TY  - JOUR
A1  - Tsoneva, Desislava
A1  - Minev, Boris
A1  - Frentzen, Alexa
A1  - Zhang, Qian
A1  - Wege, Anja K.
A1  - Szalay, Aladar A.
T1  - Humanized Mice with Subcutaneous Human Solid Tumors for Immune Response Analysis of Vaccinia Virus-Mediated Oncolysis
JF  - Molecular Therapy Oncolytics
N2  - Oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) therapy is an alternative cancer treatment modality that mediates targeted tumor destruction through a tumor-selective replication and an induction of anti-tumor immunity. We developed a humanized tumor mouse model with subcutaneous human tumors to analyze the interactions of VACV with the developing tumors and human immune system. A successful systemic reconstitution with human immune cells including functional T cells as well as development of tumors infiltrated with human T and natural killer (NK) cells was observed. We also demonstrated successful in vivo colonization of such tumors with systemically administered VACVs. Further, a new recombinant GLV-1h376 VACV encoding for a secreted human CTLA4-blocking single-chain antibody (CTLA4 scAb) was tested. Surprisingly, although proving CTLA4 scAb’s in vitro binding ability and functionality in cell culture, beside the significant increase of CD56\(^{bright}\) NK cell subset, GLV-1h376 was not able to increase cytotoxic T or overall NK cell levels at the tumor site. Importantly, the virus-encoded β-glucuronidase as a measure of viral titer and CTLA4 scAb amount was demonstrated. Therefore, studies in our “patient-like” humanized tumor mouse model allow the exploration of newly designed therapy strategies considering the complex relationships between the developing tumor, the oncolytic virus, and the human immune system.
KW  - humanized tumor
KW  - mouse model
KW  - subcutaneous human tumors
KW  - Oncolytic vaccinia virus
Y1  - 2017
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170786
VL  - 5
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Weider, Matthias
A1  - Wegener, Amélie
A1  - Schmitt, Christian
A1  - Küspert, Melanie
A1  - Hillgärtner, Simone
A1  - Bösl, Michael R.
A1  - Hermans-Borgmeyer, Irm
A1  - Nait-Oumesmar, Brahim
A1  - Wegner, Michael
T1  - Elevated in vivo levels of a single transcription factor directly convert satellite glia into oligodendrocyte-like cells
JF  - PLoS Genetics
N2  - Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating glia of the central nervous system and ensure rapid saltatory conduction. Shortage or loss of these cells leads to severe malfunctions as observed in human leukodystrophies and multiple sclerosis, and their replenishment by reprogramming or cell conversion strategies is an important research aim. Using a transgenic approach we increased levels of the transcription factor Sox10 throughout the mouse embryo and thereby prompted Fabp7-positive glial cells in dorsal root ganglia of the peripheral nervous system to convert into cells with oligodendrocyte characteristics including myelin gene expression. These rarely studied and poorly characterized satellite glia did not go through a classic oligodendrocyte precursor cell stage. Instead, Sox10 directly induced key elements of the regulatory network of differentiating oligodendrocytes, including Olig2, Olig1, Nkx2.2 and Myrf. An upstream enhancer mediated the direct induction of the Olig2 gene. Unlike Sox10, Olig2 was not capable of generating oligodendrocyte-like cells in dorsal root ganglia. Our findings provide proof-of-concept that Sox10 can convert conducive cells into oligodendrocyte-like cells in vivo and delineates options for future therapeutic strategies.
KW  - peripheral nervous system
KW  - Hirschsprung disease
KW  - spinal-cord
KW  - boundary cap
KW  - differentiation
KW  - stem cells
KW  - factor Sox10
KW  - mouse model
KW  - expression
KW  - Olig2
Y1  - 2015
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144123
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -