Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 2, 2013
Human urinary bladder carcinomas express adenovirus attachment and internalization receptors
A Loskog1, T Hedlund, K Wester
1Clinical Immunology Division, Rudbeck Laboratory, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
The use of adenoviral vectors as potent gene delivery systems requires expression of the Coxsackievirus/adenovirus receptor (CVADR) on the target cell surface. This receptor is important for virus attachment to the cell surface. For effective internalization of the vector into the target cell the integrins alpha(v)beta(3) and/or alpha(v)beta(5) are needed. Since there have been reports of loss of CVADR in bladder cancer cell lines, we wanted to investigate the expression of this receptor in bladder carcinoma biopsies. Surgical biopsies, as well as five human bladder cancer cell lines, were analyzed for expression of CVADR, the integrins alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) and MHC class I. Further, we studied the ability to transduce these cell lines using adenoviral vectors. Immunohistochemistry revealed that all biopsies (27/27) were positive for CVADR. Some variation in expression was evident, and superficially growing tumors stained more strongly than invasive ones. Most human tumors expressed the integrin alpha(v)beta(5) (14/24), whereas integrin alpha(v)beta(3) was less frequently seen (3/20). The established cell lines were efficiently transduced with adenoviral vectors, and transduction could be reduced with anti-CVADR antibodies. The abundance of appropriate viral receptors on tumor biopsy cells is a further argument for using adenoviral vectors in gene therapy of bladder cancer.
Insights
Adenoviral vectors require the Coxsackievirus/adenovirus receptor (CVADR) for gene delivery. Bladder cancer biopsies show abundant CVADR, supporting adenoviral vector use in gene therapy for bladder cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Adenoviral vectors are potent gene delivery systems.
- Effective gene delivery requires Coxsackievirus/adenovirus receptor (CVADR) and integrins on target cells.
- Previous reports indicated potential loss of CVADR in bladder cancer cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CVADR and specific integrins in bladder carcinoma biopsies.
- To assess the suitability of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy in bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze surgical biopsies and bladder cancer cell lines for CVADR, integrins alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5), and MHC class I expression.
- Transduction efficiency of adenoviral vectors in cell lines was evaluated.
- The effect of anti-CVADR antibodies on transduction was studied.
Main Results:
- All analyzed bladder cancer biopsies (27/27) expressed CVADR, with higher expression in superficial tumors compared to invasive ones.
- Integrin alpha(v)beta(5) was expressed in most tumors (14/24), while alpha(v)beta(3) was less common (3/20).
- Established bladder cancer cell lines demonstrated efficient transduction with adenoviral vectors, which was inhibitable by anti-CVADR antibodies.
Conclusions:
- The consistent expression of CVADR in bladder cancer biopsies supports the use of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy.
- The presence of necessary viral receptors on tumor cells is a key factor for successful adenoviral vector-mediated gene delivery in bladder cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
01:24Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...