Effects of INF-γ-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the distribution and inhibition of tumours in vivo in a glioma nude mouse model

Abstract

Explored the effects of INF-γ-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the distribution and inhibition of tumour tissues. BALB/c mouse BMSCs were cultured, isolated, and identified by flow cytometry. To confirm INF-γ expression in the BMSCs, we constructed a lentiviral expression vector for the INF-γgene; BMSCs transfected in vitro were labelled with SYBR Green I fluorescent dye and detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Tumour tissues of nude mice were subjected to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining, and the number of positive cells was determined. The result that BMSCs were cultured in vivo and exhibited adherent growth. Flow cytometry indicated that CD44 (98.01%) and CD105 (96.17%) were overexpressed, whereas the CD34 (1.46%), CD45 (1.32%), and CD11b (1.48%) expression levels were low, indicating that the latter were BMSCs. Fluorescence analysis and PCR were applied to confirm INF-γtransfection into the BMSCs. Immunofluorescence staining showed clear accumulation of BMSCs in nude mouse tissues, with no fluorescence observed in the model group. TUNEL staining showed a higher apoptosis rate in the INF-γ+BMSC group than in the model group (P < 0.05). On day 9, the tumour volume differed significantly between the INF-γ+BMSC group and the other groups (P < 0.05). A lentiviral vector effectively transfected the INF-γ gene into BMSCs, where it was homed and distributed to tumour tissues, significantly inhibiting tumour growth.