In vivo gene electroinjection and expression in rat liver.
In vivo targeted gene transfer by non-viral vectors is subjected to anatomical constraints depending on the route of administration. Transfection efficiency and gene expression in vivo using non-viral vectors is also relatively low. We report that in vivo electropermeabilization of the liver tissue of rats in the presence of genes encoding luciferase or beta-galactosidase resulted in the strong expression of these genetic markers in rat liver cells. About 30-40% of the rat liver cells electroporated expressed the beta-galactosidase genetic marker 48 h after electroporation. The marker expression was also detected at least 21 days after transfection at about 5% of the level 48 h after electroporation. The results indicate that gene transfer by electroporation in vivo may avoid anatomical constraints and low transfection efficiency.
Heller
R
R
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612, USA.
Jaroszeski
M
M
Atkin
A
A
Moradpour
D
D
Gilbert
R
R
Wands
J
J
Nicolau
C
C
D000818:Animals; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010957:Plasmids; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D008156:Luciferases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase