RESUMEN
Objective To construct lentivirus vectors carrying alphastatin gene, test its secretion expression in human umbilical vein endothelia cells (HUVECs) and observe its effects on growth, migration and tube formation of HUVECs. Methods We constructed recombinant lentivirus vectors of NT4-alphastatin fusion gene containing neurotrophin-4 signal peptide, pro-region sequences and alphastatin, then transfected the recombinant lentivirus vectors into HUVECs to obtain secretory protein alphastatin and test its anti-angiogenic activities in vitro. Results Our data showed that recombinant self-inactivating lentivirus vectors of NT4-alphastatin were successfully constructed, and stable NT4-alphastatin transduced HUVECs were capable of sustainably secreting alphastatin which significantly suppressed HUVECs migration and differentiation but not VEGF-induced proliferation. Conclusion This report represents the first time on the use of lentivirus-based vectors to deliver alphastatin, the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, and reveals the potential utility of anti-angiogenic gene therapy with lentivirus vectors for treating cancer.