Genetically engineered E. coli invade epithelial cells and transfer their genetic cargo into the cells: an approach to a gene delivery system.

PURPOSE: Despite advances in gene therapy, the lack of safe and efficient gene delivery systems limited the clinical effectiveness of gene therapy. Due to the inherent potential of bacteria, they can be considered as a good option for the gene transfer system. This study aimed to create a genetically engineered bacterium capable of entering epithelial cells and transferring its genetic cargo to the cell's cytoplasm, eventually expressing the gene of interest in the cell. METHODS: The invasin (inv) gene from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and the listeriolysin (hlyA) gene from Listeria monocytogenes were isolated by PCR assay and inserted into a pACYCDuet-1 vector. The recombinant plasmid was then transformed into E. coli strain BL21. Subsequently, pEGFP-C1 plasmids containing a CMV promoter were transformed into the engineered bacteria. Finally, the engineered bacteria containing the reporter genes were incubated with the HeLa and LNCaP cell lines. Fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and TEM were used to monitor bacterial entry into the cells and gene expression. We used native E. coli strain BL21 as a control. RESULTS: A fluorescence microscope showed that, in contrast to the control group, the manipulated E. coli were able to penetrate the cells and transport the plasmid pEGFP-C1 to the target cells. Flow cytometry also showed fluorescence intensity of 54.7% in HeLa cells and 71% in LNCaP cells, respectively. In addition, electron micrographs revealed the presence of bacteria in the cell endosomes and in the cytoplasm of the cells. CONCLUSION: This study shows that genetically engineered E. coli can enter cells, transport cargo into cells, and induce gene expression in the target cell. In addition, flow cytometry shows that the gene transfer efficiency was sufficient for protein expression.

Expression and Purification of Human Granzyme B Fusion Protein to Induce Targeted Apoptosis in PSMA Positive Prostate Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Granzyme B can induce apoptosis in target cells by direct and indirect activation of caspases and cleavage of central caspase substrates. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein and its expression increases following prostate cancer progression. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we designed a fusion protein including mutant granzyme B, the influenza virus hemagglutinin HA-2 N-terminal, and PSMA ligand to construct GrB-HA-PSMA ligand fusion protein as a molecular agent for selective targeting of PSMA-positive (LNCaP) cells. METHODS: The DNA sequence of our designed structure was synthesized and cloned into a pET28a expression vector. The recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli origami bacteria and then purified. The expression of the recombinant protein was verified by SDS PAGE and ELISA method. Furthermore, ELISA and flow cytometry assays were utilized to investigate the efficiency of binding and permeability of the recombinant protein into the LNCaP cells. Finally, cell proliferation and apoptosis rate were evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. HeLa and PC3 cell lines were used as controls. RESULTS: The results showed that GrB-HA-PSMA ligand fusion protein could specifically bind and internalize into the PSMA-positive cells. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with GrB-HA-PSMA ligand fusion protein resulted in increased apoptotic cell death and decreased proliferation of LNCaP cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the specificity of GrB-HA-PSMA ligand fusion protein for PSMA-positive cells and suggest that this fusion protein is a potential candidate for prostate cancer targeted therapy.

GDF-15 negatively regulates excess erythropoiesis and its overexpression is involved in erythroid hyperplasia.

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of TGF-ß superfamily. Among hematopoietic cells, this factor is mainly produced by erythroid series and is recently considered a biomarker of ineffective erythropoiesis (IE). Whether IE induces enhanced GDF-15 expression or is prompted by it, has remained elusive. In this study we investigated how high levels of GDF-15 contribute to IE-associated erythroid dysplasia. We assessed mRNA levels of GDF-15 during erythroid maturation as well as in patients with IE using qRT-PCR. Later, the erythroid colony-forming capacity of GDF-15-treated hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) was evaluated by CFC assay. Any effect of elevated levels of GDF-15 on erythroid maturation was ultimately examined by expression analysis of erythroid-associated transcription factors and flow cytometry analysis of CD235a expression. GDF-15 mRNA expression increased during erythroid differentiation and also in ß-thalassemia and MDS patients which was directly correlated with erythropoiesis severity. Treating the cells with high GDF-15 concentration (50 ng/ml) resulted in an approximate 30% decline in the capacity of erythroid colony formation of HSCs and CD235a positive cells. Additionally, erythroid-specific transcription factors showed significant down-regulation in the early stages of erythroid differentiation. According to the expression level of GDF-15 and the role it plays in the erythroid system, high-levels of this factor could be an auto-modulatory mechanism to control the excessive production of erythroid cells.

A fluorometric hybridization assay for detecting and genotyping high-risk human papillomavirus 16 and 18 in archival tissues of cervical specimens.

Early diagnosis and genotyping of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in cervical tissue specimens is significant for cervical cancer prevention. A sensitive microplate fluorometric hybridization assay (MFHA) was designed for the detection of HPV DNA 16 and 18 in cervical tissue. Following optimization and validation of the method, 60 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded cervical samples representing different cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades of HPV-associated lesions were tested to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Using consensus GP5+/6+ biotin-labeled primers to amplify a conserved region within the L1 gene, the amplicons were added to the microplate wells coated with specific probes for the hybridization of HPV 16 and 18 individually. Final detection was performed with streptavidin-AlexaFluor488 conjugated. The results were then compared with type-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and colorimetric microplate assay. While the agreement between the results obtained by the type-specific nested PCR and fluorometric assay for the detection of both HR-HPV types was 100%, this agreement for the detection of HPV type 16 and 18 using microplate colorimetric assay was 94.2% and 85% respectively. Overall, the results of the fluorometric and colorimetric assays are promising for detecting both HR-HPV types in a large number of cervical tissue samples with the higher MFHA assay sensitivity.

Human herpesvirus 6A active infection in patients with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis

ABSTRACT Background: Hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the commonest autoimmune endocrine illness in which antibodies against thyroid organ result in inflammation. The disease has a complex etiology that involves genetic and environmental influences. Viral infections may be involved in triggering of the disease as their molecular mimicry enhance autoimmune responses. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is recognized for its contribution to some autoimmune diseases. Objective: In the current study, the prevalence of HHV-6 active infection in patients with HT and with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders were compared with patients with euthyroidism. In addition, a correlation between presence of HHV-6 infections and HT was investigated. Methods: A total of 151 patients with clinically and laboratory confirmed HT, 59 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders, and 32 patients with normal thyroid function were included in the study. For further confirmation of HT disease, all the precipitants were tested for anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies. For detection of both HHV-6 types A and B, nested PCR and restriction enzyme digestion were used. HHV-6 DNA positive samples were further investigated by DNA sequencing analysis. Results: HHV-6A DNA was found in serum sample of 57 out of 151 patients (38%) with HT, which was significantly more often than in patients with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders (p = 0.001). However, HHV-6 DNA was not detected in serum samples of euthyroid subjects. Conclusions: The results support a possible role for active HHV-6A infection, demonstrated by the presence of HHV-6 DNA in sera, in the development of HT.

Human herpesvirus 6A active infection in patients with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the commonest autoimmune endocrine illness in which antibodies against thyroid organ result in inflammation. The disease has a complex etiology that involves genetic and environmental influences. Viral infections may be involved in triggering of the disease as their molecular mimicry enhance autoimmune responses. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is recognized for its contribution to some autoimmune diseases. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, the prevalence of HHV-6 active infection in patients with HT and with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders were compared with patients with euthyroidism. In addition, a correlation between presence of HHV-6 infections and HT was investigated. METHODS: A total of 151 patients with clinically and laboratory confirmed HT, 59 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders, and 32 patients with normal thyroid function were included in the study. For further confirmation of HT disease, all the precipitants were tested for anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies. For detection of both HHV-6 types A and B, nested PCR and restriction enzyme digestion were used. HHV-6 DNA positive samples were further investigated by DNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS: HHV-6A DNA was found in serum sample of 57 out of 151 patients (38%) with HT, which was significantly more often than in patients with non-autoimmune thyroid disorders (p=0.001). However, HHV-6 DNA was not detected in serum samples of euthyroid subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results support a possible role for active HHV-6A infection, demonstrated by the presence of HHV-6 DNA in sera, in the development of HT.

Selection of Single Chain Antibody Fragments for Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen: A Comparison Between Cell-based and Antigen-based Approach.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer related mortality in United States male population. ScFv fragments have different usefulness. For example they have small size, high perfusion rate, high yield of production and are non-immunogenic, thus they can be used for therapeutic purposes. In this project we used a synthetic human ScFv library for isolation of ScFv monoclonal antibodies against prostate specific membrane antigen. For this purpose, after five rounds of cell-panning, and also five rounds of antigen-panning with rPSMA specific anti- PSMA ScFv-phage particles were isolated. Phages with high affinity toward PSMA were selected and used for further analysis. Specificity and affinity of both ScFv to PSMA and LnCaP cell line examined by ELISA. Recombinant ScFv antibody isolated from cell-panning had higher specificity and affinity for both the antigen and LNCaP cell line. Our result demonstrated that ScFv antibody obtained by cell-panning can target PSMA antigen and cell lines.

Inhibiting angiogenesis with human single-chain variable fragment antibody targeting VEGF.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a highly specific angiogenesis factor which has crucial roles in the angiogenesis of tumors. Anti-angiogenesis agents can inhibit growth and metastasis of tumor cells. Single-chain variable fragments (scFv) have the same affinity as whole antibodies and smaller size, thus result in more tissue permeability and higher production yield. In this research we aim to isolate a human scFv antibody against VEGF that inhibits angiogenesis. For that, we have used human scFv phage library to isolate a specific scFv antibody against binding site of VEGF. The human scFv phage library was amplified according to the manufacture protocol and panned against recombinant VEGF. ScFv antibody was isolated after five rounds of panning. Phage ELISA was used for detection of the highest affinity binder (HR6). Soluble HR6 scFv was expressed in non-suppressor strain of Escherichia coli HB2151 and purified using Ni-NTA chromatography. In vivo and in vitro function of the HR6 scFv was analyzed by chorioallantoic membrane assay and endothelial cell proliferation assay on VEGF stimulated HUVECs. Result of the cross reactivity showed that HR6 scFv specifically bounds to VEGF. The affinity was calculated to be 1.8×10(-7)M. HR6 could stop HUVEC proliferation in a dose dependent manner and anti-angiogenesis activity was observed using 10µg of HR6 in chorioallantoic membrane assay. In this work, we demonstrate that a HR6 scFv selected from human library phage display specifically blocks VEGF signaling, furthermore, this scFv has an anti-angiogenesis effect and because of its small size has more tissue diffusion. The HR6 antibody was isolated form a human library thus, it is not immunogenic for humans and could serve as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer.