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Regulatable adenovector harboring the GFP and Yamanaka genes for implementing regenerative medicine in the brain

Gene Therapy volume 26, pages 432–440 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Biological rejuvenation by partial cell reprogramming is an emerging avenue of research. In this context, regulatable pluripotency gene expression systems are the most widely used at present. We have constructed a regulatable bidirectional adenovector expressing the humanized green fluorescent protein (GFP) and oct4, sox2, klf4, and c-myc genes (known as the Yamanaka genes or OSKM). The OSKM genes are arranged as a bicistronic tandem (hSTEMCCA tandem), which is under the control of a Tet-Off bidirectional promoter that also controls the expression of the gFP gene. Separately, a constitutive cassette expresses the regulatory protein tTA. Vector DNA was transfected in HEK293 Cre cells, which were additionally infected with the helper adenovector H14, unable to package its DNA due to the Cre recombinase produced by the HEK293 Cre cells. The newly generated vector was expanded by six iterated coinfections of the above cells which were lysed at the end of the process and the adenovector purified by ultracentrifugation in a CsCl gradient. The titer of the initial preparation was 1.2 × 1012 physical viral particles/ml. As expected, GFP fluorescence in vector-transduced rat fibroblast cultures declined with the dose of doxycycline (DOX) present in the medium. Immunocytochemical analysis of transduced cells confirmed the expression of the four Yamanaka genes. Additionally, 3 days after vector injection in the hypothalamus of rats, a significant level of fluorescence was observed in the region. Addition of 2 mg/ml DOX to the drinking water reduced the GFP expression. This adenovector constitutes a promising tool for implementing nonintegrative partial cell reprogramming.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Gustavo Mostoslavsky, Boston University, for generous donation of the STEMCCA plasmid and Dr. Kazuhiro Oka, Baylor College of Medicine for donation of pLPBL-1. The authors are indebted to Mr. Mario R. Ramos for design of the figures, to Engineer Esteban Nigro for assistance with optical instruments and to Ms. Yolanda E. Sosa for editorial assistance. RGG, GRM, PCR, and CBH are Argentine National Research Council (CONICET) researchers. ML, MC-M, and PC are CONICET doctoral fellows.

Funding

This study was supported in part by grant PICT15-0817 from the National Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology, from research grant MRCF 10-10-17 from the Medical Research Charitable Foundation and the Society for Experimental Gerontological Research, New Zealand to RGG and Grant M184 from National University of La Plata to CBH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Biochemical Research (INIBIOLP)–Histology B & Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

    Marianne Lehmann, Martina Canatelli-Mallat, Priscila Chiavellini, Gustavo R. Morel, Paula C. Reggiani & Rodolfo G. Goya

  2. Institute for Experimental Pharmacology Cordoba (IFEC), School of Chemical Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina

    Claudia B. Hereñú

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  1. Marianne Lehmann
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Correspondence to Rodolfo G. Goya.

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Lehmann, M., Canatelli-Mallat, M., Chiavellini, P. et al. Regulatable adenovector harboring the GFP and Yamanaka genes for implementing regenerative medicine in the brain. Gene Ther 26, 432–440 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41434-019-0063-x

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