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Updated: May 11, 2026
Virus Delivery of CRISPR Guides to the Murine Prostate for Gene Alteration
Published on: April 27, 2018
Enhancing HSP70-ShRNA transfection in 22RV1 prostate cancer cells by combination of sonoporation, liposomes and
Yun Hua Li1, Li Fang Jin, Lian-Fang Du
1Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai First People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Gene therapy is a potentially viable approach for treating hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), it requires efficient delivery systems and a target gene. Inducing carcinoma cell apoptosis by inhibition of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) overexpression has been emerging as an attractive strategy for cancer therapy. In our study, the high tumor-specificity of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (HTERT) expression prompted the use of an HTERT/cytomegalovirus (CMV) chimeric promoter to drive HSP70-ShRNA expression to induce HRPC 22RV1 cell apoptosis. At the same time, sonoporation induced by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) was utilized for delivery of plasmid loaded with HTERT/CMV promoter. Our results indicated the combination of sonoporation, low-dose liposomes and HTERT/CMV chimeric promoter as a delivery system has the potential to promote efficient gene transfer with lower cytotoxicity.
Insights
This study explores gene therapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Researchers used ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) to deliver a gene targeting heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), successfully inducing cancer cell apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gene Therapy
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) remains a therapeutic challenge.
- Targeting heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) overexpression is a promising strategy to induce cancer cell apoptosis.
- Efficient and targeted gene delivery systems are crucial for effective gene therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient gene delivery system for HRPC treatment.
- To utilize a tumor-specific promoter to drive the expression of a gene inhibiting HSP70.
- To induce apoptosis in HRPC cells via targeted gene therapy.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a chimeric promoter (human telomerase reverse transcriptase/cytomegalovirus) to drive HSP70-ShRNA expression.
- Employed ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) for plasmid delivery.
- Combined sonoporation with low-dose liposomes for enhanced gene transfer and reduced cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- The HTERT/CMV promoter effectively drove HSP70-ShRNA expression in HRPC cells.
- Sonoporation combined with low-dose liposomes facilitated efficient gene transfer.
- The developed system demonstrated the potential to induce apoptosis in HRPC cells with reduced toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The combination of sonoporation, low-dose liposomes, and the HTERT/CMV promoter is a viable strategy for gene therapy in HRPC.
- This approach shows potential for efficient gene delivery and targeted induction of cancer cell apoptosis.
- Further research may validate this method for clinical application in prostate cancer treatment.
