Plasmid transfection and retroviral transduction of porcine muscle cells for cell-mediated gene transfer

Cell-mediated gene transfer is a potential tool for studying muscle growth, but efficient genetic manipulation and implantation strategies have not been developed for pigs. The objectives of the present study were to determine methods for transient and stable incorporation of reporter genes into porcine muscle cells and to investigate their use for cell-mediated gene transfer in pigs. Porcine myoblasts and fibroblasts were isolated from muscle of 2-wk-old male pigs. Myogenic cell lines were identified using muscle-specific monoclonal antibodies, myotube fusion assays, and the presence of muscle-specific markers (MyoD and desmin). Four commercial cationic liposomes (lipofectAMINE, lipofectin, cellFECTIN, and DMRIE-C) were tested at different DNA:lipid ratios for their ability to transfect myoblasts and fibroblasts transiently with a luciferase reporter plasmid. LipofectAMINE resulted in the greatest (P < .01) transient luciferase activity for both cell types. Electroporation of cells for transient transfection resulted in less luciferase activity than cationic transfection. Stable transfections were conducted using a green fluorescence protein (GFP) reporter plasmid containing the neomycin resistance gene. LipofectAMINE transfection resulted in stable GFP expression in 1:16,000 myoblasts and 1:33,000 fibroblasts. Stable electroporation resulted in efficiencies that were significantly lower than established with cationic liposomes. Porcine cells were transduced with GFP using vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G pseudotyped retrovirus and resulted in efficiencies of 1:1.2 for myoblasts and 1:1.1 for fibroblasts. These results show that cationic liposomes are superior to electroporation for transfection, but retroviral transduction produced stable reporter gene expression in > 80% of porcine muscle cells. Transduced GFP-positive cells were separated from GFP-negative cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and implanted into 2-wk-old male pigs. On d 4, implanted muscles were removed and subjected to immunodetection of GFP protein. Fibroblast implantation resulted in limited GFP expression within muscle, whereas myoblast implantation resulted in GFP within muscle fibers. This suggests that cell-mediated gene transfer is possible in porcine muscle and may be useful as an approach for studying muscle growth in pigs.     

稳定表达犬细小病毒VP2结构蛋白的CHO-K1细胞系的建立

为构建犬细小病毒VP2基因分泌性表达细胞系,通过酶切将人CD5信号肽序列从质粒中切出,将其连接到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1A的多克隆位点上,构建成pcDNA3.1-CD5sp质粒。然后再通过PCR方法扩增犬细小病毒VP2基因,并将其插入到pcDNA3.1-CD5sp载体中CD5信号肽的下游,使其与CD5信号肽序列融合,构建成VP2基因的真核分泌型表达载体pcDNA-CD5sp-VP2。经脂质体介导转染细胞,后通过G418筛选,建立出稳定表达VP2蛋白的CHO-K1细胞系。测序结果表明,构建的犬细小病毒VP2基因的分泌型表达载体结构正确,表达载体经脂质体介导转染CHO-K1细胞,通过G418加压,筛选出稳定转染VP2基因的细胞株,经PCR检测证明VP2基因已经整合到细胞的染色体中;经RT-PCR、Westernblot分别检测VP2基因表达的mRNA和VP2蛋白,证明犬细小病毒VP2基因能够在CHO-K1细胞进行稳定性表达。这为下一步研究犬细小病毒VP2蛋白与宿主细胞的相互作用及VP2DNA疫苗奠定了基础。     

Establishment and characterization of canine rhabdomyosarcoma cell line CMS-C

A novel canine tumor cell line designated as the CMS-C cell line was established from pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) raised in the prostate gland of a 14-year-old intact male mixed-breed dog. CMS-C cells displayed the same immunohistochemical characteristics (positive for vimentin and desmin and negative for cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin) as the original tumor cells and express myoD1 and UCP3, known as striated muscle-specific molecules, as shown by RT-PCR assay. Therefore, the established CMS-C cell line appears to be of rhabdomyoblast cell origin. The CMS-C cell line established from pleomorphic RMS will be a useful tool for further studies about canine RMS.     

Immunolocalization of Intermediate Filaments and Laminin in the Oviduct of the Immature and Mature Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This study describes the distribution of vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA) and laminin in the oviduct of the immature and mature Japanese quail. The cytoskeletal proteins vimentin, desmin and SMA have been shown to be involved in cellular support, differentiation, migration and contractility. Laminin is a major component of basement membranes. Luminal epithelia in the infundibular and magnal regions of immature and mature birds exhibited strong vimentin immunoreactivity. Luminal epithelial cells exhibiting strong vimentin immunoreactivity were present in the isthmus and shell gland regions of only mature quails. Infundibular glandular grooves displayed strong vimentin immunostaining. In contrast, the glandular epithelia of the magnum, isthmus and shell gland were vimentin immunonegative. Fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells in the lamina propria of the oviductal regions studied exhibited strong vimentin immunostaining. Smooth muscle cells forming the tunica muscularis and vascular tunica media displayed strong desmin and SMA immunostaining. Strong laminin immunostaining was demonstrated in the basement membranes associated with smooth muscle cells, as well as in the basement membranes underlying the luminal and glandular epithelia. In conclusion, this study has shown that the immunolocalization of desmin, SMA and laminin in the oviduct of the Japanese quail is similar to that in the domestic fowl. However, differences in the immunoexpression of vimentin in the LE of the two avian species were shown to exist. In addition, the study has shown that the immunolocalization of vimentin in the Japanese quail varies depending on the oviductal region, as well as the developmental stage of the oviduct.     

Characterization of an antibody panel for immunohistochemical analysis of canine muscle cells

Immunohistochemistry is an indispensable tool in the assessment and characterization of lineage-specific differentiation of grafted cells in cell-based-therapy. This strategy is under investigation for the treatment of many muscle disorders and different animals such as dogs are used as models to study the tissue regeneration. The aim of the present study was to characterize an antibody panel for the analysis of canine muscle cells, useful in routinely processed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Overall, 12 antibodies (8 mouse monoclonal and 4 goat polyclonal), validated for use on human tissues tested for cross-reactivity on canine smooth muscle (bladder, intestine, and uterus), skeletal muscle and heart. Specific staining was achieved with eight antibodies, of which six were cytoplasmic markers (desmin, HDAC8, MHC, SMA, Troponin I and Troponin T) and two were cardiac nuclear markers (GATA-4 and Nkx-2.5). This antibody panel may be useful not only for the evaluation of cell-based therapies in muscle disorders, but also for the evaluation of canine soft tissue neoplasms in veterinary pathology.     

犬TfR胞外区密码子的优化、真核表达及与犬细小病毒VP2蛋白结合

为制备大量具有天然活性的犬胞外区可溶性转铁蛋白受体(sTfR),本试验通过密码子优化提高sTfR在真核细胞中的表达水平.利用RT-PCR方法从犬肝脏中扩增sTfR编码基因,依据该基因编码的氨基酸序列,参照人偏爱的密码子,对该基因进行密码子优化并由公司合成.利用peDNA3.1-CD5质粒分别构建野生型和密码子优化的sTfR基因真核表达载体,经磷酸钙介导使其在HEK293T细胞中进行表达,利用Western-blotting鉴定表达产物,通过ELISA检测重组犬sTfR蛋白与犬细小病毒VP2蛋白的结合活性.结果显示本试验扩增的犬sTfR基因与GenBank该基因序列的同源性为100%;通过在HEK 293T细胞中进行瞬时表达,结果显示密码子优化可以明显提高sTfR基因在HEK 293T细胞中的表达水平,提高了75%.同时表达的sTfR蛋白能够与犬细小病毒VP2蛋白进行特异结合,表明表达的重组sTfR蛋白具有天然活性.     

A protocol to guide development of a sensitive ELISA for canine erythropoietin

Background: The determination of canine erythropoietin (EPO) concentration is crucial for monitoring the effect of human recombinant (hr) EPO therapy in dogs with chronic renal failure. Current assays are not specific for canine EPO and not sensitive enough to detect physiologic EPO levels in dogs.
Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a simple and sensitive ELISA for canine EPO that could serve as a starting point for developing a commercially available assay.
Methods: The ELISA was based on a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) and a rabbit polyclonal antibody (pAb) using 2 different immunization techniques: gene electrotransfer (GET) to generate the pAb and multiple antigen peptides (MAPs) to generate the mAb. The ELISA was performed using both EPO obtained from HeLa cells transfected with an expression plasmid encoding canine EPO and canine plasma with known concentrations of EPO.
Results: The ELISA standard curve was linear for canine EPO concentrations of 7–66 mU/ml. Coefficients of variation were about 10%. No cross-reactivity between canine EPO and hrEPO was detected.
Conclusions: Using novel GET and MAP technology, we developed a sensitive and specific ELISA for canine EPO that can be used to guide future clinical applications for EPO detection and monitoring in dogs.     

Immunohistochemical detection of intermediate filament proteins in formalin fixed normal and neoplastic canine tissues.

Normal and well differentiated neoplastic canine tissues were immunohistochemically stained for keratin, vimentin and desmin intermediate filament proteins using commercially available monoclonal antibodies. Keratin was detected in 56 of 57 carcinomas, vimentin in 59 of 62 sarcomas and desmin in three of four muscle cell tumors. Most normal and neoplastic tissues expressed only one type of intermediate filament; exceptions were one hemangiosarcoma and one pulmonary carcinoma in which there was coexpression of vimentin and keratin proteins. Since immunohistochemical detection of intermediate filaments has tissue-specific distribution in the majority of well differentiated canine neoplasms, these stains may be useful in the differential diagnosis of anaplastic canine tumors. However, the monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratin which were tested in this study failed to detect intermediate filaments in liver, pancreas and salivary glands which suggests that these antibodies may also be unable to detect epithelial tumors derived from these tissues. In addition, in nine neoplasms, the normal tissues adjacent to neoplastic cells failed to stain for the intermediate filament normally expressed. When this occurs, evaluation of intermediate filament expression is invalid for the determination of tissue of origin of the neoplastic cells.     

Evaluation of a d-Octaarginine-linked polymer as a transfection tool for transient and stable transgene expression in human and murine cell lines

Poly(N-vinylacetamide-co-acrylic acid) coupled with d-octaarginine (VP-R8) promotes the cellular uptake of peptides/proteins in vitro; however, details of the transfection efficacy of VP-R8, such as the cell types possessing high gene transfer, are not known. Herein, we compared the ability of VP-R8 to induce the cellular uptake of plasmid DNA in mouse and human cell lines from different tissues and organs. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expression plasmid was used as model genetic material, and fluorescence as an indicator of uptake and plasmid-derived protein expression. Three mouse and three human cell lines were incubated with a mixture of plasmid and VP-R8, and fluorescence analysis were performed two days after transfection. To confirm stable transgene expression, we performed drug selection three days after transfection. A commercially available polymer-based DNA transfection reagent (PTR) was used as the transfection control and standard for comparing transgene expression efficiency. In the case of transient transgene expression, slight-to-moderate GFP expression was observed in all cell lines transfected with plasmid via VP-R8; however, transfection efficiency was lower than using the PTR for gene delivery. In the case of stable transgene expression, VP-R8 promoted drug-resistance acquisition more efficiently than the PTR did. Cells that developed drug resistance after VP-R8-mediated gene transfection expressed GFP more efficiently than cells that developed drug resistance after transfection with the PTR. Thus, VP-R8 shows potential as an in vitro or ex vivo nonviral transfection tool for generating cell lines with stable transgene expression.     

Cloning and antibody recognition analysis of the canine 5-lipoxygenase gene

5-Lipoxygenase cDNA was prepared from canine white blood cells revealing the full-length message using an oligonucleotide capping method. The sequenced 5-Lipoxygenase open reading frame revealed a 2031 base pair message encoding a 676 amino acid protein. The amino acid sequence showed mild variation with the presumed canine sequence, as well as differences in important residues of known phosphorylation observed in other species. The sequence had between 86 and 92% homology with other species, revealing a highly conserved sequence. Confirmation of gene product identity was achieved through transient transfection of the gene in a V5-Histidine tagged pcDNA 3.1 vector into a known canine cell line. Both V5 antibody and 5-lipoxygenase antibody confirmed the gene product using Western blotting and immunoflourescence.     

Epitope-tagged insulin-like growth factor-I expression in muscle

Development of a recombinant insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) that is distinguishable from its endogenous counterpart would provide a powerful tool for delineating the role of IGF in myogenesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to create an epitope-tagged IGF-I that retains biological activity and determine whether expression of this construct is possible in muscle tissue following direct DNA injection. Expression vectors were created that encoded porcine IGF-I containing a T7 (11-amino acid) epitope-tag (TIGF). Immunoreactivity of the purified recombinant TIGF was confirmed using monoclonal antibodies. Biological activity was evaluated by examining differentiation of myoblasts cultured with TIGF or transfected with TIGF plasmid DNA. Addition of purified TIGF to myoblast cultures stimulated (P < 0.05) muscle creatine kinase levels similar to insulin (10(-5) M). Likewise, transfection of L6A1 with TIGF DNA hastened (P < 0.01) differentiation compared to control pcDNA-transfected myoblasts. The integrity of the recombinant protein was confirmed using a sandwich-configured enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, recombinant TIGF DNA was injected in porcine muscle and the ability to detect TIGF protein was evaluated. TIGF expression was detected in muscle fibers of injected porcine muscle. These data show that a T7 amino acid tag placed on the amino terminus of the IGF-I protein remains intact during processing and does not interfere with the biological activity of the molecule. Use of this DNA construct is an excellent tool for investigating the role of IGFs in control muscle development and provides a model to investigate other regulators of animal growth.     

Vulvar lipoleiomyoma in a dog.

A vulvar neoplasm from a 5-year-old female Siberian Husky dog was removed surgically and examined histologically. Macroscopically, the neoplasm was firm, white, and measured 6 x 4 x 3 cm. Microscopically, the neoplasm was expansile, nonencapsulated, and composed of lobules of mature adipocytes ad-mixed with streams and bundles of well-differentiated smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells had strong diffuse cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin, and no immunoreactivity for cytokeratin or vimentin. On the basis of gross, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma was made. This is, to the author's knowledge, the first report of canine vulvar lipoleiomyoma.     

干扰lnc721对牛骨骼肌卫星细胞增殖与分化的影响

【目的】 探究对牛骨骼肌发育具有调控作用的长链非编码RNA （long non-coding RNA,lncRNA）,研究其在牛骨骼肌卫星细胞增殖期和分化期的表达量变化,为牛肌肉发育相关机制方面的研究提供参考依据。【方法】 选取实验室前期高通量测序获得的1条lncRNA （lnc721）,通过NCBI数据库和CPC网站分析其生物学信息并预测其编码能力,通过核质分离试验确定其亚细胞定位。设计并合成lnc721的siRNA转染牛骨骼肌卫星细胞,通过成熟的体外成肌细胞诱导分化模型培养牛骨骼肌卫星细胞并进行诱导分化。分别采用EdU试验、实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting分析lnc721在细胞发育不同时期表达量的变化情况。【结果】 lnc721位于牛全基因组的18号染色体上,其蛋白编码能力为―1.33129,主要定位于细胞质内。在干扰lnc721表达量后发现,EdU阳性细胞比率极显著上升,细胞增殖标志因子Pax7和Ki-67基因的mRNA表达水平极显著上调（P<0.01）;Western blotting结果进一步证明,干扰lnc721后极显著促进了Pax7蛋白的表达（P<0.01）,在细胞分化期干扰lnc721表达后,细胞分化标志因子MyHC基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均极显著下调（P<0.01）。【结论】 干扰lnc721表达可促进牛骨骼肌卫星细胞的增殖并抑制成肌分化进程。     

Autoantibodies to recombinant canine proinsulin in canine diabetic patients

Objective

To determine whether dogs with spontaneously-occurring diabetes mellitus demonstrate serological reactivity to proinsulin.

Sample population

Serum samples were collected from 15 newly-diagnosed diabetic, 15 insulin-treated diabetic and 15 non-diabetic control dogs.

Procedures

Canine proinsulin was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector to generate recombinant poly-histidine-tagged protein in Escherichia coli. A Western blotting assay was developed for detection of proinsulin autoantibodies in canine sera.

Results

Reactivity to canine proinsulin was detected in 3 of 15 control dogs, 8 of 15 newly-diagnosed diabetic dogs and 6 of 15 insulin-treated diabetic patients. Of these reactors, only 1 control dog, 1 newly-diagnosed diabetic dog and 3 insulin-treated diabetic dogs recognised porcine insulin by ELISA, suggesting that the remaining proinsulin reactors might have been recognising proinsulin-specific epitopes.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

This study suggests that proinsulin autoantibodies are present in a proportion of diabetic dogs. Further work is required to refine the assay and clarify the significance of these autoantibodies.     

The expression of intermediate filaments in canine mammary glands and their tumors

Monoclonal antibodies specific for different types of intermediate filaments (cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin and neurofilaments) were used to study the histogenesis of canine mammary glands and 57 canine mammary tumors by immunocytochemistry. The intra- and interlobular duct epithelium, acinar, and intralobular myoepithelial cells stained positively for cytokeratin. Peripheral ductal and acinar cells, as well as interstitial cells, stained positively for vimentin. A similar staining pattern was seen in adenomas, complex adenomas, benign mixed tumors, ductular carcinomas, and one myoepithelioma-like tumor. Additionally, cytokeratin positive cells were scattered interstitially in one single adenoma, most complex adenomas, some benign mixed tumors, complex carcinomas, and in the malignant mixed tumors. All stromal cells stained positively for vimentin. The fibrosarcomas were positive only for vimentin, while the following expressed both desmin and cytokeratin: epithelial-like cells in one adenoma, three complex adenomas, the myoepithelioma-like tumor, the single comedo carcinoma, two complex carcinomas, the single lobular carcinoma, one malignant mixed tumor, and three osteosarcomas. Epithelial-like cells in one adenoma, six complex adenomas, two benign mixed tumors, two complex carcinomas, the lobular carcinoma, and the malignant schwannoma stained for neurofilaments. Three tumors, one adenoma, one complex adenoma, and the lobular carcinoma expressed both desmin and neurofilaments in addition to cytokeratin and vimentin. The results show the expression of different types of intermediate filaments and indicate that there might be a stem cell origin in most of the canine mammary tumors.     

绵羊Myostatin基因真核表达载体的构建及在其原代成纤维细胞中的瞬时表达

Myostatin(MSTN)基因是胚胎期肌肉形成和出生后骨骼肌生长的主要调控因子之一,通过抑制肌细胞的扩增和分化而调控肌肉的生长和发育。为了进一步揭示MSTN在绵羊成纤维细胞中的生物学功能,采用RT-PCR从绵羊肌肉组织中扩增MSTN基因,将其cDNA终止密码子TGA删除,采用定向克隆技术连接到带有水母绿色荧光蛋白(AcGFP)报告基因的真核表达载体pAcGFP-N1中,构建融合蛋白重组质粒,经XhoⅠ/SacⅡ双酶切、测序鉴定后,用脂质体介导质粒转染绵羊原代成纤维细胞,观测荧光表达及用RT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测基因转录、蛋白质表达情况。结果表明,成功克隆绵羊MSTN基因,通过PCR方法在MSTN阅读框两端引入了XhoⅠ和SacⅡ克隆位点,成功构建pAcGFP-MSTN融合蛋白真核表达载体,重组质粒转染绵羊成纤维细胞24 h后在荧光显微镜下观察到绿色荧光,通过RT-PCR扩增出1138 bp的转录产物,并用Western blotting检测到78 ku目的蛋白的表达。本试验为研究MSTN基因在成纤维细胞和脂肪分化调控中的具体机制奠定基础。