Characterization of infectivity of knob-modified adenoviral vectors in glioma

C P L Paul1, M Everts, J N Glasgow

  • 1Division of Human Gene Therapy, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.

Cancer Biology & Therapy
|August 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Gene therapy for malignant glioma shows promise using modified adenovirus vectors. Xenotype fiber elements from canine and porcine adenoviruses significantly enhanced gene transfer to glioma cells, offering a new therapeutic avenue.

Area of Science:

  • Oncolytic Virotherapy
  • Gene Therapy
  • Adenovirus Vector Engineering

Background:

  • Malignant glioma is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options.
  • Gene and virotherapy for glioma face challenges due to inefficient viral vector infection.
  • Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors are hindered by low coxsackie-adenovirus-receptor (CAR) expression on glioma cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To enhance adenovirus vector infectivity in human glioma cells using "xenotype" fiber pseudotyping.
  • To evaluate the gene transfer efficiency of adenovirus vectors with xenotype fiber knob domains.
  • To analyze the correlation between viral infectivity and tumor cell receptor expression (CAR and CD46).

Main Methods:

  • Genetic pseudotyping of adenovirus vectors with fiber knob domains from five "xenotype" adenoviruses (murine, ovine, porcine, canine).
  • Testing gene transfer efficiency in human glioma cell lines and primary patient-derived glioma tumor cells.
  • Assessing the expression levels of CAR and CD46 on tumor cell surfaces.

Main Results:

  • Adenovirus vectors displaying canine Ad or porcine Ad fiber elements demonstrated the highest gene transfer efficiency.
  • Significant enhancement of gene transfer was observed in both glioma cell lines and primary tumor cells.
  • Correlation analysis revealed relationships between viral infectivity and CAR/CD46 expression.

Conclusions:

  • "Xenotype" adenovirus vectors, particularly those with canine or porcine fiber elements, show potential for targeting human glioma.
  • Fiber pseudotyping with xenotype domains offers a strategy to overcome CAR-dependent entry barriers.
  • Modified adenovirus vectors represent promising candidates for future glioma gene therapy and virotherapy applications.

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