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di Leandro L, Colasante M, Pitari G, Ippoliti R. Hosts and Heterologous Expression Strategies of Recombinant Toxins for Therapeutic Purposes. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:699. [PMID: 38133203 PMCID: PMC10748335 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of therapeutic recombinant toxins requires careful host cell selection. Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are common choices, but no universal solution exists. Achieving the delicate balance in toxin production is crucial due to potential self-intoxication. Recombinant toxins from various sources find applications in antimicrobials, biotechnology, cancer drugs, and vaccines. "Toxin-based therapy" targets diseased cells using three strategies. Targeted cancer therapy, like antibody-toxin conjugates, fusion toxins, or "suicide gene therapy", can selectively eliminate cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Notable toxins from various biological sources may be used as full-length toxins, as plant (saporin) or animal (melittin) toxins, or as isolated domains that are typical of bacterial toxins, including Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) and diphtheria toxin (DT). This paper outlines toxin expression methods and system advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing host cell selection's critical role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.d.L.); (M.C.); (G.P.)
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2
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Márquez-López A, Fanarraga ML. AB Toxins as High-Affinity Ligands for Cell Targeting in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11227. [PMID: 37446406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer have limitations, including the development of acquired resistance. However, novel alternatives have emerged in the form of targeted therapies based on AB toxins. These biotoxins are a diverse group of highly poisonous molecules that show a nanomolar affinity for their target cell receptors, making them an invaluable source of ligands for biomedical applications. Bacterial AB toxins, in particular, are modular proteins that can be genetically engineered to develop high-affinity therapeutic compounds. These toxins consist of two distinct domains: a catalytically active domain and an innocuous domain that acts as a ligand, directing the catalytic domain to the target cells. Interestingly, many tumor cells show receptors on the surface that are recognized by AB toxins, making these high-affinity proteins promising tools for developing new methods for targeting anticancer therapies. Here we describe the structure and mechanisms of action of Diphtheria (Dtx), Anthrax (Atx), Shiga (Stx), and Cholera (Ctx) toxins, and review the potential uses of AB toxins in cancer therapy. We also discuss the main advances in this field, some successful results, and, finally, the possible development of innovative and precise applications in oncology based on engineered recombinant AB toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Márquez-López
- The Nanomedicine Group, Institute Valdecilla-IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Mónica L Fanarraga
- The Nanomedicine Group, Institute Valdecilla-IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
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3
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Santiago FS, Li Y, Zhong L, Raftery MJ, Lins L, Khachigian LM. Truncated YY1 interacts with BASP1 through a 339KLK341 motif in YY1 and suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell growth and intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2395-2406. [PMID: 33508088 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS In-stent restenosis and late stent thrombosis are complications associated with the use of metallic and drug-coated stents. Strategies that inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation without affecting endothelial cell (EC) growth would be helpful in reducing complications arising from percutaneous interventions. Our group previously showed that the forced expression of the injury-inducible zinc finger (ZNF) transcription factor, yin yang-1 (YY1) comprising 414 residues inhibits neointima formation in carotid arteries of rabbits and rats. YY1 inhibits SMC proliferation without affecting EC growth. Identifying a shorter version of YY1 retaining cell-selective inhibition would make it more amenable for potential use as a gene therapeutic agent. METHODS AND RESULTS We dissected YY1 into a range of shorter fragments (YY1A-D, YY1Δ) and found that the first two ZNFs in YY1 (construct YY1B, spanning 52 residues) repressed SMC proliferation. Receptor Binding Domain analysis predicts a three residue (339KLK341) interaction domain. Mutation of 339KLK341 to 339AAA341 in YY1B (called YY1Bm) abrogated YY1B's ability to inhibit SMC but not EC proliferation and migration. Incubation of recombinant GST-YY1B and GST-YY1Bm with SMC lysates followed by precipitation with glutathione-agarose beads and mass spectrometric analysis identified a novel interaction between YY1B and BASP1. Overexpression of BASP1, like YY1, inhibited SMC but not EC proliferation and migration. BASP1 siRNA partially rescued SMC from growth inhibition by YY1B. In the rat carotid balloon injury model, adenoviral overexpression of YY1B, like full-length YY1, reduced neointima formation, whereas YY1Bm had no such effect. CD31 immunostaining suggested YY1B could increase re-endothelialization in a 339KLK341-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify a truncated form of YY1 (YY1B) that can interact with BASP1 and inhibits SMC proliferation, migration and intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury of rat carotid arteries as effectively as full length YY1. We demonstrate the therapeutic potential of YY1B in vascular proliferative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S Santiago
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yue Li
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ling Zhong
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mark J Raftery
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Laurence Lins
- Molecular Biophysics at Interface Lab, University of Liège-Gembloux Agro Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés, 2-5030 Gembloux-Belgium
| | - Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
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Dai L, Yu X, Huang S, Peng Y, Liu J, Chen T, Wang X, Liu Q, Zhu Y, Chen D, Li X, Ou Y, Zou Y, Pan Q, Cao K. The therapeutic potential of attenuated diphtheria toxin delivered by an adenovirus vector with survivin promoter on human lung cancer cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2020; 22:79-87. [PMID: 33377426 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2020.1859870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviral vectors are superior to plasmid vectors in their gene transport efficiency. The A subunit of the diphtheria toxin (DTA) gene is a popular suicide gene in cancer gene therapy. However, DTA is seldom used in adenoviral therapy due to its great toxicity. The toxicity of DTA is so great that even a single molecule of DTA is enough to kill one cell. To avoid this highly toxic effect on normal cells, DTA should be controlled by tumor-specific promoters. The survivin promoter is a widely used tumor-specific promoter. But genes driven by the survivin promoter show a low level of basal gene expression in non-cancer cells. DTA driven by the survivin promoter in adenoviral vectors may be highly toxic not only to cancer cells but also to normal cells. Therefore, DTA should be attenuated when it is used in adenoviral vectors driven by the survivin promoter. In this study, we compared the three kinds of recombinant adenoviruses that carry DTA or its attenuated forms (DTA176 and DTA197) in the treatment of human lung cancer. The results showed that in comparison with both DTA and DTA176, DTA197 is more suitable for adenoviral cancer therapy controlled by the survivin promoter. In addition, Adsur-DTA197 (DTA197 delivered by an adenoviral vector with the survivin promoter) sensitized human lung cancer cells to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that Adsur-DTA197 may be a potential chemosensitizer in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvxia Dai
- Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China.,Department of Experiment Teaching Center of Clinical Medicine,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- School of Public Health,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Sizhou Huang
- Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Yanjuan Peng
- Department of Pharmacology,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Jianmin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | | | - Yanfeng Zhu
- School of Public Health,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Dengbang Chen
- Department of Experiment Teaching Center of Clinical Medicine,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Department of Emergency, Dongfeng Maojian Hospital, Sinopharm Group Corporation , Shiyan, China
| | - Yu Ou
- School of Public Health,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Zou
- Department of certification and evaluation of drug safety, Center for certification and evaluation, Guangdong Drug Administration, Guangzhou , China
| | - Qu Pan
- Department of Pathogen Biology,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Kang Cao
- Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China.,Department of Pathogen Biology,Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
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5
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Chen H, Wang X, Wu F, Mo X, Hu C, Wang M, Xu H, Yao C, Xia H, Lan L. Centromere protein F is identified as a novel therapeutic target by genomics profile and contributing to the progression of pancreatic cancer. Genomics 2020; 113:1087-1095. [PMID: 33166601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most severe and serious deadliest cancer type worldwide. Centromeric proteins (CENPs) family are involved in centromere formation and kinetochore organization during mitosis and play an important role in cancers. Here, we analyzed all CENPs in a panel of PC tissues and non-tumor tissues by genomics profile. We identified that CENPF is significantly upregulated in PC and correlated with poor prognosis of patients. Furthermore, silencing CENPF significantly inhibited PC cell proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, meanwhile, in vivo growth of pancreatic cells. Moreover, the TNF pathway and longevity regulating pathways are two potential pathways, which were regulated by CENPF. These findings investigated the clinical and functional contribution of CENPF as a novel biomarker for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjin Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China
| | - Fubing Wu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiao Mo
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chao Hu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Haojun Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chengyun Yao
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 2100092, China.
| | - Hongping Xia
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 2100092, China.
| | - Linhua Lan
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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Gamboa L, Zamat AH, Kwong GA. Synthetic immunity by remote control. Theranostics 2020; 10:3652-3667. [PMID: 32206114 PMCID: PMC7069089 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapies, such as T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), have the potential to cure patients of disease otherwise refractory to conventional treatments. Early-on-treatment and long-term durability of patient responses depend critically on the ability to control the potency of adoptively transferred T cells, as overactivation can lead to complications like cytokine release syndrome, and immunosuppression can result in ineffective responses to therapy. Drugs or biologics (e.g., cytokines) that modulate immune activity are limited by mass transport barriers that reduce the local effective drug concentration, and lack site or target cell specificity that results in toxicity. Emerging technologies that enable site-targeted, remote control of key T cell functions - including proliferation, antigen-sensing, and target-cell killing - have the potential to increase treatment precision and safety profile. These technologies are broadly applicable to other immune cells to expand immune cell therapies across many cancers and diseases. In this review, we highlight the opportunities, challenges and the current state-of-the-art for remote control of synthetic immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Gamboa
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ali H. Zamat
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabriel A. Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Georgia Immunoengineering Consortium, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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7
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He M, Wang Y, Chen X, Zhao Y, Lou K, Wang Y, Huang L, Hou X, Xu J, Cai X, Cheng Y, Lan M, Yang Y, Gao F. Spatiotemporally controllable diphtheria toxin expression using a light-switchable transgene system combining multifunctional nanoparticle delivery system for targeted melanoma therapy. J Control Release 2019; 319:1-14. [PMID: 31838205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy with external gene insertion (e. g. a suicide gene) and expression specifically in mutated tumor cells has shown to be a promising strategy in treatment of tumors. However, current tumor gene therapy often suffered from low efficiency in gene expression and off-target effects which may cause damage to normal tissues. To address these issues, in this study, a light-switchable transgene nanoparticle delivery system loaded with a diphtheria toxin A (DTA) segment encoded gene, a suicide gene for tumor cells, was developed. The nanoparticles contained vitamin E succinate-grafted polyethyleneimine core and arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD)-modified pegylated hyaluronic acid shell for targeted delivery of the loaded gene to tumor cells via receptor-mediated (CD44 and αvβ3) endocytosis. Notably, the expression of target proteins in tumor cells could be conveniently regulated by adjusting the blue light intensity in the Light-On system. In in-vitro studies in cultured B16-F10 cells, the pG-DTA-loaded nano-micelles showed greatly improved inhibitory rate compared with the pG-DTA group. Moreover, in the tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice model, the pG-DTA-loaded nanoparticle exhibited greatly improved efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity with significantly increased survival rate after 21 days. Significantly suppressed tumor angiogenesis was also identified in the nanoparticle-treated group likely due to the targeting ability of the RGD-modified nanoparticle. All the above results indicated that the combination of a light-switchable transgene system with a nanoparticle-based targeted delivery system have great potentials in gene therapy of malignant tumors with improved precision and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muye He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics & Molecular Imaging Interdisciplinary Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics & Molecular Imaging Interdisciplinary Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kaiyan Lou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinyu Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiajun Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaoran Cai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Minbo Lan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics & Molecular Imaging Interdisciplinary Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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Shafiee F, Aucoin MG, Jahanian-Najafabadi A. Targeted Diphtheria Toxin-Based Therapy: A Review Article. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2340. [PMID: 31681205 PMCID: PMC6813239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional therapeutic strategies usually offer limited specificity, resulting in severe side effects and toxicity to normal tissues. Targeted cancer therapy, on the other hand, can improve the therapeutic potential of anti-cancer agents and decrease unwanted side effects. Targeted applications of cytolethal bacterial toxins have been found to be especially useful for the specific eradication of cancer cells. Targeting is either mediated by peptides or by protein-targeting moieties, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), growth factors, or cytokines. Together with a toxin domain, these molecules are more commonly referred to as immunotoxins. Targeting can also be achieved through gene delivery and cell-specific expression of a toxin. Of the available cytolethal toxins, diphtheria toxin (DT) is one of the most frequently used for these strategies. Of the many DT-based therapeutic strategies investigated to date, two immunotoxins, OntakTM and TagraxofuspTM, have gained FDA approval for clinical application. Despite some success with immunotoxins, suicide-gene therapy strategies, whereby controlled tumor-specific expression of DT is used for the eradication of malignant cells, are gaining prominence. The first part of this review focuses on DT-based immunotoxins, and it then discusses recent developments in tumor-specific expression of DT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Shafiee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marc G Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Jahanian-Najafabadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Dai LX, Yang J, Liu JM, Huang S, Wang BN, Li H, Yang J, Zhao ZY, Cao K, Li MY. Adenovirus-Mediated CRM197 Sensitizes Human Glioma Cells to Gemcitabine by the Mitochondrial Pathway. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2018; 34:171-180. [PMID: 30585767 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2017.2363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197) is a mutation of the diphtheria toxin. The protein of CRM197 was used successfully for the therapy of various tumors in the recent studies. In this study, the recombinant adenoviruses containing the CRM197gene(AdCRM197) were used to enhance the cellar toxicity of gemcitabine in human glioma U87, U251, and H4 cells. PROCEDURES MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed to test the apoptosis of the U87, U251 and H4 cells with the combined treatment of AdCRM197 plus gemcitabine. Western blotting analyses were carried out to detect the cell apoptosis of the mitochondrial pathway. And the xenograft nude mice were used to observe the enhanced antitumor effect of AdCRM197 in vivo. RESULTS AdCRM197 sensitizes human glioma cells to gemcitabine in vitro by the mitochondrial pathway. Tumor volume was inhibited and survival time was prolonged in the U251 or U87 xenografted nude mice with gemcitabine plus AdCRM197. The enhanced antitumor effect of AdCRM197 was also detected by the immunohistochemical analyses and TUNEL staining. CONCLUSION The authors found that AdCRM197 sensitized the human glioma to gemcitabine not only in vitro but also in vivo. They provide the first evidence that adenovirus-mediated CRM197 may be a potential chemosensitizing agent for the treatment of cancer. The diphtheria toxin is of great toxicity that even one molecule of diphtheria toxin is enough to kill one cell. However, because of the high toxicity, the diphtheria toxin would kill the packing cells when it is being packaged into the recombinant viruses. Therefore, the diphtheria toxin is hard to be used in the gene therapy for virus vectors. The cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197) is a mutation of the diphtheria toxin. Unlike DTA, CRM197 exhibit a weak toxicity. The week toxicity of CRM197 is a good feature for the virus packaging. In the present study, we used a recombinant adenovirus which carried a CRM197 gene (AdCRM197) to enhance the cellar toxicity of gemcitabine in human glioma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lv-Xia Dai
- 1 Department of Microbiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .,2 Department of Pathogen Biology, Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- 3 Department of Infectious Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine , Shiyan, China
| | - Jian-Min Liu
- 4 Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou, China
| | - Sizhou Huang
- 2 Department of Pathogen Biology, Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Bao-Ning Wang
- 1 Department of Microbiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Li
- 5 West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Yang
- 6 Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Zhong-Yi Zhao
- 1 Department of Microbiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Kang Cao
- 2 Department of Pathogen Biology, Chengdu Medical College , Chengdu, China
| | - Ming-Yuan Li
- 1 Department of Microbiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
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10
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Khandia R, Pattnaik B, Rajukumar K, Pateriya A, Bhatia S, Murugkar H, Prakash A, Pradhan HK, Dhama K, Munjal A, Joshi SK. Anti-proliferative role of recombinant lethal toxin of Bacillus anthracis on primary mammary ductal carcinoma cells revealing its therapeutic potential. Oncotarget 2018; 8:35835-35847. [PMID: 28415766 PMCID: PMC5482621 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis secretes three secretary proteins; lethal factor (LF), protective antigen (PA) and edema factor (EF). The LF has ability to check proliferation of mammary tumors, chiefly depending on mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Evaluation of therapeutic potential of recombinant LF (rLF), recombinant PA (rPA) and lethal toxin (rLF + rPA = LeTx) on the primary mammary ductal carcinoma cells revealed significant (p < 0.01) reduction in proliferation of tumor cells with mean inhibition indices of 28.0 ± 1.37% and 19.6 ± 1.47% respectively. However, treatment with rPA alone had no significant anti-proliferative effect as evident by low mean inhibition index of 3.4 ± 3.87%. The higher inhibition index observed for rLF alone as compared to LeTx is contrary to the existing knowledge on LF, which explains the requirement of PA dependent endocytosis for its enzymatic activity. Therefore, the plausible existence of PA independent mode of action of LF including direct receptor mediated endocytosis or modulation of signal transduction cascade via unknown means is hypothesized. In silico protein docking analysis of other cellular receptors for any plausibility to play the role of receptor for LF revealed c-Met receptor showing strongest affinity for LF (H bond = 19; Free energy = −773.96), followed by nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-1. The study summarizes the use of rLF or LeTx as therapeutic molecule against primary mammary ductal carcinoma cells and also the c-Met as potential alternative receptor for LF to mediate and modulate PA independent signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Khandia
- ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Bramhadev Pattnaik
- Project Directorate on Foot and Mouth Disease, Mukteswar, Uttarakhand, India
| | | | - Atul Pateriya
- ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sandeep Bhatia
- ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Harshad Murugkar
- ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Anil Prakash
- Department of Microbiology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Hare Krishna Pradhan
- Ex-Avian Influenza National Consultant, Indian Office of WHO Consultant, Bhartiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashok Munjal
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sunil K Joshi
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Frank Reidy Research Center of Bioelectrics, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA USA
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Lin B, Gao A, Zhang R, Ma H, Shen H, Hu Q, Zhang H, Zhao M, Lan X, Liu K. Use of a Novel Integrase-Deficient Lentivirus for Targeted Anti-Cancer Therapy With Survivin Promoter-Driven Diphtheria Toxin A. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e1301. [PMID: 26252309 PMCID: PMC4616595 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000001301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
As an immunotoxin, diphtheria toxin has been widely used in gene therapy and gene function assays for its roles in protein synthesis inhibition, and the aim of our study is to set up a nonintegrating lentiviral system for specific expression of diphtheria toxin A (DTA) used in cancer gene therapy.Here, we established a lentiviral system that could coordinately express fluorescent protein and DTA driven by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, which is convenient for us to precisely trace the expression of DTA and monitor the process of lentivirus packaging. To achieve safer cancer therapy, we replaced the CMV promoter with the Survivin promoter, a specific promoter that is dramatically activated in cancer tissues and cells, but not in normal tissues and cells, and that will impose greater therapeutic potential because a significant expression difference occurred between these 2 groups. Meanwhile, we obtained integrase-deficient lentivirus (IDLV) after packaging with the integrase mutant, which expresses defective integrase RRK262263264AAH, to minimize the side effects that derived from the insertional mutagenesis of the host genome.Our results suggest that the IDLV system that we generated possesses therapeutic potential in cancers in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoshun Lin
- From the Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital, PLA, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China (BL, AG, RZ, HM, MZ, XL, KL); Dong Fang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China (BL, AG, QH, MZ, XL, KL); Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China (HM); School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, P.R. China (HS); Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Tibet University, Nyingchi, P.R. China (HZ); and Fuzhou General Hospital Clinical Medical School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P.R. China (RZ, XL, KL)
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12
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Romaniuk SI, Kolybo DV, Komisarenko SV. Recombinant diphtheria toxin derivatives: Perspectives of application. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2012; 38:639-52. [DOI: 10.1134/s106816201206012x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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13
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Eukaryotic expression vectors bearing genes encoding cytotoxic proteins for cancer gene therapy. Plasmid 2012; 68:69-85. [PMID: 22613563 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Revised: 02/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer gene therapy is a promising direction for the treatment of cancer patients. A primary goal of all cancer therapies is to selectively target and kill tumour cells. Such therapies are administered via different approaches, including both viral and non-viral delivery; however, both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Transcriptional targeting enables genes encoding toxic proteins to be expressed directly in cancer cells. Numerous vectors have been created with the purpose of killing cancer cells, and some have successfully suppressed malignant tumours. Data concerning the function of vectors bearing genes that encode cytotoxic proteins under the control of different promoters, including tissue/tumour specific and constitutive promoters, is summarised here. This review focuses on vectors that bear genes encoding diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A, caspases, gef, streptolysin, and melittin. Data describing the efficacy of such vectors have been summarised. Notably, there are vectors that killed cancer cell lines originating from the same type of cancer with differential efficiency. Thus, there is differential inhibition of cancer cell growth dependent on the cell line. In this review, the constructs employing genes whose expression induces cell death and the efficiency with which they suppress cancer cell growth will be summarised.
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14
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Attempts to express the A1-GMCSF immunotoxin in the baculovirus expression vector system. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2012; 76:749-54. [PMID: 22484943 DOI: 10.1271/bbb.110862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Immunotoxins are fusion proteins consisting of two elements, a targeting and a toxin moiety, and are designed for specific elimination of tumor cells. Previously we expressed a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the toxic fragment of Shiga toxin (A1) and GMCSF (A1-GMCSF) in Escherichia coli, and evaluated its cytotoxic properties in acute myeloid leukemia and colon carcinoma cell lines. In view of the specific cytotoxic effects of this immunotoxin, further detailed in-vitro and preclinical studies were undertaken. Large amounts of the recombinant protein of high purity and free of unwanted side products, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), were required. Since GMCSF is of mammalian origin and it requires proper disulfide bond formation, we intended to use the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) for the expression of the recombinant fusion protein. However, despite previous reports on the expression of several other immunotoxins by this system, the A1 derived fusion proteins revealed an inhibitory effect on baculoviral particle formation and even caused cell death in insect cells. This observation was further pursued and confirmed by the use of other baculoviral specific promoters. The salient features of this finding are described below.
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15
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Bröker M, Costantino P, DeTora L, McIntosh ED, Rappuoli R. Biochemical and biological characteristics of cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197), a non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin: Use as a conjugation protein in vaccines and other potential clinical applications. Biologicals 2011; 39:195-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2011.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Toxin-based therapeutic approaches. Toxins (Basel) 2010; 2:2519-83. [PMID: 22069564 PMCID: PMC3153180 DOI: 10.3390/toxins2112519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 10/25/2010] [Accepted: 10/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein toxins confer a defense against predation/grazing or a superior pathogenic competence upon the producing organism. Such toxins have been perfected through evolution in poisonous animals/plants and pathogenic bacteria. Over the past five decades, a lot of effort has been invested in studying their mechanism of action, the way they contribute to pathogenicity and in the development of antidotes that neutralize their action. In parallel, many research groups turned to explore the pharmaceutical potential of such toxins when they are used to efficiently impair essential cellular processes and/or damage the integrity of their target cells. The following review summarizes major advances in the field of toxin based therapeutics and offers a comprehensive description of the mode of action of each applied toxin.
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Shih TW, Pan TM. Stress responses of thermophilic Geobacillus sp. NTU 03 caused by heat and heat-induced stress. Microbiol Res 2010; 166:346-59. [PMID: 20869219 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2010.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A batch culture of Geobacillus sp. NTU 03 was subjected to a rapid temperature shift for investigating the stress response. Several known heat-shock responses for protein, DNA, and cell membrane recurring were observed on two-dimensional (2D) gels. Heat caused protein and cell membrane disruption greatly affected the electron transport chain. Further, heat caused lower dissolved oxygen (DO) solubility resulting in insufficient oxygen to be electron acceptor, and the NADH could not be reoxidized. Hence, we observed seven dehydrogenase that used NADH as electron donor were downregulated on the 2D gels. In contrast, succinate dehydrogenase that used FADH(2) as electron donor was upregulated. However, this induction may simultaneously increase generation of superoxide; therefore the cellular redox state was imbalanced. We observed that superoxide dismutase (2D gel) and zinc ion ABC transporter (mRNA quantification) were upregulated, whereas ferric ion ABC transporter (2D gel and mRNA quantification) was downregulated. Increase in the reactive oxygen or nitrogen species scavenging activities were also observed. For responding the lower DO solubility, a transient activation of nitrate respiration was observed at transcriptional level. Our results support the view that both heat stress and heat-induced stress should be considered together when investigating the stress responses of thermophiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Wei Shih
- Department of Biochemical Science & Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
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Spiga MG, Borrás T. Development of a gene therapy virus with a glucocorticoid-inducible MMP1 for the treatment of steroid glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2010; 51:3029-41. [PMID: 20089870 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.09-4918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To design a glucocorticoid-inducible virus vector overexpressing recombinant matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and counteract extracellular matrix deposition in the trabecular meshwork only when steroid is present. METHODS Endogenous MMP1 expression was measured in primary human trabecular meshwork cells (HTM) treated with dexamethasone (DEX), triamcinolone acetate, and prednisolone acetate by TaqMan PCR. Wild-type and mutant MMP1 cDNAs were cloned downstream of a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) and P(TAL) promoter. Adenoviruses AdhGRE.MMP1 and AdhGRE.mutMMP1 were generated by homologous recombination. HTM cells and perfused human anterior segments were infected with the viruses, with and without DEX. MMP1 mRNA and protein were analyzed by TaqMan PCR, Western blot analysis, and ELISA. Activity of secreted MMP1 was evaluated by FRET and rat tail collagen type I assays. Immunohistochemistry was performed by double-labeling with anti-human MMP1 and collagen type I antibodies. RESULTS Endogenous MMP1 expression was greatly downregulated by the steroids. DEX-treated cells and perfused organ cultures infected with AdhGRE.MMP1 secreted high levels of MMP1. Induction of MMP1 cycled on and off with the addition or removal of DEX. Secreted wild-type MMP1 degraded collagen type I after activation, whereas secreted mutMMP1 did not. Immunohistochemistry showed faint staining of collagen type I in areas of trabecular meshwork with high MMP1 transgene expression. CONCLUSIONS The authors have developed a novel glucocorticoid-inducible adenovirus vector that overproduces MMP1 only in the presence of DEX. The availability of this vector sets up the foundation for the development of gene therapy drugs for the potential treatment of ocular hypertension in steroid-responsive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Grazia Spiga
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7041, USA
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