Biological activities of a recombinant adenovirus p53 (SCH 58500) administered by hepatic arterial infusion in a Phase 1 colorectal cancer trial

The major focus of intrahepatic arterial (IHA) administration of adenoviruses (Ad) has been on safety. Currently, there is little published data on the biological responses to Ad when administered via this route. As part of a Phase I study, we evaluated biological responses to a replication-defective adenovirus encoding the p53 transgene (SCH 58500) when administered by hepatic arterial infusion to patients with primarily colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver. In analyzing biological responses to the Ad vector, we found that both total and neutralizing Ad antibodies increased weeks after SCH 58500 infusion. The fold increase in antibody titers was not dependent on SCH 58500 dosage. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) transiently peaked within 6 h of dosing. The cytokine sTNF-R2 showed elevation by 24 h post-treatment, and fold increases were directly related to SCH 58500 doses. Cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and sTNF-R1 showed no increased levels over 24 h. Predose antibody levels did not appear to predict transduction, nor did serum Ad neutralizing factor (SNF). Delivery of SCH 58500 to tumor tissue occurred, though we found distribution more predominantly in liver tissues, as opposed to tumors. RT-PCR showed significantly higher expression levels (P<0.0001, ANOVA) for adenovirus type 2 and 5 receptor (CAR) in liver tissues, suggesting a correlation with transduction. Evidence of tumor-specific apoptotic activity was provided by laser scanning cytometry, which determined a coincidence of elevated nuclear p53 protein expression with apoptosis in patient tissue. IHA administration of a replication defective adenovirus is a feasible mode of delivery, allowing for exogenous transfer of the p53 gene into target tissues, with evidence of functional p53. Limited and transient inflammatory responses to the drug occurred, but pre-existing immunity to Ad did not preclude SCH 58500 delivery.

CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as a statistically significant marker of disease recurrence and survival in transitional cell carcinoma patients

4544

Background: Superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is an immune-responsive tumor evidenced by immunotherapy trials with BCG demonstrating improved survival. In contrast, more advanced muscle-invasive TCC is not considered an immunologically active tumor. Yet, host immune functions that may have a clinical impact on the biologic activity of these more invasive tumors have not been systemically evaluated. CD8+ T-cells are responsible for cytotoxicity and potential tumor eradication by interaction with antigen plus human leukocyte antigens (HLA). A clear association between intratumoral CD8+ T-cells and clinical outcome has not been established in TCC. Methods: We performed pathological, immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analyses of 69 TCC patient samples that were obtained with appropriate informed consent on an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol. The samples were studied for pathological stage, tumor-associated antigen expression, class I HLA expression, and CD8+ intratumoral T-cells. Systemic CD8+ T-cells from one patient with positive CD8+ intratumoral T-cells were studied by tetramer analyses for reactivity against the NY-ESO-1 tumor antigen expressed on the patient’s tumor. Results: In a subset analysis, advanced TCC (pT2, pT3 and pT4) patients who had higher numbers of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) had a greater disease-free survival (p = 0.0002) and overall survival (p = 0.011) than similarly staged TCC patients with lower numbers of CD8+ TILs. In the multivariate analyses, CD8+ TILs (p = 0.04) and tumor stage (p < 0.001) were significant risk factors to predict overall survival. Furthermore, a CD8+ T-cell clone derived from one patient demonstrated strong recognition of the tumor antigen NY-ESO-1. Conclusions: This is the first report, to our knowledge, that CD8+ TILs is an important prognostic indicator for patients with advanced TCC. Investigational immunotherapy strategies to evoke CD8+ T-cell responses are warranted in patients with advanced TCC.

[Table: see text]

Development of a Compound-Specific Carbon Isotope Analysis Method for Atmospheric Formaldehyde via NaHSO3 and Cysteamine Derivatization

A novel method has been developed for the compound-specific carbon isotope analysis of atmospheric formaldehyde using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). The method allows the determination of the delta13C value for atmospheric formaldehyde at nanogram levels with higher precision and lower detection limit. In the present work, atmospheric formaldehyde was collected using NaHSO3-coated Sep-Pak silica gel cartridges, washed out by water, then derivatized by cysteamine of known delta13C value, and the delta13C value of its derivative (thiazolidine) determined by GC/C/IRMS. Finally, the delta13C value of atmospheric formaldehyde could be calculated by a simple mass balance equation between formaldehyde, cysteamine, and thiazolidine. Using three formaldehydes with different delta13C values, calibration experiments were carried out over large ranges of formaldehyde concentrations. The carbon isotope analysis method achieved excellent reproducibility and high accuracy. There was no carbon isotopic fractionation throughout the derivatization processes. The differences in the carbon isotopic compositions of thiazolidine between the measured and predicted values were always <0.5 per thousand, within the specifications of the GC/C/IRMS system. The present method was also compared with the previous 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatization method, and this method could be performed with lower analytical error and detection limit. Using this method, four 6-h ambient atmospheric formaldehyde samples were consecutively collected from 8 to 9 March 2005. The results showed that the delta13C values of atmospheric formaldehyde were different during the daytime and nighttime. This method proved suitable for the routine operation and may provide additional insight on sources and sinks of atmospheric formaldehyde.

Upper limits on a stochastic background of gravitational waves

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory has performed a third science run with much improved sensitivities of all three interferometers. We present an analysis of approximately 200 hours of data acquired during this run, used to search for a stochastic background of gravitational radiation. We place upper bounds on the energy density stored as gravitational radiation for three different spectral power laws. For the flat spectrum, our limit of omega0 < 8.4 x 10(-4) in the 69-156 Hz band is approximately 10(5) times lower than the previous result in this frequency range.

Geographic distribution, virologic and clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus genotypes in China

The significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes for the heterogeneity of chronic HBV infection and severity of liver disease is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and virologic characteristics of HBV genotypes in China and possible association with the diversity of liver disease. The study includes 1096 chronic HBV carriers from nine provinces in China. We collected clinical and laboratory data and analysed the HBV strains in sera by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and nucleotide sequencing techniques. The most common HBV genotypes were B (41%) and C (53%), while genotypes A and D were also found. A North-South divide was identified in genotype B and C distribution - genotype C was predominant in northern China, while genotype B was more prevalent in southern provinces. Patients with genotype B were younger than those with genotype C, and had a lower prevalence of HBeAg - 65%vs 72%, respectively (P = 0.03). However, the severity of liver disease did not differ significantly between patients infected with genotype B or C - neither when comparing liver function tests (1024 patients), nor hepatic inflammation and fibrosis (264 patients). Amongst 47 patients with genotype D (by PCR-RFLP), 37 (79%) were infected with a new subtype (designated Dc), having a recombination fragment from genotype C precore/core region. This is the first large-scale HBV genotype study from China and convincing documentation of the North-to-South gradient of genotypes C vs B in this country. HBV DNA recombination over the surface and precore/core genes increases the diversity of HBV strains and may have diagnostic and clinical implications.

Limits on gravitational-wave emission from selected pulsars using LIGO data

We place direct upper limits on the amplitude of gravitational waves from 28 isolated radio pulsars by a coherent multidetector analysis of the data collected during the second science run of the LIGO interferometric detectors. These are the first direct upper limits for 26 of the 28 pulsars. We use coordinated radio observations for the first time to build radio-guided phase templates for the expected gravitational-wave signals. The unprecedented sensitivity of the detectors allows us to set strain upper limits as low as a few times 10(-24). These strain limits translate into limits on the equatorial ellipticities of the pulsars, which are smaller than 10(-5) for the four closest pulsars.

Microenvironmental differences and changes in bilayers of unilamellar vesicles probed by spectroscopic and kinetic parameters

The UV/Vis absorption band maximum lambdamax of trans-4,4'-nitrophenylaminoazobenzene, the thermal isomerization rate constant kiso of its cis-isomer, the fluorescence intensity ratio of monomer and excimer, and the fluorescence lifetime of the excimer, respectively, of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane were determined as probes for polarity, water content, and viscosity, respectively, in unilamellar vesicles of di-n-alkyl-dimethylammonium bromides and 1,2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines. The dependence on vesicle size, the solvent (water or HEPES buffer/NaCl solution, each with H2O or D2O), and the temperature (20-60 degrees C) was studied. Apparent Arrhenius activation energies and kinetic solvent isotope effects (KSIE = kiso,H2O/kiso, D2O) were derived. Size and stability of the vesicles prepared by extrusion were controlled by dynamic light scattering. The probe properties clearly indicate the reversibly decreasing size of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide vesicles with increasing temperature but are insensitive against vesicles size variation in most other cases. In the temperature range of the main phase transition of the bilayers, changes of the microenvironment of the probes, and their changing position in the bilayer, respectively, are reflected by characteristic changes of their properties. Buffer/NaCl solution causes vanishing influence of the lipid chain but remaining difference between cationic and zwitterionic headgroups probed by means of kiso.

Electrorheological fluid under elongation, compression, and shearing

Electrorheological (ER) fluid based on zeolite and silicone oil under elongation, compression, and shearing was investigated at room temperature. Dc electric fields were applied on the ER fluid when elongation and compression were carried out on a self-constructed test system. The shear yield stress, presenting the macroscopic interactions of particles in the ER fluid along the direction of shearing and perpendicular to the direction of the electric field, was also obtained by a HAAKE RV20 rheometer. The tensile yield stress, presenting the macroscopic interactions of particles in the ER fluid along the direction of the electric field, was achieved as the peak value in the elongating curve with an elongating yield strain of 0.15-0.20. A shear yield angle of about 15 degrees -18.5 degrees reasonably connected tensile yield stress with shear yield stress, agreeing with the shear yield angle tested well by other researchers. The compressing tests showed that the ER fluid has a high compressive modulus under a small compressive strain lower than 0.1. The compressive stress has an exponential relationship with the compressive strain when it is higher than 0.1, and it is much higher than shear yield stress.

[Dynamic change of tumor necrosis factor and endothelin during perioperative period in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the dynamic changes of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) and endothelin (ET-1) during perioperative period in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to investigate their pathological significance so as to bring up feasible measure to increase therapeutic effect.

METHODS

Blood samples of 32 patients undergoing CABG with CPB were drawn before operation, induction period of anaesthesia, after aortic crossclamping and declamping, by the end of surgery, and 2 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours after surgery. The plasma TNF-alpha and ET-1 were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTS

(1) The plasma TNF-alpha level increased markedly after aortic crossclamping (18.3 ng/L +/- 3.4 ng/L vs 12.1 ng/L +/- 2.0 ng/L, P < 0.05) and went up to the peak value(22.4 ng/L +/- 3.6 ng/L) after aortic declamping, and then decreased. However, till 24 hours after operation, the TNF-alpha concentration maintained at a level higher than that before surgery (18.5 ng/L +/- 4.1 ng/L vs 12.1 ng/L +/- 2.0 ng/L, P < 0.05. After aortic declamping, during reperfusion of the lungs the TNF-alpha level was significantly higher than that after aortic crossclamping and before declamping (22.4 ng/L +/- 3.6 ng/L vs 18.3 ng/L +/- 3.4 ng/L P < 0.05). (2) The plasma ET-1 increased significantly after aortic crossclamping (146 ng/L +/- 20 ng/L vs 97 ng/L +/- 14 ng/L, P < 0.05) and went down after aortic declamping. Two hours after surgery, the plasma ET-1 increased again and reached the second height (134 ng/L +/- 19 ng/L), and then went down again and decreased to 92 ng/L +/- 18 ng/L 24 h after operation.

CONCLUSION

(1) Attenuation of inflammatory reactions mediated by TNF-alpha should be considered an important strategy for myocardial and lung protection. (2) During the perioperative period of CABG the plasma ET-1 level shows two peaks, occurring respectively after aortic crossclamping and 2 h after surgery, which may result from operation itself and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Unprotected oligosaccharides as phase tags: solution-phase synthesis of glycopeptides with solid-phase workups

[reaction--see text] N-Linked glycopeptides were synthesized from glycosyl asparagines containing unprotected oligosaccharides and other simple amino acids by an Fmoc method. The free oligosaccharide chains were used as phase tags to facilitate the product isolation by a precipitation method. Thus, while the elongation of glycopeptides was achieved in a solution of N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP), the product of each step could be precipitated by adding ether to the reaction mixtures. The strategy also eliminated the final step of carbohydrate deprotection in glycopeptide synthesis.

Treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate increases NMDA receptors in hippocampus and cortex

Our aim was to investigate if the memory-enhancing effects reported for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in rodents could be mediated through modulation of NMDA receptors. Using autoradiography we studied the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, administered for 5 days (30 mg/kg, i.p. twice a day), on NMDA binding sites labelled with [3H]dizocilpine ([3H]MK801) in rat brain. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate treatment significantly increased the [3H]MK801 binding sites in hippocampal areas (field CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus lateral blade and medial blade) and in cortex layer IV as compared to the control group. These results demonstrate for the first time the ability of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to increase the number of NMDA binding sites in rat brain, an action that could be of interest for therapeutic application.

Inclusion of the E3 region in an adenoviral vector decreases inflammation and neointima formation after arterial gene transfer

Adenoviral vectors are promising agents for vascular gene transfer. Their use, however, is limited by inflammatory host responses, neointima formation, and brevity of transgene expression. Inclusion of the immunomodulatory adenoviral E3 genes in a vector might prevent inflammation and neointima formation and prolong transgene expression. We compared 2 adenoviral vectors in a model of in vivo gene transfer to rabbit arteries. Both vectors expressed a luciferase reporter gene. One vector (AdE3Luc) contained the adenovirus early 3 (E3) region and the other (AdRSVLuc) lacked E3. Expression of E3 genes by AdE3Luc was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Arteries transduced with AdE3Luc had substantially and significantly less inflammation (fewer T cells and lower levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression) and decreased neointima formation 14 days after gene transfer. Luciferase expression from the 2 vectors was equivalent, however, at both 3 and 14 days after gene transfer. Expression of E3 had no systemic immunosuppressive effects, as measured by peripheral blood counts and by assays for serum antibodies to adenovirus. We conclude that expression of E3 significantly decreases adenovirus-induced arterial wall inflammation and neointima formation. Because inflammation and neointima formation are major barriers to the clinical application of adenoviral vectors, use of E3-containing vectors improves the promise of adenovirus-mediated arterial gene transfer.

Ganglioside GM2/GD2 synthetase mRNA is a marker for detection of infrequent neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow

GalNAcbeta1-4(NeuAcalpha2-3)Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1-Cer (GM2)/GalNAcbeta1-4(NeuAcalpha2-8NeuAcalpha2-3)Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1-1Cer (GD2) synthetase [beta-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase (GalNAc-T)] mRNA, which encodes a key glycosyltransferase for ganglioside GD2 synthesis, was assessed as a molecular marker for detecting metastatic neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow (BM). GalNAc-T mRNA expression by neuroblastoma cell lines (n = 15), primary untreated neuroblastoma tumors (n = 29), morphologically normal BM (n = 22), peripheral blood stem cells (n = 10) from patients with cancers other than neuroblastoma, and blood mononuclear cells from normal donors (n = 17) was assessed by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and electrochemiluminescence detection assay (RT-PCR/ECL). BM harvested from 15 neuroblastoma patients was tested before and after ex vivo immunomagnetic bead purging, and results were compared to immunocytological analysis of the same specimens. All neuroblastoma cell lines (mean, 653 x 10(3) ECL units) and primary tumors (mean, 683 x 10(3) ECL units) were positive for significant expression of GalNAc-T mRNA compared to normal blood and BM cells. The RT-PCR/ECL assay could detect GalNAc-T mRNA in 100 pg of total RNA, and in a mixture of one neuroblastoma cell among 10(7) normal BM or blood cells. Eight of 15 autologous BM cells harvested from patients with neuroblastoma had tumor cells detectable by immunocytology, and all 15 were positive for GalNAc-T mRNA. After ex vivo purging, none of the BM cells was immunocytology-positive, but six remained positive by the RT-PCR/ECL assay. GalNAc-T mRNA provides a specific and sensitive molecular marker for RT-PCR/ECL detection of infrequent neuroblastoma cells in BM.

Adenoviral delivery of human and viral IL-10 in murine sepsis

Adenovirus (Ad) gene therapy has been proposed as a drug-delivery system for the targeted administration of protein-based therapies, including growth factors and biological response modifiers. However, inflammation associated with Ad transduction has raised concern about its safety and efficacy in acute inflammatory diseases. In the present report, intratracheal and i.v. administration of a first-generation adenoviral recombinant (E1,E3 deleted) either containing an empty cassette or expressing the anti-inflammatory cytokines viral or human IL-10 (IL-10) was administered to mice subjected to zymosan-induced multisystem organ failure or to acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Pretreatment of mice with the intratracheal instillation of Ad expressing human IL-10 or viral IL-10 reduced weight loss, attenuated the proinflammatory cytokine response, and reduced mortality in the zymosan-induced model, whereas pretreatment with a control adenoviral recombinant did not significantly exacerbate the response. Pretreatment of mice with pancreatitis using adenoviral vectors expressing IL-10 significantly reduced the degree of pancreatic and liver injury and liver inflammation when administered systemically, but not intratracheally. We conclude that adenoviral vectors can be administered prophylactically in acute inflammatory syndromes, and expression of the anti-inflammatory protein IL-10 can be used to suppress the underlying inflammatory process.

[Transfusion transmitted virus infection in mother-to-infant transmission]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the perinatal infection of transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) in the mother-to-infant transmission and molecular evidence.

METHODS

TTV was examined in serum from 104 mothers and umbilical blood of their infants by a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction technique. TTV nucleotide sequences isolated from two sets of mother/infant pairs were analyzed.

RESULTS

The TTV detection rate was 13.46% (15/104), and it was 4.81% (5/104) in the umbilical blood of their newborns. Homology analysis was done by sequencing between positions 1,915 and 2,185 of the published TTV genome, Analysis of TTV sequences from the 2 pairs of mother and infant both infected confirmed a genetic link between the virus of the infected mother and their infected infants.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a possibility of vertical maternal-fetal transmission of TTV.

[Inhibition of HBV gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides using galactosylated poly (L-lysine) as a hepatotropic carrier]

OBJECTIVE

To study the specific inhibition of HBV gene expression by antisense oligonucleotide (ASON) targeted by galactosylated poly (L-lysine) (Gal-PLL).

METHODS

According to the results of direct sequencing of PCR amplified products, a 16 mer phosphorthioate analogue of the antisense oligonucleotide (PS-ASON) directed against the HBV U5-like region was synthesized and then linked with one liver-targeting ligand, the Gal-PLL. Using the 2.2.15 cells compared the effect of them on the expression of HBV gene.

RESULTS

We identified that HBV DNA in the 2.2.15 cells was from HBV with surface antigen subtype ayw2 by sequencing. The fluorescent histochemistry test indicted that Gal-PLL had a selective affinity to the rat liver tissues. A 2:1 molar ratio of the Gal-PLL to DNA optimized the complex formation. In the same experimental conditions, the inhibitory effects of HBsAg and HBeAg by PS-ASON were 70% and 58%, respectively at a concentration of 10 mumol/L, while by ligand-PS-ASON were 96% and 82%, respectively, and the amount of HBV DNA in culture supernatant and cells was depressed significantly. An unrelated sequence oligonucleotide showed no effectiveness. All the oligonucleotide had no cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Antisense oligonucleotides complex with the liver-targeting ligand can be targeted to cells via asialoglycoprotein receptors resulting in specific inhibition of HBV gene expression and replication.

Human ITCH is a coregulator of the hematopoietic transcription factor NF-E2

We have cloned a new protein that interacts with the hematopoietic DNA-binding transcription factor, p45/NF-E2, by screening a human erythroleukemia cell cDNA library with the yeast two-hybrid approach. Predicted peptide sequence and chromosomal mapping identified the cloned molecule to be the product of the human ortholog of the mouse Itch gene, which has been implicated previously in the regulation of growth and differentiation of erythroid and lymphoid cells. Transfection experiments indicate that this human ITCH protein can act as a transcriptional corepressor of p45/NF-E2. Our data provide novel insights into the functional roles of the mammalian ITCH proteins in the development of hematopoietic cell lineages.

PTEN controls tumor-induced angiogenesis

Mutations of the tumor suppressor PTEN, a phosphatase with specificity for 3-phosphorylated inositol phospholipids, accompany progression of brain tumors from benign to the most malignant forms. Tumor progression, particularly in aggressive and malignant tumors, is associated with the induction of angiogenesis, a process termed the angiogenic switch. Therefore, we tested whether PTEN regulates tumor progression by modulating angiogenesis. U87MG glioma cells stably reconstituted with PTEN cDNA were tested for growth in a nude mouse orthotopic brain tumor model. We observed that the reconstitution of wild-type PTEN had no effect on in vitro proliferation but dramatically decreased tumor growth in vivo and prolonged survival in mice implanted intracranially with these tumor cells. PTEN reconstitution diminished phosphorylation of AKT within the PTEN-reconstituted tumor, induced thrombospondin 1 expression, and suppressed angiogenic activity. These effects were not observed in tumors reconstituted with a lipid phosphatase inactive G129E mutant of PTEN, a result that provides evidence that the lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN regulates the angiogenic response in vivo. These data provide evidence that PTEN regulates tumor-induced angiogenesis and the progression of gliomas to a malignant phenotype via the regulation of phosphoinositide-dependent signals.