RNA干扰抑制马桑内酯诱导的大鼠星形胶质细胞Mdr1基因的表达

目的观察RNA干扰对培养的大鼠星形胶质细胞逆转P-糖蛋白介导的多药耐药现象的影响。方法用短发夹RNA表达载体p-SIREN shuttle质粒转染马桑内酯诱导表达P-糖蛋白的星形胶质细胞，荧光定量聚合酶链反应（PCR）测定Mdr1 mRNA的表达量，免疫细胞化学方法检测P-糖蛋白表达的变化，流式细胞术检测转染前后细胞罗丹明蓄积外排的变化。结果建立表达P-糖蛋白的星形胶质细胞模型，有效地将p-SIREN shuttle质粒转染该细胞模型。转染后实验组细胞Mdr1 mRNA水平被抑制达67．70％，P-糖蛋白表达明显低于对照组（P〈0．01），实验组P-糖蛋白作用底物罗丹明的细胞外泵出率（23．08％）明显低于对照组（78．35％，P〈0．01）。结论RNA干扰对马桑内酯诱导的星形胶质细胞Mdr1表达有明显抑制作用，并且在很大程度上逆转多药耐药蛋白的耐药作用。     

GAD65基因转染神经干细胞的实验研究

目的检测神经干细胞经谷氨酸脱羧酶（GAD65）基因转染并诱导分化后γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）的表达,为GAD65基因修饰神经干细胞移植治疗癫痫提供理论依据。方法采用新一代高效脂质体作为转染试剂的基因转导方法转染神经干细胞,通过免疫细胞荧光方法鉴定神经干细胞分化为GABA阳性神经元情况。结果采用脂质体转染方法能成功地将GAD65基因转染至神经干细胞中,转染的神经干细胞在分化第7天及第14天GABA阳性神经元分别占（31．9±4．2）％、（26．5±2．3）％,未转染的神经干细胞分化的GABA阳性神经元则分别占（28.4±1．9）％和（20．3±3．5）％,转染者与未转染者相比,分化的GABA阳性神经元百分比有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。结论采用脂质体基因转染技术,可以将GAD65基因转染至神经干细胞中,并促进神经干细胞分化为GABA神经元。     

神经干细胞转染酪氨酸羟化酶基因后的分化

目的 探讨神经干细胞（NSCs）转梁酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）基因后的分化。方法 从胚胎16天Wistar大鼠室管膜前下周围区分离、增殖、鉴定NSCs；将TH基因和缺陷性逆转录病毒载体N2A构建成真核表达质粒，以电穿孔将其转入PA317包装细胞内；收集PA317包装产生的逆转录病毒颗粒，感染体外培养的NSCs，经G418筛选，获得成功转染TH基因的NSCs克隆；分别以0.4ng/ml bFGF和5％胎牛血清诱导转染及未转染TH基因的NSCs分化，比较TH基因转染及不同诱导方式对NSCs分化的影响，同时在分化细胞内检测TH的表达。结果 以0.4ng/ml bFGF诱导可使95％以上的NSCs分化为神经元，而5％FBS诱导则大多分化为神经胶质细胞，无论是否转染TH基因，神经元及神经胶质细胞的分化比例不成生改变；TH基因转染后能在神经干细胞的子代细胞内高效、稳定表达。结论 TH基因转染不影响NSCs的分化潜能，TH能在神经干细胞的子代细胞中有效表达0.4ng/ml bFGF诱导可以促使NSCs分化为神经元。     

脊髓源星形胶质细胞GFAP表达抑制真核表达载体构建及最佳短发夹样RNA分子筛选

目的构建并筛选大鼠胶质原纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）表达抑制短发夹样RNA（shRNA）真核表达载体。方法针对GFAP基因全编码序列设计并合成三对9bp茎环结构、19bp干扰序列特异性shRNA模板，体外定向克隆构建特异性重组质粒真核表达载体；通过体外大鼠脊髓源星形胶质细胞GFAP表达抑制模型，脂质体介导RNA干扰分子转染，实时荧光定量RT—PCR及Wesem blot技术观察RNA干扰后原代星形胶质细胞GFAP表达抑制效果．筛选最佳GFAP表达干扰抑制真核表达载体。结果序列测定证实GFAP—shRNA重组质粒真核表达载体构建成功，三对shRNA模板在mRNA及蛋白表达水平抑制靶基因表达效率分别为81％、63％、56％。结论高效率的GFAP—shRNA真核表达载体在大鼠原代星形胶质细胞GFAP表达抑制模型中能高效抑制GFAP基因表达，为后续多靶点RNA干扰技术在脊髓损伤胶质瘢痕抑制基因治疗中的应用奠定了前期基础。     

大鼠GAD65基因慢病毒载体的构建及其在MSCs中的表达

目的构建谷氨酸脱羧酶65(glutamic acid decarboxylase 65,GAD65)重组慢病毒表达载体,感染间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)并进行鉴定。方法 PCR法扩增GAD65基因,构建LV5-GFP-GAD65慢病毒载体;与包装质粒共转染293T细胞包装病毒;将慢病毒感染大鼠MSCs,荧光显微镜鉴定转染率,Western blot检测GAD65的表达。结果双酶切及测序结果表明LV5-GFP-GAD65慢病毒载体构建成功;包装病毒产生的病毒液滴度为5×107TU/ml;慢病毒感染大鼠MSCs的转染率高于90%,Western blot结果显示GAD65蛋白表达比对照组明显升高。结论 GAD65重组慢病毒载体构建成功,包装得到高浓度病毒液,感染大鼠MSCs能稳定过表达GAD65蛋白,为进一步探索侧脑室注射基因化的MSCs治疗癫痫奠定实验基础。     

稳定低表达BAG3的胶质母细胞瘤U87细胞株的构建及鉴定

目的 探讨构建稳定低表达BAG3的胶质母细胞瘤U87细胞株的方法。方法 利用RNA干扰技术提取pEGFP-BAG3- shRNA质粒后采用ABI3130基因测序仪进行测序鉴定,将鉴定后的质粒分别转染到胶质母细胞瘤U87细胞株,利用嘌呤霉素筛选转染的U87细胞,通过RT-PCR、免疫印迹分析和免疫荧光染色等技术对转染后的U87细胞进行鉴定。结果 pEGFP-BAG3-shRNA质粒测序结果包含干 扰序列,筛选后的干扰组和对照组U87细胞转染效率分别为85%和93%,RT-PCR结果显示shBAG3质粒干扰组BAG3 mRNA表达量显著低于对照组（P<0.05）;免疫印迹分析及免疫荧光染色结果显示shBAG3质粒干扰组BAG3 蛋白表达量显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 本研究所构建的胶质母细胞瘤U87细胞株能稳定低表达BAG3,可用于后续BAG3在胶质母细胞瘤中的生物学作用及相关信号通路的研究。     

β-淀粉样蛋白对星形胶质细胞分泌组织蛋白酶B作用的研究

目的研究β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)对星形胶质细胞活性、形态学以及分泌组织蛋白酶B(CB)的影响。方法体外培养星形胶质细胞,采用免疫细胞化学方法对星形胶质细胞进行鉴定;观察加入不同浓度溶解状态的Aβ1-40后细胞形态学改变,采用四唑盐法检测细胞活性,Western blot法测定细胞上清CB表达水平。结果将不同浓度新鲜Aβ1-40加于星形胶质细胞分别培养24 h,各浓度Aβ1-40对星形胶质细胞活性均无明显影响(P0.05);随时间延长,经40～60μmol/LAβ1-40处理的星形胶质细胞逐渐出现肿胀、坏死;经15、20、25μmol/L Aβ1-40诱导的星形胶质细胞上清中检测到CB表达,随Aβ1-40浓度增高可见蛋白质显影增强且带形清晰。结论 Aβ1-40可激活星形胶质细胞并诱导其释放CB,提示Aβ激活的星形胶质细胞及其释放的CB可能在AD发病中起着一定作用。     

Conditionally immortalized cell lines, engineered to produce and release GABA, modulate the development of behavioral seizures

Transplantation of genetically engineered cells can provide sustained focal delivery of naturally occurring molecules, including neurotransmitters and growth factors. We have engineered immortalized mouse cortical neurons and glia to deliver GABA by driving GAD(65) expression. Engineered cell lines showed GAD(65) mRNA expression, enzymatic activity, and GABA release. In vitro, basal flux of GABA was approximately 20% of total cellular GABA. We transplanted these GABA-producing cells bilaterally into either the anterior or the posterior substantia nigra of 43 rats. The rats were subsequently kindled through an electrode placed in the entorhinal cortex. GABA-producing cells, but not beta-galactosidase-producing cells, affected kindling rates. The number of stimulations needed to reach the first stage-5 seizure and to achieve full kindling differed significantly between the anterior and posterior transplantation sites when GAD(65)-producing cells were transplanted but not when beta-galactosidase-producing cells were transplanted. Our data show that transplanted engineered cells can make and release GABA at physiologically meaningful concentrations.     

Conditionally-immortalized astrocytic cell line expresses GAD and secretes GABA under tetracycline regulation

We have engineered conditionally-immortalized mouse astrocytes to express beta-galactosidase or GAD(65) in a tetracycline-controlled fashion. The engineered cell lines, BASlinbetagal and BASlin65, divide at 33 degrees C but cease division at 39 degrees C. We carried out morphological and biochemical analyses to further understand GABA production and release, and to determine the suitability of these cells for transplantation. Using the BASlinbetagal cell line, we showed a dramatic regulation of beta-galactosidase expression by tetracycline. The BASlin65 cell line showed functional GAD(65) enzymatic activity and GABA production, both of which were suppressed by growth in the presence of tetracycline. When cultured in the absence of tetracycline, BASlin65 cells have a total GABA content equal to or greater than other GABA-ergic cell lines. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that GAD(65) had a distinct perinuclear localization and punctate staining pattern. GABA, on the other hand, showed diffuse staining throughout the cytoplasm. BASlin65 cells not only synthesize GABA, they also release it into the extracellular environment. Their ability to produce and release significant amounts of GABA in a tetracycline-regulated manner makes BASlin65 cells a useful cellular model for the study of GABA production and release. Furthermore, their non-tumorigenicity makes them excellent candidates for transplantation into specific regions of the brain to provide a localized and regulatable source of GABA to the local neuronal circuitry.     

Transplantation of M213-2O cells with enhanced GAD67 expression into the inferior colliculus alters audiogenic seizures

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of GABA-producing cell transplants on audiogenic seizures (AGS). The M213-2O cell line was derived from fetal rat striatum and has GABAergic properties. This cell line was further modified to express human GAD(67) and produce elevated levels of GABA. The present study compares the effects of parent M213-2O cell transplants with those of GAD(67)-modified M213-2O cells in AGS-prone Long-Evans rats. Two weeks following implantation of engineered cells, latency to AGS-typical wild running was increased compared to nonimplanted subjects. Survival of the transplanted cells was confirmed by immunochemical labeling of GAD(67) and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen. These findings support the use of GABA-producing cell lines to modify seizure activity.     

Transduction of human GAD67 cDNA into immortalized striatal cell lines using an Epstein-Barr virus-based plasmid vector increases GABA content

The M213-20 and M213-1L cell lines were immortalized from rat striatum using the tsA58 allele of the SV40 large T antigen, contain the GAD enzyme, and produce GABA (Giordano et al., 1994, Exp. Neurol. 124:395-400). Cell lines that produce large amounts of GABA may be useful for transplantation into the brain in conditions such as Huntington's disease or epilepsy, where localized application of GABA may be of therapeutic value. We have explored the potential use of the pREP10 plasmid vector, which replicates episomally, to increase GAD expression and GABA production in M213-20 and M213-1L cells. Human GAD(67) cDNA was transfected into M213-20 and M213-1L, and subclones were isolated with hygromycin selection. Immunochemical studies showed increased GAD(67) expression compared to the parent M213-20 and M213-1L cell lines. Staining for the EBNA antigen and Southern blots demonstrated that the pREP10 plasmid was stably maintained in the cells for at least 12-15 months in culture. Several clones were isolated in which GABA concentrations were increased by as much as 4-fold (M213-1L) or 44-fold (M213-20) compared to the parent cell lines or 12-fold (M213-1L) and 94-fold (M213-20) greater than rat striatal tissue (1.678 +/- 0.4 micromol/g prot). The ability of these cells to continue to produce large amounts of GABA while being maintained in culture for extended periods suggests that similar methods might be used with human cell lines to produce cells that can be transplanted into the brain to deliver GABA for therapeutic purposes.     

Glutamate-modulated production of GABA in immortalized astrocytes transduced by a glutamic acid decarboxylase-expressing retrovirus

Replication-defective Moloney murine leukemia virus expressing the GAD67 gene under the control of the GFAP promoter was produced using selected clones of a fibroblast-packaging cell line. A spontaneously immortalized astrocyte cell line was infected with this virus and cellular clones expressing GAD67 selected. Astrocyte and fibroblast clones expressed functional GAD (detected by glutamic acid decarboxylation), but only fibroblasts were able to also produce GABA in the extracellular medium. When exposed to 200 μM glutamate, despite an observed difference in the rates of glutamate accumulation in control and GAD67-expressing astrocytes, similar proportions of glutamate taken up were detected. In GAD67-expressing astrocytes, the glutamate was mainly converted into GABA, suggesting GAD transgene activity to be dominant over other glutamate metabolic pathways, such as glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase. Moreover, rapid GABA release into the cell medium was also observed, suggesting the involvement of reverse GABA transporters. The use of the GFAP promoter might be able to take advantage of its activation in response to factors inducing reactive gliosis observed in pathological insults. GAD67-expressing astrocytes might therefore be used for future grafting in pathological situations in which an excess of glutamate results in neuronal dysfunction or cell death. GLIA 22:86–93, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Role of TNF-alpha receptors in mice intoxicated with the parkinsonian toxin MPTP

Local application of GABA-potentiating agents can prevent or reduce the development and maintenance of behavioral seizures induced by limbic kindling in rats. Microinjection and lesion studies suggest that the transition zone between anterior and posterior piriform cortex (PC), termed here central PC, is a potential target for transplantation of GABA-producing cells. In the present study, we transplanted conditionally immortalized mouse cortical neurons, engineered with the GABA-synthesizing enzyme GAD(65), to the central PC of rats. Suspensions of 1.5 x 10(5) cells in 1 microl were transplanted bilaterally. Control animals received transplantation of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal)-expressing cells. All rats were subsequently kindled through a chronically implanted electrode placed in the basolateral amygdala. The pre- and postkindling threshold currents for eliciting behavioral seizures were determined before and after kindling. We found the prekindling partial seizure threshold to be significantly increased by about 200% in the rats that received the GABA-producing cells compared to rats receiving beta-gal-producing transplants. After kindling, the seizure threshold tended to be higher by 100% in rats that received GABA-producing cells, although the difference from controls was not statistically significant. GABA-producing transplants had no significant effect on the rate of amygdala kindling, but the latency to the first generalized seizure during kindling was significantly increased in animals receiving GABA-producing cells. The transplanted cells showed long-term GAD(65) expression as verified immunohistologically after termination of the experiments. The findings substantiate and extend previous findings that the central PC is part of the anatomical substrate that facilitates propagation from partial to generalized seizures. The data demonstrate that genetically engineered cells have the potential to raise seizure thresholds when transplanted to the central PC.     

Transduction of Human GAD67 cDNA into Immortalized Striatal Cell Lines Using an Epstein–Barr Virus-Based Plasmid Vector Increases GABA Content

The M213-20 and M213-1L cell lines were immortalized from rat striatum using the tsA58 allele of the SV40 large T antigen, contain the GAD enzyme, and produce GABA (Giordano et al., 1994, Exp. Neurol.124:395–400). Cell lines that produce large amounts of GABA may be useful for transplantation into the brain in conditions such as Huntington's disease or epilepsy, where localized application of GABA may be of therapeutic value. We have explored the potential use of the pREP10 plasmid vector, which replicates episomally, to increase GAD expression and GABA production in M213-20 and M213-1L cells. Human GAD₆₇ cDNA was transfected into M213-20 and M213-1L, and subclones were isolated with hygromycin selection. Immunochemical studies showed increased GAD₆₇ expression compared to the parent M213-20 and M213-1L cell lines. Staining for the EBNA antigen and Southern blots demonstrated that the pREP10 plasmid was stably maintained in the cells for at least 12–15 months in culture. Several clones were isolated in which GABA concentrations were increased by as much as 4-fold (M213-1L) or 44-fold (M213-20) compared to the parent cell lines or 12-fold (M213-1L) and 94-fold (M213-20) greater than rat striatal tissue (1.678 ± 0.4 μmol/g prot). The ability of these cells to continue to produce large amounts of GABA while being maintained in culture for extended periods suggests that similar methods might be used with human cell lines to produce cells that can be transplanted into the brain to deliver GABA for therapeutic purposes.     

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) drives constitutive production of glutamate decarboxylase in neural cell lines.

Many neurological disorders result directly or indirectly from the loss of inhibitory function. Engineering the production of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, may therefore be able at least partly to restore the lost inhibition seen in epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or Huntington's disease. In this article, we describe a set of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) that can deliver cDNAs encoding the GABA-producing enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), directly into neural cells. We have characterized these recombinant AAVs in several cell lines derived from the CNS. These recombinant AAVs effectively transduced all neural cell lines, although with different efficiencies. Transduction occurred in both proliferating and nonproliferating cells, but actively proliferating cell lines had approximately six times greater transduction efficiency than nonproliferating cells. Furthermore, these AAVs maintained long-term expression of GAD in an astrocytic cell line for at least seven passages. These recombinant AAVs are promising vehicles for investigating the potential therapeutic effects of GABA in animal models of epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.     

Benefits and risks of intranigral transplantation of GABA-producing cells subsequent to the establishment of kindling-induced seizures

Neural transplantation has been investigated experimentally and clinically for the purpose of developing new treatment options for intractable epilepsy. In the present study we assessed the anticonvulsant efficacy and safety of bilateral allotransplantation of genetically engineered striatal GABAergic rat cell lines into the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Rats with previously-established seizures, induced by amygdala kindling, were used as a model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Three cell lines were transplanted: (1) immortalized GABAergic cells (M213-2O) derived from embryonic rat striatum; (2) M213-2O cells (CL4) transfected with human GAD67 cDNA to obtain higher GABA synthesis than the parent cell line; and (3) control cells (121-1I), also derived from embryonic rat striatum, but which did not show GAD expression. A second control group received injections of medium alone. Transplantation of M213-2O cells into the SNr of kindled rats resulted in significant but transient anticonvulsant effects. Neither control cells nor medium induced anticonvulsant effects. Strong tissue reactions were, however, induced in the host brain of kindled but not of non-kindled rats, and only in animals that received grafts of genetically modified CL4 cells. These tissue reactions included graft rejection, massive infiltration of inflammatory immune cells, and gliosis. The anticonvulsant effect of M213-2O cells emphasizes the feasibility of local manipulations of seizures by intranigral transplantation of GABA-producing cells. On the other hand, the present data suggest that kindling-induced activation of microglia in the SNr can enhance immune reactions to transplanted cells. In this case, under conditions of further immunological stimulation by CL4 cells, transfected with a human cDNA, substantial immune reactions occurred. Thus, it appears that the condition of the host brain and the production of foreign proteins by transplanted cells have to be considered in estimating the risks of rejection of transplants into the brain.