Gene transfer with cationic lipid into human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice
Miwa, T.; Emi, N.; Nonami, T.; Kurokawa, T.; Yoshikawa, K.; Nakao, A.; Takagi, H.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 46(26): 825-829
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 10370621 Document Number: 505380
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Using a cationic lipid, gene transfection into the tumor of a human hepatocellular carcinoma model in nude mice was attempted in order to explore the possibility of its use in gene therapy. METHODOLOGY: A DNA-lipid complex was made by combining the cationic lipid distearyldimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB) with pCMV sPORT expressing the reporter gene LacZ. The expression of this complex was first investigated in vitro against the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Li7HM. It was then injected directly into a hepatocellular carcinoma model tumor created by implanting Li7HM into the liver of BALB/c nu/nu mice, and the expression of LacZ was histologically evaluated. RESULTS: LacZ gene was expressed in Li7HM in vitro with the optimized DNA-lipid complex. Cell toxicity was not a problem. Expression of LacZ was also seen in the mouse hepatocellular model tumor into which the complex had been injected, indicating successful gene transfection with this method. CONCLUSIONS:Direct injection of a DNA-lipid complex into a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma model tumor is a safe and simple method of gene transfection, proving this to be a viable method of transfer for use in gene therapy.