title: Marker gene transfer and oncolysis of human Y79 retinoblastoma cells mediated by herpes simplex virus mutants.
abstract: Three different herpes simplex virus (HSV) mutants, designated hrR3, MGH-1 and R3616, were used to infect Y79 retinoblastoma cells grown in suspension. Two parameters were assayed: (a) vector-mediated gene expression, measured by histochemical staining of a transferred LacZ transgene, and (b) virus-mediated oncolysis, determined by the inability of infected cells to exclude trypan blue dye. The tested HSV mutants were found to infect cells grown in suspension at a relatively low multiplicity of infection (MOI = 0.01) and were capable of transferring the LacZ gene as early as 2 days after infection. Furthermore, differences in oncolytic activity were observed amongst the tested viruses: MGH-1 and R3616 exhibited 50% cell kill at a MOI of 0.1 over a period of 6 days, whereas hrR3-mediated oncolysis appeared less efficient. These studies provide a rationale for further exploitation of oncolytic herpes viruses as a potential treatment of intraocular tumors.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Clinic, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicolò
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Chiocca
mesh_terms: D016923:Cell Death; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005697:Galactosides / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D005697:Galactosides; D007211:Indoles; C044888:5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-galactoside