Targeted induction of apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme cells by an MRP3-specific TRAIL fusion protein in vitro

Tumour Biol. 2014 Feb;35(2):1157-68. doi: 10.1007/s13277-013-1155-7. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Abstract

Single-chain Fv fragments (scFvs) consist of the variable heavy-chain (VH) and variable light-chain (VL) domains, which are the smallest immunoglobulin fragments containing the whole antigen-binding site. Human soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) proves to acquire a potent pro-apoptotic activity only after selective binding to a predefined tumor cell surface antigen and has no off-target effects towards normal cells. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive type of brain tumor and overexpresses human multidrug resistance protein 3 (MRP3). In this study, we designed a novel fusion protein, termed scFvM58-sTRAIL, in which the MRP3-specific scFv antibody M58 was genetically fused to the N-terminus of human soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL). The recombinant scFvM58-sTRAIL fusion protein, expressed in Escherichia coli, was purified by chromatography and tested for cytotoxicity. scFvM58-sTRAIL showed a significant apoptosis-inducing activity towards MRP3-positive GBM cells in vitro. The pro-apoptotic activity of scFvM58-sTRAIL towards GBM cells was strongly inhibited in the presence of the parental scFvM58 antibody, suggesting that cytotoxic activity is MRP3-restricted. In a control experiment with MRP3-negative Jurkat cells, scFvM58-sTRAIL did not induce apparent apoptosis. In addition, through target antigen-restricted binding, scFvM58-sTRAIL was capable of activating not only TRAIL-R1 but also TRAIL-R2. In conclusion, our results suggest that fusion protein scFvM58-sTRAIL with specificity for MRP3 is a highly selective therapeutic agent and may provide an alternative therapy for human GBM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / immunology*
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / genetics
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / immunology*
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNFSF10 protein, human
  • multidrug resistance-associated protein 3