The biologic behavior changes in dendritic cells after modification by hTERT gene / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the changes in biologic behavior of dendritic cells (DCs) after being modified by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. Methods In order to obtain the hTERT gene modified DCs, DCs were transfected with a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus expression vector of hTERT. Then the expression to hTERT and PCNA was assessed by by Western blot, mature markers on DCs surface were detected by flow cytometry, and the proliferative capacity was determined by MTT method. Results Immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting showed that the expression of hTERT was upregulated obviously in DCs after being modified by hTERT gene. Flow cytometry indicated that the expression of CD83 and CD86 remained unchanged. The DC growth curve showed that the number of DC-hTERT was increased slightly in the first 2 weeks, meanwhile the number of DC/rAd-LacZ and DC was decreased obviously. Although the number in 3 groups was all decreased in the third week, the number of DC/rAd-hTERT was still greater than the other control groups. It was also found that the expression of PCNA was increased in DC/rAd-hTERT compared with that of immature DC, mature DC or DC/rAd-LacZ by Western blot. Conclusion After rAd-hTERT modification, life span of DC in vitro is extended and proliferative capacity is enhanced.