The Department of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell leads a dynamic and innovative translational research program, advancing diverse fields such as Genetic Therapy and Personalized Medicine.
Our translational research program aims to leverage our expertise in genetic therapies and personalized medicine to develop clinical solutions that target the molecular causes of human diseases.
The Department of Genetic Medicine advances treatments and diagnostics through diverse clinical trials, including drug testing and research to better understand diseases.
The Department of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell leads a dynamic and innovative translational research program, advancing diverse fields such as Genetic Therapy and Personalized Medicine.
Our translational research program aims to leverage our expertise in genetic therapies and personalized medicine to develop clinical solutions that target the molecular causes of human diseases.
The Department of Genetic Medicine advances treatments and diagnostics through diverse clinical trials, including drug testing and research to better understand diseases.
Augmentation of pulmonary host defense against Pseudomonas by FcgammaRIIA cDNA transfer to the respiratory epithelium.
Publication Type
Academic Article
Authors
Worgall S, Bezdicek P, Kim M, Park J, Singh R, Christofidou-Solomidou M, Prince A, Kovesdi I, Schreiber A, Crystal R
Journal
J Clin Invest
Volume
104
Issue
4
Pagination
409-18
Date Published
08/01/1999
ISSN
0021-9738
Keywords
Gene Transfer Techniques, Lung, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Receptors, IgG
Abstract
Fcgamma receptors on the surface of phagocytic cells bind the Fc region of IgG and mediate binding, phagocytosis, and destruction of particulate antigens opsonized by the antigen-specific IgG molecule. The present study evaluates the feasibility of converting lung epithelial cells into phagocytic cells using adenovirus (Ad) vector-mediated gene transfer of FcgammaRIIA cDNA to induce expression of the human FcgammaRIIA receptor. Binding and phagocytosis of opsonized sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) by the A549 human lung epithelial cell line after Ad-mediated FcgammaRIIA gene transfer was demonstrated using light and fluorescence microscopy and phagocytic assays with (51)Cr-labeled SRBCs. When A549 cells were infected with an Ad vector expressing a FcgammaRIIA mutant in which 2 of 3 cytoplasmic tyrosines have been replaced with phenylalanine, only binding, but not phagocytosis, of opsonized SRBCs was observed. In vivo expression of FcgammaRIIA in the lung after intratracheal administration of the AdFcgammaRIIA enhanced clearance of opsonized Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the lung in normal rats and in mice deficient in Fcgamma receptor expression. Similar results were observed with a chimeric FcgammaRIIA construct containing the extracellular domain of FcgammaRIIIA. Together, these data demonstrate that Ad-mediated FcgammaRIIA receptor cDNA expression can mediate the binding and phagocytosis of opsonized particulate antigens by normally nonphagocytic cells, suggesting that gene-transfer strategies might be used to utilize nonphagocytic cells to clear bacteria or other opsonized particulate antigens from the respiratory tract.