BACKGROUNDThe bovine herpersvirus structural protein BVP22 exhibits the remarkable property of intercellular trafficking whereby the protein fused to BVP22 spreads from the cell in which it is synthesized to surrounding cells. This function of BVP22 might be exploited to overcome the low efficiency of genes and gene products delivery, which is a major hurdle in gene therapy. The aim of this study is to investigate the cellular localization and intercellular trafficking of BVP22 in vitro and in vivo and provide scientific data for its application in gene therapy of human lung cancer.

METHODS801D cells were transfected respectively with plasmids pEYFP and pEYFP-BVP22 mediated by Lipofectamin and were selected by G418 to establish clone cell lines. The expression and cellular localization of BVP22 were examined by direct observation of YFP. Intercellular trafficking of BVP22 in vitro was detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and immunocytochemical staining with YFP-antibody. Subcutaneous 801D tumors in nude mice were established to investigate the intercellular trafficking of BVP22 in vivo.

RESULTSClone cell lines pEYFP-801D and pEYFP-BVP22-801D were established successfully. Cellular localization of BVP22 displayed heterogenic- ity. BVP22 was present in nuclei in most cells and only a few cells showed filamentous cytoplasm pattern. The results of FACS showed that the ratios of YFP-positive cells in mixed cells did not enhanced significantly. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that the nuclei of almost all cells were stained positively after pEYFP-BVP22-801D and 801D were cultured for 24h. Intercellular trafficking of YFP-BVP22 could be observed in subcutaneous 801D tumors in nude mice by immunohistochemical staining.

CONCLUSIONSBVP22 displays nuclear localization in most cells. Its nuclear localization might be related to cell mitosis and intercellular trafficking. BVP22 can mediate intercellular trafficking of fusion protein in vitro and in vivo.