Abstract | BACKGROUND: We have previously developed an oncolytic serotype 5 adenovirus (Ad5) with chromogranin-A (CgA) promoter-controlled E1A expression, Ad[CgA-E1A], with the intention to treat neuroendocrine tumors, including carcinoids. Since carcinoids tend to metastasize to the liver it is important to fully repress viral replication in hepatocytes to avoid adenovirus-related liver toxicity. Herein, we explore miRNA-based regulation of E1A expression as a complementary mechanism to promoter-based transcriptional control. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Ad[CgA-E1A-miR122], where E1A expression is further controlled by six tandem repeats of the target sequence for the liver-specific miR122, was constructed and compared to Ad[CgA-E1A]. We observed E1A suppression and replication arrest of the miR122-detargeted adenovirus in normal hepatocytes, while the two viruses killed carcinoid cells to the same degree. Repeated intravenous injections of Ad[CgA-E1A] induced liver toxicity in mice while Ad[CgA-E1A-miR122] injections did not. Furthermore, a miR122-detargeted adenovirus with the wild-type E1A promoter showed reduced replication in hepatic cells compared to wild-type Ad5 but not to the same extent as the miR122-detargeted adenovirus with the neuroendocrine-selective CgA promoter. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A combination of transcriptional (promoter) and post-transcriptional ( miRNA target) regulation to control virus replication may allow for the use of higher doses of adenovirus for efficient tumors treatment without liver toxicity.
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Authors | Justyna Leja, Berith Nilsson, Di Yu, Elisabet Gustafson, Göran Akerström, Kjell Oberg, Valeria Giandomenico, Magnus Essand |
Journal | PloS one
(PLoS One)
Vol. 5
Issue 1
Pg. e8916
(Jan 27 2010)
ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20111709
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Antineoplastic Agents
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Humans
- Models, Theoretical
- Neoplasms
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Stochastic Processes
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