Introduction of pro-interleukin-16 inhibits T-lymphoblastic leukemia growth in mice.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Pro-interleukin-16 (pro-IL-16) is the precursor to mature interleukin-16 (IL-16) protein. Previous studies have demonstrated that pro-IL-16 can function as a regulator of cell cycle. A number of human T-cell leukemia and lymphoma cell lines are pro-IL-16 deficient. Intracellular expression of pro-IL-16 causes these cell lines to become quiescent, implicating loss of pro-IL-16 as a contributory step in T-cell malignancy. Therefore, we tested whether or not reintroduction of pro-IL-16 into solid tumors in mice could halt tumor growth.

METHODS:

MOLT-4 lymphoblastic leukemia cells were stably transfected with a dsRed-tomato virus and were injected subcutaneously into NOD/SCID/γ chain-knockout mice. Tumor growth was monitored with an in vivo imaging system. A pro-IL-16-GFP fusion virus or control GFP only virus was injected into the tumors, and mice were monitored for 1 week.

RESULTS:

Injection of the pro-IL-16-containing lentivirus inhibited growth of established MOLT-4 tumors in mice. Tumor explants exhibited diminished proliferative capacity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data support the concept that restoration of pro-IL-16 expression in malignant T cells may have therapeutic value.

• Authors: Jillian Richmond, Michael Finkel, Anna Studwell, Frederic Little, William Cruikshank
• Journal: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology (J Cancer Res Clin Oncol) Vol. 137 Issue 10 Pg. 1581-5 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1432-1335 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21818556 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-16
• Protein Precursors
• interleukin 16 precursor

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Genetic Therapy
• Humans
• Interleukin-16 (genetics)
• Lentivirus (genetics)
• Mice
• Mice, SCID
• Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (pathology, therapy)
• Protein Precursors (genetics)