Targeted delivery of NK4 to multiple lung tumors by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Cancer Gene Ther. 2007 Nov;14(11):894-903. doi: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7701079. Epub 2007 Aug 10.

Abstract

Most advanced solid tumors metastasize to different organs. However, no gene therapy effective for multiple tumors has yet been developed. Since a unique characteristic of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is that they migrate to tumor tissues, we wanted to determine whether MSCs could serve as a vehicle of gene therapy for targeting multiple tumors. First, we confirmed that mouse MSCs preferentially migrate to multiple tumors of the lung in the Colon-26 (C-26) lung metastasis model. Next, MSCs were efficiently transduced with NK4, an antagonist of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), by an adenoviral vector with an RGD motif. MSCs expressing NK4 (NK4-MSCs) strongly inhibited development of lung metastases in the C-26 lung metastasis model after systemic administration via a tail vein. Treatment with NK4-MSCs significantly prolonged survival of the C-26-tumor-bearing mice by inhibiting tumor-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis and inducing apoptosis of the tumor cells. MSC-based gene therapy did not induce the severe adverse effects induced by conventional adenoviral vectors. These results indicate that MSCs can serve as a vehicle of gene therapy for targeting multiple lung metastatic tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Bone Marrow Cells / physiology
  • Cell Movement
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphangiogenesis
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / therapy

Substances

  • HGF protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor