Salivary gland delivery of pDNA-cationic lipoplexes elicits systemic immune responses.

OBJECTIVE: To test the ability of two cationic lipoplexes, Vaxfectin and GAP-DLRIE/DOPE, to facilitate transfection and elicit immune responses from plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) after retrograde instillation into salivary glands. METHODS: Two pDNA expression vectors encoding either the influenza NP protein or human growth hormone (hGH) were complexed with the cationic lipid transfection reagents, GAP-DLRIE/DOPE or Vaxfectin, and delivered to the submandibular glands of rats. Samples from rats receiving the influenza NP protein pDNA and cationic lipoplexes were analyzed for anti-influenza NP-specific IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b in serum, and IgA in saliva, by an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte (CTL) assays were also performed. Transgene protein expression (hGH) was determined from extracts of submandibular glands of rats receiving hGH lipoplexes. RESULTS: Serum antibodies (IgG) against the NP protein developed and were highest in all rats vaccinated with GAP-DLRIE/DOPE or Vaxfectin. The major serum IgG subclass stimulated by this route of immunization was IgG2b, followed by IgG2a. CTL assay results showed statistically significantly higher percentage killing in the Vaxfectin group than controls (P < 0.05). No rats developed IgA antibodies to NP protein in saliva. Animals receiving plasmid encoding hGH and either lipoplex expressed significantly higher amounts of hGH compared with those receiving the hGH plasmid and water. Although hGH expression was higher in the animals receiving pDNA/Vaxfectin (approximately 30-fold > pDNA/water), the difference with those receiving pDNA/GAP-DLRIE/DOPE (approximately 10-fold > pDNA/water) was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde instillation of pDNA complexed with Vaxfectin into the salivary glands can stimulate cytotoxic and humoral responses to the influenza NP protein antigen. Optimization of the conditions required to stimulate humoral and secretory antibody formation may facilitate use of this tissue for specific clinical applications of pDNA immunization.

Electroporation-facilitated delivery of plasmid DNA in skeletal muscle: plasmid dependence of muscle damage and effect of poloxamer 188.

Electroporation has been reported to facilitate naked DNA gene transfer in skeletal muscle, but has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of electrical injuries. To assess the effects of electroporation on gene transfer, mouse quadriceps muscles were injected with the luciferase reporter plasmid VR1255 and electroporated with caliper electrodes. Intramuscular luciferase expression was increased 10- to 70-fold by electroporation, depending on the DNA dose and injection volume used. In the absence of plasmid DNA injection, electroporation of quadriceps muscles resulted in rapid elevations in serum creatine phosphokinase activity, but did not elicit visible muscle damage. However, in muscles injected with plasmid DNA and electroporated, visible lesions consistently developed in the areas proximal to electrode placement when field strengths optimal for gene transfer (300 volts/cm) were applied. The development of muscle lesions was independent of plasmid transgene expression and required the presence of plasmid in the muscle during electroporation. Co-injection of poloxamer 188 (pluronic F68) with VR1255 substantially reduced elevations in serum creatine phosphokinase activity following electroporation, but did not inhibit the development of muscle lesions. In non-electroporated muscles, co-injection of poloxamer 188 increased luciferase expression threefold. Poloxamer 188 may thus constitute a useful excipient for intramuscular delivery of naked DNA.

Vaxfectin enhances the humoral immune response to plasmid DNA-encoded antigens.

This report characterizes Vaxfectin, a novel cationic and neutral lipid formulation which enhances antibody responses when complexed with an antigen-encoding plasmid DNA (pDNA). In mice, intramuscular injection of Vaxfectin formulated with pDNA encoding influenza nucleoprotein (NP) increased antibody titers up to 20-fold, to levels that could not be reached with pDNA alone. As little as 1 microg of pDNA formulated with Vaxfectin per muscle resulted in higher anti-NP titers than that obtained with 25 microg naked pDNA. The antibody titers in animals injected with Vaxfectin-pDNA remained higher than in the naked pDNA controls for at least 9 months. The enhancement in antibody titers was dependent on the Vaxfectin dose and was accomplished without diminishing the strong anti-NP cytolytic T cell response typical of pDNA-based vaccines. In rabbits, complexing pDNA with Vaxfectin enhanced antibody titers up to 50-fold with needle and syringe injections and also augmented humoral responses when combined with a needle-free injection device. Vaxfectin did not facilitate transfection and/or increase synthesis of beta-galactosidase reporter protein in muscle tissue. ELISPOT assays performed on bone marrow cells from vaccinated mice showed that Vaxfectin produced a three- to five-fold increase in the number of NP-specific plasma cells. Thus, Vaxfectin should be a useful adjuvant for enhancing pDNA-based vaccinations.

Sodium phosphate enhances plasmid DNA expression in vivo.

Intramuscular injection of plasmid DNA results in myofiber cell expression of proteins encoded by the DNA. The preferred vehicle for plasmid DNA injections has been saline (154 mM sodium chloride) or PBS (154 mM NaCl plus 10 mM sodium phosphate). Here, it is shown that injection of luciferase or beta-galactosidase encoding plasmid DNA in a 150 mM sodium phosphate vehicle into murine muscle resulted in a two- to seven-fold increase in transgene expression compared with DNA injected in saline or PBS. When the DNA encoded secreted alkaline phosphatase, preproinsulin or interferon, sodium phosphate vehicle increased their serum levels by two- to four-fold. When the DNA encoded mouse erythropoietin, sodium phosphate vehicle increased hematocrits by two-fold compared with DNA injected in saline. When the DNA encoded influenza nucleoprotein, sodium phosphate increased anti-nucleoprotein antibody titers by two-fold. The expression of luciferase from plasmid DNA instilled into lung was increased five-fold compared with that in vehicle without sodium phosphate. Incubation of plasmid DNA with muscle extract or serum showed that sodium phosphate protected the DNA from degradation. Thus, a change from sodium chloride to sodium phosphate vehicle can enhance the expression of plasmid DNA in a tissue, possibly by inhibiting DNA degradation. Gene Therapy (2000) 7, 1171-1182.

An improved plasmid DNA expression vector for direct injection into skeletal muscle.

In previous work, the direct injection of 50 micrograms of a plasmid DNA vector encoding firefly luciferase (VR1205) into murine quadriceps muscle produced an average of 6.5 ng of luciferase per muscle at 7 days postinjection. In this report, various elements of the VR1205 vector were modified to increase gene expression levels or to eliminate undesired viral sequences. Expression of the modified vectors was then compared to VR1205 using the intramuscular injection assay. In general, modifications to promoter, enhancer, and intronic sequences either decreased luciferase expression levels or had no effect. However, modifications to the polyadenylation and transcriptional termination sequences, plasmid backbone elements, and the luciferase gene itself each increased luciferase expression levels. The best-expressing vector, designated VR1255, contained a combination of these incrementally beneficial changes. A single intramuscular injection of 50 micrograms of VR1255 produced 300 ng of luciferase at 7 days postinjection, an expression level 46-fold higher than the VR1205 vector (or 22-fold higher, excluding modifications to the luciferase gene) and 154-fold higher than a commercially available luciferase expression vector. Thus, VR1255 represents an improved plasmid DNA vector that may be useful for gene therapy applications.

Endotoxin stimulates expression of the murine urokinase receptor gene in vivo.

The regulation of urokinase receptor (u-PAR) gene expression during endotoxemia was studied in vivo with a murine model system. Northern blot analysis demonstrated relatively high levels of u-PAR mRNA in mouse placenta, with intermediate levels in lung and spleen and very low levels in heart and kidney. No u-PAR mRNA could be detected in liver, gut, thymus, brain, or skeletal muscle. Intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) increased the steady-state levels of u-PAR mRNA in most tissues examined. The greatest induction (sevenfold) was observed in the lung at 1 hour after injection. The cellular localization of u-PAR mRNA was assessed by in situ hybridization. In control mice, u-PAR mRNA was detected primarily in alveolar macrophages of the lung and lymphocytes of the spleen and thymus, although a specific signal was also present in other cell types. In general, endothelial cells lacked detectable u-PAR mRNA. The induction of u-PAR mRNA by lipopolysaccharide was apparent within 30 minutes and was localized to tissue macrophages, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells lining arteries and veins. At later times (1 to 3 hours), specialized epithelial cells present in gastrointestinal tract, bile ducts, and uterus were also positive for u-PAR mRNA. Induction of u-PAR in vivo by lipopolysaccharide may facilitate the extravasation and migration of leukocytes during inflammation.

Immunization with plasmid DNA using a pneumatic gun.

We characterize a method by which the Med-E-Jet pneumatic vaccination gun can be used to propel intact, supercoiled plasmid DNA through skin and into skeletal muscles of mice. Intramuscular injection of plasmids containing the firefly luciferase gene linked to the human cytomegalovirus promoter resulted in the expression of several hundred picograms of luciferase enzyme in quadriceps muscles. Intramuscular injections of a plasmid containing the influenza A nuclear protein gene regulated by the same promoter resulted in the generation of potent and specific anti-nuclear protein humoral and cellular immune responses. This convenient and rapid injection method would be well-suited for genetic immunization of humans.

Modulation of the fibrinolytic system by major peripheral ischemia.

PURPOSE: A rat model was developed to investigate the effects of acute peripheral ischemia on the components of the fibrinolytic system. METHODS: Laparotomy was performed and ischemia was introduced by total aortic clamping at a subrenal position. Control animals underwent sham laparotomy alone. Plasma and tissue samples were collected for analysis at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after operation. RESULTS: Functional assays of rat plasma revealed a dramatic and transient increase in tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity within 30 minutes of the onset of ischemia. A simultaneous decline in plasminogen activator inhibitor activity was observed. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested this initial increase in tPA activity resulted primarily from the release of stored tPA from ischemic vascular tissues. Northern blot analysis revealed that both tPA and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 messenger RNA levels were elevated at 60 to 120 minutes in well-perfused tissues distant from the ischemic insult. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these data demonstrate that acute peripheral ischemia results in a rapid and transient increase in plasma fibrinolytic activity, concomitant with the early release of stored tPA from ischemic vascular tissues. In addition, peripheral ischemia appears to stimulate both tPA and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene expression in well-perfused tissues at later time points, consistent with the existence of humoral mediators.

Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene expression following partial hepatectomy.

A murine model of partial hepatectomy (PH) was employed to investigate type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) gene expression in regenerating liver. Mice were anesthetized, and a portion of the left lobe of the liver was ligated and resected distal to the ligature, and at various times thereafter, total liver RNA was prepared and analyzed by Northern blotting. PH caused a transient increase in PAI-1 messenger (m)RNA that was apparent within 1 to 2 hours after surgery, was maximal at 8 hours (ninefold increase over sham-operated controls), and then slowly declined. Analysis of discrete liver segments demonstrated much greater induction of PAI-1 mRNA in the region adjacent to PH than in more distal regions. Further analysis of the adjacent tissue by in situ hybridization revealed that PAI-1 mRNA was induced primarily in hepatocytes in the transition zone created by the occluding hemostatic ligature between viable and necrotic tissue. Expression of PAI-1 mRNA could also be detected in this transition zone in capsular mesothelial cells, subcapsular hepatocytes, and venous endothelial cells bordering the area. A much weaker signal was evident in hepatocytes dispersed throughout the remaining intact lobes of PH mice, and no signal was detected in the livers of sham-operated mice. These observations suggest that PAI-1 may be of importance in local tissue remodeling events accompanying liver regeneration.

Murine tissue factor gene expression in vivo. Tissue and cell specificity and regulation by lipopolysaccharide.

Regulation of tissue factor (TF) gene expression was studied in vivo employing a murine model system. In untreated mice, TF mRNA was detected in brain, lung, kidney, and heart by Northern blot analysis. After administration of lipopolysaccharide, steady-state levels of TF mRNA were unchanged in brain, decreased in heart, and increased in both kidney and lung. In the brain, Bergmann glia within the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum and neuroglia within the cerebral cortex expressed TF mRNA by in situ hybridization. Epidermal cells of the skin and tongue also expressed TF mRNA. At present, we have not identified the cell type(s) in the kidney and lung responsible for increased TF gene expression. These results demonstrate tissue- and cell-specific TF gene expression in vivo. Lipopolysaccharide-mediated increases in TF expression in the kidney and lung may promote fibrin deposition in these organs during Gram-negative sepsis.

Cellular localization of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor messenger RNA and protein in murine renal tissue.

Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) may be markedly increased in the plasma of patients with endotoxemia and/or renal disease. To investigate renal PAI-1 production during acute endotoxemia, a murine model system was used. Mice were injected with either saline alone or saline containing 50 micrograms endotoxin, and sacrificed 3 hours later and their tissues analyzed for PAI-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and antigen. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the level of renal PAI-1 mRNA was greatly increased in the endotoxemic mice relative to the saline controls. In situ hybridization was then performed to determine the cellular localization of PAI-1 mRNA within the renal tissues. In the control kidneys, low levels of PAI-1 mRNA were detected in the renal papilla and in the muscular walls of renal arteries. However, in the endotoxemic mice, an intense hybridization signal for PAI-1 mRNA was observed in glomerular and peritubular cells. These cells also stained positively for von Willebrand factor antigen, an endothelial cell-specific marker. The PAI-1 mRNA hybridization signal could further be observed in peritubular endothelial cells in the medulla and in endothelial cells of veins and arteries throughout the kidney. Immunochemical analysis revealed that PAI-1 antigen co-localized to the cytoplasm of cells expressing PAI-1 mRNA. This study provides the first direct evidence that PAI-1 is induced in endothelial cells of the kidney during endotoxemia in vivo and suggests a role for PAI-1 in the pathogenesis of renal disease.

Increased type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene expression in atherosclerotic human arteries.

Decreased fibrinolytic capacity has been suggested to accelerate the process of arterial atherogenesis by facilitating thrombosis and fibrin deposition within developing atherosclerotic lesions. Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) is the primary inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator and has been found to be increased in a number of clinical conditions generally defined as prothrombotic. To investigate the potential role of this inhibitor in atherosclerosis, we examined the expression of PAI-1 mRNA in segments of 11 severely diseased and 5 relatively normal human arteries obtained from 16 different patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for aortic occlusive or aneurysmal disease. Densitometric scanning of RNA (Northern) blot autoradiograms revealed significantly increased levels of PAI-1 mRNA in severely atherosclerotic vessels (mean densitometric value, 1.7 +/- 0.28 SEM) compared with normal or mildly affected arteries (mean densitometric value, 0.63 +/- 0.09 SEM; P less than 0.05). In most instances, the level of PAI-1 mRNA was correlated with the degree of atherosclerosis. Analysis of adjacent tissue sections from the same patients by in situ hybridization demonstrated an abundance of PAI-1 mRNA-positive cells within the thickened intima of atherosclerotic arteries, mainly around the base of the plaque. PAI-1 mRNA could also be detected in cells scattered within the necrotic material and in endothelial cells of adventitial vessels. In contrast to these results, PAI-1 mRNA was visualized primarily within luminal endothelial cells of normal-appearing aortic tissue. Our data provide initial evidence for the increased expression of PAI-1 mRNA in severely atherosclerotic human arteries and suggest a role for PAI-1 in the progression of human atherosclerotic disease.

Detection of vitronectin mRNA in tissues and cells of the mouse.

Mouse vitronectin (Vn) was isolated from serum by heparin affinity chromatography. The purified protein (Mr 71,000) supported adhesion of mouse and human cells in an Arg-Gly-Asp-dependent manner and bound to type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor with kinetics similar to those observed using human and bovine Vn. To further characterize murine Vn and its biosynthesis in vivo, a mouse Vn cDNA was isolated from a liver cDNA library. The amino acid sequence of mouse Vn was deduced from the cDNA and was aligned with that of human Vn. Based on this alignment, mouse Vn was inferred to be 457 amino acids long and to have extensive (82%) homology with human Vn. Northern blot hybridization analysis of RNA from mouse tissues, using the mouse Vn cDNA as a hybridization probe, revealed the presence of a single transcript of 1.7 kilobases in mouse liver. Vn mRNA was not detectable in heart, lung, kidney, spleen, muscle, brain, thymus, testes, uterus, skin, adipose tissue, and aorta. The cellular localization of liver Vn mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization. Strong staining was observed only in hepatocytes, suggesting that these cells are the primary source of Vn in vivo.

Regulation of murine type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene expression in vivo. Tissue specificity and induction by lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta.

The regulation of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) gene expression was studied in vivo employing a murine model system. Nuclease protection analysis revealed relatively high concentrations of PAI-1 mRNA in the aorta, adipose tissue, heart, and lungs of untreated CB6 (BalbC X C57B16) mice. Treatment of CB6 mice with LPS, TNF-alpha, or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) increased the steady-state levels of PAI-1 mRNA within 3 h in all tissues examined. However, the greatest responses to TGF-beta were observed in adipose tissue and the kidney, while LPS and TNF-alpha strongly stimulated PAI-1 gene expression in the liver, kidney, lung, and adrenals. In C3H/HeJ mice, which exhibit defective TNF-alpha release in response to LPS, the response of the PAI-1 gene to LPS was severely attenuated. However, injection of these mice with TNF-alpha increased PAI-1 mRNA in a tissue-specific pattern strikingly similar to that observed in LPS-treated CB6 mice. These results demonstrate that the PAI-1 gene is regulated in a complex and tissue-specific manner in vivo, and suggest a role for TNF-alpha in the response of the PAI-1 gene to sepsis.

SPARC induces the expression of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.

SPARC, a Ca(2+)-binding glycoprotein that is expressed during tissue morphogenesis and functions as an inhibitor of cell spreading in vitro, was found to induce the secretion of an Mr = 45,000 protein in bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells. This protein was identified as type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) on Western blots with anti-PAI-1 antiserum. SPARC stimulated the secretion of PAI-1 protein into the medium of subconfluent BAE cells, but not confluent BAE cells, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Secretion of PAI-1 into the culture medium was progressive and exhibited an increase of 3- to 7-fold over control values within 24 h after the addition of SPARC. Levels of PAI-1 mRNA were elevated 2-fold within 4 to 24 h after the addition of SPARC and did not increase with higher concentrations of SPARC. Since the induction of PAI-1 mRNA by SPARC was not blocked by cycloheximide, de novo protein synthesis was apparently not required for this stimulation. Control experiments showed that the induction of PAI-1 was not due to contamination of the SPARC preparations with endotoxin. These data demonstrate that SPARC induces the biosynthesis of PAI-1 in BAE cells and suggest a role for SPARC in the regulation of fibrinolysis and in the control of proteolytic events in remodeling tissues.

Regulation of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene expression in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. Induction by transforming growth factor-beta, lipopolysaccharide, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEs) synthesize and secrete type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), an Mr 50,000 glycoprotein which inhibits both urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators. The synthesis of PAI-1 in BAEs is positively regulated by a variety of agents. To elucidate the mechanisms which govern expression of the PAI-1 gene, total cytoplasmic RNA was prepared from BAEs and analyzed by Northern blotting using a 1.3-kilobase (kb) human PAI-1 cDNA probe. Hybridization under conditions of high stringency revealed two bovine PAI-1 RNA species, 3.0 and 1.6 kb in length. The ratio of the two species was approximately 4:1. The 3.0-kb mRNA was bound by oligo(dT)-cellulose, whereas the 1.6-kb form was not, suggesting that the latter form lacked a poly(A) terminus. Treatment of BAEs with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) markedly enhanced the steady-state levels of both RNA species. In each case, increases were detectable within 1 h, and maximal effects (i.e. greater than 30-fold increase) were observed between 6 and 18 h of treatment, followed by a decline to near-basal levels by 48 h. The response to each of these agents was dose-dependent, with maximal induction observed at concentrations of 10 ng/ml TGF-beta, 10 ng/ml LPS, and 25 ng/ml TNF-alpha. Induction of PAI-1 mRNA by these agents was not blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis was not required. In fact, treatment with cycloheximide (2 micrograms/ml) alone also increased PAI-1 mRNA levels. Treatment with cycloheximide in combination with TGF-beta, LPS, or TNF-alpha further enhanced the accumulation of PAI-1 mRNA. Nuclear transcription run-on experiments indicated that these agents elevated the rate of PAI-1 gene transcription 20-30-fold and that gene template activity was temporally correlated with the accumulation of PAI-1 mRNA. These data are consistent with the conclusion that the observed increases in PAI-1 steady-state mRNA levels result from primary effects of these agents on the rate of PAI-1 gene transcription.