title: Optical fiber-based photomechanical gene transfer system for in vivo application.
abstract: We developed an optical-fiber-based photomechanical gene transfer system for endoscopic or catheter-based application. A fiber tip with a laser-absorbing film covered with a transparent plastic disk for plasma confinement was attached to a quartz fiber; the film was irradiated with nanosecond laser pulses transmitted through the fiber to generate photomechanical waves (PMWs). Characteristics of PMWs emitted from the fiber tip were examined to confirm the necessary conditions for gene transfer. We then attempted to transfer reporter genes to the rat skin as a test tissue in vivo with the fiber system, and the results showed significantly high protein levels and spatially selective pinpoint gene expressions in the tissue.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Information Sciences, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan. shunsato@ndmc.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Obara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D055100:Optical Fibers; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008156:Luciferases