Interferon beta (IFN-beta) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) are effective anticancer agents. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the current most promising gene delivery vectors. Previously, we constructed tumor-targeting AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta and AAV-hTERT-TRAIL by inserting IFN-beta or TRAIL gene into AAV controlled by hTERT promoter. The studies showed that either single IFN-beta or TRAIL gene therapy exhibited a certain extent anticancer effect. Here, we report their inhibitory effects on A549 lung cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by combined AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta and AAV-hTERT-TRAIL. Expression of secreted IFN-beta in lung cancer A549 cells infected by AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The growth-suppressing effect of AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta in combination with AAV-hTERT-TRAIL on several cancer cell lines was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis of A549 cancer cells infected by AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta alone, AAV-hTERT-TRAIL alone, and their combination was evaluated by apoptotic cell staining and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. The antitumor effect of the combination of AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta with AAV-hTERT-TRAIL in vivo was further evaluated through A549 lung cancer xenograft in nude mice. The results showed that the combinational treatment was superior to any alone and presented intensified tumor cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on A549 cancer cells. Most importantly, the combination of AAV-hTERT-IFN-beta with AAV-hTERT-TRAIL exhibited significant antitumor effect and eliminated all tumor masses in nude mice, which lay a foundation for exploring the molecular mechanisms of combined IFN-beta and TRAIL anti-tumor activity.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; genetics ; pharmacology

In this work a system which consists of chitosan (CS) microcores entrapped within enteric polymer is presented. Vitamin D2, used as a model drug, was efficiently entrapped within CS microcores using spray-drying and then microencapsulated into ethylic cellulose(EC). The morphology and release properties of microcapsules were tested. The influential factors of preparation conditions included molecular weight of chitosan, concentration of chitosan solution, concentration of acetic acid, loading of vitamin D2 were discussed. The results of in vitro release studies showed that the microcapsules prepared in this article could realize sustained release in intestine.
Capsules ; Cellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Chitosan ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ergocalciferols ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques