Project description:We used microarrays to identify genes regulated during oncolytic HSV infection. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSV) are promising anticancer therapeutics. We sought to identify alterations in gene expression during oHSV infection of human cancer cells. Human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells were infected with G207, an ICP34.5-deleted oHSV previously evaluated in clinical trials. G207-infected cells demonstrated massive degradation of cellular mRNAs, while a subset were upregulated. A gene signature of 21 oHSV-induced genes contained 7 genes known to be HSV-induced. Go ontology classification revealed that a majority of upregulated genes are involved in Jak/STAT signaling, transcriptional regulation, nucleic acid metabolism, protein synthesis and apoptosis. Ingenuity-defined functional networks highlighted nodes for AP-1 subunits and interferon signaling via STAT1, SOCS1, SOCS3 and RANTES. Upregulation of SOCS1 correlated with sensitivity of MPNST lines to G207 and depletion of SOCS1 reduced virus replication >1-log. The transcriptome of oHSV-induced genes may predict oncolytic efficacy and provides rationale for next generation oncolytics. Experiment Overall Design: 5 human MPNST cancer cell lines were infected with G207 or mock infected for 6 hours followed by RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:We used microarrays to identify genes regulated during oncolytic HSV infection. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSV) are promising anticancer therapeutics. We sought to identify alterations in gene expression during oHSV infection of human cancer cells. Human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells were infected with G207, an ICP34.5-deleted oHSV previously evaluated in clinical trials. G207-infected cells demonstrated massive degradation of cellular mRNAs, while a subset were upregulated. A gene signature of 21 oHSV-induced genes contained 7 genes known to be HSV-induced. Go ontology classification revealed that a majority of upregulated genes are involved in Jak/STAT signaling, transcriptional regulation, nucleic acid metabolism, protein synthesis and apoptosis. Ingenuity-defined functional networks highlighted nodes for AP-1 subunits and interferon signaling via STAT1, SOCS1, SOCS3 and RANTES. Upregulation of SOCS1 correlated with sensitivity of MPNST lines to G207 and depletion of SOCS1 reduced virus replication >1-log. The transcriptome of oHSV-induced genes may predict oncolytic efficacy and provides rationale for next generation oncolytics. Keywords: treated vs non treated
Project description:We have previously developed the use of genetically engineered herpes simplex virus type 1 (G207) for the experimental treatment of malignant glioma (PMID: 18957964). We demonstrated that G207 propagates in and kills nervous system tumor cells with little to no evidence of viral encephalitis. Here, six adult patients with recurrent glioblastoma were recruited onto a phase 1b clinical trial to test safety and efficacy of G207 in anti-tumor response. We obtained resected tumor tissue before and after (within 2-5 days) inoculation with G207. RNA was extracted from all tissues and subject to gene expression profiling using NanoString Pancancer Immune panel. Our data indicate in the post-G207 samples that interferon immune response and the subsequent recruitment of an adaptive immune response strongly associated with overall survival after inoculation with oncolytic virus G207 in patients with recurrent malignant glioma.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:BACKGROUND: Conditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAds) preferentially infect and lyse tumor cells. While CRAds have been clinically applied, their potential for neurofibromatosis type-1 associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) remains unexplored. This study evaluates Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)-driven CRAds as a therapy for MPNST. METHODS: Viruses with wild type (WT) and modified fiber-knob domains were assessed for binding efficiency to the MPNST models. Viral infectivity, spread, and susceptibility of MPNST cells to oncolytic adenoviruses were assessed using both WT viruses or engineered CRAd constructs, with cell viability quantification. Tumor growth rates and survival probability of mice bearing human tumor xenografts or syngeneic allografts were assessed using intratumoral injections of CRAds. RESULTS: RGD-modified fibers exhibited improved binding to MPNST cells compared to non-cancer Schwann cells. vectors effectively replicated and lysed MPNST cells, displaying enhanced selectivity towards transformed cells. Tumor-bearing immunodeficient mice survived significantly longer when injected with CRAds compared to PBS controls, and immunocompetent models demonstrate robust infiltration of CD8+ T-cells. CONCLUSIONS: CRAds demonstrate selective binding and efficient replication in MPNST cells, leading to tumor cell lysis while sparing non-cancerous cells. These results suggest that oncolytic adenoviruses may have the potential as novel agents for MPNST therapy and thus warrant further investigation.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.
Project description:Kynureninase is a member of a large family of catalytically diverse but structurally homologous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes known as the aspartate aminotransferase superfamily or alpha-family. The Homo sapiens and other eukaryotic constitutive kynureninases preferentially catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxyanthranilate and l-alanine, while l-kynurenine is the substrate of many prokaryotic inducible kynureninases. The human enzyme was cloned with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag, expressed, and purified from a bacterial expression system using Ni metal ion affinity chromatography. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant enzyme reveals classic Michaelis-Menten behavior, with a Km of 28.3 +/- 1.9 microM and a specific activity of 1.75 micromol min-1 mg-1 for 3-hydroxy-dl-kynurenine. Crystals of recombinant kynureninase that diffracted to 2.0 A were obtained, and the atomic structure of the PLP-bound holoenzyme was determined by molecular replacement using the Pseudomonas fluorescens kynureninase structure (PDB entry 1qz9) as the phasing model. A structural superposition with the P. fluorescens kynureninase revealed that these two structures resemble the "open" and "closed" conformations of aspartate aminotransferase. The comparison illustrates the dynamic nature of these proteins' small domains and reveals a role for Arg-434 similar to its role in other AAT alpha-family members. Docking of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine into the human kynureninase active site suggests that Asn-333 and His-102 are involved in substrate binding and molecular discrimination between inducible and constitutive kynureninase substrates.