BACKGROUND EMX2 is a human orthologue of the Drosophila empty spiracles homeobox gene that has been implicated in embryogenesis. Recent studies suggest possible involvement of EMX2 in human cancers; however, the role of EMX2 in carcinogenesis needs further exploration. RESULTS In this study, we reported that down-regulation of EMX2 expression was significantly correlated with EMX2 promoter hy...

For efficient delivery of required genetic elements we utilized high-capacity adenoviral vectors in the past allowing high transgene capacities of up to 36 kb. Previously we explored the hyperactive Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposase (HSB5) for somatic integration from the high-capacity adenoviral vectors genome. To further improve this hybrid vector system we hypothesized that the previously des...

We studied the ability of adenoviral vectors to achieve gene transfer into injured arteries. A recombinant adenoviral vector expressing a nuclear-targeted f-galactosidase gene was constructed and infused into balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. Three days after gene transfer, recombinant gene expression was assessed quantitatively by (1) measuring 13-galactosidase antigen and activity in tiss...

Treatment of genetic disease such as the bleeding disorder hemophilia B [deficiency in blood coagulation factor IX (F.IX)] by gene replacement therapy is hampered by the risk of immune responses to the therapeutic gene product and to the gene transfer vector. Immune competent mice of two different strains were tolerized to human F.IX by hepatic gene transfer mediated by adenoassociated viral ve...

Viral lung infections increase susceptibility to subsequent bacterial infection. We questioned whether local lung administration of recombinant adenoviral vectors in the sheep would alter the susceptibility of the lung to subsequent challenge with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We further questioned whether local lung expression of elafin, a locally produced alarm anti-LPS/anti-bacterial m...

Following fetal or neonatal gene transfer in mice and other species immune tolerance of the transgenic protein is frequently observed; however the underlying mechanisms remain largely undefined. In this study fetal and neonatal BALB/c mice received adenovirus vector to deliver human factor IX (hFIX) cDNA. The long-term tolerance of hFIX was robust in the face of immune challenge with hFIX prote...

In dividing cells, the two aims a gene therapeutic approach should accomplish are efficient nuclear delivery and retention of therapeutic DNA. For stable transgene expression, therapeutic DNA can either be maintained by somatic integration or episomal persistence of which the latter approach would diminish the risk of insertional mutagenesis. As most monosystems fail to fulfill both tasks with ...

Adenoviral (Ad) vectors are widely used in gene therapies, recombinant viral vaccines, and basic science studies. The vectors can deliver therapeutic genes into cells to recover the lost function of some genes, to enhance the ability of host immune systems, or to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Several adenoviral vector systems have been developed: first-gene...

Delivery of multiple exogenous genes into target cells is important for a broad range of gene therapy applications, including combined therapeutic gene expression and noninvasive imaging. Previous studies ( Mol Ther 4: 223-231, 2001 ) have described the adenoviral vector RGDTKSSTR with a double-expression cassette that encodes herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) for molecular chemothe...

BACKGROUND Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with mitogenic, motogenic and morphogenic effects for a wide variety of cells. Previous studies have reported that the in vivo infusion in normal, untreated mice of recombinant HGF results in low levels of DNA synthesis and liver proliferation. In this study, we examined whether liver regeneration could be obt...