Biomedical subjects

M L Kuo

Publications and source records attributed to M L Kuo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Differential induction of apoptosis in oncogene-transformed NIH 3T3 cells by methylmethanesulfonate.

Cellular oncogenes have been shown to play crucial roles in the cell death process induced by cytotoxic agents. In this study, we have demonstrated that v-H-ras transformed NIH 3T3 cells but not other transformants (v-raf, v-src, v-erbB-2, v-fes and v-mos) exhibited a survival advantage to treatment by a DNA-damaging agent, methylmethanesulfonate (MMS). Subsequently, the biochemical and morphologic criteria of MMS-treated cells were examined. It was found that MMS induced v-H-ras transformants to go through necrosis, but it induced other transformed cells to undergo apoptosis. The levels of glutathione (GSH) within each transformant as well as in NIH 3T3 cells, were determined. The results showed that GSH levels within ras transformants were 2- to 7-fold higher than the levels in other transformants and normal NIH 3T3 cells. By using the GSH synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine, GSH levels were artificially reduced. This depletion, however, made ras transformed cells more sensitive to MMS killing, but the mode of cell death was still necrosis. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was constitutively expressed in ras transformed cells but not in NIH 3T3 or other transformed cells. The level of Bcl-2 was correlated with the resistant phenotype of ras transformants during MMS treatment. These observations suggest that GSH and Bcl-2 levels may cooperatively confer the resistant phenotype of ras transformants in response to MMS. In addition, the mode of cell death may possibly be determined at least in part by Bcl-2 protein.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Distinct p53-mediated G1/S checkpoint responses in two NIH3T3 subclone cells following treatment with DNA-damaging agents.

N3T3 and P-3T3 cells, originally isolated from a NIH3T3 cell clone on the basis of their negative and positive transformation by v-Abl, v-Src and Bcr-Abl, were previously found to show distinct cyclin activity changes following 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment, which is anti-mitogenic for N-3T3 cells and mitogenic for P-3T3 cells. We have found in this study that, while the G1/S arrest and cell death induced by serum starvation and TPA treatment in N-3T3 cells did not involve p53-mediated checkpoint or apoptosis, N-3T3 and P-3T3 cells evidently responded differently in these aspects of cell cycle regulation to DNA-damaging agents, methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and gamma-radiation. In N-3T3 cells, DNA damages elicit cell growth arrest at G1/S transition with concomitant accumulation of p53 and p53-inducible Waf1/Cip1 proteins and also signs of apoptosis such as DNA ladder patterns and apoptotic (subgenomic) peak in flow cytograph. Conversely, P-3T3 cells treated with the DNA-damaging agents showed no cell cycle interruption nor accumulation of p53 or Waf1/Cip1. However, both P-3T3 and N-3T3 cells showed the same p53 protein half-life of 40 min or less, the same wild-type p53 DNA sequence and the same co-immunoprecipitable cellular proteins in complexes with p53, suggesting that an alteration in a signal transduction pathway upstream of p53 might account for the evasion of p53-mediated G1 checkpoint in P-3T3 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase block nitric oxide-induced apoptosis but not differentiation in human leukemia HL-60 cells.

Previous studies have shown that chemically generated nitric oxide (NO) can induce human leukemia HL-60 cells to undergo monocytic differentiation. We show here that exposure of HL-60 cells to chemical NO generators induces cell death via apoptosis which was examined by morphological and biochemical criteria. The activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (pADPRp) was found to occur during the process of cell death. The NO-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells was effectively prevented by the ADP-ribosylation inhibitors nicotinamide (NA) and 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB). Since NO not only induced apoptosis but also triggered differentiation under the same concentration, we thus examined whether pADPRp participated in monocytic differentiation. It is of interest to note that the NO-mediated monocytic differentiation was not affected by 3-AB or NA. These findings indicate that activation of pADPRp is specifically involved in NO-induced apoptosis but not differentiation.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1996

Inhibition of protein kinase C and proto-oncogene expression by crocetin in NIH/3T3 cells.

Crocetin, a carotenoid isolated from the seeds of Gardenia jasminoides, was found to be a potent inhibitor of tumor promotion induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in mouse skin. When mouse fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells were treated with TPA alone, protein kinase C (PKC) translocated from the cytosolic fraction to the particulate fraction. Pretreatment with 60 and 120 microM crocetin for 15 min inhibited the TPA-induced PKC activity in the particulate fraction by 50% and 66%, respectively, but did not affect the level of PKC protein. Crocetin also reduced the level of TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Cells pretreated with crocetin (120 microM) had 55% less PKC [3H]phorbol dibutyrate-binding capacity. Suppression of TPA (100 ng/mL)-induced c-jun and c-fos gene expression was also observed in the mouse fibroblast cells pretreated with crocetin (30, 60, and 120 microM). Our results provided a basis for understanding the inhibitory effect of crocetin on TPA-mediated tumor promotion.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Inhibitions of protein kinase C and proto-oncogene expressions in NIH 3T3 cells by apigenin.

Apigenin, a low-toxic and non-mutagenic plant flavonoid, suppresses 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated tumour promotion of mouse skin. TPA has the ability to activate protein kinase C (PKC) and induce proto-oncogene expression. Our study shows that apigenin inhibits PKC by competing with ATP, and exhibits an IC50 value of 10 +/- 0.5 microM. Apigenin also reduces the level of TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Of the protein tyrosine kinases tested, the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor was most strongly affected by apigenin (IC50 20 microM), and pp60v-src most weakly affected (IC50 > 200 microM). Treatment of NIH 3T3 cells with 100 ng/ml TPA and 10, 50 and 100 microM apigenin resulted in 50, 80 and 100% suppression of TPA-induced C-JUN expression, respectively. Treatment of TPA with 10 microM apigenin inhibited TPA-induced C-FOS expression. TPA-stimulated cell growth was suppressed by 25 microM apigenin. Our results provide some evidence for understanding apigenin's inhibitory effects of TPA-mediated tumour promotion.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Involvement of glutathione in induction of c-jun proto-oncogene by methylmethanesulfonate in NIH 3T3 cells.

The c-jun proto-oncogene plays a vital role in the carcinogenic process. Although numerous works have extensively investigated the induction mechanisms of c-jun by UV, hydrogen peroxide or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, the mechanism induced by alkylating agents has received little attention. In this study, NIH 3T3 cells were exposed to methylmethanesulfonate (MMS), revealing that the agent clearly induced c-jun expression with a peak at 2 h. Pretreatment of cells with various kinase inhibitors, e.g. H7, genistein, herbimycin A and tyrphostin, did not show any significant effects on the MMS-induced c-jun expression. Benzamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP)-ribosylation, enhanced the MMS-induced DNA breakages, but did not potentiate that agent which elicited c-jun expression. Another experiment showed that this agent transfected and overexpressed an activated v-H-ras gene in NIH 3T3 cells, which became more resistant to MMS-induced DNA damage but expressed the same level of c-jun transcript as compared with NIH 3T3 cells in response to MMS. If intracellular glutathione (GSH) was completely depleted by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), the MMS-elicited c-jun expression was blocked. Subsequently, re-elevating intracellular GSH by washing off BSO caused the expression of c-jun by MMS to increase proportionately. Based on these findings, we can conclude that the mechanism by which MMS induced c-jun expression does not occur through activation of protein tyrosine kinases or initiation of DNA damage, but is closely related to the intracellular GSH.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Induction of calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle by xanthone and norathyriol.

1. Effects of xanthone and its derivative, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone (norathyriol), on Ca2+ release and ryanodine binding were studied in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle. 2. Both xanthone and norathyriol dose-dependently induced Ca2+ release from the actively loaded SR vesicles which was blocked by ruthenium red, a specific Ca2+ release inhibitor, and Mg2+. 3. Xanthone and norathyriol also dose-dependently increased apparent [3H]-ryanodine binding. Norathyriol, but not xanthone, produced a synergistic effect on binding activation when added concurrently with caffeine. 4. In the presence of Mg2+, which inhibits ryanodine binding, both caffeine and norathyriol, but not xanthone, could restore the binding to the level observed in the absence of Mg2+. 5. Xanthone activated the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of isolated SR vesicles dose-dependently reaching 70% activation at 300 microM. 6. When tested in mouse diaphragm, norathyriol potentiated the muscle contraction followed by twitch depression and contracture in either a Ca(2+) -free bathing solution or one containing 2.5 mM Ca2+. These norathyriol-induced effects on muscle were inhibited by pretreatment with ruthenium red or ryanodine. 7. These data suggest that xanthone and norathyriol can induce Ca2+ release from the SR of skeletal muscle through a direct interaction with the Ca2+ release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Modulation of microsomal cytochrome P450 by Scutellariae Radix and Gentianae scabrae Radix in rat liver.

The present study has determined the effects of Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Gentianae scabrae Radix (Longdan) on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent mono-oxygenases using rats pretreated with crude extracts of medicinal herbs. Scutellariae Radix resulted in a 53% decrease of pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity in liver microsomes. In contrast, Gentianae scabrae Radix caused a 50% increase of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity. Immunoblotting analysis of liver microsomes revealed that Scutellariae Radix induced and suppressed the levels of P450 1A and 2B proteins, respectively. Scutellariae and Gentianae scabrae Radixes had no effects on microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity and P450 2E1 protein.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A murine model for genetic manipulation of the T cell compartment.

The expression of exogenous genes in long-lived primary T cells is potentially beneficial for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, AIDS, genetic defects of the lymphoid compartment, and systemic enzyme deficiencies such as hemophilia. One approach for genetic modification of T cells is to introduce therapeutic genes into hematopoietic stem cells that would give rise to cells of the lymphoid lineage. Efficient gene transfer and expression in stem cells is often problematic, however. A more direct approach is to introduce the genes into mature primary T lymphocytes since the transferred genes can be maintained and expressed for long periods by long-lived peripheral T cells. In this report, we describe the adoptive transfer into SCID mice of both murine and human primary T cells that have been efficiently transduced with exogenous genes. Primary murine T cells transduced with a retroviral vector containing the human adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene persisted for at least 5 months in lymphoid organs of SCID mice, continuously expressing the exogenous gene. Primary human T cells were also used as target cells for transfer of the beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene. Expression of the lacZ gene could be detected in over 20% of the transduced primary T cells before adoptive transfer into SCID mice. Transduced human T cells were injected into SCID mice intraperitoneally (ip), and the beta-galactosidase activity could be detected in cells collected from peritoneal exudate washes of recipient mice 6 weeks post-injection. These results demonstrate the availability of a murine model in which the long-term effects of expression of exogenous genes in both murine and human T cells can be tested.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

PubMed1995

Preferential requirement for protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced differentiation of human colon cancer cells.

Some lines of colon cancer cells are forced to undergo differentiation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The increases in activities of both protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) have been reported to be associated with the TPA-induced differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells. In the present study, a 2-fold increase in PTP activity was observed in SW620 human colon cancer cells after 30 min of TPA treatment; a maximal level (4- to 5-fold) was reached at 60 min and continued for more than 6 hr. In addition, two TPA-induced differentiated characteristics, morphological alteration and release of cellular surface proteoglycan, were effectively blocked by PTP inhibitors, such as sodium orthovanadate (50 microM), zinc chloride (100 microM), and iodoacetate (250 microM), but not by the protein serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (20 nM). On the other hand, although TPA induced a transient slight increase in PTK activity (1.4-fold) at 60 min, four PTK inhibitors (genistein, herbimycin A, tyrphostin-23 and quercetin) had different effects on the TPA-induced release of cell surface proteoglycan. Genistein (60 microM) potentiated this process, but in contrast, quercetin (45 microM) could partially inhibit the TPA effect. Taken together, these observations suggest that both PTP and PTK activities were increased in SW620 cells in response to TPA; however, the activation of PTP seems to be preferentially required for the TPA-induced differentiation of SW620 human colon cancer cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

PubMed1995

A labile hyperphosphorylated c-Fos protein is induced in mouse fibroblast cells treated with a combination of phorbol ester and anti-tumor promoter curcumin.

Curcumin is a potent inhibitor of tumor promotion, and was shown previously to inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced AP-1 activity. The c-Fos protein is inducible by TPA and thus is associated with c-Jun to result in an increased AP-1 activity in mouse fibroblast cells. We therefore hypothesized that c-Fos may be one of the targets of curcumin action. In the present study, the effects of curcumin on TPA-induced c-fos mRNA and protein levels were determined by RNA hybridization and western blot analysis, respectively. Curcumin decreases the TPA-induced nuclear abundance of c-Fos protein in spite of the slight super-induction of c-fos mRNA. Upon TPA stimulation, the amount of c-Fos in the quiescent cells increases and reaches maximum at 30 min, and then progressively disappears over a period of 60 min. However, the c-Fos protein seems susceptible to rapid degradation by 45 min if NIH 3T3 cells were treated with TPA in the presence of curcumin. The curcumin-induced hyperphosphorylated forms of c-Fos proteins are significantly more unstable; they entirely disappeared within 40 min after incubation at 37 degrees C. These findings prompted us to suggest that the decrease of c-Fos protein could account for the repressed in vitro DNA binding probably by reducing the Jun/Fos complex formation.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

Pronounced activation of protein kinase C, ornithine decarboxylase and c-jun proto-oncogene by paraquat-generated active oxygen species in WI-38 human lung cells.

Paraquat (methyl viologen, PQ) is a widely used herbicide that produces oxygen-derived free radicals and severely injures human lungs. In this study we examined the effects of PQ on the protein kinase C (PKC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and c-jun oncogene expression in WI-38 human lung cells. Exposure of cells to 25-200 microM PQ resulted in an increase of [3H]phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) binding and PKC redistribution in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, a superoxide dismutase mimic, 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol, 2.5 mM) and catalase (400 micrograms/ml) could significantly reduce the PQ-stimulated increase of phorbol ester binding and particular PKC phosphorylating activity, but dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, 1.5%), an effective .OH trapping agent, failed to prevent this stimulation. In addition, an endogenous substrate of PKC, 80 kDa protein, was found to be highly phosphorylated in intact WI-38 cells treated with 50 microM PQ. The increase of phosphorylated proteins could be completely or partly abolished by Tempol or catalase, but only the phosphorylation of 80 kDa protein was diminished by protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7). A maximal peak of ODC activity was observed at 6 h of treatment with 50 microM PQ. PQ induced activity was reduced at the following rates, Tempol 85%, DMSO 80% and catalase 45%, but H-7 failed to do so. Furthermore, we found that the level of c-jun mRNA was transiently increased by PQ and the peak appeared at 1 h of treatment. When correlated with the PKC result, Tempol, catalase and H-7 all effectively blocked PQ-elicited c-jun transcript expression, but DMSO only exhibited a weakly inhibitory effect. We therefore propose that superoxide anion (O2- and H2O2 generated by PQ could activate PKC and lead to induction of c-jun gene expression; on the other hand, O2- and .OH might trigger other kinase pathways to elevate ODC activity. Finally, the sequential expression of c-jun oncogene and ODC may cooperate to relieve the oxidative damages elicited by PQ.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1995

Reversion of v-H-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells by apigenin through inhibiting mitogen activated protein kinase and its downstream oncogenes.

Apigenin, a plant flavonoid, induced the reversion of transformed phenotypes of v-H-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells at a quite low concentration of 12.5 microM. In the present study, we have examined the components of this Ras-mediated signaling transduction to determine whether they were involved in the apigenin-induced reversion process. Interestingly, the consitutively activated mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the ras transformant was inhibited significantly and rapidly by 25 microM apigenin within 30 min, and this reduction continued for more than 4 h. Corroborating these observations, expression of the downstream oncogenes c-jun and c-fos was also dramatically reduced during the first 4 h of treatment. We found that the levels of ras protein and mRNA were not affected by 24 h of treatment with apigenin. These findings indicate that apigenin-induced reversion of v-H-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells may occur by inhibiting MAPK activity and its downstream oncogenes rather than by affecting the expression of the ras gene.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

The interaction of hydroxyurea and iododeoxyuridine on the radiosensitivity of human bladder cancer cells.

Biochemical modulation of iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) incorporation into the DNA of tumor cells is a potential clinical strategy to enhance radiosensitivity and to simultaneously differentiate the sensitivity of rapidly proliferating tumor cells and more slowly proliferating adjacent normal tissues to radiation. The interactions of hydroxyurea (HU) and IdUrd were studied in a human bladder cancer cell line, 647V. Exposure of exponentially growing 647V cells to HU concentrations of 10-100 microM for one cell population doubling (24 h) resulted in no cytotoxicity as assessed by clonogenic survival. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant increase in an early S-phase population after a 12-h exposure but a return to a normal cell cycle distribution after a 24-h exposure to 100 microM HU. Incorporation of IdUrd into DNA was increased 2-fold by coincubation with HU (100 microM) and a clinically achievable concentration of IdUrd (2 microM) for 24 h. To elucidate the mechanism of modulation, IdUTP pools were compared in 647V cells treated with 2 microM IdUrd with or without 100 microM HU. A 2-fold increase in IdUTP pools was evident within 2 h when this drug combination was used. With the use of multivariate statistical analysis, the radiosensitivity of 647V cells was compared after a 24-h exposure to various concentrations of IdUrd (0 and 2 microM) and HU (0, 10, and 100 microM). A 24-h exposure to 100 microM HU alone or to 2 microM IdUrd alone before irradiation resulted in significant (P < 0.02) radiosensitization with sensitizer enhancement ratios of 1.15 and 1.27, respectively. A 24-h exposure to 100 microM HU + 2 microM IdUrd resulted in even more significant (P = 0.001) radiosensitization, which was found to be a greater than additive response (sensitizer enhancement ratio, 1.76 observed compared with 1.37 expected). No radiosensitization was found with a 12-h exposure to 100 microM HU alone. The mechanism of biochemical modulation of IdUrd by a noncytotoxic dose of HU is proposed as increasing the IdUTP pools by stimulating enzymes in the thymidine salvage pathway and subsequently enhancing IdUrd incorporation and radiosensitization.

Cell Cycle↗

PubMed1995

A peripheral blood-derived monolayer supports long-term cultures of human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

An in vitro culture system has been developed for the long-term maintenance of primary, human peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood T lymphocytes, which does not rely on the use of stimulatory cytokines, antigen, or mitogens. In these cultures, a monolayer of adherent cells, some spindle-shaped and some resembling macrophages, developed within a week. All adherent cells were positive for the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and fibronectin, the intermediate filament vimentin, and for the surface markers major histocompatibility complex class II, platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule l (CD31), and E-Selectin (ELAM-1; CD62E). They were negative for the leukocyte common antigen (CD45), the macrophage marker MO-2 (CD14), muscle-specific actin, and Factor VIII-related antigen. These monolayers supported the maintenance of nonadherent, resting, mature T cells for up to 3 months, and these cells retained their ability to respond to mitogens and allogeneic cells. Both CD4+ and CD8+ cells were supported. The proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ cells remained unchanged after 3 months in culture. We have also used T cells from 2-month-old cultures as target cells for retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer. Up to 30% of the long-term T cells expressed the transferred lacZ gene after infection with a retroviral vector. The infection efficiency was similar to that obtained for fresh peripheral blood T cells, indicating that the long-term-cultured cells might be suitable for certain gene therapy applications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Changes in lymphocyte single strand breakage and liver function of workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer.

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a suspected human carcinogen. Its metabolite, chloroethylene epoxide, is able to alkylate the DNA molecule and to produce single strand breakage (SSB). A total of 244 workers from 4 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing factories were recruited to assess the SSB of their peripheral lymphocyte DNA. The method of alkaline unwinding and hydroxyapatite chromatography was used to detect and calculate frequencies of SSB. In addition, hepatitis B and C markers and the liver function of the workers were also examined. The worker's cumulative exposures to VCM were retrospectively constructed from the current monitoring data and each worker's job history. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to predict the worker's level of SSB and liver functions based on various exposure indices and variables, such as age, sex, smoking, drinking, and hepatitis markers. The results showed that current smoking and drinking status, and the presence of VCM exposures on the previous day were 3 major determinants of the level of SSB. Among the liver function tests, only gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was associated with current VCM exposures. In contrast, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were mainly affected by the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). We conclude that GGT should be considered to be included in the regular health screening of VCM workers, and that the SSB method may not be suitable for long-term monitoring of cumulative exposure because of the quick DNA repair mechanism in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Reversion of the transformed phenotypes of v-H-ras NIH3T3 cells by flavonoids through attenuating the content of phosphotyrosine.

Fifteen flavonoids were employed to examine their effects on the morphological changes, foci formation in soft agar and cellular growth in v-H-ras-transformed NIH3T3 cells. The data presented here demonstrated that only three specific flavonoids--apigenin, kaempferol, and genistein--exhibited the reverting effect on the transformed phenotypes of ras-3T3 cells. For example, treatment with 25 microM of these flavonoids could effectively reverse the transformed morphology of ras-3T3 cells into flatter cells with contact inhibition. Colony formation in soft agar was decreased to 0.11%, 0.15%, and 0.35% by 25 microM apigenin, kaempferol, and genistein, respectively, as compared with control (0.92%). It was also found that the proliferation of ras-3T3 cells was significantly inhibited by these compounds in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, two biochemical parameters, the content of phosphotyrosine and cAMP, were examined to see whether affected by these compounds. The results showed the phosphotyrosine content in ras-3T3 cells was dramatically decreased by apigenin and kaempferol, but that was slightly reduced by genistein. By contrast, these three flavonoids all failed to significantly alter the level of cAMP within this transformant. Based on these observations, we suggest that some specific flavonoids are capable of reverting the transforming properties of v-H-ras transformed cells. The possible mechanism of this reversion is not mediated by activating the protein kinase A or its associated pathways, but rather inhibiting tyrosine kinases, subsequently leading to the blockage of p21ras-mediated signal transduction circuitry.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1994

A murine model for B-lymphocyte somatic cell gene therapy.

Mature primary B lymphocytes represent a potentially important cellular target for somatic cell gene therapy, which could prove advantageous for the treatment of certain metabolic and immunologic disorders. Their capacity to serve as antigen-presenting cells could be utilized for triggering and/or potentiating immune responses to tumors and viruses. Alternatively, B cells expressing an autoantigen could be manipulated to induce antigen-specific unresponsiveness for treatment of autoimmune diseases. Efficient expression of an exogenous gene product in long-lived B lymphocytes could be particularly useful for providing a corrected gene product in the bloodstream. Despite these advantages, efficient gene transfer into mature primary B cells has not been reported. One reason for this is that current protocols for retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into lymphocytes rely on in vitro expansion and/or drug selection. This precludes the use of mature primary B cells as targets, since they cannot be readily cultured for long periods of time. In this report, we describe an efficient and rapid protocol for the introduction of exogenous genes into primary B cells without the need for drug selection. We have used retroviral vectors containing the human adenosine deaminase gene as a marker gene, since the biological activity of this enzyme is easy to measure and is readily distinguishable from that of the endogenous mouse adenosine deaminase. Upon adoptive transfer into SCID mice, infected B cells continuously expressing one to three copies of the human adenosine deaminase gene could be found in the spleens of recipient animals for at least 3 months.

Adenosine Deaminase↗