BACKGROUND: Investigating strategy to enhance efficiency of gene transfer via adenovirus is critical to sustain gene expression in targeted cells or tissues to regulate immune responses. However, the use of adenovirus as a gene delivery method has been limited by the native tropism of the virus. In this study, the critical parameter is to improve the efficient binding of viral particles to the plasma membrane prior to cellular uptake. METHODS: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) trans-acting activator of transcription (TAT), a protein transduction domain, was fused to the ectodomain of the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). The CAR-TAT protein was produced from a Drosophila Schneider 2 cells (S2) transfected with CAR-TAT genes. The function of CAR- TAT was analyzed the efficiency of adenoviral gene transfer by flow cytometry, and then immunizing AdVGFP with CAR-TAT was transduced on dendritic cells (DCs). RESULTS: S2 transfectants secreting CAR-TAT fusion protein has been stable over a period of 6 months and its expression was verified by western blot. Addition of CAR-TAT induced higher transduction efficiency for AdVGFP at every MOI tested. When mice were vaccinated with DC of which adenoviral transduction was mediated by CAR-TAT, the number of IFN-gamma secreting T-cells was increased as compared with those DCs transduced without CAR-TAT. CONCLUSION: Our data provide evidence that CAR-TAT fusion protein enhances adenoviral transduction and immunogenecity of transgenes on DCs and may influence on the development of adenoviral- mediated anti-tumor immunotherapy.
Adenoviridae* ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Membrane ; Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein ; Dendritic Cells* ; Drosophila ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; Genes, vif ; HIV ; Immunotherapy ; Mice ; T-Lymphocytes ; Transgenes* ; Tropism ; Virion

The immunosuppression significantly increases the risk for acquiring opportunistic infections due to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. These opportunistic infections are the major source of morbidity and mortality in transplanted patients. Cytomegalovirus and Aspergillus are important infectious agents in renal transplant recipients. The onset of these diseases follows the period of maximal immunosuppression for the prevention and treatment of acute rejection. Cytomegalovirus infection can suppressed immunity in renal transplant recipient and associated with other opportunistic infections. We experienced a case of Aspergillus and Cytomegalovirus pneumonia after renal transplantation. This 45-year-old woman had undergone renal transplantation. About 1 months later, she presented with dry cough and mild fever. Chest radiographs revealed multifocal patchy and conglomerated consolidation on both lung field, especially lower lung field. The invasive aspergillosis and cytomegalovirus pneumonia was diagnosed by open lung biopsy. Her condition was progressively aggravated despite amphotericin B and ganciclovir therapy and expired 53 days after renal transplantation.
Amphotericin B ; Aspergillosis ; Aspergillus ; Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Cough ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Female ; Fever ; Fungi ; Ganciclovir ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pneumonia* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Transplantation