Feasibility of lentiviral-mediated sodium iodide symporter gene delivery for the efficient monitoring of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation and survival

Bie Jia Jian Pill Combined with Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulates microRNA-140 to Suppress Hepatocellular Carcinoma Stem Cells

Background and Objectives

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with tumorigenic potential are reported as the crucial factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and therapy resistance. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are documented to play an important role in the protection of hepatocytes. Bie Jia Jian pill (BJJP), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used to treat liver fibrosis and liver cancer. This study aimed to explore the potential role of combined use of BJJP with BMSCs in HCC cell lines.

Methods and Results

Flow cytometry was used to identify BMSCs isolated from BALB/c mice and CSCs enriched from Huh7 cells by measuring CD24, CD133, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, CD29, CD14 and CD34. Differentiation potential of BMSCs was also determined. Cell viability and proliferation ability of CSCs were determined by CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay. The expressions of CSCs biomarkers and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway related proteins were determined by PCR and western blot. TOP-Flash/FOP-Flash luciferase assay was applied to measure the activity of β-catenin/TCF. Compared with untreated CSCs, BJJP or BMSCs treatment alone on CSCs lead to increased miR-140 expression and cell apoptosis, as well as decreased expressions of CD24, CD133, EpCAM and cell viability. Downregualted expressions of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway related proteins, Wnt3a and β-catenin were found in response to BJJP or BMSCs treatment alone. The combination of BJJP＋BMSCs treatment on CSCs could further enhance the suppressive effect on CSCs. Down-regulation of miR-140 in CSCs partially blocked the effects of BMSCs or BMSCs＋BJJP on the expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin as well as the cell viability and apoptosis of CSCs. Reversed expression pattern was found in CSCs transfected with miR-140 overexpression.

Conclusions

Taken together, we demonstrate that BJJP＋BMSCs together could further enhance the suppressive effect on CSCs through regulating miR-140 and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. This study demonstrated the potential of BJJP＋BMSCs in therapeutic treatment of HCC.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-mediated ultrasmall gold nanoclusters and hNIS gene synergize radiotherapy for breast cancer

The human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) can be linked to the downstream of radiation-sensitive early growth response protein1 (Egr1) promoter, and activated by the Egr1 following ¹³¹I treatment. However, the rapid outflow of ¹³¹I restricted the radiotherapy effect. To overcome this barrier, ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (usAuNCs) were used to enhance the radiotherapy efficacy of Egr1-hNIS for its radiation sensitization. In this work, we prepared "cell bomb" BMSCs carrying both GSH@AuNCs and Egr1-hNIS. We found that the "cell bomb" can target TNBC tumor and reach a maximum ¹³¹I concentration 9 h following ¹³¹I injection. Colony formation assay revealed that ¹³¹I, ¹³¹I combined with GSH@AuNCs could independently inhibit 39.5% and 66.4% of cell growth, respectively. Moreover, in vivo¹³¹I therapy further demonstrated that the growth of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) was controlled by BMSC-Egr1-hNIS + AuNCs group, with relative volume inhibition percentages of 56.16% (compared with the control group) and 36.20% (compared with the BMSC-Egr1-hNIS group), respectively. To summarize, we successfully prepared BMSC-Egr1-hNIS carrying GSH@AuNCs to target TNBC which could synergistically improve the efficacy of hNIS gene therapy.

Improved Noninvasive In Vivo Tracking of AAV-9 Gene Therapy Using the Perchlorate-Resistant Sodium Iodide Symporter from Minke Whale

The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is widely used as a reporter gene to noninvasively monitor the biodistribution and durability of vector-mediated gene expression via gamma scintigraphy, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron-emission tomography (PET). However, the approach is limited by background signal due to radiotracer uptake by endogenous NIS-expressing tissues. In this study, using the SPECT tracer pertechnetate (^99mTcO₄) and the PET tracer tetrafluoroborate (B¹⁸F₄), in combination with the NIS inhibitor perchlorate, we compared the transport properties of human NIS and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata scammoni) NIS in vitro and in vivo. Based on its relative resistance to perchlorate, the NIS protein from minke whale appeared to be the superior candidate reporter gene. SPECT and PET imaging studies in nude mice challenged with NIS-encoding adeno-associated virus (AAV)-9 vectors confirmed that minke whale NIS, in contrast to human and endogenous mouse NIS, continues to function as a reliable reporter even when background radiotracer uptake by endogenous NIS is blocked by perchlorate.

Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified Hybrid Baculovirus-Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Targeting 131I Therapy of Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma

Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Although significant progress has been made in surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the prognosis is still poor. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted substantial attention as tumor-targeted cellular carriers for cancer gene therapy. We have previously shown that recombinant baculovirus-adeno-associated vectors (BV-AAV) possessed high efficiency for multi-gene coexpression in human bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) and BV-AAV-engineered BMSCs could effectively target hypopharyngeal cancer tissues in vivo. However, it was not clear whether BV-AAV-engineered BMSCs as cellular vehicles, mediating the expression of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), would be effective in controlling the growth of hypopharyngeal carcinoma by radioiodine therapy. We constructed a hybrid BV-AAV containing the Luc-P2A-eGFP fusion or NIS sequence to modify BMSCs (BMSCs-Bac-Luc-P2A-eGFP or BMSCs-Bac-NIS). The ¹²⁵I uptake of BMSCs-Bac-NIS was analyzed by an automatic gamma counter in vitro and micro-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging in vivo. The value of radioiodine therapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma was evaluated by measuring tumor volume, glucose metabolism (via 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F] glucose [¹⁸F-FDG] positron emission tomography/CT), and proliferation of tumor cells. We demonstrated that ¹²⁵I uptake of BMSCs-Bac-NIS persists over long-term in vitro (at least 8 h). Radioactive uptake could be detected by SPECT/CT 1 h after ¹²⁵I injection in the BMSCs-Bac-NIS group, showing that this strategy allows for the tracking of real-time migration and transgene expression of BMSCs. Radioiodine therapy resulted in a significant reduction in tumor growth (386.93 ± 249.23 mm³ vs 816.56 ± 213.87 mm³ in controls), increased survival, and decreased SUVmax of ¹⁸F-FDG. The hybrid BV-AAV that can provide a variety of genes and regulatory elements, as a novel gene therapy strategy opens the prospect of NIS-mediated radionuclide therapy of hypopharyngeal carcinoma after MSC-mediated gene delivery.

Role of iodide metabolism in physiology and cancer

Iodide (I^-) metabolism is crucial for the synthesis of thyroid hormones (THs) in the thyroid and the subsequent action of these hormones in the organism. I^- is principally transported by the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and by the anion exchanger PENDRIN, and recent studies have demonstrated the direct participation of new transporters including anoctamin 1 (ANO1), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and sodium multivitamin transporter (SMVT). Several of these transporters have been found expressed in various tissues, implicating them in I^- recycling. New research supports the exciting idea that I^- participates as a protective antioxidant and can be oxidized to hypoiodite, a potent oxidant involved in the host defense against microorganisms. This was possibly the original role of I^- in biological systems, before the appearance of TH in evolution. I^- per se participates in its own regulation, and new evidence indicates that it may be antineoplastic, anti-proliferative and cytotoxic in human cancer. Alterations in the expression of I^- transporters are associated with tumor development in a cancer-type-dependent manner and, accordingly, NIS, CFTR and ANO1 have been proposed as tumor markers. Radioactive iodide has been the mainstay adjuvant treatment for thyroid cancer for the last seven decades by virtue of its active transport by NIS. The rapid advancement of techniques that detect radioisotopes, in particular I^-, has made NIS a preferred target-specific theranostic agent.

Tracing GFP-labeled WJMSCs in vivo using a chronic salpingitis model: an animal experiment

Background

The present study was conducted to evaluate the distribution of Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) and their repairing function on the oviduct.

Methods

WJMSCs were transfected with the LV3-GFP-PURO lentivirus. Female New Zealand rabbits (n = 24) were divided randomly into control A and B groups and experimental C and D groups to establish inflammation models. Sterile saline solution or WJMSCs were injected into rabbits via ear veins and/or genital tract perfusion once weekly for 3 weeks. All rabbits were humanely sacrificed 1 week after the last perfusion to collect the oviduct, uterus, liver, and bladder for examination. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and cytokeratin 7 (CK7) were imaged using a Leica Qwin Plus V3 fluorescence confocal microscope and analyzed as mean optical densities in an Image-Pro Plus analysis system.

Results

We found that lentivirus expressing the GFP gene produced an efficient transfection. The mean optical density values of GFP and CK7 in the oviducts were higher in the experimental D group than those in the control A and experimental C groups. No GFP fluorescence deposits occurred in the bladder of the control A group or experimental C group. Colocalization of CK7 and WJMSCs was observed in the oviducts in all groups.

Conclusions

WJMSCs exhibited homing characteristics and migrated to the injured oviduct to promote epithelial cell growth. Additionally, local treatment resulted in higher efficiency.

The Sodium/Iodide Symporter (NIS): Molecular Physiology and Preclinical and Clinical Applications

Active iodide (I^-) transport in both the thyroid and some extrathyroidal tissues is mediated by the Na⁺/I^- symporter (NIS). In the thyroid, NIS-mediated I^- uptake plays a pivotal role in thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthesis. THs are key during embryonic and postembryonic development and critical for cell metabolism at all stages of life. The molecular characterization of NIS in 1996 and the use of radioactive I^- isotopes have led to significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer and provide the molecular basis for studies aimed at extending the use of radioiodide treatment in extrathyroidal malignancies. This review focuses on the most recent findings on I^- homeostasis and I^- transport deficiency-causing NIS mutations, as well as current knowledge of the structure/function properties of NIS and NIS regulatory mechanisms. We also discuss employing NIS as a reporter gene using viral vectors and stem cells in imaging, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures.