Persistence of plasmid DNA and expression in rat brain cells in vivo.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasmid DNA is able to persist in nondividing or slowly dividing brain cells in vivo. A new cationic lipid formulation which contains 70 mol% of DOTMA (N[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N, N, N-trimethylammonium) and 30 mol% of cholesterol was used to transfect reporter genes into fetal brain cells in culture that were then transplanted into adult host brains. Gene expression was localized both to glial and neuronal cells after transfection of fetal brain cells with pRSVLac-Z, the gene coding for Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase protein. After the transfection of pRSVL plasmid which contains the firefly luciferase gene into fetal brain cells that were transplanted, substantial amounts of luciferase and pRSVL DNA were present in the host brains for 1 to 2 months. These results have implications for intracerebral viral infections and gene therapy of brain disorders.
Jiao
S
S
Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
Acsadi
G
G
Jani
A
A
Felgner
P L
PL
Wolff
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001358:Avian Sarcoma Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus; D015870:Gene Expression; D007763:Lac Operon; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010957:Plasmids / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D051381:Rats; D014162:Transfection
D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C054005:N-(1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium; C020888:1,2-dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine; D004247:DNA