Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:2.7.1.21 (thymidine kinase)
7,561 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Human fibroblasts were induced to secrete interferon (IFN) by treatment with the double-stranded RNA poly(inosinic).poly(cytidylic) acid or by infection with Newcastle disease virus. Treatment with 0.1-1 microM dexamethasone reduced the amount of IFN secreted by approximately 40-70%, respectively. A similar decrease in secretion of human IFN-beta was detected in dexamethasone-treated murine C127 cells that carry an IFN expression vector. These cells transcribe constitutively human IFN-beta under the control of a viral thymidine kinase promotor. Secretion of murine IFN induced by double-stranded RNA was also reduced in dexamethasone-treated C127 cells. The amount of IFN-beta mRNA present in fibroblasts and C127 cells was measured by hybridization to complementary RNA. Treatment with dexamethasone markedly reduced the level of IFN-beta mRNA present in both cells. The time course of this decrease was measured in C127 cells; 50 and 80% loss of IFN mRNA was observed after approximately 7.5 and 12 h, respectively. Murine IFN mRNA was also decreased in dexamethasone-treated C127 cells induced with double-stranded RNA. However, the rate of transcription of human IFN mRNA measured by run-on assays in isolated nuclei of dexamethasone-treated C127 cells was found to be comparable to that of control untreated cells. The finding that dexamethasone reduces the level of IFN mRNA transcribed under the control of both its own promotor and an unrelated promotor, together with the observation that dexamethasone does not apparently alter the rate of transcription of this mRNA, suggest that glucocorticoids may regulate IFN production by decreasing the level of its mRNA.
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PMID:The glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits synthesis of interferon by decreasing the level of its mRNA. 245 6

The structural gene for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (Tk) was fused downstream of the 5'-flanking sequence (from -284 to +20; numbering relative to the putative transcription initiation site) of the cloned human interferon-beta 1 (IFN-beta 1) gene. The fusion gene was linked to the vector pSV2-Ecogpt and the recombinant plasmid was used to transform mouse FM3A cells. All cloned transformants in which the fusion gene was integrated in an intact form produced the Tk specific transcript with the distinct 5' terminus corresponding to that of the authentic IFN-beta 1 mRNA when they were exposed to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Thus, the results reported here provide evidence for the presence of specific DNA sequences in the 5'-flanking region of the IFN-beta 1 gene required for the virus mediated activation of transcription.
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PMID:The 5'-flanking sequence of human interferon-beta 1 gene is responsible for viral induction of transcription. 631 Apr 98

A novel approach to combat acute herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection has recently been developed by administration with a plasmid DNA construct encoding cytokine genes. Cytokines, especially type I IFNs (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) play an important role in controlling acute HSV-1 infection. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential efficacy of ectopically expressed IFN-alpha 1 against ocular HSV-1 infection following in situ transfection of mouse cornea with a naked IFN-alpha 1-containing plasmid DNA. Topical administration of the IFN-alpha 1 plasmid DNA exerted protection against ocular HSV-1 challenge in a time- and dose-dependent manner and antagonized HSV-1 reactivation. In addition, IFN-alpha 1-transfected eyes expressed a fivefold increase in MHC class I mRNA over vector-treated controls. The protective efficacy of the IFN-alpha 1 transgene antagonized viral replication, as evidenced by the reduction of the viral gene transcripts (infected cell polypeptide 27, thymidine kinase, and viral protein 16) and viral load in eyes and trigeminal ganglia during acute infection. The administration of neutralizing Ab to IFN-alpha beta antagonized the protective effect of the IFN-alpha 1 transgene in mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of using naked plasmid DNA transfection in the eye to achieve ectopic gene expression of therapeutically active agents.
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PMID:Ectopic expression of DNA encoding IFN-alpha 1 in the cornea protects mice from herpes simplex virus type 1-induced encephalitis. 1020 45

In the present study, we employed a plasmid DNA encoding murine interferon (IFN)-beta to assess its antiviral efficacy in an in vitro transfection-infection assay and in an ocular HSV-1 infection model of mice. In the in vitro assay, transfection of mouse fibroblasts with the IFN-beta transgene resulted in a 17-fold or greater reduction in the viral load of HSV-1 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 compared to that of those mice treated with the plasmid control. RT-PCR analysis of representative immediate early (ICP27), early (thymidine kinase, TK) and late (VP16) viral genes found no changes in the level of expression comparing the IFN-beta transgene- to the vector-treated control group, suggesting that the IFN-beta transgene may act at the post-transcriptional level of viral replication. In the ocular HSV-1 infection model, topical application of the plasmid DNA encoding murine IFN-beta onto mouse cornea enhanced cumulative survival and significantly reduced the viral load of HSV-1 in the eyes and trigeminal ganglia of mice at both day 3 and 6 post-infection compared with mice treated with the plasmid vector control or normal saline. Neutralizing antibody to IFN-beta blocked the protective effect elicited by the IFN-beta transgene. Unlike the in vitro experiment, viral gene expression was reduced in the trigeminal ganglion of mice pre-treated 24 h with the IFN-beta transgene day 3 (ICP27 and VP16) and day 6 (ICP27, TK, DNA polymerase, and VP16) post-infection in comparison to mice treated with the plasmid vector control as determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
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PMID:A plasmid construct encoding murine interferon beta antagonizes the replication of herpes simplex virus type I in vitro and in vivo. 1090 Mar 42

High grade gliomas in adults are devastating diseases, with very poor survival despite their lack of distant metastases. Local treatments, such as surgical resection and stereotactic radiosurgery, have been most successful, whereas systemic therapy (for example, chemotherapy and immunotherapy) have been rather disappointing. Several gene therapy systems have been successful in controlling or eradicating these tumours in animal models and are now being tested as a logical addition to current clinical management. This review describes the gene therapy clinical protocols that have been completed or that are ongoing for human gliomas. These include the prodrug activating system, herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSVtk)/ganciclovir (GCV), utilising either retrovirus vector producer cells or adenovirus vectors; adenovirus mediated p53 gene transfer; adenovirus mediated IFN-beta gene transfer and oncolytic herpes virus and adenovirus vectors. To date, all of the clinical studies have used direct injection of the vector into the glioma. The Phase I clinical studies have demonstrated low to moderate toxicity and variable levels of gene transfer and in some cases anti-tumour effect. Future directions will rely upon improvements in gene delivery as well as gene therapies and combinations of gene therapy with other treatment modalities.
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PMID:Gene therapy for high grade gliomas. 1172 33

Alpha/beta interferons (IFN-alpha/beta) are potent, endogenous antiviral cytokines that suppress the replication of RNA and DNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The present study compared the efficacies of IFN-alpha/beta transgenes, including IFN-alpha1, -alpha4, -alpha5, -alpha6, -alpha9, and -beta, against HSV-1 infection. L929 cells transfected with the IFN-alpha/beta transgenes produced similar levels of IFN, as measured by bioassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, transfected cells were less susceptible to HSV-1 infection than were cells transfected with a plasmid vector control. The murine IFN-beta plasmid construct exhibited the greatest reduction, while the murine IFN-alpha5 transgene showed a modest inhibitory effect in viral titers recovered from the supernatants of transfected, infected L929 cultures. Consistent with this observation, the IFN-beta transgene antagonized viral transcript levels, including infected cell protein 27, thymidine kinase, and glycoprotein B, to a greater extent than did the IFN-alpha transgenes at 6 to 10 h postinfection as determined by real-time PCR. Cells transfected with the IFN-alpha4, IFN-alpha9, or IFN-beta transgenes showed the greatest reduction in viral protein expression relative to the other transfected cells, which was associated with increased STAT1 expression. The absence of the IFN-responsive protein kinase R (PKR) gene completely abrogated the antiviral induction by all IFN-alpha/beta against HSV-1. In the absence of RNase L, viral yields were increased 10-fold, but the antiviral effect of IFN was either unaffected or enhanced. These results suggest that the predominant IFN-mediated, antiviral pathway during HSV-1 infection taken by IFN-alpha/beta in L929 cells utilizes PKR.
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PMID:Differential effect of murine alpha/beta interferon transgenes on antagonization of herpes simplex virus type 1 replication. 1205 Mar 68

Mesothelioma may be particularly well suited for gene therapy treatment owing to its accessibility, allowing both intrapleural and intratumoral gene delivery. At least four gene therapy trials have been carried out in mesothelioma patients, using different vector systems (adenovirus, vaccinia virus, irradiated tumor cells), and different transgenes (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) combined with ganciclovir, IL-2, IFN-beta). Although small in scale, these trials have given an inkling of hope for therapeutic efficacy. However, it is clear that gene therapy protocols need to be optimized further. This paper will review progress made in (i) vector development, (ii) defining optimal transgenes, and (iii) gene delivery. Adenoviruses are the most commonly used vectors for gene therapy, and are continuously being improved. With respect to the nature of the transgenes, five categories can be distinguished: (i) 'suicide' or sensitivity genes (e.g., HSVtk), (ii) cytokines and other immune modulators, (iii) replacements for mutant tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53), (iv) antiangiogenic proteins and (v) tumor antigens. It seems clear that expression of a single transgene is unlikely to be sufficient to eradicate a tumor, such as mesothelioma, that is diagnosed late in disease progression. Hence, multimodality therapy, including conventional therapy (chemo- and radiotherapy, surgery) with one or more transgenes has a higher chance of success.
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PMID:Gene therapy for malignant mesothelioma: beyond the infant years. 1643 92

Recombinant adenovirus administration gives rise to transgene-independent effects caused by the ability of the vector to activate innate immunity mechanisms. We show that recombinant adenoviruses encoding reporter genes trigger IFN-alpha and IFN-beta transcription from both plasmacytoid and myeloid mouse dendritic cells. Interestingly, IFN-beta and IFN-alpha5 are the predominant transcribed type I IFN genes both in vitro and in vivo. In human peripheral blood leukocytes type I IFNs are induced by adenoviral vectors, with a preponderance of IFN-beta together with IFN-alpha1 and IFN-alpha5 subtypes. Accordingly, functional type I IFN is readily detected in serum samples from human cancer patients who have been treated intratumorally with a recombinant adenovirus encoding thymidine kinase. Despite inducing functional IFN-alpha release in both mice and humans, gene transfer by recombinant adenoviruses is not interfered with by type I IFNs either in vitro or in vivo. Moreover, IFN-alpha does not impair replication of wild-type adenovirus. As a consequence, cancer gene therapy strategies with defective or replicative-competent adenoviruses are not expected to be hampered by the effect of the type I IFNs induced by the vector itself. However, type I IFN might modulate antitumor and antiadenoviral immune responses and thus influence the outcome of gene immunotherapy.
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PMID:Recombinant adenoviral vectors turn on the type I interferon system without inhibition of transgene expression and viral replication. 1662 4

Development of antitumor preparations with low toxicity and high selectivity of action is one of the top priorities of cancer gene therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells possess natural tropism towards tumors, a property that makes possible their use as a vehicle for targeted delivery of therapeutic genes into tumors of various etiologies. At present, genes encoding enzymes (cytosine deaminase, thymidine kinase, carboxyl esterase), cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, IFN-beta) and apoptosis inducing factors (TRAIL) are used as therapeutic genes. Mesenchymal stem cells, as demonstrated using experimental models of tumors of various etiologies as well as animals with metastases in brain and lungs, are able to successfully deliver therapeutic genes into tumors and produce significant antitumor effect. However, to effectively use this therapeutic strategy in clinic, one still has to solve a number of technical problems.
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PMID:[Mesenchymal stem cells as an antitumor therapy tool]. 2370 95

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