Influence of E1-deleted recombinant adenoviruses on B7.1 and IL-2 expression in C1498 cells

Abstract

Background: Knowing that adenoviral vectors could initiate innate immunity, the ability of E1-deleted recombinant adenovirus (Ad-E1?) in induction of B7.1 and IL-2 molecules was studied. Methods: The expression of green fluorescent protein in C1498 cells following transfection of these cells with adenovirus green fluorescent protein vector confirmed the ability of adenovirus vectors in infecting the cells and inducing the expression of the gene of interest. The expression of B7.1 molecule on the surface of the cells was assayed upon infection with Ad-E1? vector. Adenovirus-IL-2/B7.1 vector capable of inducing IL-2 and B7.1 expression in the cells was used as the positive control vector. Results: According to the FACS results, about 4.17% of normal cells expressed B7.1 on their surface, while this level was increased in Ad-E1? transduced cells up to 14.43%. These results demonstrate that Ad-E1? vector considerably (about 3 folds) increases the expression of B7.1 on the cells. No detectable IL-2 was secreted into the medium of non-transduced and Ad-E1? transduced cells. Conclusion: Data indicate that the infection of C1498 cells with recombinant adenoviruses stimulates expression of B7.1 on the cell surface rather than secretion of IL-2 into the medium.