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Published on: July 30, 2018
In Vivo Tracking for Oncolytic Adenovirus Interactions with Liver Cells
Victor A Naumenko1, Daniil A Vishnevskiy1, Aleksei A Stepanenko1,2
1V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, 119034 Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
Hepatotoxicity remains an as yet unsolved problem for adenovirus (Ad) cancer therapy. The toxic effects originate both from rapid Kupffer cell (KCs) death (early phase) and hepatocyte transduction (late phase). Several host factors and capsid components are known to contribute to hepatotoxicity, however, the complex interplay between Ad and liver cells is not fully understood. Here, by using intravital microscopy, we aimed to follow the infection and immune response in mouse liver from the first minutes up to 72 h post intravenous injection of three Ads carrying delta-24 modification (Ad5-RGD, Ad5/3, and Ad5/35). At 15-30 min following the infusion of Ad5-RGD and Ad5/3 (but not Ad5/35), the virus-bound macrophages demonstrated signs of zeiosis: the formation of long-extended protrusions and dynamic membrane blebbing with the virus release into the blood in the membrane-associated vesicles. Although real-time imaging revealed interactions between the neutrophils and virus-bound KCs within minutes after treatment, and long-term contacts of CD8+ T cells with transduced hepatocytes at 24-72 h, depletion of neutrophils and CD8+ T cells affected neither rate nor dynamics of liver infection. Ad5-RGD failed to complete replicative cycle in hepatocytes, and transduced cells remained impermeable for propidium iodide, with a small fraction undergoing spontaneous apoptosis. In Ad5-RGD-immune mice, the virus neither killed KCs nor transduced hepatocytes, while in the setting of hepatic regeneration, Ad5-RGD enhanced liver transduction. The clinical and biochemical signs of hepatotoxicity correlated well with KC death, but not hepatocyte transduction. Real-time in vivo tracking for dynamic interactions between virus and host cells provides a better understanding of mechanisms underlying Ad-related hepatotoxicity.
Insights
Adenovirus (Ad) cancer therapy causes liver toxicity through Kupffer cell death and hepatocyte transduction. Real-time imaging reveals virus-macrophage interactions and immune responses, clarifying mechanisms of Ad-related hepatotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- * Hepatology and Immunology
- * Oncolytic Viral Therapy
Background:
- * Adenovirus (Ad)-mediated cancer therapy faces challenges due to significant hepatotoxicity.
- * Liver toxicity involves early Kupffer cell (KC) death and later hepatocyte transduction.
- * The intricate interactions between adenoviruses and liver cells remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the real-time dynamics of adenovirus infection and immune responses in mouse liver.
- * To elucidate the mechanisms underlying adenovirus-induced hepatotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- * Intravital microscopy was used to track adenovirus (Ad5-RGD, Ad5/3, Ad5/35) infection and host responses in mouse liver over 72 hours.
- * Analysis included Kupffer cell (KC) and hepatocyte interactions, neutrophil and CD8+ T cell involvement, and assessment of viral replication and cell death.
Main Results:
- * Adenovirus-bound KCs exhibited zeiosis, releasing viruses via membrane vesicles within minutes of administration.
- * Neutrophil and CD8+ T cell depletion did not alter infection rates or dynamics.
- * Hepatotoxicity correlated with KC death, not hepatocyte transduction; Ad5-RGD enhanced transduction in regenerating livers.
Conclusions:
- * Real-time in vivo tracking provides critical insights into adenovirus-host interactions and hepatotoxicity mechanisms.
- * Kupffer cell death is a key driver of adenovirus-induced liver toxicity.
- * Understanding these dynamics can inform the development of safer adenovirus-based cancer therapies.
