skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Extracellular matrix interacts with interferon {alpha} protein: Retention and display of cytotoxicity

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
; ;  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Section for Studies on Host-Immune Response, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045 (Japan)
  2. Genetics Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045 (Japan)

We have been investigating the efficacy of an intratumoral interferon (IFN)-{alpha} gene transfer against solid cancers, and found that when the gene is transduced into the subcutaneous tumors, IFN-{alpha} concentration is markedly increased in the injected tumor but not in the serum. To explain this effective confinement of IFN-{alpha} to target tissues, we hypothesized that the extracellular matrix in the tumors interacts with IFN-{alpha}. In this study, a solid-phase-binding assay and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the IFN-{alpha} binds directly to matrix proteins. Immunohistochemical staining showed a co-localization of IFN-{alpha} with pericellular fibronectin. In addition, matrix-bound IFN-{alpha} protein transduced intracellular signaling and potentiated its cytotoxic activity, suggesting that the retention of IFN-{alpha} protein on extracellular matrix is likely to play a role in its in vivo biological activity. The data suggest a therapeutic advantage of the intratumoral IFN-{alpha} gene transfer over the conventional parenteral therapy both in the safety and efficacy.

OSTI ID:
21217099
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 376, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.08.132; PII: S0006-291X(08)01682-3; Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English