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Efficient gene delivery of a baculovirus-derived vector (BV-p53-lacZ) to a human osteogenic sarcoma cell line, Saos-2, was serendipitously found while evaluating the vector for gene delivery to human p53-null tumour cells in a previous study. Therefore, we investigated other human, rat and mouse osteogenic sarcoma and other types of tumour cell lines for transduction efficiency via baculovirus vectors containing a lacZ reporter gene under the control of either a cytomegalovirus or Rous sarcoma virus promoter. The expression of b-galactosidase protein, assessed by X-Gal staining and b-galactosidase ELISA, demonstrated an extremely high level of transduction efficiency in some osteogenic sarcoma cell lines, such as U-2OS, Saos-2 and Saos-LM2. These human osteogenic sarcoma cell lines showed levels of b-galactosidase expression 5-40 times greater than HepG2 cells, which were previously thought to be the mammalian cells most susceptible to baculovirus-mediated gene delivery. The level of acetylated histone proteins in these tumour lines did not correlate well with the high level of reporter gene expression. These results strongly suggest that some osteogenic sarcoma cells are highly susceptible to baculovirusmediated gene delivery and that a baculovirus-derived vector is an efficient gene delivery vehicle into human osteogenic sarcoma cells.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is one of the most promising stimulants for ex vivo expansion of haematopoietic stem cells. Previously, we have found that TPO induces a characteristic pattern of apoptosis during ex vivo expansion of human cord blood (CB) CD34 cells and that the TPO-induced apoptotic cells belong to megakaryocyte (MK) lineage. In this study, we have examined the maturation of MK and platelet production in association with the TPO-induced apoptosis. CD34 cells, purified from human CB, were expanded in serum-free conditions stimulated with TPO. Apoptosis was confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and electron microscopy (EM). Simultaneous measurement of DNA content and immunophenotyping revealed that the cells with higher DNA content (>8 N) constituted less than 5% of the CD41 fractions until day 14, implying premature apoptosis of MKs before full polyploidization. Nevertheless, EM observation showed not only platelet territories but also newly produced platelets in which granules and microfilaments could be identified. Furthermore, flow cytometry demonstrated that the platelet fraction expressed P-selectin and an activation motif on GPIIb/IIIa recognized by monoclonal antibody PAC-1 upon stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP). In addition, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive materials and nonspecific esterase activities could be demonstrated. Therefore, it is suggested that platelet production and the accompanying processes, rather than apoptosis only, be hastened during the ex vivo expansion of CB CD34 cells when using TPO.

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