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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Rescue of Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus from cDNA
Published on: October 11, 2013
Chimeric Newcastle Disease Virus Vectors Expressing Human IFN-γ Mediate Target Immune Responses and Enable
Rofaida Mostafa Soliman1,2, Keisuke Nishioka1, Tomo Daidoji1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
Abstract:
The therapeutic potential of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been reported as both an oncolytic agent and a vaccine vector against many antigens. However, in the individuals already immunized with NDVs, second and subsequent administration does not provide substantial benefits. In this study, two types of recombinant chimeric NDVs using APMV-2 F and HN genes were generated. In rNDV-2HN, the wild-type NDV HN gene was replaced with the APMV-2 HN gene, and in rNDV-2F/2HN, both wild-type F and HN genes were replaced with APMV-2 F and HN genes, respectively. We enhanced the immune responses of these chimeric viruses by inserting the human IFN-γ gene. To examine the escape from NDV antiserum, each virus was treated with diluted NDV antiserum, and HEp-2 cells were infected with these virus particles. The two constructed chimeric viruses indicated notably lower virus-neutralizing titer compared to wild-type NDV and escaped the action of NDV antiserum. These two chimeric viruses infected both respiratory and colon cancer cell lines, indicating their potential as a cancer treatment tool. Chimeric viruses with enhanced immune responses can be considered a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment that can be administered multiple times and used to enhance immune cells interaction.
Insights
Researchers developed new chimeric Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) that evade existing immunity and show potential for repeated cancer treatment. These engineered NDVs can be used multiple times to enhance cancer therapy and immune cell interaction.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Newcastle disease virus (NDV) shows promise as an oncolytic agent and vaccine vector.
- Pre-existing immunity to NDV limits the efficacy of repeated administrations.
- Novel strategies are needed to overcome immune escape for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer recombinant chimeric NDVs with altered F and HN genes from APMV-2.
- To enhance the immunogenicity and oncolytic potential of these chimeric NDVs.
- To evaluate their ability to evade NDV antiserum and infect cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Generation of two chimeric NDVs (rNDV-2HN and rNDV-2F/2HN) by replacing NDV F and HN genes with APMV-2 genes.
- Enhancement of immune response by inserting the human IFN-γ gene.
- Assessment of virus neutralization by NDV antiserum and infection of cancer cell lines (HEp-2, respiratory, and colon).
Main Results:
- The chimeric viruses exhibited significantly lower virus-neutralizing titers compared to wild-type NDV.
- Both rNDV-2HN and rNDV-2F/2HN successfully escaped the neutralizing activity of NDV antiserum.
- The chimeric viruses demonstrated infectivity against respiratory and colon cancer cell lines.
Conclusions:
- Engineered chimeric NDVs can evade pre-existing NDV immunity.
- These viruses hold potential as a repeatable therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
- Enhanced chimeric NDVs can improve immune cell interaction in cancer therapy.
