In vivo gene electroinjection and expression in rat liver

FEBS Lett. 1996 Jul 8;389(3):225-8. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(96)00590-x.

Abstract

In vivo targeted gene transfer by non-viral vectors is subjected to anatomical constraints depending on the route of administration. Transfection efficiency and gene expression in vivo using non-viral vectors is also relatively low. We report that in vivo electropermeabilization of the liver tissue of rats in the presence of genes encoding luciferase or beta-galactosidase resulted in the strong expression of these genetic markers in rat liver cells. About 30-40% of the rat liver cells electroporated expressed the beta-galactosidase genetic marker 48 h after electroporation. The marker expression was also detected at least 21 days after transfection at about 5% of the level 48 h after electroporation. The results indicate that gene transfer by electroporation in vivo may avoid anatomical constraints and low transfection efficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electroporation / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression*
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Plasmids
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • beta-Galactosidase / genetics
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Luciferases
  • beta-Galactosidase