title: Gene transfer to chicks using lentiviral vectors administered via the embryonic chorioallantoic membrane.
abstract: The lack of affordable techniques for gene transfer in birds has inhibited the advancement of molecular studies in avian species. Here we demonstrate a new approach for introducing genes into chicken somatic tissues by administration of a lentiviral vector, derived from the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), into the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos on embryonic day 11. The FIV-derived vectors carried yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) or recombinant alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) genes, driven by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Transgene expression, detected in chicks 2 days after hatch by quantitative real-time PCR, was mostly observed in the liver and spleen. Lower expression levels were also detected in the brain, kidney, heart and breast muscle. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analyses confirmed transgene expression in chick tissues at the protein level, demonstrating a transduction efficiency of ∼0.46% of liver cells. Integration of the viral vector into the chicken genome was demonstrated using genomic repetitive (CR1)-PCR amplification. Viability and stability of the transduced cells was confirmed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, immunostaining with anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (anti-PCNA), and detection of transgene expression 51 days post transduction. Our approach led to only 9% drop in hatching efficiency compared to non-injected embryos, and all of the hatched chicks expressed the transgenes. We suggest that the transduction efficiency of FIV vectors combined with the accessibility of the CAM vasculature as a delivery route comprise a new powerful and practical approach for gene delivery into somatic tissues of chickens. Most relevant is the efficient transduction of the liver, which specializes in the production and secretion of proteins, thereby providing an optimal target for prolonged study of secreted hormones and peptides.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Agriculture, Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, Israel.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hen
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yosefi
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shinder
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Or
authors.forename: Sivan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mygdal
authors.forename: Reba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Condiotti
authors.forename: Eithan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galun
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bor
authors.forename: Dalit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sela-Donenfeld
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedman-Einat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics; D049033:Chorioallantoic Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C054562:yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria; D000521:alpha-MSH