Feasibility Of Molecular Imaging And Radionuclide Therapy Of Human Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma By Baculovirus-mediated Sodium/iodine Symporter

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy of human hypopharyngeal squamous by baculovirus-mediated sodium/iodine symporter(NIS). MethodsTwo recombinant baculoviruses expressing respectively green fluorescent protein(GFP) and NIS were constructed according to Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression System mannal. The transduction efficiency of FaDu cells by Bac-GFP at different MOI were determined by flow cytometry. NIS protein expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. The iodine uptake, dynamic iodine uptake and inhibition of iodine uptake by NaClO4 of infected FaDu cells by Bac-NIS were examined. The radioactivity and GFP fluorescence intensity in co-infected Fa Du cells by Bac-GFP and Bac-NIS at different MOIs were measured. Cell colony formation tests were conducted to evaluate the killing effect of Bac-NIS-mediated 131 I on FaDu cells. ResultsBac-GFP and Bac-NIS were constructed successfully. The transduction efficiency of FaDu cells by Bac-GFP at the MOI of 400 with sodium butyrate could reach 95.16%. NIS protein could be expressed accurately at FaDu cell membranes and perform its normal function in iodine transport. The correlation coefficient between radioactivity and fluorescence intensity in co-infected FaDu cells was 0.971-a linear positive correlation, and the changes in the level of radioactivity could be used to estimate changes in GFP expression levels. Treatment coupled Bac-NIS with 131 I killed the infected FaDu cells dramatically in vitro. ConclusionsWe first reported that baculovirus could efficiently transduce FaDu cells and would be a novel viral vector for gene therapy of human hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Iodine uptake could be effectively performed by NIS-transfected FaDu cells. NIS-mediated 125 I or 131 I could be applied to molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy of human hypopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro.