Persistent gene expression after retroviral gene transfer into liver cells in vivo.
The development of liver-directed gene therapy protocols depends upon the ability to transfer genes into a large number of liver cells such that the genes are expressed persistently. We used a retroviral vector to transfer the gene for neomycin phosphotransferase (neo) into mouse liver cells in vivo. Direct injection of the retrovirus preparation into mitotically active (regenerating) liver parenchyma resulted in efficient gene transfer, with neo sequences detectable in the livers of every animal tested 10 weeks to 6 months later. The neo gene was expressed for at least 3 months. This methodology may eventually be applicable to the treatment of human disease.
Kaleko
M
M
Program in Molecular Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
Garcia
J V
JV
Miller
A D
AD
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D019868:Kanamycin Kinase; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D004247:DNA; D010770:Phosphotransferases; D019868:Kanamycin Kinase