In vitro and in vivo evaluation of benzathine foscarnet microcrystals as a potential intravitreal drug depot.

Sodium foscarnet is an antiviral drug against cytomegalovirus retinitis, and clinically it is used via frequent intravitreal injection which causes various ocular complications. Here we propose to use benzathine foscarnet in a new salt form with much lower aqueous solubility, and as a potential long-acting intravitreally injectable solid form for foscarnet. Benzathine foscarnet (1 : 1) microcrystals were synthesized and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The aqueous solubility of benzathine foscarnet was 14.2 mM, which is in between those of the currently-used sodium foscarnet and our previously-reported calcium foscarnet salt. In a rabbit model, the injected microcrystals last for about 3 weeks in the vitreous, suggesting its solubility and dissolution profile is appropriate for its intended use. However, the injected benzathine foscarnet microcrystals also caused adverse effects in vivo.

Construction, expression, and function of 6B11ScFv-mIL-12, a fusion protein that attacks human ovarian carcinoma.

We previously produced an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody, 6B11, which mimics ovarian cancer antigen CA166-9 and induces cellular and humoral immunity. Here, to enhance the immunogenicity of 6B11, we constructed the 6B11ScFv-mIL-12 fusion protein (FP), by fusing single-chain fragment of 6B11 variable region (6B11ScFv) with mouse interleukin-12 (mIL-12), which was expressed in eukaryotic 293EBNA cells transfected with pSBI vectors. A binding activity assay showed 6B11ScFv-mIL-12 to have activities of both 6B11 and mIL-12-it specifically bound both ovarian monoclonal antibody COC166-9 and rabbit anti-mouse IL-12 antibody. The immune activity assay showed 6B11ScFv-mIL-12 to promote proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin, increase the absolute numbers and percentages of CD3(-)/CD56(+) natural killer cells and CD3(+)/CD56(+) natural killer T cells among peripheral lymphocytes, and increase interferon-γ. The FP was specifically cytotoxic to the CA166-9(+) ovarian cancer cell lines HOC1A and SKOV3 and inhibited growth of ID8 subcutaneous tumors in C57BL/6J mice. This study provides an experimental basis for clinical use of 6B11ScFv-mIL-12 in ovarian cancer therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a fusion protein from an anti-idiotypic antibody and IL-12.

Production of transgenic mice expressing tumor virus A under ovarian­specific promoter 1 control using testis­mediated gene transfer.

The aim of the present study was to produce transgenic mice expressing tumor virus A (TVA) in the ovary under ovarian specific promoter 1 (OSP1) control. A transgenic mouse model was established in which TVA, an avian retroviral receptor gene driven by OSP1, was selectively expressed in the ovary. A recombinant plasmid containing TVA cDNA and an OSP1 promoter was constructed. The DNA fragment was repeatedly injected into male mouse testes at multiple sites. At 4­7, 7­10 and 10­13 weeks following the final injection, two DNA­injected male mice were mated with four wild­type female mice to produce transgenic mice. The transgenic positive rate in mouse F1 offspring was 39.69%. When the positive F1 individuals were mated with wild­type Imprinting Control Region mice (PxW) or with positive F1 individuals (PxP), the F2 individuals had a transgenic rate of 12.44%. The transgenic rates in the F1 offspring, produced following mating at the three time intervals, were 55.71 (39/70), 30.77 (4/13) and 18.75% (9/48), respectively. The transgenic rates of the F2 offspring decreased with the age of the F1 offspring, from 26.67% when PxP were mated at 6­8 weeks of age to 6.52% when PxW were mated at 5­6 months of age. The results indicate a high efficiency of gene transfer to F1 offspring using testis­mediated gene transfer (TMGT). The transgenic rate in the F2 offspring was lower than that in the F1 offspring. The results reveal that TMGT is suitable for creating transgenic animals among F1 offspring. Semi­quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results showed that TVA was expressed in the mice ovaries. The results demonstrate the importance of using the replication­competent avian sarcoma­leukosis virus long terminal repeat with a splice acceptor­TVA system in ovarian tumorigenesis research.

Progress in gene transfer by germ cells in mammals.

Use of germ cells as vectors for transgenesis in mammals has been well developed and offers exciting prospects for experimental and applied biology, agricultural and medical sciences. Such approach is referred to as either male germ cell mediated gene transfer (MGCMGT) or female germ cell mediated gene transfer (FGCMGT) technique. Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT), including its alternative method, testis-mediated gene transfer (TMGT), becomes an established and reliable method for transgenesis. They have been extensively used for producing transgenic animals. The newly developed approach of FGCMGT, ovary-mediated gene transfer (OMGT) is also a novel and useful tool for efficient transgenesis. This review highlights an overview of the recent progress in germ cell mediated gene transfer techniques, methods developed and mechanisms of nucleic acid uptake by germ cells.

Use of proteomic analysis of endometriosis to identify different protein expression in patients with endometriosis versus normal controls.

OBJECTIVE: To use proteomic techniques, including two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), Western blot, and mass spectrometry, to screen and identify proteins that were expressed differently in patients with endometriosis versus normal controls. DESIGN: First, we aimed to find a difference in the way serum and eutopic endometrial proteins were expressed in women with and without endometriosis. Second, we were interested in searching for endometriotic proteins, which were specifically recognized by sera from patients with endometriosis. SETTING: Collaborative investigation in an academic research environment. PATIENT(S): Consenting women of reproductive age taking no medications and with laparoscopically proven endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Surgical excision of eutopic and ectopic endometrial biopsy and phlebotomization of patients with endometriosis and controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Protein expression. RESULT(S): Thirteen protein spots from serum correlated with 11 known proteins and 11 protein spots from endometrium correlated with 11 known proteins were found differently expressed between women with and without endometriosis. Some proteins may be cytoskeletons, and some may be involved in the regulation of cell cycle, signal transduction, or immunological function. Three proteins, which were identified as vimentin, beta-actin, and ATP synthase beta subunit, hybridized significantly differently between endometriosis sera and normal sera. CONCLUSION(S): The data help to establish a human endometriosis proteome database and broaden our understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Further study of the proteins identified herein will assist in the eventual development of new diagnoses and treatments for endometriosis.

[Application of two dimensional electrophoresis,western blot and mass spectrum to screen markers of endometriosis].

OBJECTIVE: To find out markers of endometriosis. METHODS: The two dimensional gel images of proteins extracted from eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients and controls were analyzed by software Phoretix 2D,and the proteins expressed differently were identified primarily by query of data base. The proteins extracted from ectopic endometrium of ovarian endometriosis were transferred from two dimensional gel onto nitrocellulose membranes, followed by incubation with sera from women with and without endometriosis. Analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS, the proteins hybridized differently were identified through their Peptide Mass Footprints. RESULTS: Having compared the reproducible two dimensional gel images of proteins from eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis,we obtained 11 proteins expressed differently. Through Western Blot technique,we found three proteins hybridized differently which were identified as vimentin, beta-actin and ATP synthase beta subunit respectively. CONCLUSION: The protein expression spectra of eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis are significantly different from those of the controls, and the anti-endometrial autoantibodies against vimentin, beta-actin and ATP synthase beta subunit may be induced.