Canine corneal fibroblast and myofibroblast transduction with AAV5

Objective The aims of this study were (1) to determine the efficacy of adeno‐associated vector serotype 5 (AAV5) for delivering gene therapy to canine corneal fibroblasts (CCFs) and myofibroblasts (CCMs) using enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker gene and (2) to evaluate the cytotoxicity of AAV5 to CCFs and CCMs using an in vitro model. Methods Healthy donor canine corneas were used to generate primary CCFs by growing cultures in minimal essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Canine corneal myofibroblasts were produced by growing cultures in serum‐free medium containing transforming growth factor β1 (1 ng/mL). An AAV5 titer (6.5 × 10¹² μg/mL) expressing GFP under control of hybrid cytomegalovirus + chicken β‐actin promoters (AAV5‐gfp) was used to transduce CCF and CCM cultures. Delivered gene expression in CCFs and CCMs was quantified using immunocytochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, and real‐time PCR. Transduction efficacy of the AAV5 vector was determined by counting DAPI‐stained nuclei and EGFP‐positive cells in culture. Phase‐contrast microscopy, trypan blue, and dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to determine the toxicity and safety of AAV5 in this canine corneal model. Results Topical AAV5 application successfully transduced a significant population of CCFs (42.8%; P < 0.01) and CCMs (28%; P < 0.01). Tested AAV5 did not affect CCF or CCM phenotype or cellular viability and did not cause significant cell death. Conclusions The tested AAV5 is an effective and safe vector for canine corneal gene therapy in this in vitro model. In vivo studies are warranted.     

Efficacy and safety of mitomycin C as an agent to treat corneal scarring in horses using an in vitro model

Objective Mitomycin C (MMC) is used clinically to treat corneal scarring in human patients. We investigated the safety and efficacy of MMC to treat corneal scarring in horses by examining its effects at the early and late stages of disease using an in vitro model. Procedure An in vitro model of equine corneal fibroblast (ECF) developed was used. The ECF or myofibroblast cultures were produced by growing primary ECF in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGFβ1) under serum‐free conditions. The MMC dose for the equine cornea was defined with dose‐dependent trypan blue exclusion and (3‐4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays after applying MMC to the cultures once for 2 min. The efficacy of MMC to control corneal scarring in horses was determined by measuring mRNA and protein expression of corneal scarring markers (alpha‐smooth muscle actin and F‐actin) with western blotting, immunocytochemistry and/or quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reactions. Results A single 2‐min treatment of 0.02% or less MMC did not alter ECF phenotype, viability, or cellular proliferation whereas 0.05% or higher MMC doses showed mild‐to‐moderate cellular toxicity. The TGFβ1 at 1 ng/mL showed significant myofibroblast formation in ECF under serum‐free conditions. A single 2‐min, 0.02% MMC treatment 24 h (early) after TGFβ1 stimulation significantly reduced conversion of ECF to myofibroblasts, however, a single 0.02% MMC treatment 11 days after TGFβ1 stimulation showed moderate myofibroblast inhibition. Conclusions That MMC safely and effectively reduced scarring in ECF by reducing the degree of transdifferentiation of corneal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vitro. Further clinical in vivo investigations are warranted using MMC in horses.     

含EGFP基因的马疱疹病毒1型新疆株gE基因缺失株的构建

为筛选马鼻肺炎（equine rhinopneumonitis,ER）基因缺失减毒活疫苗的候选毒株,本研究参考GenBank中EHV-1（登录号：KF644579.1）目的基因序列设计同源臂引物,以本地区流行株XJ2015株DNA为模板PCR扩增gE基因同源臂gEH1、gEH1,以EGFP表达盒（CMV+EGFP+polyA）为标记基因,酶切后依次连接至载体pUC-19,成功构建重组质粒pUC-gEH1H2-EGFP。将XJ2015基因组与质粒pUC-gEH1H2-EGFP共转染至RK-13细胞进行同源重组,以EGFP为标记进行gE基因缺失毒株的筛选及纯化,并测定重组毒株效价。结果显示：经5轮荧光噬斑纯化、PCR及测序鉴定,成功获取一株携带EGFP基因的重组毒株XJ2015-△gE-EGFP,且重组毒株效价（10^7.1TCID₅₀/0.1 mL）较原毒株（10^8.8TCID₅₀/0.1 mL）下降约10^1.7TCID₅₀/0.1 mL。采用同源重组技术成功构建了1株马疱疹病毒1型流行株gE基因缺失突变株,为未来筛选马鼻肺炎基因缺失弱毒疫苗奠定了基础。     

利用柞蚕核型多角体病毒表达载体系统在柞蚕蛹中表达增强型绿色荧光蛋白

为了探讨外源蛋白在柞蚕蛹-柞蚕核型多角体病毒(ApNPV)表达系统的表达水平和稳定性,将增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)基因克隆到柞蚕核型多角体病毒转移表达载体pApM748BE中,获得重组质粒DNA,与ApNPV DNA共转染樗蚕(Phi-losamia cynthiam)培养细胞Pc-01后,用末端稀释法筛选获得重组病毒ApNPV-Δph/egfp+。将该重组病毒感染柞蚕蛹,采用SDS-PAGE和Western blot方法检测EGFP在柞蚕蛹中的表达,结果显示:在柞蚕蛹感染重组病毒ApNPV-Δph/egfp+后6 d,EG-FP就有明显的表达;感染后12～18 d,蛹体液中的EGFP含量保持较高水平,以EGFP标准样品定量分析EGFP在柞蚕蛹体液中的表达水平高于1 mg/mL;感染后30～39 d仍可以检测到蛹体液中EGFP的表达,而且蛋白稳定。研究结果表明,利用柞蚕核型多角体病毒作表达载体,可在柞蚕蛹中高效稳定地表达EGFP,并且EGFP在雌雄蛹间的表达水平无明显差异。     

Liposome-mediated uptake of exogenous DNA by equine spermatozoa and applications in sperm-mediated gene transfer

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Sperm-mediated gene transfer has been reported as a method for production of transgenic animals in a variety of species, and this technique represents a possible method for production of transgenic equids. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the uptake of exogenous DNA (enhanced green fluorescent protein; pEGFP) by equine spermatozoa and to assess the ability of transfected spermatozoa to introduce this transgene into early equine embryos. METHODS: To evaluate incorporation of pEGFP into equine spermatozoa, washed spermatozoa were incubated with 32P-pEGFP, with or without lipofection. Spermatozoa were also transfected with fluorescently-labelled DNA (Alexa647-pEGFP) and changes in sperm viability and DNA uptake were assessed. Mares were inseminated with pEGFP-transfected spermatozoa and embryos recovered. Expression of pEGFP was assessed by epifluorescence microscopy of embryos, and the presence of pEGFP DNA and mRNA was assessed by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Liposome-mediated transfection increased the incorporation of 32P-pEGFP into spermatozoa compared to controls. Flow cytometric evaluation of spermatozoa after transfection with Alexa647-pEGFP revealed a linear increase in the proportion of live, Alexa647+ spermatozoa with increasing DNA concentrations. After insemination with transfected spermatozoa, 8 embryos were recovered. There was no evidence of EGFP expression in the recovered embryos; however, PCR analysis revealed evidence of the pEGFP transgene in 2 of 5 embryos analysed. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of exogenous DNA by equine spermatozoa was enhanced by liposome-mediated transfection and this did not adversely affect sperm viability, acrosomal integrity or fertility. Although the EGFP transgene was detected in a proportion of Day 7-10 embryos, there was no evidence of expression of EGFP in these embryos. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Sperm-mediated gene transfer offers a potential technique for the generation of transgenic equids.     

猪伪狂犬病毒TK缺失株PRV/TK~-的构建及其生物学特性

为了构建伪狂犬病毒容A株(PRV-Ra)TK基因缺失重组病毒,本研究利用PCR从PRV-Ra株基因组分别扩增TK基因两侧的序列LTK和RTK,将LTK和RTK克隆到pUC19载体,构建转移质粒pUC19-TK/HEK。进一步将增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP)表达盒克隆到pUC19-TK/HEK质粒中,构建转移质粒pUC19-TK/EGFP。用pUC19-TK/EGFP与PRV-Ra株基因组共转染BHK21细胞,通过噬斑纯化获得重组病毒PRV/TK-/EGFP;用pUC19-TK/HEK与PRV/TK-/EGFP病毒基因组共转染BHK21细胞,噬斑纯化获得不含EGFP基因的重组病毒PRV/TK-。该重组病毒在体外传30代后仍其有良好的遗传稳定性;PRV/TK-体外增殖速度、对家兔的毒力以及对仔猪的安全性和抗体反应性研究表明,重组毒株与原始株(PRV-Ra)在BHK21上具有相似的增殖规律;PRV/TK-对家兔的毒力比PRV-Ra下降了10000倍;以105.0TCID50PRV/TK-免疫小猪后4周,体内产生的平均中和抗体水平达101.9,略高于对照疫苗产生的抗体水平(101.8)。本试验为PRV基因功能的研...     

不同截短的丝素重链基因启动子驱动报告基因在家蚕组织中的表达

应用重组苜蓿银纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒(AcMNPV)为基因转移载体,以绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP)为报告基因,研究不同截短的丝素重链基因启动子(-2127/+23、-925/+23和-238/+23)驱动报告基因在家蚕5龄幼虫组织中的表达情况。结果发现,通过病毒感染介导,3种长度丝素重链基因启动子驱动的报告基因在脂肪体和血细胞中存在异位表达,从个体体表可直接观察到明显的绿色荧光;3种长度的启动子都能在后部丝腺中高效起始EGFP的转录,产生绿色荧光;长度为0.9kb和0.2kb的启动子0.9KH、0.2KH在中部丝腺能起始EGFP转录产生绿色荧光,而2.1kb的启动子(2.1KH)能起始EGFP转录,但未能检测到绿色荧光;3种长度的启动子也能在Sf9培养细胞中起始EGFP基因表达。上述结果表明,丝素重链基因启动子没有严格的组织特异性。     

Expression of Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) Gene Carried by a Lentiviral Vector RCASBP in DF-1 Cell

To construct a lentiviral vector RCASBP carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene which could be expressed stably in DF-1 cell,EGFP gene was amplified by PCR and then inserted into the lentiviral vector RCASBP after digested with the restriction endonuclease ClaⅠto construct recombinant lentiviral vector RCASBP-EGFP.The recombinant vector was transfected into DF-1 cells by Lipofectamine^TM 2000.Avian leukosis virus (ALV) p27 antigen ELISA test was performed after four passages of the transfected cells and the positive results of ELISA suggested the success rescue of the virus.The expression of EGFP was observed in more than 80 percentages of DF-1 cells under fluorescence microscope.The proviral genome PCR showed EGFP gene carried by the recombinant lentiviral vector RCASBP-EGFP had been integrated into the genome of DF-1 cells.The RCASBP lentiviral-mediated expression system provided a basis for study of the structure and function of ALV genes.     

反转录病毒载体RCASBP介导的EGFP基因在DF-1细胞中的表达

为建立反转录病毒载体RCASBP介导的增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)基因在DF-1细胞中的表达体系,本研究将PCR获得的EGFP基因插入反转录病毒载体RCASBP,构建重组反转录病毒载体RCASBP-EGFP,之后将重组载体转染DF-1细胞;用基于禽白血病病毒(ALV) p27抗原的ELISA检测盲传至第4代的细胞上清,ELISA阳性结果说明重组病毒拯救成功;荧光显微镜观察发现80%以上DF-1细胞都有明显的绿色荧光信号,证明DF-1细胞表达绿色荧光蛋白;对DF-1细胞基因组进行特异性PCR检测,扩增出特异性条带说明重组反转录病毒载体RCASBP-EGFP携带的EGFP基因整合到DF-1细胞的基因组中。本研究建立的RCASBP介导反转录病毒表达体系为研究ALV基因的结构和功能奠定了基础。     

表达H5N1亚型禽流感病毒HA和NA基因的重组鸭瘟病毒的构建

利用PCR技术扩增出鸭瘟病毒(DPV)生长非必需的TK基因(约1.1kb),将其克隆入pGEM-Teasy载体获得载体pGTK。根据已知的绿色荧光蛋白载体pEGFP-C1的序列设计了一对引物,PCR扩增出pEGFP-C1上含CMV启动子、EGFP及其多克隆位点的完整的基因表达盒插入pGTK的TK上,获得质粒pGTK-EGFP。根据Genbank已发表的H5N1亚型禽流感病毒的血凝素(HA)和神经氨酸酶(NA)基因序列,设计了两对引物,分别从pT-HA和pT-NA两个质粒上扩增出HA和NA基因,克隆到pGTK-EGFP的表达盒的多克隆位点Kpn2I与SmaI之间,构建含EGFP及HA和NA基因的转移质粒载体pGTK-EGFP-HA-NA。将这质粒载体与DPV34F2疫苗毒共转染鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF),通过荧光方法筛选,获得了表达HA和NA基因的重组DPV(rDPV-HA-NA)。     

徐淮山羊PPAR基因克隆及其表达产物亚细胞定位的研究

研究旨在克隆徐淮山羊过氧化物酶体激活增殖受体(PPAR)基因的cDNA,并通过EGFP融合蛋白对该基因产物亚细胞水平定位。采用RT-PCR方法克隆徐淮山羊脂肪组织PPAR基因cDNA,并构建含有增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)报告基因的融合表达载体pEGFP-C1-PPAR,聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)介导基因转染NIH-3T3细胞,48h后荧光倒置显微镜下观察基因表达产物的分布,RT-PCR检测mRNA在体外水平的表达。结果表明:首次成功克隆出徐淮山羊PPAR基因的全序列cDNA,大小为1428bp,GenBank登录号为GU082382;构建了融合表达载体pEGFP-C1-PPAR;RT-PCR检测mRNA表达明显;EGFP-PPAR融合蛋白定位在NIT-3T3细胞质中。体外克隆的徐淮山羊PPAR基因cDNA,在单细胞水平上可表达于细胞质中,结果为进一步研究PPAR的生物学功能奠定基础。     

Identification of skeletal muscle satellite cells by transfecting EGFP driven by skeletal alpha-actin promoter

In isolating skeletal muscle satellite cells, sometimes a problem is encountered in removing contaminating nonmyogenic cells. In the present study, we constructed a novel vector, pSKA-EGFP, which achieves the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) exclusively in myogenic cells under the control of skeletal alpha-actin promoter when transfected to primary cultured cells from skeletal muscle. Cells from rat skeletal muscle positive for EGFP after transfecting with pSKA-EGFP were all positive for desmin and none of the nonmyogenic cells expressed EGFP, indicating that the expression of EGFP is specific to myogenic cells. Among the cells positive for EGFP were proliferating cells, presumably satellite cells. In addition, EGFP positive cells derived from horse skeletal muscle after transfecting pSKA-EGFP in vitro formed multinuclear myotubes, indicating that myogenic expression of EGFP driven by skeletal alpha-actin was achieved also in the equine cells. These results indicated that pSKA-EGFP vector will be useful in identifying and following up the satellite cells in real time, and also permit us to isolate satellite cells in combination with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).     

Marking of peripheral T-lymphocytes by retroviral transduction and transplantation of CD34+ cells in a canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency model

A retrovirus vector containing an enhanced green fluorescent protein complimentary DNA (EGFP cDNA) was used to mark and dynamically follow vector-expressing cells in the peripheral blood of bone marrow transplanted X-linked severe combined immunodeficient dogs. CD34(+) cells isolated from young normal dogs were transduced, using a 2 day protocol, with an amphotropic retroviral vector that expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and the canine common gamma chain (gammac) cDNAs. Following transplantation of the transduced cells, normal donor peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) appeared by 1 month post-bone marrow transplant (BMT) and rescued three of five treated dogs from their lethal immunodeficiency. PCR and flow cytometric analysis of post-BMT PBL documented the peripheral EGFP expressing cells as CD3(+) T cells, which varied from 0% to 28%. Sorting of EGFP(+) and EGFP(-) peripheral blood T cells from two dogs, followed by vector PCR analysis, showed no evidence of vector shutdown. EGFP expression in B cells or monocytes was not detected. These marking experiments demonstrate that the transduction protocol did not abolish the lymphoid engraftment capability of ex vivo transduced canine CD34(+) cells and supports the potential utility of the MSCV retroviral vector for gene transfer to XSCID affected canine hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC).     

利用CRISPR/Cas9腺病毒载体在鸡胚中进行基因敲入研究

为研究CRISPR/Cas9腺病毒载体在鸡胚中进行基因敲入的可行性,将包装不同滴度增强型绿色荧光报道基因(Enhance green fluorescent protein,EGFP)的腺病毒载体和慢病毒载体显微注射到HH14时期鸡胚的外周血管中,对胚胎发育至3.5 d和9d鸡胚存活、各器官中EGFP荧光强度等指标进行...     

徐淮山羊LPL基因克隆及其表达产物亚细胞定位的研究

旨在克隆徐淮山羊脂蛋白酯酶(LPL)基因的cDNA,并通过EGFP融合蛋白实现该基因亚细胞水平的表达定位.本研究通过RT-PCR方法克隆徐淮山羊LPL基因cDNA,并初步进行生物信息学分析,构建含有增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)报告基因的融合表达载体pEGFP-C1-LPL.聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)介导pEGFP-C1-LPL转染NIH-3T3细胞,48 h后在荧光倒置显微镜下观察,并用RT-PCR方法检测LPL mRNA在细胞内的表达.结果,成功克隆出山羊LPL基因1 530 bp长的cDNA,完整阅读框大小为1437 bp,共编码478个氨基酸,GenBank登录号为GU082383.信号肽区域预测结果表明LPL蛋白含有一小段信号肽序列,其可能性为100%.信号肽酶切割位置在第23和24个氨基酸之间,其可能性达到65.9%.成功构建融合表达载体pEGFP-C1-LPL,并且RT-PCR显示转染后LPL在mRNA水平上表达明显.EGFP-LPL融合蛋白定位在NIT-3T3细胞外和细胞膜部分.结果表明,首次成功克隆出徐淮山羊LPL基因cDNA;重组质粒pEGFP-C1-LPL构建成功,并在NIH-3T3细胞中明显表达.     

Production of a transgenic pig expressing human albumin and enhanced green fluorescent protein

We introduced a fusion gene of human albumin and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into porcine oocytes using the sperm vector method, and produced a piglet that showed clear expression of GFP in the hooves and skin. PCR and Southern blotting analysis of genomic DNA extracted from the piglet's tissues, including the liver, showed that the tissues carried the transgene. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that both the human albumin and EGFP genes were expressed in the tissues. The fact that human albumin gene was integrated and expressed in the liver of the transgenic pig opened a way for us to achieve our goal, which was the use of transgenic pigs for the bioartificial liver support system.     

PRRSV变异株ORF6基因与IL-18共表达真核质粒的构建及其表达

针对白细胞介素18(IL-18)基因和本实验室分离的PRRSVJL/07/SW毒株全基因序列,分别设计了2对特异性引物,扩增出IL-18基因和ORF6基因。将2个目的基因克隆于真核表达载体pEGFP-N1中,成功构建了重组真核质粒pEGFP-ORF6和pEGFP-IL18-ORF6,阳性质粒转染Marc-145细胞进行筛选。通过表达载体在转染细胞中的高效转染,增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)快速、准确的反映出阳性质粒在细胞质中的正确表达,再通过SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定构建的真核表达质粒pEGFP-IL18-ORF6的正确性。结果表明,ORF6基因和IL-18基因在Macr-145细胞中能有效表达。结论,所构建的真核质粒pEGFP-IL18-ORF6结构正确,能够在Marc-145细胞中高效表达,而且表达产物具有特异免疫学反应。     

Evaluation of permissiveness and cytotoxic effects in equine chondrocytes, synovial cells, and stem cells in response to infection with adenovirus 5 vectors for gene delivery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate host cell permissiveness and cytotoxic effects of recombinant and modified adenoviral vectors in equine chondrocytes, synovial cells, and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMD-MSCs). SAMPLE POPULATION: Articular cartilage, synovium, and bone marrow from 15 adult horses. PROCEDURES: Equine chondrocytes, synovial cells, and BMD-MSCs and human carcinoma (HeLa) cells were cultured and infected with an E-1-deficient adenovirus vector encoding the beta-galactosidase gene or the green fluorescent protein gene (Ad-GFP) and with a modified E-1-deficient vector with the arg-gly-asp capsid peptide insertion and containing the GFP gene (Ad-RGD-GFP). Percentages of transduced cells, total and transduced cell counts, and cell viability were assessed 2 and 7 days after infection. RESULTS: -Permissiveness to adenoviral vector infection was significantly different among cell types and was ranked in decreasing order as follows: HeLa cells > BMD-MSCs > chondrocytes > synovial cells. Morphologic signs of cytotoxicity were evident in HeLa cells but not in equine cells. Numbers of transduced cells decreased by day 7 in all cell types except equine BMD-MSCs. Transduction efficiency was not significantly different between the Ad-GFP and Ad-RGD-GFP vectors. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sufficient gene transfer may be achieved by use of an adenovirus vector in equine cells. High vector doses can be used in equine cells because of relative resistance to cytotoxic effects in those cells. Greater permissiveness and sustained expression of transgenes in BMD-MSCs make them a preferential cell target for gene therapy in horses.     

反转录病毒介导的稳定表达HIV-1Gag蛋白和增强型绿色荧光蛋白细胞系的建立

本研究旨在建立中国流行株人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)衣壳蛋白(Gag)哺乳动物稳定表达细胞系。将HIV-1核心蛋白基因gag和增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因EGFP依次串联插入反转录病毒载体pFB-neo,构建重组反转录病毒载体pFB-gag-EGFP,并与含有辅助病毒gag-pol和env基因的质粒pVPack-GP、pVPack-10A1共转染HEK293T细胞,包装出的反转录病毒感染小鼠骨髓瘤细胞SP2/0。荧光显微镜下观察绿色荧光蛋白EGFP表达,验证HIV-1核心蛋白Gag表达,G418抗性筛选阳性细胞。结果表明,HIV-1核心蛋白Gag和增强型绿色荧光蛋白可在SP2/0细胞中稳定表达,HIV-1核心蛋白gag基因稳定表达细胞系成功建立,为抗AIDS治疗用基因工程制剂及靶向药物的活性检测提供了理想方法。