Abstract |
The thymidine kinase/ ganciclovir (TK/GCV) cancer gene therapy approach is based on inducing GCV metabolite cytotoxicity in tumor cells expressing the herpes simplex virus TK gene and exposed to GCV. A bystander effect, mediated by gap junctions, accounts for the transfer of toxic metabolites from TK-expressing cells to neighboring cells. It has been proposed that E-cadherin participates in the formation and function of such gap junctions. In this study we investigate the influence of E-cadherin on TK/GCV suicide therapy with a panel of cellular and in vivo models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We observed a strong correlation of E-cadherin expression and the TK/GCV bystander effect, associated with the modulation of gap junction communication and connexin expression or localization. Importantly, the co-expression of TK and E-cadherin genes in the adenoviral vector AdTat8TKIE improved TK/GCV cytotoxicity and triggered a potent antitumoral effect, superior to standard AdTat8TK/GCV in MIAPaCa-2 xenografts. The increased expression of E-cadherin resulted in the reduction of the bcl-2 content. Interestingly, the knockdown of bcl-2 sensitized cells to TK/GCV. Thus, we propose that by restoring E-cadherin in pancreatic tumor cells we will improve TK/GCV therapy, both by enhancing the bystander effect and by facilitating the induction of apoptosis.
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Authors | L Garcia-Rodríguez, D Abate-Daga, A Rojas, J R González, C Fillat |
Journal | Gene therapy
(Gene Ther)
Vol. 18
Issue 1
Pg. 73-81
(Jan 2011)
ISSN: 1476-5462 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 20720574
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Cadherins
- Thymidine Kinase
- Ganciclovir
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Topics |
- Antineoplastic Agents
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Bystander Effect
(genetics)
- Cadherins
(genetics, metabolism)
- Ganciclovir
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Genes, Transgenic, Suicide
(genetics)
- Genetic Therapy
(methods)
- Genetic Vectors
(genetics)
- Pancreatic Neoplasms
(genetics, therapy)
- Retroviridae
(genetics, metabolism)
- Simplexvirus
(genetics, metabolism)
- Thymidine Kinase
(administration & dosage, genetics, metabolism)
- Transfection
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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