[Effects of vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein on proliferation and apoptosis of mouse LL/2c cells]
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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
Published on: March 2, 2014
Ju-Mei Zhao1, Tao Liu, Jian-Rong Xu
1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
Background & Objective:
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), an oncolytic virus, is an attractive candidate for tumor therapy. Although previous studies showed obvious antitumor effects of VSV on human A549 and mouse LL/2c tumor models, the clinical application of a live virus is confronted with the problem of bio-safety. The matrix (M) protein of VSV is related to the antitumor effect of VSV. This study was to investigate the effects of VSV-M protein on the proliferation and apoptosis of mouse LL/2c tumor cells.
Methods:
A eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-M encoding VSV-M protein was constructed by molecular cloning technique, and analyzed by enzyme digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing, then transfected into LL/2c cells. The expression of VSV-M protein in LL/2c cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The effect of VSV-M protein on proliferation of LL/2c cells was assessed by MTT assay; its effect on cell apoptosis was assessed by DNA ladder and Hoechst 33528 staining.
Results:
A plasmid pcDNA3.1-M encoding VSV-M protein was constructed successfully and identified. After transfection, the expression of VSV-M protein was detected in LL/2c cells, morphologic changes of LL/2c cells was observed under microscope, inhibition rate of cell survival was 41.3% (P<0.05), DNA ladder was detected, apoptotic nuclei was observed.
Conclusion:
VSV-M transfection could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of LL/2c cells.
Insights
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) M protein effectively inhibited mouse tumor cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. This finding supports VSV-M protein as a safer alternative for oncolytic cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Molecular oncology
- Cell biology
Context:
- Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) shows promise for tumor therapy.
- Clinical use of live VSV is limited by safety concerns.
- The VSV matrix (M) protein is implicated in antitumor effects.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of VSV-M protein on mouse LL/2c tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.
- To assess the feasibility of using VSV-M protein as a therapeutic agent.
Summary:
- A plasmid encoding VSV-M protein was successfully constructed and transfected into LL/2c cells.
- VSV-M protein expression was confirmed via RT-PCR and Western blot.
- Transfected cells exhibited inhibited proliferation (41.3% reduction) and induced apoptosis, evidenced by DNA laddering and nuclear changes.
Impact:
- VSV-M protein demonstrates significant antitumor potential by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in LL/2c cells.
- This research offers a potentially safer alternative to live VSV for oncolytic cancer treatment.
