Etiology and PathogenesisCaspases


Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 71(2): 127-134, January 2005. (Laboratory Investigation)


Abstract

Protein delivery of caspase-3 induces cell death in malignant C6 glioma, primary astrocytes and immortalized and primary brain capillary endothelial cells

Birgit Zassler, Ingolf E. Blasig and Christian Humpel

Laboratory of Psychiatry, University Clinic of Psychiatry, Innsbruck, Austria [B.Z., C.H.]. Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, Berlin, Germany [I.E.B]. Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Psychiatry, University Clinic of Psychiatry, Anichstr.35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria [C.H.]. Correspondence to: Christian Humpel, Email: christian.humpel@uibk.ac.at, Phone: 43-512-504-23712, Fax: 43-512-504-23713, URL: http://info.uibk.ac.at/c/c5/c518/psychlab/psychlab.html

Most brain tumors consist of transformed glia cells and are highly vascularized by capillary endothelial cells. 
The aim of the present study therefore was to deliver pro-apoptotic caspase-3 into malignant C6 glioma and immortalized rBCEC4 brain endothelial cells to induce cell death. 
Both cell lines were transfected with a reporter protein (β-galactosidase) using lipid-mediated gene transfer (FuGENE6TM) or using the novel protein delivery reagent BioPORTERTM
β-Galactosidase protein was successfully delivered into both cells, the protein expression peaked around day 2 and was transient. 
Delivery of caspase-3 induced TUNEL-positive cell death of both cell types. 
As a control, caspase-3 was also delivered to non-neoplastic primary astrocytes and endothelial cells and induced cell death. 
In conclusion BioPORTERTM-protein delivery of pro-apoptotic molecules may provide a potent tool to cause death of the cells in brain tumors, however, this method is limited due to its toxicity to non-malignant cells.

Keywords: BioPORTERTM - brain tumor - caspase-3 - C6 - FuGENE6TM - rBCEC4

© Springer 2005

Source: http://springerlink.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&eissn=1573-7373&volume=71&issue=2&spage=127
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11060-004-1364-4


 

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