title: In vivo gene delivery and expression by bacteriophage lambda vectors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bacteriophage vectors have potential as gene transfer and vaccine delivery vectors because of their low cost, safety and physical stability. However, little is known concerning phage-mediated gene transfer in mammalian hosts. We therefore performed experiments to examine phage-mediated gene transfer in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mice were inoculated with recombinant lambda phage containing a mammalian expression cassette encoding firefly luciferase (luc). Efficient, dose-dependent in vivo luc expression was detected, which peaked within 24 h of delivery and declined to undetectable levels within a week. Display of an integrin-binding peptide increased cellular internalization of phage in vitro and enhanced phage-mediated gene transfer in vivo. Finally, in vivo depletion of phagocytic cells using clodronate liposomes had only a minor effect on the efficiency of phage-mediated gene transfer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unmodified lambda phage particles are capable of transducing mammalian cells in vivo, and may be taken up -- at least in part -- by nonphagocytic mechanisms. Surface modifications that enhance phage uptake result in more efficient in vivo gene transfer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These experiments shed light on the mechanisms involved in phage-mediated gene transfer in vivo, and suggest new approaches that may enhance the efficiency of this process.
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors: H A
authors: HA
authors: Lankes
authors: C N
authors: CN
authors: Zanghi
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Santos
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Capella
authors: C M P
authors: CM
authors: Duke
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Dewhurst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000382:microbiology; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines