PEX-producing human neural stem cells inhibit tumor growth in a mouse glioma model

Clin Cancer Res. 2005 Aug 15;11(16):5965-70. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-05-0371.

Abstract

A unique characteristic of neural stem cells is their capacity to track glioma cells that have migrated away from the main tumor mass into the normal brain parenchyma. PEX, a naturally occurring fragment of human metalloproteinase-2, acts as an inhibitor of glioma and endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated the antitumor activity of PEX-producing human neural stem cells against malignant glioma. The HB1.F3 cell line (immortalized human neural stem cell) was transfected by a pTracer vector with PEX. The retention of the antiproliferative activity and migratory ability of PEX-producing HB1.F3 cells (HB1.F3-PEX) was confirmed in vitro. For the in vivo studies, DiI-labeled HB1.F3-PEX cells were stereotactically injected into established glioma tumor in nude mice. Tumor size was subsequently measured by magnetic resonance imaging and at the termination of the studies by histologic analysis including tumor volume, microvessel density, proliferation, and apoptosis rate. Histologic analysis showed that DiI-labeled HB1.F3-PEX cells migrate at the tumor boundary and cause a 90% reduction of tumor volume (P < 0.03). This reduction in tumor volume in animals treated with HB1.F3-PEX was associated with a significant decrease in angiogenesis (44.8%, P < 0.03) and proliferation (23.6%, P < 0.03). These results support the use of neural stem cells as delivery vehicle for targeting therapeutic genes against human glioma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / embryology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Glioma / blood supply
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods*

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2