Chemosensitization by erythropoietin through inhibition of the NF-kappaB rescue pathway.

Two cell lines that exemplify erythropoietin (EPO) receptor-positive tumors, human renal carcinoma cell lines RCC and the myelomonocytic leukemia cell line U937, were investigated for the apoptosis-modulatory potential of EPO. Cells cultured in the presence of EPO exhibited an elevated apoptotic response to cancer chemotherapeutic agents such as daunorubicin (Dauno) and vinblastine (VBL). Chemosensitization by EPO did not involve an increase in p53 activation, yet correlated with enhanced Bax/Bak-dependent mitochondrial membrane perturbation and caspase maturation.

In vivo-targeted gene delivery using antibody-based nonviral vector.

Tissue-specific gene transfer remains one of the main challenges to deliver genes into designated and/or disseminated cells. We have previously shown successful gene transfer with a nonviral gene delivery system based on the simple chemical conjugation of plasmid DNA with antibody. However, this approach was hampered by low efficiency due to the poor translocation rate of DNA to the nucleus.