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Growth arrest of Epstein-Barr virus immortalized B lymphocytes by adenovirus-delivered ribozymes.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with several human diseases that involve unrestricted proliferation of B lymphocytes. EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) is expressed in all EBV-infected cells and plays an essential role in persistence of the EBV genome. EBNA-1 has also been reported to have oncogenic potential. As an approach for treating EBV infections, we examined the capacity of EBNA-1 ribozymes delivered by recombinant adenoviruses to suppress EBNA-1 expression and to block virus-induced B cell proliferation. In contrast to primary B cells, EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines expressed alphav integrins, the adenovirus internalization receptors, and were also susceptible to adenovirus-mediated gene delivery. Adenovirus delivery of a specific ribozyme (RZ1) to lymphoblastoid cell lines, suppressed EBNA-1 mRNA and protein expression, significantly reduced the number of EBV genomes, and nearly abolished cell proliferation in low serum. Adenovirus delivery of RZ1 also prevented EBV infection of an established EBV-negative B cell line. These studies demonstrate the potential use of adenovirus-encoded ribozymes to treat EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disorders.

Adenoviridae↗

A novel assay to assess primary human cancer infectibility by replication-selective oncolytic adenoviruses.

PURPOSE: Replication-selective oncolytic adenoviruses hold promise for cancer treatment, but the predictive use of cell lines, dissociated tumor tissue, and animal models for efficacy against primary cancers are unclear. To further evaluate cytotoxicity and the potential for efficacy of replication-competent adenoviruses we therefore developed a novel methodology using primary human cancer specimens ex vivo; ovarian, colon, rectal, and breast carcinomas were included. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Tissue culture conditions were developed to maintain viability of adenocarcinomas ex vivo for 48 hours postsurgery. Explants were infected by replication-competent (wild type 5 and E1A mutant dl922-947) and replication-defective (dl312) adenoviruses; early (E1A) and late (hexon) viral gene expression, alphav integrins, coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) and tissue viability were assessed by immunohistochemistry and histopathology. Viral replication was verified by replication assays on selected samples. RESULTS: Viral gene expression varied dramatically among cancer specimens (n = 41). With Ad5, hexon expression was high in 8 of 11 tested specimens, whereas E1A levels were detectable in 16 of 27 tumor explants. Viral gene expression, distribution, and cytopathic effects were greater postinfection with dl922-947. Specimens that supported early gene expression (E1A) also supported viral replication in 13 of 14 tested cases, determined by recovery of infectious units. As predicted, the replication-defective adenovirus dl312 was not associated with viral gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Primary human tumor tissue remained viable when cultured ex vivo enabling evaluation of viral mutants in tissue with intact morphology. This assay may have great use in determining treatment-sensitive cancers and assess specific oncolytic mutants in individual cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Distinct roles for astrocyte alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta8 integrins in adhesion and migration.

The alphav integrins are likely to be an important group of molecules for regulating astrocyte behaviour within the central nervous system. Together with their ligand vitronectin, they are expressed by astrocytes in vivo and are further upregulated during neurological disease. Here we have characterised the expression of alphav integrins on primary astrocytes from both rat and mouse, and shown that they express just two members, alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta8. By using RGD peptides and function-blocking antibodies against the beta1 integrins and alphavbeta5, we find that both alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta8 can act as functional receptors for vitronectin. However, while alphavbeta5 is largely responsible for astrocyte adhesion to vitronectin this integrin appears to play no role in migration on vitronectin, with alphavbeta8 playing the dominant role in promoting migration on this substrate. beta1 integrins are not involved in mediating interactions between astrocytes and vitronectin. These results were confirmed in experiments with astrocytes derived from mice in which the beta5 gene had been deleted by homologous recombination. beta5 null astrocytes attached to vitronectin at a reduced rate, but showed no defect in migration on vitronectin relative to wild-type astrocytes. These data provide the first evidence that alphavbeta8 regulates migration and show that astrocyte alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta8 integrins have distinct functions.

Animals↗

Rac1-MKK3-p38-MAPKAPK2 pathway promotes urokinase plasminogen activator mRNA stability in invasive breast cancer cells.

We reported previously that down-regulating or functionally blocking alphav integrins inhibits endogenous p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression in invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells whereas engaging alphav integrins with vitronectin activates p38 MAPK and up-regulates uPA expression (Chen, J., Baskerville, C., Han, Q., Pan, Z., and Huang, S. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 47901-47905). Currently, it is not clear what upstream and downstream signaling molecules of p38 MAPK mediate alphav integrin-mediated uPA up-regulation. In the present study, we found that alphav integrin ligation activated small GTPase Rac1 preferentially, and dominant negative Rac1 inhibited alphav integrin-mediated p38 MAPK activation. Using constitutively active MAPK kinases, we found that both constitutively active MKK3 and MKK6 mutants were able to activate p38 MAPK and up-regulate uPA expression, but only dominant negative MKK3 blocked alphav integrin-mediated p38 MAPK activation and uPA up-regulation. These results suggest that MKK3, rather than MKK6, mediates alphav integrin-induced p38 MAPK activation. Among the potential downstream effectors of p38 MAPK, we found that only MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 affects alphav integrin-mediated uPA up-regulation significantly. Finally, using beta-globin reporter gene constructs containing uPA mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR) and adenosine/uridine-rich elements-deleted 3'-UTR, we demonstrated that p38 MAPK/MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 signaling pathway regulated uPA mRNA stability through a mechanism involving the adenosine/uridine-rich elements sequence in 3'-UTR of uPA mRNA.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Longitudinal microPET imaging of brain tumor growth with F-18-labeled RGD peptide.

PURPOSE: EMD 121974, a potent cyclic RGD peptide inhibitor of alphav-integrins, demonstrated effectiveness in suppressing brain tumor growth in both preclinical models and phases I/II clinical trials. The ability to non-invasively evaluate alphav-integrin expression provides a novel and unique way to better understand brain tumor angiogenesis in relationship to alphav-integrin expression, and allow for direct assessment of anti-integrin treatment efficacy. PROCEDURES: We developed a F-18-labeled RGD peptide [F-18]FB-RGD and performed serial microPET imaging scans to follow brain tumor growth and angiogenesis as a function of time in an orthotopic U87MG glioblastoma xenograft model in athymic nude mice. RESULTS: The tumor was barely visible on microPET at the size of <or=1.5 mm diameter at which time no angiogenesis was evident on histological examination. When tumor started to grow exponentially by day 35 the activity accumulation in the brain tumor also increased accordingly, with best tumor-to-brain contrast seven weeks after inoculation of 10(5) U87MG cells into the mice forebrain. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal microPET imaging and [F-18]FB-RGD provides the sensitivity and resolution to visualize and quantify anatomical variations during brain tumor growth and angiogenesis, most likely through interaction with alphav-integrins expressed on tumor cells and angiogenic tumor vessels.

Animals↗

Vitronectin regulates smooth muscle contractility via alphav and beta1 integrin.

Previous work from this laboratory has established a method for maintaining physiological contractility of dissociated avian smooth muscle in a defined medium at low density. The present report emphasizes the dramatic potency of serum to alter smooth muscle phenotype and induce a loss of contractility. Vitronectin, a molecule purified from plasma, mimicked these effects of serum via an integrin that is RGD-sensitive. Studies utilizing blocking antibodies against vitronectin demonstrated that the presence of this specific adhesion molecule was necessary for the serum-induced loss of contractility. Based on the actions of function-blocking antibodies and RGD-containing peptides, the integrin alphavbeta1 appears to be the primary receptor involved in vitronectin's ability to induce phenotypic transformation in amniotic smooth muscle. The influence of vitronectin on smooth muscle contractility is particularly relevant, because this molecule is abundant in whole blood and plasma (approx. 400 microg/ml). The results suggest that smooth muscle needs to be continually protected from normal blood constituents in vivo. The implications of these results for smooth muscle-related diseases like atherosclerosis, restenosis and Kaposi's sarcoma are discussed.

Amnion↗

The selective regulation of alpha Vbeta 1 integrin expression is based on the hierarchical formation of alpha V-containing heterodimers.

The integrin beta1 subunit can form a heterodimer with 12 different alpha subunits. According to the present model, the expression level of any alphabeta complex is regulated by the availability of the specific alpha subunit, whereas beta1 subunit is constantly present in a large excess. The expression of several heterodimers containing the alphaV subunit seems to be regulated by an identical mechanism. The fact that many cells express alphaVbeta1 heterodimer, and that this fibronectin/vitronectin receptor may be selectively regulated, compromises the present model of the regulation of beta1 and alphaV integrins. We have tried to solve this problem by assuming that distinct alphabeta heterodimers are formed with different tendency. To test the hypothesis, we analyzed WM-266-4 melanoma cells transfected with a cDNA construct coding for an intracellular single-chain anti-alphaV integrin antibody. We could see 70-80% reduction in the cell surface expression of alphaV subunit. However, the only one of the alphaV integrins reduced on the cell surface was alphaVbeta1. This suggests that the cell surface expression level of alphaVbeta1 is dependent on the number of alphaV subunits available after the formation of other alphaV-containing heterodimers. Thus, there seems to be a hierarchy in the complex formation between alphaV and its different beta-partners. These observations explain how alphaVbeta1 can be specifically regulated without concomitant changes in the expression of other alphaV or beta1 integrins.

Antigens, CD↗

Signaling antibodies complexed with adenovirus circumvent CAR and integrin interactions and improve gene delivery.

Current adenoviral (Ad) vectors cannot be targeted to specific cell types due to the widespread distribution of the Ad receptor (CAR). Moreover, CAR and/or internalization receptors (alphav integrins) are absent or present at low levels on some cell types, rendering them resistant to Ad-mediated gene delivery. To address these problems, we have developed a novel vector targeting approach that takes advantage of the common cell signaling pathways initiated by ligation of alphav integrins and growth factor receptors. Recombinant growth factor/cytokines (TNF-alpha, IGF-1, EGF) which trigger phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) activation, a signaling molecule involved in adenovirus internalization, were fused to a monoclonal antibody specific for the viral penton base. Ad vectors complexed with these bifunctional mAbs increased gene delivery 10 to 50-fold to human melanoma cells lacking alphav integrins. The bifunctional mAbs also enhanced gene delivery by fiberless adenovirus particles which cannot bind to CAR. Improved gene delivery correlated with increased virus internalization and attachment as well as PI3K activity. The use of bifunctional mAbs to trigger specific cell signaling pathways offers a widely applicable method for bypassing the normal Ad receptors in gene delivery and potentially increasing the selectivity of gene transfer.

Adenoviridae↗

Angiogenic molecule expression is downregulated in effusions from breast cancer patients.

The objective of this study was to analyze site-related expression of angiogenic molecules in breast carcinoma, with the aim of characterizing phenotypic alterations along the clinical progression from primary tumor to pleural effusion. A total of 49 malignant pleural effusions and 68 corresponding solid tumors were studied for protein and mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor KDR, interleukin-8 (IL-8), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the alphaV integrin subunit using immunohistochemistry, mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression was analyzed for possible association with mRNA expression of the Ets-1 and PEA3 transcription factors. The predictive value of angiogenic molecules, PEA3 and Ets-1, and clinical parameters was analyzed for 18 patients. ISH showed the presence of VEGF, IL-8 and bFGF mRNA in the majority of specimens, irrespective of anatomic site (p > 0.05). However, protein expression of IL-8 and bFGF was lower in effusions compared to primary tumors (p = 0.001 for IL-8, p < 0.001 for bFGF). Expression of alphaV integrin showed an opposite change, with higher level in effusions compared to primary tumors (p = 0.03). bFGF and alphaV integrin expression in effusions was also altered compared to lymph node metastases (p = 0.041 and p = 0.016, respectively). IL-8 and Ets-1 (p = 0.035) and VEGF and PEA3 (p = 0.026) mRNA was co-expressed in effusions. In univariate survival analysis, bFGF protein expression in effusions (p = 0.015), PEA3 mRNA expression in primary tumors (p = 0.02) and previous radiation therapy (p = 0.034) predicted shorter disease-free survival. PEA mRNA expression in primary tumors (p = 0.002) and previous chemotherapy (p = 0.048) predicted poor overall survival, with a similar trend for advanced disease stage at diagnosis (p = 0.05). Our data provide evidence regarding molecular changes that occur along the progression of breast carcinoma from primary tumor to effusion, and suggest altered requirement of angiogenic factors in body cavities. The poor disease-free survival for patients with bFGF-positive effusions suggests a role for this growth factor in mediating tumor survival rather than angiogenesis at this site.

Adult↗

Decrease in survival threshold of quiescent colon carcinoma cells in the presence of a small molecule integrin antagonist.

The role of adhesion molecules, such as alphav integrins, in the control of the survival of quiescent tumor cells is unclear. We used S 34961, a novel small molecule alphav integrin antagonist, to investigate the role of integrin-signaling in the survival of populations of quiescent human HT-29 and HCT 116 colon carcinoma cells. S 34961 at 1 microM induced detachment, but cells retained viability, existing as clusters. Nonligated beta-integrins may recruit and activate caspase-8 [J Cell Biol 155:459-470, 2001]. However, congruent with the absence of apoptosis, no activation of caspase-8 in these cells was detected after incubation with S 34961. A rapid (2 h) change in conformation of the N terminus of proapoptotic Bak was observed before detachment, together with a decrease in phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (2 h) and subsequent (8 h) decreases in phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 and Akt. Together, these results suggested that although treatment with S 34961 has no effect on survival per se, it may reduce the survival threshold of the tumor cells, with Bak in an activated state. Indeed, concomitant incubation of S 34961 with 10 microM U-0126 (a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor) was found to lead to apoptosis (at 24 h), whereas U-0126 alone had no effect. Together, these observations could guide the use of combination therapy with integrin antagonists in the clinic.

Apoptosis↗

Discovery of targeting peptides for selective therapy of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Adenovirus efficiently infects a broad range of target cells, thereby preventing selective gene transfer. Moreover, several cell types and tissues including primary tumors are refractory to adenoviral infection, mainly because of low expression levels of coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). Thus, identification of cancer-selective ligands which yield gene transfer to neoplastic cells by minimizing transduction of normal cells is a key issue for successful cancer therapy. METHODS: We initially analyzed adenoviral receptor expression in human medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cells. MTC cell-specific peptides were isolated by biopanning a phage display peptide library on cultured cancer cells and on tumors in vivo and further characterized. RESULTS: We found significant differences in CAR and alphav-integrin protein levels between MTC-derived TT cells in vitro and established xenograft tumors in mice, indicating a lack of alphav-integrin expression on growing tumors. MTC-specific candidates were identified by performing three rounds of subtraction. Selected phages showed up to 22-fold higher binding efficiency for TT cells when compared with wild-type M13 phage or other human cell lines and tumor tissue in vivo. Homing to TT cells of the best binding phage was clearly blocked in the presence of specific peptide, whereas no phage competition was observed with an unspecific peptide. The best binding peptide mediated efficient internalization of the phage. Importantly, specific binding and internalization was also mediated by the identified peptide within the adenoviral context. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the identified ligand should be suitable to improve selectivity of adenoviral gene transfer to medullary thyroid tumors in vivo.

Animals↗

The Rab4A effector protein Rabip4 is involved in migration of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

The small GTP-binding protein Rab4 has been involved in the recycling of alphavbeta3 integrins in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation suggesting a role for Rab4 in cell adhesion and migration. In this study, we explored the role of Rabip4 and Rabip4', two Rab4 effector proteins, in migration of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. In these cells, Rabip4 and Rabip4', collectively named Rabip4s, were partially co-localized with the early endosomal marker EEA1. PDGF treatment re-distributed endogenous Rabip4s toward the cell periphery where they colocalized with F-actin. In cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Rabip4 or GFP-Rabip4', constitutive appearance of GFP-Rabip4s at the cell periphery was accompanied by local increase in cortical F-actin in membrane ruffles at the leading edge. The expression of GFP-Rabip4 induced an increased migration compared with control cells expressing GFP alone, even in the absence of PDGF stimulation. On the contrary, in cells expressing a mutated form of Rabip4s unable to interact with Rab4, lack of typical leading edge was observed. Furthermore, PDGF treatment did not stimulate the migration of these cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of the expression of Rabip4s inhibited PDGF-stimulated cell migration. Endogenous Rabip4s were localized with alphav integrins at the leading edge following PDGF treatment, whereas in cells expressing GFP-Rabip4s, alphav integrins, together with GFP-Rabip4s, were constitutively localized at the leading edge. In contrast, reduction in Rabip4s expression levels using small interfering RNA was associated with impaired PDGF-induced translocation of alphav integrins toward the leading edge. Taken together, our data provide evidence that Rabip4s, possibly via their interaction with Rab4, regulate integrin trafficking and are involved in the migration of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

Actins↗

The effect of nitric oxide on the production of prostaglandin E2 by hydroxyapatite-stimulated a human osteoblast (HOS) cell line.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by a human osteoblast cell line (HOS cells) stimulated with hydroxyapatite. Cells were cultured on the HA surfaces with or without the presence of NO donors (SNAP and NAP) for 3 days. The effect of NO scavenger, carboxy PTIO, or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, L-NIO, was assessed by adding this scavenger in the cultures of HA-stimulated HOS cells with or without the presence of SNAP. Furthermore, HOS cells were pre-treated with anti-human integrin alphaV antibody, indomethacin, a non-specific inhibitor, aspirin, a COX-1 inhibitor, or nimesulide, a COX-2 inhibitor, prior to culturing on HA surfaces with or without the presence of SNAP. The levels of PGE2 were determined from the 3 day culture supernatants. The results showed that the production of PGE2 by HA-stimulated HOS cells was augmented by SNAP. Carboxy PTIO suppressed but L-NIO only partially inhibited the production of PGE2 by HA-stimulated HOS cells with or without the presence of exogenous NO. Pre-treatment of the cells with anti-human integrin alphaV antibody, indomethacin or nimesulide but not aspirin suppressed the production of PGE2 by HA-stimulated HOS cells with or without the presence of NO. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that NO may up-regulate the production of PGE2 by augmenting the COX-2 pathway initiated by the binding between HOS cell-derived integrin alphaV and HA surface.

Cell Line↗

Tumor targeting by doxorubicin-RGD-4C peptide conjugate in an orthotopic mouse hepatoma model.

Vascular targeting is a novel strategy that directs endothelial toxins at tumor vessels expressing specific markers and kills tumor cells by vascular occlusion. Integrin-binding RGD motif has been reported to have a homing property to experimental tumor vasculature. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of vascular targeting by doxorubicin-RGD-4C conjugate in an orthotopic murine hepatoma model. MTT assay showed that dox-RGD-4C conjugates had lower cytotoxicity against MH134 mouse hepatoma cells than free dox. When given intravenously to mice with implanted orthotopic hepatoma, however, the dox-RGD-4C suppressed the growth of hepatoma more effectively than free dox (mean tumor volumes 24 mm(3) vs. 67 mm(3), respectively; p=0.047). Histologic analysis of the hepatoma tissue revealed prominent tumor cell death in the dox-RGD-4C treated group and complete tumor cell necrosis in 40% of cases. Immunochemical staining showed expression of integrin alphav mainly around the tumor nodule. These results show that dox-RGD-4C conjugate has a better antitumor effect in an orthotopic mouse hepatoma model by tumor targeting. Integrin alphav of hepatoma feeding vessels is suggested to be targeted by the dox-RGD-4C conjugate.

Animals↗

Alphavbeta5-integrins mediate early steps of metastasis formation.

Tumour cell adhesion within the microvasculature of host organs, its stabilisation and cell invasion into the host organs, appear to be important steps in the formation of distant metastases. Intravital fluorescence-video microscopy was used to investigate the early steps in metastasis formation of colon carcinoma cells within the liver, which is the main target organ of colorectal carcinomas. The involvement of alphav-integrins was analysed in vivo using HT-29 cells after treatment with different function-blocking antibodies [pan-alphav (n=9 animals), specific alphavbeta3 (n=8 animals) and alphavbeta5 (n=8 animals)] or linear Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptides (RGD-peptides) (n=6 animals). Treatment with anti-alphav and anti-alphavbeta5 antibodies resulted in significantly (P<0.001) decreased tumour cell adhesion in vivo within the hepatic microvasculature. Cells treated with anti-alphavbeta3 antibodies or unspecific immunoglobulin-G (IgG) did not show significant changes in their adhesive properties. Furthermore, inhibition of cell adhesion was achieved by linear RGD-peptides in a dose-dependent manner. Relative numbers of migrated cells were not affected by any of the treatments. These results suggest that alphav-integrins, especially alphavbeta5, can influence the ability of circulating tumour cells to adhere within the hepatic microvessels. In contrast, migration of adherent cells into the liver parenchyma was not affected by alphav-integrin inhibition. Our findings support the hypothesis that specific interactions between circulating tumour cells and host organs are required for organ-specific tumour cell arrest.

Cell Adhesion↗

Alpha-synuclein overexpression in oligodendrocytic cells results in impaired adhesion to fibronectin and cell death.

The cardinal pathological features of multiple system atrophy (MSA) are the presence of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) in oligodendrocytes and loss of oligodendrocytes. To understand the mechanisms underlying MSA, we examined the effects of overexpression of human alpha-synuclein (halpha-syn) in CG-4 oligodendrocytic progenitor cells. CG-4 cells overexpressing halpha-syn (halpha-syn CG-4) demonstrated severely impaired adhesion and increased cell death when plated on fibronectin compared to laminin. The expression of the alphav integrin subunit in whole cell lysates was also significantly downregulated in halpha-syn CG-4. These results demonstrate a cytotoxic consequence of halpha-syn overexpression in CG-4. This cytotoxicity appears to be the result of alterations in cell-extracellular matrix interactions, where impaired adhesion to fibronectin is associated with downregulation of the alphav integrin subunit and increased cell death. It may, therefore, be one of the mechanisms underlying the loss of oligodendrocytes in MSA.

Animals↗

Interleukin-1alpha enhances the aggressive behavior of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating the alpha6beta1-integrin and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor expression.

BACKGROUND: In human pancreatic cancer progression, the alpha6beta1-integrin is expressed on cancer cell surface during invasion and metastasis formation. In this study, we investigated whether interleukin (IL)-1alpha induces the alterations of integrin subunits and urokinase plasminogen activator/urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPA/uPAR) expression in pancreatic cancer cells. We hypothesize that the alterations of integrin subunits and uPA/uPAR expression make an important role in signaling pathways responsible for biological behavior of pancreatic cancer cells. RESULTS: IL-1alpha upregulated the expression of alpha6 and beta1 integrins without any alterations of alpha5 and alphav integrins expression. IL-1alpha also induced enhancement in the expression of uPA/uPAR in pancreatic cancer cells. IL-1alpha enhanced the proliferation, adhesion, and migration in pancreatic cancer cells, and IL-1alpha-induced alterations of uPA/uPAR expression correlated with the increased the migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Upregulation of alpha6 integrin subunit and uPA/uPAR correlated with the activation of Ras and downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. IL-1alpha-induced activation of Ras and downstream ERK can be inhibited by using inhibitory antibodies against alpha6 and beta1 integrin and uPAR, consistent with the inhibition of proliferation, adhesion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a significant association between strong expressions of alpha6 integrin with uPAR in pancreatic cancer specimens. Furthermore, the strong expression of alpha6 integrin and uPAR was found to be independent prognosticator in pancreatic cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we conclude that IL-1alpha can induce selective upregulation of alpha6beta1-integrin and uPA/uPAR in pancreatic cancer cells and these changes may modulate the aggressive functions of pancreatic cancer.

Aged↗

RGD motifs on the surface of baculovirus enhance transduction of human lung carcinoma cells.

Baculovirus vectors have been shown to enter a variety of mammalian cell lines and gene transfer with wild-type baculovirus (WT) has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Different protein motifs have been displayed on the viral surface to serve as ligands for cell-specific receptor molecules. We have generated recombinant baculovirus vectors displaying an RGD-motif, recognized by alphaV integrin, on the viral surface. The RGD motifs within the C-terminus of coxsackie virus A9 and human parechovirus 1 VP1 proteins were fused to the N-terminus of the major envelope glycoprotein, gp64, of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus. The recombinant RGD-presenting viruses bound more efficiently to the surface of human lung carcinoma cells (A549), known to contain alphaV integrins, as compared to WT baculovirus. In addition, the binding pattern of the RGD-displaying baculovirus showed extensive clustering. This most likely represents clustering of the integrin molecules on the cell surface, induced by binding of the RGD-displaying baculovirus. Finally, the transduction efficiency of an RGD-representing virus increased by almost three-fold as monitored by light emission measurements. In conclusion, these results suggest that the RGD-motif is functional on the surface of baculovirus and thereby these tropism-modified viruses bind more efficiently as well as enhance the transduction efficiency of human cancer cells expressing alphaV integrins.

Animals↗