Transplantation of recombinant human il-2 in maize for production of edible vaccine against human cancer cells

Abstract

Recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2) is normally produced in E. coli via genetic engineering and used for treatment of various cancer cells. However, when produced in E. coli, it is very expensive because E. coli requires sugar containing media for its growth. This study explored the feasibility of producing biologically active rhIL-2 in the green tissues of transgenic Zea mays (corn) plants in large quantity because the plants can cheaply produce recombinant proteins while getting their energy from freely available sun via photosynthesis. The rhIL2 gene was initially optimized to maximize its expression in plants. Then, a plasmid structure containing rhIL-2, Rubisco green-specific promoter, endoplasmic reticulum transit peptide, NOS terminator and 6-histodin tag was developed and bombarded into immature embryo cell lines to produce fertile corn plants. Molecular analyses (PCR, Reverse transcriptase PCR and western bloting) confirmed that the human IL-2 had integrated, transcribed and translated in up to T3 transgenic maize plants. The next studies will be carried out in the preclinical and clinical tests of rhIL-2 products and also their commercialization ability for the treatment of cancer.