Genetic transfer of fusion proteins effectively inhibits   VCAM-1-mediated cell adhesion and transmigration via  inhibition of cytoskeletal anchorage.
The adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium plays a central role in the development of atherosclerosis and thus represents an attractive therapeutic target for anti-atherosclerotic therapies. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mediates both the initial tethering and the firm adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. Our work evaluates the feasibility of using the cytoskeletal anchorage of VCAM-1 as a target for gene therapy. As a proof of concept, integrin alphaIIbbeta3-mediated cell adhesion with clearly defined cytoskeletal anchorage was tested. We constructed fusion proteins containing the intracellular domain of beta3 placed at various distances to the cell membrane. Using cell adhesion assays and immunofluorescence, we established fusion constructs with competitive and dominant negative inhibition of cell adhesion. With the goal being the transfer of the dominant negative mechanism towards VCAM-1 inhibition, we constructed a fusion molecule containing the cytoplasmic domain of VCAM-1. Indeed, VCAM-1 mediated leukocyte adhesion can be inhibited via transfection of DNA encoding the designed VCAM-1 fusion protein. This is demonstrated in adhesion assays under static and flow conditions using CHO cells expressing recombinant VCAM-1 as well as activated endothelial cells. Thus, we are able to describe a novel approach for dominant negative inhibition of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. This approach warrants further development as a novel gene therapeutic strategy that aims for a locally restricted effect at atherosclerotic areas of the vasculature.
Hagemeyer
Christoph E
CE
Centre for Thrombosis and Myocardial Infarction, Baker Heart Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. hagemeyer@hotmail.com
Ahrens
Ingo
I
Bassler
Nicole
N
Dschachutaschwili
Natia
N
Chen
Yung C
YC
Eisenhardt
Steffen U
SU
Bode
Christoph
C
Peter
Karlheinz
K
D000818:Animals; D019011:Antigens, CD7 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016466:CHO Cells; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D019011:Antigens, CD7; D019040:E-Selectin; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1