Apoptotic effect of recombinant VP3 gene of chicken infectious anaemia virus on HeLa cells

Oncogene virotherapy is emerging as a new modality for cancer treatment. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of recombinant VP3 gene on HeLa cells. The HeLa cells grown to 80% confluence in a six well plate were transfected with Lipofectamine, Lipofetamine + pcDNA 3.1 (+) eukaryotic vector and lipofetamine + pcDNA.CAV. VP3gene. The extent of the apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation Ladder assay and Flowcytrometry. At 24 hr post-transfection, the percentage of annexin V positive cells was notably higher in VP3 transfected cells (51.59%) followed by mock control cells (31.30%) and in vector transfected cells (30.36%). At 48 hr post-transfection the percentage of annexin V, positive count increased to 69.87 and 64.97 per cent in VP3 and vector transfected group, respectively. However, it was only 27 per cent in mock control group. It was concluded that the percentage of late apoptotic and dead cells were higher in VP3 transfected cells as compared to mock transfected cells and vector transfected cells both at 24 hr and 48 hr post-transfection. The results of the present study revealed that VP3 gene is having oncolytic potential on human immortal cell-line HeLa.