scholarly journals Potential Usefulness of D2R Reporter Gene Imaging by IBF as Gene Therapy Monitoring for Cerebellar Neurodegenerative Diseases

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Shiba ◽  
Takashi Torashima ◽  
Hirokazu Hirai ◽  
Kazuma Ogawa ◽  
Nasima Akhter ◽  
...  

We investigated a gene expression imaging method to examine the level of therapeutic gene expression in the cerebellum. Using a human immunodeficiency virus derived lentivial vector, we expressed the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) as a reporter protein to mouse cerebellar Purkinje cells. Biodistribution and ex vivo autoradiography studies were performed by giving [125I]5-iodo-7- N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]carboxamide-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran ([125I]IBF) (1.85MBq), as a radioactive D2R ligand, to model mice expressing the D2R with an HA tag (HA-D2R) in the cerebellum. In this study, [125I]IBF was bound to the D2R expressed in the cerebellum of the model mice selectively. Immunostaining was performed to confirm the HA-D2R expression in the cerebellum of the model mice. A significant correlation ( r = 0.900, P< 0.001) between areas that expressed HA-D2R by immunostaining and areas in which [125I]IBF accumulated by the ex vivo autoradiograms was found. These results indicated that radioiodinated IBF is useful as a reporter probe to detect D2R reporter gene expression, which can be used for monitoring therapeutic gene expression in the cerebellum.

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1243-1250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guopeng Zhang ◽  
Xiaoli Lan ◽  
Tzu-Chen Yen ◽  
Quan Chen ◽  
Zhijun Pei ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1157-1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Blasberg

Noninvasive in vivo molecular imaging has developed over the past decade and involves nuclear (positron emission tomography [PET], gamma camera), magnetic resonance, and in vivo optical imaging systems. Most current in vivo molecular imaging strategies are “indirect” and involve the coupling of a “reporter gene” with a complementary “reporter probe.” Imaging the level of probe accumulation provides indirect information related to the level of reporter gene expression. Reporter gene constructs are driven by upstream promoter/enhancer elements; reporter gene expression can be constitutive, leading to continuous transcription and used to identify the site of transduction and to monitor the level and duration of gene (vector) activity. Alternatively, reporter gene expression can be inducible, leading to controlled gene expression, or reporter genes can function as a “sensor” to monitor the level of endogenous promoters and transcription factors. The development of versatile and sensitive assays that do not require tissue sampling will be of considerable value for monitoring molecular-genetic and cellular processes in animal models of human disease, as well as for studies in human subjects in the future. Noninvasive imaging of molecular-genetic and cellular processes will complement established ex vivo molecular-biologic assays that require tissue sampling, and will provide a spatial as well as a temporal dimension to our understanding of various diseases. Several examples of imaging endogenous biologic processes in animals using reporter constructs, radiolabeled probes, and PET imaging are reviewed (e.g., p53-dependent gene expression, T-cell receptor-dependent activation of T-lymphocytes, and preliminary studies of endogenous HIF-1α expression). Issues related to the translation of noninvasive molecular imaging technology into the clinic are also discussed.


1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 8358-8361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Molin ◽  
Maria C. Shoshan ◽  
Karin Öhman-Forslund ◽  
Stig Linder ◽  
Göran Akusjärvi

ABSTRACT Two new adenovirus vector systems based on the tetracycline-regulated Tet-ON- (Gossen, M., et al., Science 268:1766–1769, 1995) and the RU 486-regulated progesterone antagonist (Wang, Y., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:8180–8184, 1994)-induced gene expression systems are described. We show that both systems permit a tight control of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene expression in a variety of cell types, with induction levels of approximately 1,800-fold (Tet-ON system) and 600-fold (RU 486-regulated system), respectively. A significant advantage of our vector systems is that reporter protein expression can be adjusted over a wide range by varying the amount of inducer. The Tet-ON system is also shown to permit an efficient control of reporter gene expression in mice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 920-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Gato-Calvo ◽  
Tamara Hermida-Gómez ◽  
Cristina R. Romero ◽  
Elena F. Burguera ◽  
Francisco J. Blanco

Background: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has recently emerged as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but composition heterogeneity hampers comparison among studies, with the result that definite conclusions on its efficacy have not been reached. Objective: 1) To develop a novel methodology to prepare a series of standardized PRP releasates (PRP-Rs) with known absolute platelet concentrations, and 2) To evaluate the influence of this standardization parameter on the anti-inflammatory properties of these PRP-Rs in an in vitro and an ex vivo model of OA. Methods: A series of PRPs was prepared using the absolute platelet concentration as the standardization parameter. Doses of platelets ranged from 0% (platelet poor plasma, PPP) to 1.5·105 platelets/µl. PRPs were then activated with CaCl2 to obtain releasates (PRP-R). Chondrocytes were stimulated with 10% of each PRP-R in serum-free culture medium for 72 h to assess proliferation and viability. Cells were co-stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β (5 ng/ml) and 10% of each PRP-R for 48 h to determine the effects on gene expression, secretion and intra-cellular content of common markers associated with inflammation, catabolism and oxidative stress in OA. OA cartilage explants were co-stimulated with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) and 10% of either PRP-R with 0.75·105 platelets/µl or PRP-R with 1.5·105 platelets/µl for 21 days to assess matrix inflammatory degradation. Results: Chondrocyte viability was not affected, and proliferation was dose-dependently increased. The gene expression of all pro-inflammatory mediators was significantly and dose-independently reduced, except for that of IL-1β and IL-8. Immunoblotting corroborated this effect for inducible NO synthase (NOS2). Secreted matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) was reduced to almost basal levels by the PRP-R from PPP. Increasing platelet dosage led to progressive loss to this anti-catabolic ability. Safranin O and toluidine blue stains supported the beneficial effect of low platelet dosage on cartilage matrix preservation. Conclusion: We have developed a methodology to prepare PRP releasates using the absolute platelet concentration as the standardization parameter. Using this approach, the composition of the resulting PRP derived product is independent of the donor initial basal platelet count, thereby allowing the evaluation of its effects objectively and reproducibly. In our OA models, PRP-Rs showed antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-catabolic properties. Platelet enrichment could favor chondrocyte proliferation but is not necessary for the above effects and could even be counter-productive.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron L. Slusher ◽  
Tiffany M. Zúñiga ◽  
Edmund O. Acevedo

Age-related elevations in proinflammatory cytokines, known as inflamm-aging, are associated with shorter immune cell telomere lengths. Purpose. This study examined the relationship of plasma PTX3 concentrations, a biomarker of appropriate immune function, with telomere length in 15 middle-aged (40-64 years) and 15 young adults (20-31 years). In addition, PBMCs were isolated from middle-aged and young adults to examine their capacity to express a key mechanistic component of telomere length maintenance, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), following ex vivo cellular stimulation. Methods. Plasma PTX3 and inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, and TNF-α), PBMC telomere lengths, and PBMC hTERT gene expression and inflammatory protein secretion following exposure to LPS, PTX3, and PTX3+LPS were measured. Results. Aging was accompanied by the accumulation of centrally located visceral adipose tissue, without changes in body weight and BMI, and alterations in the systemic inflammatory milieu (decreased plasma PTX3 and TGF-β; increased TNF-α (p≤0.050)). In addition, shorter telomere lengths in middle-aged compared to young adults (p=0.011) were negatively associated with age, body fat percentages, and plasma TNF-α (r=−0.404, p=0.027; r=−0.427, p=0.019; and r=−0.323, p=0.041, respectively). Finally, the capacity of PBMCs to increase hTERT gene expression following ex vivo stimulation was impaired in middle-aged compared to young adults (p=0.033) and negatively associated with telomere lengths (r=0.353, p=0.028). Conclusions. Proinflammation and the impaired hTERT gene expression capacity of PBMCs may contribute to age-related telomere attrition and disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Korostynski ◽  
Dzesika Hoinkis ◽  
Marcin Piechota ◽  
Slawomir Golda ◽  
Joanna Pera ◽  
...  

AbstractAltered cytokine synthesis thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of post-stroke depression (PSD). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a master regulator of innate immunity. The aim of this study was to explore the putative association between TLR4-mediated cytokine synthesis and subsequent symptoms of PSD. In total, 262 patients with ischemic stroke and without a history of PSD were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in 170 patients on Day 8 and in 146 at 3 months after stroke. Blood samples taken on Day 3 after stroke were stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ex vivo synthesized cytokines (TNFα, IP-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70) and circulating cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, sIL-6R, and IL-1ra) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoassay or cytometric method. RNA sequencing was used to determine the gene expression profile of LPS-induced cytokines and chemokines. LPS-induced cytokine synthesis and the gene expression of TLR4-dependent cytokines and chemokines did not differ between patients with and without greater depressive symptoms. The plasma level of IL-6, but not TNFα, sIL-6R, and IL-1ra, was higher in patients who developed depressive symptoms at 3 months after stroke (median: 4.7 vs 3.4 pg/mL, P = 0.06). Plasma IL-6 predicted the severity of depressive symptoms at 3 months after stroke (β = 0.42, P = 0.03). In conclusion, TLR4-dependent cytokine synthesis was not associated with greater post-stroke depressive symptoms in this study. Circulating IL-6 might be associated with depressive symptoms occurring at 3 months after stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Tinarelli ◽  
Elena Ivanova ◽  
Ilaria Colombi ◽  
Erica Barini ◽  
Edoardo Balzani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background DNA methylation has emerged as an important epigenetic regulator of brain processes, including circadian rhythms. However, how DNA methylation intervenes between environmental signals, such as light entrainment, and the transcriptional and translational molecular mechanisms of the cellular clock is currently unknown. Here, we studied the after-hours mice, which have a point mutation in the Fbxl3 gene and a lengthened circadian period. Methods In this study, we used a combination of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro approaches. We measured retinal responses in Afh animals and we have run reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS), pyrosequencing and gene expression analysis in a variety of brain tissues ex vivo. In vitro, we used primary neuronal cultures combined to micro electrode array (MEA) technology and gene expression. Results We observed functional impairments in mutant neuronal networks, and a reduction in the retinal responses to light-dependent stimuli. We detected abnormalities in the expression of photoreceptive melanopsin (OPN4). Furthermore, we identified alterations in the DNA methylation pathways throughout the retinohypothalamic tract terminals and links between the transcription factor Rev-Erbα and Fbxl3. Conclusions The results of this study, primarily represent a contribution towards an understanding of electrophysiological and molecular phenotypic responses to external stimuli in the Afh model. Moreover, as DNA methylation has recently emerged as a new regulator of neuronal networks with important consequences for circadian behaviour, we discuss the impact of the Afh mutation on the epigenetic landscape of circadian biology.


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