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Adenovirus Calcium Phosphate Coprecipitates Enhance Squamous Cell Carcinoma Gene Transfer
Author(s) -
Min P. Yi Su,
Lee John H.,
Graham Scott,
Zabner Joseph,
Welsh Michael J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200107000-00028
Subject(s) - calcium , basal cell , gene transfer , phosphate , cancer research , chemistry , gene , medicine , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Objectives/Hypothesis Adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer offers a potential new treatment strategy for squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN). Initial studies on some SCCHN cell lines have shown that these cells can be resistant to adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer, requiring large amounts of vector and long infection times. The objectives of this study were to identify the barriers to gene transfer in three SCCHN lines, FaDu, SCC‐9, and SCC‐15, and to develop a method to circumvent the obstacles. We hypothesized that a low expression of adenovirus receptors may limit adenovirus infection and this may be overcome by using adenovirus complexed with calcium phosphate coprecipitates. Methods Using standard cell and molecular biology techniques, infectively of SCCHN cells was investigated. Results Using Cy3‐labeled adenovirus, we found minimal binding of adenovirus to FaDu cells and variable levels of binding among SCC‐9 and SCC‐15 cells. Northern blot analysis indicated that messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts for coxsackie‐adenovirus receptor, which binds adenovirus, were absent in FaDu cells but present in SCC‐9 and SCC‐15 cells. Integrin αvβ5, which binds and facilitates internalization of adenovirus, were expressed at low levels in all three cell types. We overcame these barriers by using adenovirus complexed with calcium phosphate precipitates. Total transgene expression and the number of cells expressing transgene were increased in all three cancer lines using adenovirus complexed with calcium phosphate precipitates compared with adenovirus that was not complexed. Conclusions Data in the present study suggest that adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer to SCCHN cell lines is a result of limited viral receptors. Delivering adenovirus in a calcium phosphate coprecipitate enhanced gene transfer and, perhaps, the therapeutic index.