Impact of transfection with total RNA of K562 cells upon antigen presenting, maturation, and function of human dendritic cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination of dendritic cells (DCs) with tumor antigens is a potential strategy to induce tumor-specific immunity in tumor-bearing patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether human monocyte-derived DCs were able to present P210(Bcr-Ab1) protein and induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in vitro after transfected with total RNA of K562 cells (K562-RNA). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DCs derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were transfected with K562-RNA with electroporation or DOTAP lipofection. The successful transfection was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The phenotypes of the DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM), and cytotoxicity of CTL was assessed by propidium iodide staining followed by FCM analysis. The CD1a expression and purity of DCs were measured by FCM. RESULTS: The Bcr-Abl fusion gene was detected in the DCs with 24 hours after the transfection. The transfected cell expressed increased levels of CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR. Moreover, the transfected DCs strongly stimulated the T lymphocytes to gain cytotoxic activity against K562 cells. Culture medium containing 1 percent human plasma was the most effective for DC growth. CONCLUSION: Human DCs transfected with K562-RNA effectively induce specific immune responses. This method can be used to induce tumor-specific immune response and may have potential application in immunotherapy of tumors.

[Proliferation of natural killer T cells in umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood and their different phenotypes].

Purpose of this study was to establish an effective method in vitro to proliferate natural killer T (NKT) cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood (PB), and to study their different phenotype. Mononuclear cells (MNC) from UCB and PB were cultured in the presence of IL-2 (100 U/ml), with or without alpha-Galcer. TCR Valpha24 Vbeta11 double positive natural killer T-cells (NKT cells) and their other phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry. The results showed that after expansion for 7 days, TCRValphabeta(+) NKT cells from UCB-MNCs increased by (8.74 +/- 4.37) x 10(2) times as much, but most of them did not express NK1.1 and its TCR Vbeta11(+) was higher than TCR Valpha24(+). After expansion for 14 days, TCR Valphabeta(+) NKT cells from PB-MNCs increased by (3.72 +/- 2.01) x 10(2) times, the expression of NK1.1 was high and its TCR Vbeta11(+) was almost equal to TCR Valpha24(+). It is concluded that human TCR Valpha24 Vbeta11 double positive NKT cells can expand by addition of alpha-Galcer. The proliferation efficiency in UCB-MNCs is greater than that in PB-MNCs. Most of the UCB-NKT is NK1.1(-), while the PB-NKT is NK1.1(+), a new subset of NKT cells.

[Study on the targeting effects of M1-GS RNA on K562 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of M1-GS RNA (M1 RNA) on bcr-abl mRNA and oncoprotein after M1 RNA with guide sequence (M1-GS RNA) targeting the oncogene was transfected into K562 cells. METHODS: pAVGS4 (an eukaryocyte expression vector containing M1-GS RNA sequence) and pNAV-1 (as the control) were transfected into K562 cells by X-tremeGENE Q2. Total RNA was extracted at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after transfection. Then RT-PCR was done to compare the products at different time point. After collecting pAVGS4-transfected cells and the control cells at 48 and 96 hours after transfection, total protein was extracted and quantified. Change of P210 was determined by Western blot. Colony formation was analyzed at 96 hours after transfection. RESULTS: RT-PCR based on transfected cells at different time point showed that the amount of bcr-abl mRNA began to decrease at 24 hours and reduced to 9.2% and 2.5% respectively at 48 and 72 hours after transfection. Western blot showed that the expression of P210 in the pAVGS4 group reduced to 10.4% of the control at 48 hours and 6.7% of the control at 96 hours after transfection. The inhibition rate of colony formation was 81.3% after K562 cells were transfected by pAVGS4. CONCLUSION: pAVGS4 can efficiently destroy bcr-abl mRNA in K562 cells. The transcript level of bcr-abl mRNA was reduced with the time after transfection. The expression of P210 was decreased significantly at 48 and 96 hours after transfection. K562 cell colony formation was prominently inhibited.

[Experimental study of K562 cell apoptosis induced by siRNA].

OBJECTIVES: To construct a siRNA expression vector pBCR6 that produces siRNA against bcr/abl mRNA and detect apoptosis rate of K562 cells after pBCR6 transfection. METHODS: Template sequence for siRNA was designed, synthesized and inserted into an expression vector pSilencer1.0-U6. Restriction analysis and sequencing were performed to verify the pBCR6 vector. Then pBCR6 was transfected into K562 cells by X-tremeGene Q2. pSilencer1.0-U6 was used as the control. At different time point after transfection, apoptosis rate was determined by Tunel and Annexin V+ PI with FCM. RESULT: pBCR6 was verified by restriction analysis and sequencing. The apoptosis rate of K562 cells markedly increased at 48 and 72 hour after transfected with pBCR6, and increased in a time-dependent manner [the apoptosis rate of transfected K562 cells was (47.80 +/- 1.63)% at 72 hrs, whereas the control group was (6.67 +/- 0.37)%, P < 0.0001] No prominent change in apoptosis rate was found in the control. CONCLUSION: The siRNA expression vector against bcr/abl mRNA was successfully constructed. The pilot study showed that pBCR6 could effectively induce K562 cells apoptosis. siRNA may be a new tool for molecular target therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

[The biological activity of MHC classII transactivator ribonuclease P: a novel approach for hepatic transplantation rejection].

OBJECTIVE: This paper studied the effect of RNaseP against CIITA on repressing class II MHC (MHCII) expression. METHODS: It was constructed that M1-RNA with guide sequences (GS), recognizing the 629 site of CIITA (M1-629-GS), by PCR from pTK117 plasmid, then was cloned into psNAV (psNAV-M1-629-GS). CIITA target gene was obtained from Raji cell by RT-PCR, and then inserted into pGEM-7zf (+) (pGEM-800). psNAV-M1-629-GS and pGEM-800 were transcribed and then mixed up and incubated in vitro. Stable transfectants of hepatocyte with psNAV-M1-629-GS by nanometer were tested for MHCII induction by recombinant human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). mRNA abundance of CIITA was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: It showed that M1-629-GS could exclusively cleave pGEM-800 that formed a base pair with the GS. When induced with IFN-gamma, the expression of HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ on psNAV-M1-629-GS+ hepatocyte was (1.01+/-0.51)%, (4.37+/-1.28)%, (1.98+/-0.42)% respectively, was down-modulated 90.65%, 89.11% and 65.32% compared with control, while the mRNA content of CIITA reduced significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: M1-629-GS could effectively repress MHCII expressing through cleaving CIITA mRNA. These results provided insight into the future application of it as a new nucleic acid drug against the rejection of hepatic transplantation.

[Cloning and biological activities of riboenzymes against major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cloning and biological activities of riboenzymes against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transactivator (CIITA) so as to explore the feasibility of using hammerhead riboenzyme to create immune tolerance. METHODS: Three riboenzymes against MHC CIITA were synthesized and their activities were evaluated in vitro. Rz464, the riboenzyme with a better digestion effect, was inserted into the vector pIRES2-EGFP (then called pRz464). Human B lymphoma cells of Daudi line were cultured and transfected with pRz464 (then called pRz464-D). Cultured Daudi cells transfected with riboenzyme without the ability against CIITA (Rz-D) were used as control group. The expressions of classic MHC CIITA (HLA-DR, DP, and DQ) on the surface of Daudi cells before and after transfection were examined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expressions of HLA-DR, DP, and DQ on the surface of cultured Daudi cells (Rz-D) were 97.9 +/- 0.8%, 94.3 +/- 1.1%, and 54.4 +/- 3.1% respectively. The expressions of HLA-DR, DP, and DQ were inhibited by 88.4%, 83.5%, and 93.4% respectively on the surface of pRz464-D cells. CONCLUSION: The hammerhead riboenzyme Rz464 inhibits the expression of CIITA mRNAs, thus inhibiting the expression of MHC II molecules. It may be used in antigen-specific tolerance induction in allo-transplantation.

Repression of allo-cell transplant rejection through CIITA ribonuclease P+ hepatocyte.

AIM: Allo-cell transplant rejection and autoimmune responses were associated with the presence of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC II) molecules on cells. This paper studied the effect of Ribonuclease P (RNase P) against CIITA, which was a major regulator of MHCII molecules, on repressing the expression of MHCII molecules on hepatocyte. METHODS: M1-RNA is the catalytic RNA subunit of RNase P from Escherichia coli. It were constructed that M1-RNA with guide sequences (GS) recognizing the 452, 3408 site of CIITA by PCR from pTK117 plasmid, then were cloned into the EcoRI/BglII or EcoR//SalIsite of vector psNAV (psNAV-M1-452-GS, psNAV-M1-3408-GS) respectively. The target mould plate (3176-3560) of CIITA was obtained from Raji cell by RT-PCR, and then inserted into the XhoI/EcoRIof pGEM-7zf(+) plasmid (pGEM-3176). These recombinant plasmids were screened out by sequence analysis. psNAV-M1-452-GS, psNAV-M1-3408-GS and its target RNA pGEM-3176 were transcribed and then mixed up and incubated in vitro. It showed that M1-3408-GS could exclusively cleave target RNA that formed a base pair with the GS. Stable transfectants of hepatocyte cell line with psNAV-M1-3408-GS were tested for expression of class II MHC through FCM, for mRNA abundance of MHCII, Ii and CIITA by RT-PCR., for the level of IL-2 mRNA on T cell by mixed lymphocyte reaction. RESULTS: When induced with recombinant human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), the expression of HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ on psNAV-M1-3408-GS(+) hepatocyte was reduced 83.27 %, 88.93 %, 58.82 % respectively, the mRNA contents of CIITA, HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ and Ii decreased significantly. While T cell expressed less IL-2 mRNA in the case of psNAV-M1-3408-GS(+) hepatocyte. CONCLUSION: The Ribonuclease P against CIITA-M1-3408-GS could effectively induce antigen-specific tolerance through cleaving CIITA. These results provided insight into the future application of M1-3408-GS as a new nucleic acid drug against allo-transplantation rejection and autoimmune diseases.

[Major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator (CIITA) hammer- head ribozyme transfer inhibits major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) expression in Jukart cells].

OBJECTIVE: Graft versus host disease (GVHD), a major cause of graft failure in allo-hematopoietic cell transplantation, was associated with the presence of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), also called human leukocyte antigen (HLAII), on the tissues and organs of host. MHCII played a critical role in the induction of immune responses by presenting fragments of allo-antigenic peptides to CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes, then by resulting in CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes activation. Therefore, it was very important for compatibility of MHCII in allo-transplantation. But it was impossible to down-modulate MHCIIexpression directly. There were codominance and multiple allele for MHCII molecules which was owing to their complicated polymorphism, therefore it was difficult to repress every MHCII molecule expression. MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) was the major rate-limiting factor for both constitutive and inducible MHCIIexpression., and with rare exceptions, its expression paralleled that of MHCII transcripts. This study investigated the effect of anti-CIITA hammerhead ribozyme (Rz) on interferon (IFN)-gamma induced MHCII expression in Jukart cell line. METHODS: Three hammerhead Rz specific to 134, 218, 464 sites of CIITA gene were synthesized and named as Rz134, Rz218, Rz464, respectively. Then they were cloned into the EcoRI/BamHI of vector pGEM-7zf(+). CIITA target gene was obtained from Raji cell by RT-PCR, and then inserted also into the pGEM-7zf(+) plasmid. The above recombinant plasmids were screened out by sequence analysis. Hammerhead Rz and their target RNA were transcribed and then mixed up and incubated in vitro. The cleavage products were analyzed by PAGE and silver-staining. Rz464 was selected as the one with the highest activity, and then inserted into the plasmid with internal ribosome entry site-enhanced green fluorescent protein (pIRES2-EGFP), pRz464. Stable transfectants of Jukart cell line with pRz464 (pRz464-J) were tested for classic MHCII (HLA-DR, DP, DQ) induction by recombinant human IFN-gamma. mRNA abundance of CIITA was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: When induced with IFN-gamma, the expression of HLA-DR, DP, DQ in pRz464 positive (pRz464+) Jukart cells was 2.7%, 6.4% and 2.1%, respectively, and that in Jukart cells transfected by non-related ribozyme was 10.1%, 57.8% and 5.1%, respectively. Therefore, Rz464 suppressed IFN-gamma-induced up-regulation of HLA-DR, DP and DQ by 73.27%, 88.93% and 58.82%, respectively. Meanwhile, the mRNA content of CIITA was reduced significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CIITA hammerhead ribozyme transfer inhibited MHC-II expression in Jukart cells. The above result provided insight into the future application of anti-CIITA hammerhead ribozyme for the antigen-specific tolerance induction and anti-GVHD treatment in the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

[Inhibition effect of CIITA anti-sense cDNA on the expression of MHCII molecules of Hela cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibiting effect of classII major histocompatibility complex transactivator (CIITA) anti-sense cDNA on MHCII molecules expression. METHODS: CIITA antisense cDNAs (arII1, arII2 and arII3) were obtained from Raji cell by RT-PCR, and then inserted into the pcDNA3.1B plasmid. The stable transfectants of Hela cell were tested for CIITA protein by immunohistochemistry, and classic MHCII molecules (HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ) induction through recombinant human IFN-gamma by flow cytometry. mRNAs of CIITA, invariant chain and classic MHCII molecules were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The effect of arII2 was the best. When induced with IFN-gamma, the expression of CIITA protein was inhibited by 87.23%, and that of HLA-DR, -DP and -DQ was almost totally inhibited on arII2 positive Hela cells. The mRNA contents of CIITA, HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ and invariant chain were decreased significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: arII2 inhibits CIITA and thus the family of MHCIImolecules regulated by CIITA, therefore, it provides a novel approach to graft versus host disease study in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.