Immunological responses and anti-tumor effects of HPV16/18 L1-L2-E7 multiepitope fusion construct along with curcumin and nanocurcumin in C57BL/6 mouse model.

AIMS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) L1, L2 and E7 proteins were used as target antigens for development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines. Moreover, linkage of antigens to heat shock proteins (HSPs) could enhance the potency of vaccines. Curcumin and nanocurcumin compounds were suggested as the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents against cancer. In this study, two multiepitope DNA and peptide-based vaccine constructs (L1-L2-E7 and HSP70-L1-L2-E7) were used along with curcumin and nanocurcumin to evaluate immune responses, and protective/therapeutic effects in tumor mouse model. MAIN METHODS: At first, the multiepitope L1-L2-E7 and HSP70-L1-L2-E7 fusion genes were subcloned in eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression vectors. The recombinant multiepitope peptides were generated in E. coli strain. Then, the cytotoxic effects of curcumin and nanocurcumin were evaluated on HEK-293 T non-cancerous and C3 cancerous cells. Finally, mice vaccination was performed using different regimens. Curcumin and nanocurcumin compounds were administered alone or along with different vaccine constructs. KEY FINDINGS: Our data indicated that the use of nanocurcumin along with the multiepitope HSP70-L1-L2-E7 vaccine construct could completely protect mice against HPV-related C3 tumor cells, and eradicate tumors in a therapeutic test. Furthermore, nanocurcumin showed higher protection than curcumin alone. Generally, curcumin and nanocurcumin compounds could reduce tumor growth synergistically with the multiepitope vaccine constructs, but they did not influence the immune responses in different regimens. SIGNIFICANCE: These data demonstrated that the designed multiepitope vaccine constructs along with curcumin and nanocurcumin can be used as a promising method for HPV vaccine development.

Delivery of functional exogenous proteins by plant-derived vesicles to human cells in vitro.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) gain more and more attention as promising carriers of exogenous bioactive molecules to the human cells. Derived from various edible sources, these EVs are remarkably biocompatible, biodegradable and highly abundant from plants. In this work, EVs from grapefruit juice were isolated by differential centrifugation followed by characterization of their size, quantity and morphology by nanoparticle tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). In Cryo-EM experiments, we visualized grapefruit EVs with the average size of 41 ± 13 nm, confirmed their round-shaped morphology and estimated the thickness of their lipid bilayer as 5.3 ± 0.8 nm. Further, using cell culture models, we have successfully demonstrated that native grapefruit-derived extracellular vesicles (GF-EVs) are highly efficient carriers for the delivery of the exogenous Alexa Fluor 647 labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) into both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and colon cancer cells. Interestingly, loading to plant EVs significantly ameliorated the uptake of exogenous proteins by human cells compared to the same proteins without EVs. Most importantly, we have confirmed the functional activity of human recombinant HSP70 in the colon cancer cell culture upon delivery by GF-EVs. Analysis of the biodistribution of GF-EVs loaded with 125I-labeled BSA in mice demonstrated a significant uptake of the grapefruit-derived extracellular vesicles by the majority of organs. The results of our study indicate that native plant EVs might be safe and effective carriers of exogenous proteins into human cells.

Superior adjuvanticity of the genetically fused D1 domain of Neisseria meningitides Ag473 lipoprotein among three Toll-like receptor ligands.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands have emerged as the attractive adjuvant for subunit vaccines. However, selection of TLR ligands needs to be rationally chosen on the basis of antigen and adjuvant properties. In the present study, we expressed the Ag473 lipoprotein from Neisseria meningitides, flagellin FlaB from Vibrio vulnificus and heat shock protein 70 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mHsp70) in Escherichia coli as single proteins and fusion proteins with VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Both cellular and humoral adjuvanticities of the three TLR ligands were compared by immunization of mice in two different ways. Among the three co-administered TLR ligands, recombinant Ag473 lipoprotein exhibited the highest cellular and humoral adjuvanticities, including promotion of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γ and IBDV VP2-specific antibody production. Among the three genetically fused TLR ligands, fusion with Ag473 D1 domain exhibited the highest cellular and humoral adjuvanticities. Overall, the adjuvanticities of genetically fused TRL ligands were significantly higher than that of co-administered TLR ligands. Fusion with Ag473 D1 domain exhibited superior adjuvanticity among the three TLR ligands delivered in two different ways.

Heat shock protein 70 from Litopenaeus vannamei (LvHSP70) is involved in the innate immune response against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection.

White spot syndrome (WSS) caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a severe infectious disease in shrimp aquaculture. To find effective therapeutics to control WSSV, it is indispensable to understand the innate immune responses of shrimp to WSSV infection. Previous report demonstrated that the Litopenaeus vannamei heat shock protein 70 (LvHSP70) could induce shrimp innate immunity against bacterial infection. Herein, we further investigate the role of LvHSP70 in anti-WSSV infection. The temporal expression of LvHSP70 was significantly upregulated 2.5- and 1.5-fold at 6 and 24 h post systemic WSSV infection suggesting that the LvHSP70 was a WSSV responsive gene. The recombinant protein of LvHSP70 (rLvHSP70) was produced in an Escherichia coli system and its effect in protection against WSSV infection was investigated. Intramuscularly injection of juvenile shrimp with 1 nmol of rLvHSP70 could significantly prolong 50% mortality of WSSV-infected shrimp from 3 days to 5 days as compared to the control group injected with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Consistently, the injection of rLvHSP70 resulted in 24-fold, 20-fold and 100-fold decrease in the viral copy number after 6, 12 and 24 h post injection, respectively, compared to the control shrimp injected with BSA. Interestingly, it was found that the rLvHSP70 enhanced the expression of the key gene in the prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating system, LvproPO, but reduced the expression of Lvcaspase2 and LvIAP in WSSV-infected shrimp. These results suggested that the LvHSP70 is an important molecule involved in antiviral defense in shrimp presumably via modulating the proPO system and apoptosis.

Heat shock proteins 70 and 90 from Clonorchis sinensis induce Th1 response and stimulate antibody production.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are found in all prokaryotes and most compartments of eukaryotic cells. Members of the HSP family mediate immune responses to tissue damage or cellular stress. However, little is known about the immune response induced by the oriental liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, even though this organism is carcinogenic to humans. We address this issue in the present study in mouse bone marrow dendritic cells (mBMDCs), using recombinant HSP70 and 90 from C. sinensis (rCsHSP70 and rCsHSP90). METHODS: rCsHSP70 and rCsHSP90 were produced in an E. coli system. Purified recombinant proteins were treated in BMDCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice. T cells were isolated from Balb/c mice and co-cultured with activated mBMDCs. Expression of surface molecules was measured by flow cytometry and cytokine secretion was quantified using ELISA. C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups, including peptide alone, peptide/Freund's adjuvant, peptide/CsHSP70, peptide/CsHSP90, and were immunized intraperitoneally three times. Two weeks after final immunization, antibodies against peptide were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Both proteins induced a dose-dependent upregulation in major histocompatibility complex and co-stimulatory molecule expression and increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1ß, -6, and -12p70 and tumor necrosis factor-α in mBMDCs. Furthermore, when allogenic T cells were incubated with mBMDCs activated by rCsHSP70 and rCsHSP90, the helper T cell (Th)1 cytokine interferon-γ was up-regulated whereas the level of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 was unchanged. These results indicate that rCsHSPs predominantly induce a Th1 response. Over and above these results, we also demonstrated that the production of peptide-specific antibodies can be activated after immunization via in vitro peptide binding with rCsHSP70 or rCsHSP90. CONCLUSION: This study showed for the first time that the HSP or HSP/peptide complexes of C. sinensis could be considered as a more effective vaccine against C. sinensis infection as results of the activator of host immune response as well as the adjuvant for antigenic peptide conjugate to induce peptide-specific antibody response in mice.

HSP70-based anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Heat shock protein 70, (Hsp70) constitutes a powerful system of cytoprotection in all organisms studied to date. Exerting such activity, Hsp70 rescues cancer cells from antitumor therapy, posing a great challenge for oncologists. In contrast to its protective action, Hsp70 was found to be released from cancer cells, prompting cytotoxic lymphocytes to target and kill the tumor. A great number of vaccines have been developed on the basis of the ability of Hsp70 to present tumor antigen or to elevate the sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic lymphocytes. In this commentary, we consider novel data on the employment of pure Hsp70 in the therapy of glioma and melanoma malignancies. We show that intratumorally delivered Hsp70 penetrates cancer cells and pulls its intracellular analog outside of the cell. This displacement may activate cells, constituting both innate and adaptive immunity. In vivo delivery of Hsp70 was found to inhibit tumor growth and to extend survival. The technology of intratumoral injection of pure Hsp70 passed through preclinical trials and was investigated in clinics for children with brain cancer; the results show the safety and feasibility of a new approach.

70-kDa heat shock protein coated magnetic nanocarriers as a nanovaccine for induction of anti-tumor immune response in experimental glioma.

Nanovaccines based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) provide a novel approach to induce the humoral and cell-based immune system to fight cancer. Herein, we increased the immunostimulatory capacity of SPIONs by coating them with recombinant heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) which is known to chaperone antigenic peptides. After binding, Hsp70-SPIONs deliver immunogenic peptides from tumor lysates to dendritiс cells (DCs) and thus stimulate a tumor-specific, CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response. We could show that binding activity of Hsp70-SPIONs to the substrate-binding domain (SBD) is highly dependent on the ATPase activity of its nucleotide-binding domain NBD), as shown by (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Immunization of C6 glioma-bearing rats with DCs pulsed with Hsp70-SPIONs and tumor lysates resulted in a delayed tumor progression (as measured by MRI) and an increased overall survival. In parallel an increased IFNγ secretion were detected in the serum of these animals and immunohistological analysis of subsequent cryosections of the glioma revealed an enhanced infiltration of memory CD45RO+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Taken together the study demonstrates that magnetic nanocarriers such as SPIONs coated with Hsp70 can be applied as a platform for boosting anti-cancer immune responses.

The Fate of Exogenous Human HSP70 Introduced into Animal Cells by Different Means.

Over the last decade, it has become evident that in mammals, including humans, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), apart from its intracellular localization, is found in extracellular space, where it may execute various protective functions. Furthermore, the upregulation of HSP70 family members can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of various human neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant human HSP70 after intranasal administration can penetrate various brain regions of mice in its native form and subsequently undergo rapid degradation. It was also shown that labeled HSP70 added to culture medium of different human and mouse cell lines enters the cells with strikingly different kinetics, which positively correlates with the basic levels of membrane bound Toll-like receptors (TLR) that are characteristic of these cell lines. HSP70 administration does not significantly modulate the level of TLR expression at the protein or RNA level. The degradation of the introduced recombinant HSP70 after entering the cells is likely proteasome-dependent and varies significantly depending on the cells type and origin. These results should be considered when developing HSP70-based therapies.

In Vivo Induction of Functionally Suppressive Induced Regulatory T Cells from CD4+CD25- T Cells Using an Hsp70 Peptide.

Therapeutic peptides that target antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) can suppress experimental autoimmune diseases. The heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, with its expression elevated in inflamed tissue, is a suitable candidate antigen because administration of both bacterial and mouse Hsp70 peptides has been shown to induce strong immune responses and to reduce inflammation via the activation or induction of Hsp specific Tregs. Although two subsets of Tregs exist, little is known about which subset of Tregs are activated by Hsp70 epitopes. Therefore, we set out to determine whether natural nTregs (derived from the thymus), or induced iTregs (formed in the periphery from CD4+CD25- naïve T cells) were targeted after Hsp70-peptide immunization. We immunized mice with the previously identified Hsp70 T cell epitope B29 and investigated the formation of functional iTregs by using an in vitro suppression assay and adoptive transfer therapy in mice with experimental arthritis. To study the in vivo induction of Tregs after peptide immunization, we depleted CD25+ cells prior to immunization, allowing the in vivo formation of Tregs from CD4+CD25- precursors. This approach allowed us to study in vivo B29-induced Tregs and to compare these cells with Tregs from non-depleted immunized mice. Our results show that using this approach, immunization induced CD4+CD25+ T cells in the periphery, and that these cells were suppressive in vitro. Additionally, adoptive transfer of B29-specific iTregs suppressed disease in a mouse model of arthritis. This study shows that immunization of mice with Hsp70 epitope B29 induces functionally suppressive iTregs from CD4+CD25- T cells.

Enhanced antitumor immunity of nanoliposome-encapsulated heat shock protein 70 peptide complex derived from dendritic tumor fusion cells.

Tumor-derived heat shock proteins peptide complex (HSP.PC-Tu) has been regarded as a promising antitumor agent. However, inadequate immunogenicity and low bioavailability limit the clinical uses of this agent. In a previous study, we first produced an improved HSP70.PC-based vaccine purified from dendritic cell (DC)-tumor fusion cells (HSP70.PC-Fc) which had increased immunogenicity due to enhanced antigenic tumor peptides compared to HSP70.PC-Tu. In order to increase the bioavailability of HSP70.PC-Fc, the peptide complex was encapsulated with nanoliposomes (NL-HSP70.PC-Fc) in this study. After encapsulation, the tumor immunogenicity was observed using various assays. It was demonstrated that the NL-HSP70.PC-Fc has acceptable stability. The in vivo antitumor immune response was increased with regard to T-cell activation, CTL response and tumor therapy efficiency compared to that of HSP70.PC-Fc. In addition, it was shown that DC maturation was improved by NL-HSP70.PC-Fc, which added to the antitumor immunity. The results obtained for NL-HSP70.PC-Fc, which improved immunogenicity and increases the bioavailability of HSP70.PC, may represent superior heat shock proteins (HSPs)-based tumor vaccines. Such vaccines deserve further investigation and may provide a preclinical rationale to translate findings into early phase trials for patients with breast tumors.

Immobilization antigen vaccine adjuvanted by parasitic heat shock protein 70C confers high protection in fish against cryptocaryonosis.

The immobilization antigen (iAg) has been demonstrated as a protective immunogen against Cryptocaryon irritans infection. In this study, C-terminal domain of heat shock protein 70 cloned from C. irritans (Hsp70C) was tested for its immuno-stimulatory effects. The iAg and Hsp70C cDNAs were constructed independently in secretory forms and were encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles. In the first immunization trial, grouper fingerlings orally intubated with iAg and iAg:Hsp70C presented 96% and 100% relative percent survival (RPS), respectively, after a lethal challenge. In the second trial, both iAg and iAg:Hsp70C groups showed 100% RPS and the skin trophont burden was significantly lowered. The iAg:Hsp70C still provides a significantly high protection of 51% RPS at 49 days post immunization, when an even more serious lethal infection occurs. RT-qPCR results showed that Hsp70C could up-regulate the expression of i) T cell markers: Cluster of Differentiation 8 alpha (CD8α) and CD4, ii) cytokine genes: Interferon gamma (IFNγ), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) and Interleukin 12 p40 (IL-12/P40), iii) antibody genes: Immunoglobulin M heavy chain (IgMH) and IgTH, and iv) major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I & MHC-II), in the spleen of iAg:Hsp70C group. Furthermore, significantly high levels of iAg-specific IgM was detected in skin mucus which efficiently immobilized live theronts in iAg- and iAg:Hsp70C-immunized fish at 5 weeks post immunization. Hsp70C significantly increased the number of nonspecific CD8(+) skin leucocytes which exerted cytotoxicity against theronts, although cytotoxic activity showed no difference among the various groups. Because of this complementary cooperation of cellular and humoral immune responses, Hsp70C enhances the efficacy of iAg vaccine and constrains C. irritans infection. In view of the severe loss caused by cryptocaryonosis, application of this parasitic vaccine in farmed and ornamental fish, is worthy to be considered.

Attenuating systemic inflammatory markers in simulated high-altitude exposure by heat shock protein 70-mediated hypobaric hypoxia preconditioning in rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The primary goal of this study was to test whether high-altitude exposure (HAE: 0.9% O(2) at 0.47 ATA for 24 hours) was capable of increasing the systemic inflammatory markers as well as the toxic organ injury indicators in rats, with a secondary goal to test whether preinduction of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 by hypobaric hypoxia preconditioning (HHP: 18.3% O(2) at 0.66 ATA for 5 h/day on 5 days consecutively for 2 weeks) attenuated the proposed increased serum levels of both the systemic inflammatory markers and the toxic organ injury indicators. METHODS: Rats were assigned to: (1) non-HHP (21% O(2) at 1.0 ATA)+non-HAE (21% O(2) at 1.0 ATA) group; (2) non-HHP+HAE group; (3) HHP+non-HAE group; (4) HHP+HAE group; and (5) HHP+HSP70 antibodies (Ab)+HAE group. For the HSP70Ab group, a neutralizing HSP70Ab was injected intravenously at 24 hours prior to HAE. All the physiological and biochemical parameters were obtained at the end of HAE or the equivalent time period of non-HAE. Blood samples were obtained for determination of both the systemic inflammatory markers (e.g., serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and liver myeloperoxidase activity) and the toxic organ injury indicators (e.g., nitric oxide metabolites, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and lactate dehydrogenase). RESULTS: HHP, in addition to inducing overexpression of tissue HSP70, significantly attenuated the HAE-induced hypotension, bradycardia, hypoxia, acidosis, and increased tissue levels of both the systemic inflammatory markers and the toxic organ injury indicators. The beneficial effects of HHP in inducing tissue overexpression of HSP70 as well as in preventing the HAE-induced increased levels of the systemic inflammatory markers and the toxic organ injury indicators could be significantly reduced by HSP70Ab preconditioning. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HHP may downgrade both the systemic inflammatory markers and the toxic organ injury indicators in HAE by upregulating tissue HSP70.

Oxidative stress protection by exogenous delivery of rhHsp70 chaperone to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a possible therapeutic strategy against RPE degeneration.

PURPOSE: To measure the cytoprotective effects of rhHsp70 against oxidative stress and study its cellular uptake, intracellular and intraocular distribution in the retinal pigment epithelium. METHODS: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) were pre-treated with rhHsp70 for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h before being exposed to 1.25 mM hydrogen peroxide. Non-treated cells served as control. We analysed interleukin 6 secretion, cell viability, and cytolysis. Uptake and intracellular distribution of fluorescently labelled rhHsp70 were investigated with flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, respectively. Ocular distribution of radioactively labelled rhHsp70 was followed ex vivo in porcine eyes by micro SPECT/CT. RESULTS: After exposure to hydrogen peroxide, IL-6 secretion decreased by 35-39% when ARPE-19 cells were pre-treated with rhHsp70. Cell viability increased by 17-32%, and cell lysis, measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase, decreased by 6-43%. ARPE-19 cells endocytosed rhHsp70 added to the culture medium and the protein was localized in late endosomes and lysosomes. Following intravitreal injection into isolated porcine eyes, we found 20% rhHsp70 in the RPE. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant hHsp70 protein offers protection against oxidative stress. RPE cells take up the exogenously delivered rhHsp70 and localize it in late endosomes and lysosomes. This work provides the basis for a therapeutic strategy to target aggregate-associated neurodegeneration in AMD.

Influence of encapsulated heat shock protein HSP70 on the basic functional properties of blood phagocytes.

Microencapsulated heat shock proteins HSP 70 were studied in terms of their effects on neutrophil apoptosis, production of reactive oxygen species, and secretion of TNF-α by human neurtrophils and monocytes. Encapsulated HSP70 inhibited neutrophil apoptosis by 65% as compared to the effect of nonencapsulated HSP70; TNF-α production by the promonocytic THP-1 cells was similarly inhibited by the non-encapsulated and encapsulated HSP70. Thus, the polyelectrolyte micromolecules can be used as containers for effective delivery of HSP70 up to neutrophils and monocytes to correct the innate immunity functions.

Effective immunotherapy of rat glioblastoma with prolonged intratumoral delivery of exogenous heat shock protein Hsp70.

Chaperone Hsp70 can activate adaptive immunity suggesting its possible application as an antitumor vaccine. To assess the therapeutic capacity of Hsp70 we administered purified chaperone into a C6 glioblastoma brain tumor and explored the viability and tumor size as well as interferon gamma (IFNγ) production and cytotoxicity of lymphocytes in the treated animals. Targeted intratumoral injection of Hsp70 resulted in its distribution within the area of glioblastoma, and caused significant inhibition of tumor progression as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The delay in tumor growth corresponded to the prolonged survival of tumor-bearing animals of up to 31 days versus 20 days in control. Continuous administration of Hsp70 with an osmotic pump increased survival even further (39 days). Therapeutic efficacy was associated with infiltration to glioblastoma of NK cells (Ly-6c+) and T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+) as well as with an increase in the activity of NK cells (granzyme B production) and CD8+ T lymphocytes as shown by IFNγ ELISPOT assay. Furthermore, we found that Hsp70 treatment caused concomitantly, with a tenfold elevated IFNγ production, an increase in anti-C6 tumor cytotoxicity of lymphocytes. In conclusion, continuous intratumoral delivery of Hsp70 demonstrates high therapeutic potential and therefore could be applied in the treatment of glioblastoma.

TAT-Hsp70 induces neuroprotection against stroke via anti-inflammatory actions providing appropriate cellular microenvironment for transplantation of neural precursor cells.

Heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) protects against cerebral ischemia, which is attributed to its chaperone activity. However, recent reports also describe pro-inflammatory actions of Hsp70 via activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR). Using membrane-permeable transactivator of transcription (TAT)-Hsp70, we analyzed TAT-Hsp70-induced neuroprotection and its underlying mechanism after cerebral ischemia in mice. Infusion of TAT-Hsp70 reduced infarct volume and enhanced blood-brain barrier integrity on day 3 poststroke, when given no later than 12 hours. The latter was associated with reduction of microglial activation, although upregulation of pro-inflammatory TLR-2/4 was observed both in verum and in control animals. Nevertheless, protein abundance and nuclear translocation of downstream nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as well as proteasomal degradation of the NF-κB regulator Ikappa B alpha (IκB-α) were significantly reduced by TAT-Hsp70. TAT-Hsp70-induced neuroprotection and functional recovery were restricted to 4 weeks only. However, TAT-Hsp70 provided an appropriate extracellular milieu for delayed intravenous transplantation of adult neural precursor cells (NPCs). Thus, NPCs that were grafted 28 days poststroke induced long-term neuroprotection for at least 3 months, which was not due to integration of grafted cells but rather due to paracrine effects of transplanted NPCs. Conclusively, TAT-Hsp70 ameliorates postischemic inflammation via proteasome inhibition, thus providing an appropriate extracellular milieu for delayed NPC transplantation and culminating in long-term neuroprotection.

[Biodistribution of the recombinant heat shock protein rhHsp70 in intracranial C6 glioma models in Wistar rats and subcutaneos B16/F10 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice].

For the first time, the biodistribution of recombinant heat shock protein in rhHsp70 rats with grafted intracranial C6 glioma was evaluated. It was assessed using the fluorescent antibody accumulation chaperone rhHsp70 conjugated with fluorochrome Alexa Fluor 555 in tumor cells by intratumoral or intravenous administration. Assessment of the distribution and accumulation of labeled protein was carried out on the model of subcutaneous B16/F10 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice with the use of single-photon emission computer tomography. After 60 minutes after intravenous administration rhHsp70-I123 (20 MBq, 5 mg chaperone) accumulation of the drug mainly in the liver and tumor tissue was showed. The coefficient of the differential accumulation of the labeled protein KDN(tumor/background) was 3.14. It was turned out that comparing the level of fixation of rhHsp70-I123 in the liver and the tumor KDN(tumor/ liver) = 0.76. After 24 hours from the time of injection of rhHsp70-I123 it was observed increase the level of fixation of the labeled protein in the liver and melanoma: KDN(tumor/background) = 3.43; KDN(tumor/liver = 0.78.

Long acting propranolol and HSP-70 rich tumor lysate reduce tumor growth and enhance immune response against fibrosarcoma in Balb/c mice.

BACKGROUND: Noradrenaline (NA), the principal neurotransmitter released from sympathetic nerve terminals, influences T-cell maturation, not only directly in developing T cells, but also indirectly, by acting on the thymic nonlymphoid cells. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, anti-angiogenic and cytotoxic properties of propranolol, ß-AR blocker, against various cancers. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of propranolol on efficacy of HSP-70 rich lysate vaccine in immunotherapy of fibrosarcoma. METHODS: Mouse fibrosarcoma WEHI-164 cells were used to immunize tumor-bearing mice with or without propranolol and HSP-70. Splenocytes proliferation, cytotoxicity activity of the splenocytes, naturally occurring CD4+ CD25high T-reg cells and IFN-γ and IL-4 secretion as well as tumor size, were assessed to describe the anti-tumor immune response. RESULTS: A significant increase in the level of IFN-γ in the mice vaccinated with WEHI-164 cells enriched with HSP-70 and co-treated with propranolol was observed compared to controls. However, HSP enrichment or propranolol treatment alone did not enhance the immune response as measured by the level of IFN-γ. Likewise, a decrease in tumor growth in the test group (p<0.01) and a significant increase in CTL activity (p<0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION: HSP enriched vaccine shows anti-tumor activity, probably due to the modulation of immune responses.

Immunotherapy of radioresistant mammary tumors with early metastasis using molecular chaperone vaccines combined with ionizing radiation.

In the current study, exposure of mammary tumor cells derived from mice transgenic for the polyomavirus middle T oncogene to ionizing radiation resulted in the generation of a tumor cell population that preferentially expressed cancer stem cell markers. In addition, these cells were more resistant to subsequent radiation treatments and appeared to acquire an enhanced capacity for dissemination to the lungs of mice. Therefore, we tested an immunotherapy approach to the treatment of local and disseminated mammary tumor cells in a murine model using a recently developed molecular chaperone-based vaccine that specifically targets the radioresistant subpopulation of tumor cells. Heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes (Hsp70.PC-F) were extracted from fusions of dendritic cells and radiation-enriched tumor cells, and the resulting chaperone vaccines were used to treat mice with pre-existing lung metastases. Immunization of mice with the Hsp70.PC-F vaccine resulted in a T cell-mediated immune response, including a significant increase in CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation and the induction of effector T cells capable of targeting radioresistant tumor cells. Importantly, the growth of primary tumors was inhibited, and the number of tumor cells metastasizing to lung was reduced significantly by combining chaperone vaccine with radiotherapy. These results indicate that Hsp70.PC-F vaccine can induce specific immunity to radioresistant populations of mammary tumor cells and, thus, can complement radiotherapy, leading to synergistic killing.

A nanostructured bacterial bioscaffold for the sustained bottom-up delivery of protein drugs.

AIMS: Bacterial inclusion bodies (IBs) are protein-based, amyloidal nanomaterials that mechanically stimulate mammalian cell proliferation upon surface decoration. However, their biological performance as potentially functional scaffolds in mammalian cell culture still needs to be explored. MATERIALS & METHODS: Using fluorescent proteins, we demonstrate significant membrane penetration of surface-attached IBs and a corresponding intracellular bioavailability of the protein material. RESULTS: When IBs are formed by protein drugs, such as the intracellular acting human chaperone Hsp70 or the extracellular/intracellular acting human FGF-2, IB components intervene on top-growing cells, namely by rescuing them from chemically induced apoptosis or by stimulating cell division under serum starvation, respectively. Protein release from IBs seems to mechanistically mimic the sustained secretion of protein hormones from amyloid-like secretory granules in higher organisms. CONCLUSION: We propose bacterial IBs as biomimetic nanostructured scaffolds (bioscaffolds) suitable for tissue engineering that, while acting as adhesive materials, partially disintegrate for the slow release of their biologically active building blocks. The bottom-up delivery of protein drugs mediated by bioscaffolds offers a highly promising platform for emerging applications in regenerative medicine.