A new anti-tumor strategy based on in vivo tumstatin overexpression after plasmid electrotransfer in muscle.

Abstract

The NC1 domains from the different α(IV) collagen chains were found to exert anti-tumorigenic and/or anti-angiogenic activities. A limitation to the therapeutic use of these matrikines is the large amount of purified recombinant proteins, in the milligram range in mice that should be administered daily throughout the experimental procedures. In the current study, we developed a new therapeutic approach based on tumstatin (NC1α3(IV)) overexpression in vivo in a mouse melanoma model. Gene electrotransfer of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) is particularly attractive because of its simplicity, its lack of immune responsiveness and its safety. The pDNA electrotransfer in muscle mediates a substantial gene expression that lasts several months. A pVAX1© vector containing the tumstatin cDNA was injected into the legs of C57BL/6 mice and submitted to electrotranfer. Sera were collected at different times and tumstatin was quantified by ELISA. Tumstatin secretion reached a plateau at day 21 with an expression level of 12 μg/mL. For testing the effects of tumstatin expression on tumor growth in vivo, B16F1 melanoma cells were subcutaneously injected in mice 7 days after empty pVAX1© (Mock) or pVAX1©-tumstatin electrotransfer. Tumstatin expression triggered a large decrease in tumor growth and an increase in mouse survival. This new therapeutic approach seems promising to inhibit tumor progression in vivo.

• Authors: Jessica Thevenard, Laurent Ramont, Lluis M Mir, Aurélie Dupont-Deshorgue, François-Xavier Maquart, Jean-Claude Monboisse, Sylvie Brassart-Pasco
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 432 Issue 4 Pg. 549-52 (Mar 22 2013) ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23454380 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Autoantigens
• Collagen Type IV
• type IV collagen alpha3 chain

Topics

• Animals
• Autoantigens (genetics)
• Collagen Type IV (genetics)
• Electrochemotherapy
• Gene Transfer Techniques
• Melanoma, Experimental (therapy)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Muscle, Skeletal
• Plasmids (administration & dosage, genetics)