Long-term functional assessment of encapsulated cells transfected with Tet-On system

In our previous study, xenogeneic mouse neuroblastoma cells bearing the POMC gene, the precursor of ACTH and beta-endorphin, were implanted within polymer capsules into the CSF space of rats. Although ACTH and beta-endorphin were secreted, we were not able to control the amounts or times of hormone release. A promoter that is inducible by administration of tetracycline derivatives (Tet) was linked to the POMC gene to control its gene expression (Neuro2A-Tet-On-POMC; NTP). The results showed that POMC gene expression in the implanted encapsulated NTP cells could be regulated in a dose-dependent manner by Tet administration to the hosts. However, no analysis of gene control with the Tet-On system over a long period has been performed. In this study, encapsulated NTP cells were treated in vitro with doxycycline (Dox) (1.0, 10, 100, 1000 ng/ml) continuously for a month. On day 4, the amount of ACTH secretion was dependent on the Dox dose. But in the course of the experiment, the difference of ACTH secretion among those treated with Dox 10, 100, and 1000 ng/ml was eliminated. On the other hand, NTP cells, which were treated with Dox (1000 ng/ml) just on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, secreted almost the same amount of ACTH in 24 h. From these results, for clinical use, an NTP cell line that secretes enough opiate to reduce pain sensitivity without Dox should be established, and Dox could then be administered if necessary.