In vivo transfer of gene and oligodeoxynucleotides into skin of fetal rats by incubation in amniotic fluid.
One of the tools to test an in vitro hypothesis in vivo is transgenic/gene targeting technology. Transgenic technology provides many advantages such as: (1) the study of specific gene function as systemic and developmental effects; and (2) testing of specific gene function chronically. nevertheless, one disadvantage of this technology is the difficulty in tissue-specific targeting of the transgenic expression. Another useful tool is the in vivo gene transfer approach. Therefore, we tested a potential novel model for the study of transgene expression and knock-out using antisense technology. Here, we have demonstrated that incubation of hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome complex containing FITC-labeled oligonucleotides in the amniotic fluid of fetal rats resulted in the nuclear localization of fluorescence in the skin (epidermis and dermis). Similarly, transfection of beta-galactosidase gene resulted in positive staining in several surface layers of the skin. Thus, local gene or antisense oligonucleotide transfer approach into the skin may be useful for studying the role of autocrine/paracrine mediators and treating diseases.
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
S I
SI
Hayashi
R
R
Morishita
M
M
Aoki
A
A
Moriguchi
I
I
Kida
M
M
Nakajima
Y
Y
Kaneda
J
J
Higaki
T
T
Ogihara
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate