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Conclusion: Fas ligand (FasL) gene therapy may provide a new efficient therapeutic model for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Acid ceramidase (AC) may not play an important role in the sensitivity of HNSCC cell lines to Fas-induced apoptosis. Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of FasL gene therapy for HNSCC in vitro and to determine whether the expression of AC in different kinds of HNSCC cell lines is related to the sensitivity of HNSCC cell lines to Fas-mediated apoptotic induction. Methods: Three HNSCC cell lines (Hep-2, MMSI, and SCCVII) were transfected with pEGFP-FasL, a plasmid containing a modified human FasL gene fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP). pEGFP-C1, a plasmid containing the GFP gene alone, was used as a control. Cell death was observed by fluorescence imaging and quantified using a tetrazolium-based (MTS) assay. SCCVII cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the presence of apoptotic induction. Hep-2 and MMSI cells were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of AC. Results: Transfection of pEGFP-FasL plasmid was shown to be able to induce cell death, the sensitivity of Fas-mediated apoptosis in HNSCC was different, and the level of AC did not correlate with the sensitivity of HNSCC cells to Fas-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive proteins or peptides cannot be effectively delivered into brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) or brain parenchyma. In this study, we selectively transferred Escherichia coli β-galactosidase gene (β-gal) as a model gene into BCECs by using the hemagglutination virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposomes. HVJ-liposomes encapsulating a β-gal plasmid were used to transfect MBEC4 cells in vitro , and were administrated via the internal carotid artery to rat in vivo . Success of the procedure was confirmed by the detection of 116 kDa β-gal protein in transfected MBEC4 cells and in brain capillaries isolated from transfected rats, by Western blot analysis and histological staining. The enzymatic activities of β-galactosidase were 5- to 10-fold and 20-fold higher than when β-gal-containing liposomes without fusogenic activity (uncoated liposomes) or plasmid alone were employed in vitro and in vivo , respectively. Thus, HVJ-liposomes were demonstrated to be a useful vector to transfer a foreign gene into the brain capillary endothelium in vivo via the transluminal route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]