Korean J Hepatol.  2011 Sep;17(3):213-219. 10.3350/kjhep.2011.17.3.213.

Effect of aldosterone on the amplification of oncolytic vaccinia virus in human cancer lines

• Lee HJ
• Rho J
• Gui SR
• Kim MK
• Lee YK
• Lee YS
• Kim JE
• Cho E
• Cho M
• Hwang TH

• KMID: 1025201
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2011.17.3.213

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
JX-594 is an oncolytic virus derived from the Wyeth vaccinia strain that causes replication-dependent cytolysis and antitumor immunity. Starting with a cross-examination of clinical-trial samples from advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients having high levels of aldosterone and virus amplification in JX-594 treatment, we investigated the association between virus amplification and aldosterone in human cancer cell lines.
METHODS
Cell proliferation was determined by a cell-counting-kit-based colorimetric assay, and vaccinia virus quantitation was performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a viral plaque assay. Also, the intracellular pH was measured using a pH-sensitive dye.
RESULTS
Simultaneous treatment with JX-594 and aldosterone significantly increased viral replication in A2780, PC-3, and HepG2 cell lines, but not in U2OS cell lines. Furthermore, the aldosterone treatment time altered the JX-594 replication according to the cell line. The JX-594 replication peaked after 48 and 24 hours of treatment in PC-3 and HepG2 cells, respectively. qPCR showed that JX-594 entry across the plasma membrane was increased, however, the changes are not significant by the treatment. This was inhibited by treatment with spironolactone (an aldosterone-receptor inhibitor). JX-594 entry was significantly decreased by treatment with EIPA [5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride; a Na+/H+-exchange inhibitor], but aldosterone significantly restored JX-594 entry even in the presence of EIPA. Intracellular alkalization was observed after aldosterone treatment but was acidified by EIPA treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Aldosterone stimulates JX-594 amplification via increased virus entry by affecting the H+ gradient.

Keyword

Aldosterone; Vaccinia virus; Mineralocorticoid receptor; pH; Virus entry

MeSH Terms

Aldosterone/*pharmacology
Aldosterone Antagonists/pharmacology
Amiloride/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology
Animals
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood/virology
Cell Line, Tumor
Humans
Hydrocortisone/blood
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Liver Neoplasms/blood/virology
Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology
Oncolytic Virotherapy
Rabbits
Spironolactone/pharmacology
Vaccinia virus/*drug effects/genetics/metabolism/*physiology
Virus Replication/*drug effects