Stable transgenic expression of IL-2 and HSV1-tk by single and fusion tumor cell lines bearing EWS/FLI-1 chimeric genes

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003 Mar;20(2):119-40. doi: 10.1080/0880010390158612.

Abstract

In augmenting systemic anti-tumor immune response, the authors evaluated the genetic modification of Ewing family tumor (EFT) cell lines for use as allogeneic vaccines. EFT cell lines A673 and RD-ES were transfected with cDNAs for human interleukin (IL)-2 and/or HSV1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk), respectively. Clones with high and stable secretion of IL-2 alone or with coexpression of functional HSV1-tk were obtained and their features were analyzed. IL-2 expressing clones derived from the A673 cell line demonstrated decreased expression of HLA class I molecules compared with the parental cell line and corresponding clones derived from RD-ES. However, IFN-gamma could upregulate the expression of HLA class I antigens by IL-2 transfected A673 cells. Ganciclovir induced apoptosis in double-transfected cell clones. IL-2/HSV1-tk cells continued to produce and release IL-2 after initial ganciclovir treatment. After gamma-irradiation, transfected clones released bioactive IL-2 in a quantity sufficient to activate T and natural killer cells in culture. A polyvalent allogeneic vaccine was also obtained using fusion of two different transgenic cell lines. The resulting hybrids inherited antigenic and transgenic characteristics of both parental cell lines. It is presumed that the cell lines generated here could be used as allogeneic vaccines for treatment of patients with EFTs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / virology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Bystander Effect
  • Cancer Vaccines*
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Fusion
  • Cell Line, Transformed / immunology
  • Clone Cells / drug effects
  • Clone Cells / metabolism
  • Gamma Rays
  • Ganciclovir / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / radiation effects
  • HLA Antigens / analysis
  • HLA Antigens / biosynthesis
  • HLA Antigens / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • Hybrid Cells
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / pathology
  • Simplexvirus / enzymology
  • Simplexvirus / genetics
  • Thymidine Kinase / biosynthesis*
  • Thymidine Kinase / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • EWS-FLI fusion protein
  • HLA Antigens
  • Interleukin-2
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Thymidine Kinase
  • Ganciclovir