Adenovirus-mediated hAQP1 expression in irradiated mouse salivary glands causes recovery of saliva secretion by enhancing acinar cell volume decrease.

Head and neck irradiation (IR) during cancer treatment causes by-stander effects on the salivary glands leading to irreversible loss of saliva secretion. The mechanism underlying loss of fluid secretion is not understood and no adequate therapy is currently available. Delivery of an adenoviral vector encoding human aquaporin-1 (hAQP1) into the salivary glands of human subjects and animal models with radiation-induced salivary hypofunction leads to significant recovery of saliva secretion and symptomatic relief in subjects. To elucidate the mechanism underlying loss of salivary secretion and the basis for AdhAQP1-dependent recovery of salivary gland function we assessed submandibular gland function in control mice and mice 2 and 8 months after treatment with a single 15-Gy dose of IR (delivered to the salivary gland region). Salivary secretion and neurotransmitter-stimulated changes in acinar cell volume, an in vitro read-out for fluid secretion, were monitored. Consistent with the sustained 60% loss of fluid secretion following IR, a carbachol (CCh)-induced decrease in acinar cell volume from the glands of mice post IR was transient and attenuated as compared with that in cells from non-IR age-matched mice. The hAQP1 expression in non-IR mice induced no significant effect on salivary fluid secretion or CCh-stimulated cell volume changes, except in acinar cells from 8-month group where the initial rate of cell shrinkage was increased. Importantly, the expression of hAQP1 in the glands of mice post IR induced recovery of salivary fluid secretion and a volume decrease in acinar cells to levels similar to those in cells from non-IR mice. The initial rates of CCh-stimulated cell volume reduction in acinar cells from hAQP1-expressing glands post IR were similar to those from control cells. Altogether, the data suggest that expression of hAQP1 increases the water permeability of acinar cells, which underlies the recovery of fluid secretion in the salivary glands functionally compromised post IR.

Bovine AAV transcytosis inhibition by tannic acid results in functional expression of CFTR in vitro and altered biodistribution in vivo.

Bovine adeno-associated virus (BAAV) can enter a cell either through a transcytosis or transduction pathway. We previously demonstrated that particles entering via the transcytosis pathway can be redirected to transduce the cell by blocking particle exocytosis with tannic acid (TA). To investigate whether this approach is useful in lung gene therapy applications, we tested the effect of TA on BAAV transduction in cystic fibrosis airway epithelia in vitro, and in mouse lung in vivo. Our findings suggest that BAAV transcytosis can occur in vivo and that treatment with TA reduces transcytosis and increases lung transduction. TA treatment did not impair the sorting and the activity of the BAAV expressed cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator membrane protein.

AAV5-mediated gene transfer to the parotid glands of non-human primates.

Salivary glands are potentially useful target sites for multiple clinical applications of gene transfer. Previously, we have shown that serotype 2 adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vectors lead to stable gene transfer in the parotid glands of rhesus macaques. As AAV5 vectors result in considerably greater transgene expression in murine salivary glands than do AAV2 vectors, herein we have examined the use of AAV5 vectors in macaques at two different doses (n = 3 per group; 10(10) or 3 x 10(11) particles per gland). AAV5 vector delivery, as with AAV2 vectors, led to no untoward clinical, hematological or serum chemistry responses in macaques. The extent of AAV5-mediated expression of rhesus erythropoietin (RhEpo) was dose-dependent and similar to that seen with an AAV2 vector. However, unlike results with the AAV2 vector, AAV5 vector-mediated RhEpo expression was transient. Maximal expression peaked at day 56, was reduced by approximately 80% on day 84 and thereafter remained near background levels until day 182 (end of experiment). Quantitative PCR studies of high-dose vector biodistribution at this last time point showed much lower AAV5 copy numbers in the targeted parotid gland (approximately 1.7%) than found with the same AAV2 vector dose. Molecular analysis of the conformation of vector DNA indicated a markedly lower level of concatamerization for the AAV5 vector compared with that of a similar AAV2 vector. In addition, cellular immunological studies suggest that host response differences may occur with AAV2 and AAV5 vector delivery at this mucosal site. The aggregate data indicate that results with AAV5 vectors in murine salivary glands apparently do not extend to macaque glands.

Primary culture of polarized human salivary epithelial cells for use in developing an artificial salivary gland.

Therapeutic irradiation for head and neck cancer, and the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome, lead to loss of salivary parenchyma. They are the two main causes of irreversible salivary gland hypofunction. Such patients cannot produce adequate levels of saliva, leading to considerable morbidity. We are working to develop an artificial salivary gland for such patients. A major problem in this endeavor has been the difficulty in obtaining a suitable autologous cellular component. This article describes a method of culturing and expanding primary salivary cells obtained from human submandibular glands (huSMGs) that is serum free and yields cells that are epithelial in nature. These include morphological (light and transmission electron microscopy [TEM]), protein expression (immunologically positive for ZO-1, claudin-1, and E-cadherin), and functional evidence. Under confocal microscopy, huSMG cells show polarization and appropriately localize tight junction proteins. TEM micrographs show an absence of dense core granules, but confirm the presence of tight and intermediate junctions and desmosomes between the cells. Functional assays showed that huSMG cells have high transepithelial electrical resistance and low rates of paracellular fluid movement. Additionally, huSMG cells show a normal karyotype without any morphological or numerical abnormalities, and most closely resemble striated and excretory duct cells in appearance. We conclude that this culture method for obtaining autologous human salivary cells should be useful in developing an artificial salivary gland.

Immunohistochemical localization of mu-opioid receptors in human dental pulp.

Studies in both animal and clinical models suggest that opioids exert their analgesic effects not only through activation of receptors in the CNS but also through interaction with peripheral opioid receptors. This study evaluated the presence and distribution of mu-opioid receptors in human dental pulp. Human third molars indicated for extraction were removed, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.2% picric acid, and decalcified in 10% EDTA and 7.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone. The teeth were cut using a cryostat, and the avidin-biotin peroxidase immunohistochemistry technique was used. Immunostaining for mu-opioid receptors was detected along the nerve bundle of the radicular as well as coronal dental pulp. Positive immunostaining was also observed in the individual nerve fibers in the coronal region. This demonstration of opiate receptors on pulpal nerve fibers suggests a peripheral site in the dental pulp where endogenous or exogenous opioids can interact with mu-opioid receptors.

Tissue compatibility of two biodegradable tubular scaffolds implanted adjacent to skin or buccal mucosa in mice.

Radiation therapy for cancer in the head and neck region leads to a marked loss of salivary gland parenchyma, resulting in a severe reduction of salivary secretions. Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment for these patients. To address this problem, we are using both tissue engineering and gene transfer principles to develop an orally implantable, artificial fluid-secreting device. In the present study, we examined the tissue compatibility of two biodegradable substrata potentially useful in fabricating such a device. We implanted in Balb/c mice tubular scaffolds of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), poly-glycolic acid coated with PLLA (PGA/PLLA), or nothing (sham-operated controls) either beneath the skin on the back, a site widely used in earlier toxicity and biocompatibility studies, or adjacent to the buccal mucosa, a site quite different functionally and immunologically. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days postimplantation, implant sites were examined histologically, and systemic responses were assessed by conventional clinical chemistry and hematology analyses. Inflammatory responses in the connective tissue were similar regardless of site or type of polymer implant used. However, inflammatory reactions were shorter and without epithelioid and giant cells in sham-operated controls. Also, biodegradation proceeded more slowly with the PLLA tubules than with the PGA/PLLA tubules. No significant changes in clinical chemistry and hematology were seen due to the implantation of tubular scaffolds. These results indicate that the tissue responses to PLLA and PGA/PLLA scaffolds are generally similar in areas subjacent to skin in the back and oral cavity. However, these studies also identified several potentially significant concerns that must be addressed prior to initiating any clinical applications of this device.

Use of polyethylenimine-adenovirus complexes to examine triplex formation in intact cells.

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) show potential for sequence-specific DNA binding and inhibition of gene expression. We have applied this antigene strategy using a TFO incorporating an Auger-emitting radionucleotide, 125I, to study the production of double-strand breaks (dsb) in the rat aquaporin 5 (rAQP5) cDNA. 125I-TFO bound to the pCMVrAQP5 plasmid in vitro in a dose-dependent manner and formed stable triplexes up to 65 degrees C and in the presence of 140 mM KCl. Further, 125I-TFO resulted in a predictable dsb when analyzed by Southern hybridization. To deliver TFOs to epithelial cells, we employed 125I-TFO-polyethyleneimine-adenovirus (125I-TFO-PEI-Ad) complexes. We hypothesized that these complexes would take advantage of adenoviral characteristics to transfer 125I-TFO to the cell nucleus. Adenovirus-containing complexes brought about greater uptake and nuclear localization of TFOs compared with delivery with 125I-TFO-PEI complexes alone. No significant degradation of 125I-TFO was found after delivery into cells using PEI-Ad complexes and freezing and thawing. We next used PEI-Ad complexes to deliver 125I-TFO and pCMVrAQP5 separately to epithelial cells to determine if triplexes can form de novo within cells, resulting in the specific dsb in the rAQP5 cDNA. After delivery, cell pellets were stored at -80 degrees C for more than 60 days. Thereafter, plasmid DNA was isolated from cells and analyzed for dsb by Southern hybridization. However, none were detected. We conclude that under the experimental conditions employed, effective triplexes, with 125I-TFO and pCMVrAQP5, do not form de novo inside cells.

Construction and function of a recombinant adenovirus encoding a human aquaporin 1-green fluorescent protein fusion product.

Transfer of the human aquaporin 1 (hAQP1) gene provides a novel way to potentially correct the severe salivary hypofunction associated with therapeutic radiation for head and neck cancer. To facilitate the study of individual cells transduced with this gene, we have designed a fusion product of the hAQP1 and jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNAs. An expression plasmid, pACCMVhAQP1GFP, and a recombinant adenovirus, AdhAQP1GFP, encoding this fusion product were constructed. Both the recombinant plasmid and virus directed the expression of the encoded, 55-kDa fusion protein (hAQP1GFP), which was detected in the plasma membranes of several epithelial cell lines (293, SMIE, and A5). hAQP1GFP was functionally active and facilitated fluid movement across a polarized salivary epithelial cell monolayer (approximately 5-fold noninfected controls) in response to an osmotic gradient. In response to a hypotonic challenge, individual epithelial cells expressing the fusion protein exhibited significantly more capacitance (used herein as an indicator of cell swelling) than control cells. Conversely, in response to a hypertonic challenge, individual infected cells shrunk more rapidly (approximately 2- to 3-fold) and to a greater extent than control cells. We conclude that AdhAQP1GFP is a useful experimental tool to identify and study individual cells expressing a water channel transgene.

Extracellular matrix protein-induced changes in human salivary epithelial cell organization and proliferation on a model biological substratum.

We have used a denuded rat tracheal preparation as a biological substratum on which to examine the growth and morphology of a salivary epithelial cell line (HSG) in vitro. In the absence of an additional coating of matrix proteins, HSG cells grew at low density on tracheae. Coating the tracheae with Vitrogen (a commercial collagen I preparation) or fibronectin promoted HSG cell growth and monolayer formation. Conversely, if a coating of Matrigel was applied, cells grew in a more organized fashion, but at low density. Generally similar results were obtained with cells grown on laminin and collagen IV but with less organization. These studies demonstrate the utility of a natural, tubular substratum for testing the influence of different matrix proteins on salivary epithelial cell behavior.

alpha-Galactosidase A deficient mice: a model of Fabry disease.

Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited metabolic disorder that is caused by a deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A). Progressive deposition of neutral glycosphingolipids that have terminal a-linked galactosyl moieties in vascular endothelial cells causes renal failure along with premature myocardial infarctions and strokes in patients with this condition. No specific treatment is available for patients with this disorder at this time. An animal model of this condition would be valuable for exploring therapeutic strategies for patients with Fabry disease. We report here the generation of alpha-Gal A deficient mice by gene targeting and an analysis of the resulting phenotype. The knockout mice display a complete lack of alpha-Gal A activity. The mice, however, appeared clinically normal at 10 weeks of age. Ultrastructural analysis revealed concentric lamellar inclusions in the kidneys, and confocal microscopy using a fluorescent-labeled lectin specific for alpha-D-galactosyl residues showed accumulation of substrate in the kidneys as well as in cultured fibroblasts. Lipid analysis revealed a marked accumulation of ceramidetrihexoside in the liver and the kidneys. These findings indicate the similarity of the pathophysiological process in the mutant mice and in patients with Fabry disease. The deficiency of alpha-Gal A activity and the accumulation of material containing terminal alpha-galactosyl residues in cultured embryonic fibroblasts derived from alpha-Gal A(-/0) mice were corrected by transducing these cells with bicistronic multidrug resistance retroviruses containing human alpha-Gal A cDNA.

Anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody AA4 selectively inhibits IgE-induced signal transduction pathways in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

In rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 (RBL-2H3) cells, mAb AA4 binds to two derivatives of ganglioside GD1b that associate with the Src family kinase p53/56lyn and a serine kinase. Pre-incubation of cells with mAb AA4 blocks immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated histamine release. In the present study we investigated the effect of incubation with mAb AA4 on signal transduction events. In addition to stimulation of the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilonRI), cells were also activated by the calcium ionophore A23187 and the acetylcholine agonist carbachol in RBL-2H3 cells transfected with the G protein-coupled m3 muscarinic receptor. Incubation of cells with mAb AA4 in a dose-dependent manner inhibited the following Fc epsilonRI-induced signal transduction events: the increase of intracellular free calcium, phosphoinositol breakdown, tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins including the beta- of Fc epsilonRI and secretion. However, there was no inhibition of degranulation or of these biochemical events when cells were stimulated with calcium ionophore or activated via a G protein-coupled pathway. Our results demonstrate that mAb AA4 selectively blocks Fc epsilonRI-induced cell activation at a very early step upstream of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. As mAb AA4 has previously been found to bind to gangliosides associated with Fc epsilonRI, inhibition of very early biochemical events may be due to interaction of mAb AA4 with the Fc epsilonRI induced signal transduction cascade at the receptor level.

Immunomagnetic isolation of rat bone marrow-derived and peritoneal mast cells.

Mast cells are difficult to purify from heterogeneous cell populations and to preserve, especially for pre-embedding immunostaining at the ultrastructural level. We have developed a technique that permits the isolation of a pure population of mast cells suitable for immunocytochemical studies. A rat mast cell-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb AA4) conjugated to tosylactivated Dynabeads 450 was used to immunomagnetically separate mast cells from rat bone marrow and peritoneal cell suspensions. Approximately 85% of the mast cells were recovered in the positive population that comprised virtually pure mast cells. After microwave fixation, morphological examination showed that the cells were intact and retained their ultrastructural detail. Mast cells in all stages of maturation were immunolabeled with a panel of antibodies after immunomagnetic separation. The combination of immunomagnetic separation followed by immunostaining should prove useful for the study of mast cell maturation and for the characterization of other specific cell types that are present in tissues in only limited numbers.

Aggregation of IgE receptors in rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic protein-tyrosine phosphatase HePTP.

The cDNA encoding the rat equivalent of the human hematopoietic tyrosine phosphatase, also known as leukocyte phosphatase, was isolated from a rat basophilic leukemia mast cell cDNA library. By two-dimensional electrophoresis, the protein expressed in the mast cells was of a size (40 kDa) and pI (6.9) predicted from the deduced amino acid sequence. Thus, although previously shown to be preferentially expressed in T cells and B cells, the phosphatase is also found in mast cells. By immunofluorescence microscopy, rat hematopoietic tyrosine phosphatase localized to discrete, globular compartments within the cytoplasm and was not found either in the nucleus or associated with the cell surface membrane. Aggregation of high affinity IgE receptors in the mast cells induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the phosphatase. The tyrosine phosphorylation was mimicked by stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 but not by direct activation of protein kinase C. Since phosphorylation of the phosphatase was dramatically reduced when the cells were activated in Ca(2+)-free media, it is dependent on a rise in intracellular Ca2+. These data strongly suggest that hematopoietic tyrosine phosphatase may be involved in the IgE receptor-mediated signaling cascade.

A 77-kDa protein associates with pp125FAK in mast cells and becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated by high affinity IgE receptor aggregation.

The focal adhesion kinase, pp125FAK, is a novel non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase expressed in different cells including mast cells. Here we report that a 77-kDa protein associates with pp125FAK in the mast cell analog, rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. When pp125FAK immunoprecipitates were subjected to an in vitro kinase assay, there was prominent phosphorylation on tyrosine of pp125FAK and of a 77-kDa protein. By V8 protease digestion mapping and by immunoblotting with two different anti-pp125FAK antibodies, the 77-kDa protein was distinct from pp125FAK. This Fak Associated Protein or FAP was detected in RBL-2H3 cells but not in fibroblasts. The aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptor, Fc epsilon RI, induced the in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation of FAP. However, there was a marked decrease in the in vitro phosphorylation of FAP in the immunoprecipitates from Fc epsilon RI aggregated cells. Both of these Fc epsilon RI-mediated effects were enhanced by cell adhesion. There was strong association of FAP with non-tyrosine-phosphorylated pp125FAK. Thus this interaction does not appear to be mediated by the Src homology 2 domain. Together the data indicate that FAP associates with pp125FAK and suggest that FAP may play a role in Fc epsilon RI signaling.

The aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptor induces tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, a focal adhesion protein.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is an essential component of high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI) signaling and secretion. This signaling and secretion is also dependent on the organization of the cytoskeleton. Here we report that the aggregation of Fc epsilon RI on rat basophilic leukemia cells results in tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein, paxillin. Tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin is a relatively late event after Fc epsilon RI aggregation. Both the direct increase in intracellular Ca2+ with calcium ionophore and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with PMA induced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. The optimal tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin by Fc epsilon RI aggregation required PKC and extracellular Ca2+. However, there was also Fc epsilon RI-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin independent of Ca2+ influx or PKC activation. By fluorescent microscopy, cell stimulation induced a redistribution of paxillin toward the periphery of the cells. Although Fc epsilon RI aggregation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin in nonadherent cells, adherence markedly enhanced this phosphorylation. Together, the data suggest a role for paxillin in Fc epsilon RI signaling.

The anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody AA4 induces protein tyrosine phosphorylations, but not degranulation, in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

The monoclonal antibody AA4 (mAb AA4) recognizes novel alpha-galactosyl derivatives of GD1b on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. The binding of mAb AA4 induced protein tyrosine phosphorylations without histamine release. Several of the same proteins including Fc epsilon RI beta, Fc epsilon RI gamma, p72syk, and phospholipase C-gamma 1 were tyrosine-phosphorylated by mAb AA4 binding and by the activation of the high affinity IgE receptor, Fc epsilon RI. There was also activation of the p53/56lyn and p72syk protein-tyrosine kinases, but compared to direct Fc epsilon RI activation, mAb AA4 did not result in increased tyrosine phosphorylation of pp105-115 or pp125FAK, and the receptor subunits (Fc epsilon RI beta and Fc epsilon RI gamma) were more heavily phosphorylated. Furthermore, the time course of the phosphorylations with mAb AA4 was slower than that induced by Fc epsilon RI aggregation. By immunofluorescence, the tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins after mAb AA4 stimulation were localized in patches at the cell membrane and in areas of cell-cell contact, whereas after Fc epsilon RI activation, there was a reticular cytoplasmic pattern. There were no protein tyrosine phosphorylations either when Fc epsilon RI was saturated with IgE or when F(ab')2 fragments of mAb AA4 were used, although the F(ab')2 fragments still induced morphological changes. There was also coprecipitation of the beta and gamma subunits of Fc epsilon RI with the anti-ganglioside antibody. These data strongly suggest the involvement of Fc epsilon RI in the antiganglioside-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylations. Moreover, phosphorylations of these proteins including the beta and gamma chains of Fc epsilon RI and activation of p53/56lyn and p72syk did not result in histamine release.

Activation of protein tyrosine kinase p72syk by Fc epsilon RI aggregation in rat basophilic leukemia cells. p72syk is a minor component but the major protein tyrosine kinase of pp72.

Aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RI) on rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells results in protein tyrosine phosphorylations. Previously we reported that there is prominent tyrosine phosphorylation of approximately 72-kDa proteins (pp72) and that the tyrosine kinase p72syk is one component of pp72. Here we studied further the relationship of p72syk to pp72. The aggregation of Fc epsilon RI induced the activation of p72syk which was parallel to its tyrosine phosphorylation. By in vitro kinase assay of immune complexes purified with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, p72syk was the major pp72 tyrosine kinase. However, by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, p72syk was a minor component of pp72. The heterogeneous nature of pp72 was indicated by different studies. Under optimum conditions of one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, pp72 consisted of a heterogeneous group of 69-, 71-, and 72-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. There were differences in the tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins in cells activated in the absence of extracellular calcium or when stimulation was with the calcium ionophore A23187 or with phorbol myristate acetate. One of the proteins migrating at 69 kDa was p72syk. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis pp72 was found to consist of multiple tyrosine-phosphorylated protens including 71-80-kDa proteins that associate with p53/56lyn. A 75-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein, different from pp72, was identified as p75HS1 (SPY75). These results demonstrate the heterogeneous nature of the pp72 and that p72syk is activated after Fc epsilon RI aggregation.

Src family tyrosine kinase p53/56lyn, a serine kinase and Fc epsilon RI associate with alpha-galactosyl derivatives of ganglioside GD1b in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells.

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) AA4 recognizes two alpha-galactosyl derivatives of the GD1b ganglioside on rat mast cells and on the rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cultured cell line. Here we demonstrate that mAb AA4 coprecipitated both protein tyrosine and serine kinases. In contrast, a monoclonal antibody to the GD3 ganglioside did not coprecipitate any kinase activity. In kinase assays of mAb AA4 immunoprecipitates there were phosphorylated proteins of 71-80, 53/56, and 41/42 kDa. All proteins were phosphorylated on tyrosine, whereas the 71-80- and 41/42-kDa proteins were also phosphorylated on serine residues. The precipitation of these proteins by mAb AA4 correlated with the presence of the alpha-galactosyl derivatives of GD1b. The 53/56-kDa proteins were identified as the Src-related tyrosine kinase p53/56lyn. The presence of p53/56lyn in the mAb AA4 immunoprecipitates was specific and was observed when several different detergents were used. The same 71-80-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were immunoprecipitated by mAb AA4 and anti-Lyn antibodies and may play a role in the interaction of p53/56lyn with the gangliosides. Although there is a weak association of the high affinity IgE receptor with these gangliosides, the coprecipitation of p53/56lyn with mAb AA4 was not secondary to the association of this kinase with receptor. These complexes of gangliosides and several proteins that include p53/56lyn, a serine kinase, and the high affinity IgE receptor could play an important role in receptor-mediated signal transduction.