DNA and on RNA. These observations highlight two ways of IFN-alpha induction which additively may explain the high interferonogenic capacity of NDV as virus: i) via cell-surface expressed HN after transfection of the DNA-based SFV replicon and ii) via transfection of self-amplifying RNA.

[Sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS and prostitution: a case study in Guinea-Conakry]

In Africa, many public health interventions related to the fight against HIV/AIDS are aimed at women commercial sex workers. The practices of sexual labour and prostitution are not universal, and considering them within their specific cultural context is vital to understanding these women's needs and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. An exploratory qualitative study inspired by well-rooted theory was conducted with 14 women working within formally renowned prostitution sites in Guinea-Conakry. It aimed at identifying the context and general preoccupations of these women, within which are embedded sanitary concerns. The study showed that their sexual behaviours are mostly influenced by collective, relational and economic aspects which are in turn evaluated by the women within the framework of their continuous and changing life cycle.