Introduction of plasmid DNA and oligonucleotides into lung epithelial cells by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome method.
The hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) fused with liposomes provides a unique transfection vehicle with characteristics of both virus vector and liposome. Here we investigate the efficiency and safety of the HVJ-liposome technique in delivering foreign genes and oligonucleotides into the lung of the Wistar rat. A plasmid vector containing the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene and the chicken beta-actin promoter was transfected via the trachea using the HVJ-liposome method. Cytochemical staining showed expression of exogenous beta-gal activity in airway epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, and alveolar type II cells. This activity persisted at least 28 days after administration of the genes. FITC-labeled oligonucleotides also were introduced into the same types of lung cells as those expressing beta-gal. After instillation of HVJ-liposome, anti-HVJ antibodies were detected in the sera of the rats, but even after repeated administration of HVJ-liposome, no marked histopathologic change was observed while exogenous beta-gal expression was detected in pulmonary cells.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Japan. yoshida@imed3.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
M
M
Yoshida
S
S
Hayashi
J
J
Sakuma-Mochizuki
K
K
Abe
T
T
Arai
M
M
Mori
S
S
Goya
H
H
Matsuoka
Y
Y
Kaneda
T
T
Kishimoto
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D002645:Chickens; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008081:Liposomes; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018108:Respirovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014162:Transfection; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
D000199:Actins; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008081:Liposomes; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D001616:beta-Galactosidase