Cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer to rat salivary epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo

• Published in: The journal of gene medicine Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 82 - 90
• Main Authors: Baccaglini, Lorena, Shamsul Hoque, A. T. M., Wellner, Robert B., Goldsmith, Corinne M., Redman, Robert S., Sankar, Vidya, Kingman, Albert, Barnhart, Kerry M., Wheeler, Carl J., Baum, Bruce J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-01-2001; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Amylases - blood; Animals; Base Sequence; Blood Cell Count; cationic lipid; DNA Primers; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Gene therapy; Gene Transfer Techniques; Growth Hormone - genetics; Growth Hormone - metabolism; Liposomes; Male; Plasmids; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Recombinant Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Proteins - metabolism; salivary gland; Salivary Glands - cytology; Salivary Glands - metabolism; Transfection
• ISSN: 1099-498X; 1521-2254
• DOI: 10.1002/1521-2254(2000)9999:9999<::AID-JGM151>3.0.CO;2-X

Background
Previously we have shown that gene transfer to salivary gland epithelial cells readily occurs via recombinant adenoviruses, although the response is short‐lived and results in a potent host immune response. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using cationic liposomes to mediate gene transfer to rat salivary cells in vitro and in vivo.
Methods
Initially, for transfection in vitro, we used two cationic liposome formulations (GAP‐DLRIE/DOPE and DOSPA/DOPE) complexed with plasmid encoding human growth hormone (hGH) as a reporter gene. Thereafter, using GAP‐DLRIE/DOPE, plasmids were transferred to rat salivary glands in vivo, and hGH levels measured in saliva, serum and gland extracts.
Results
Under optimal conditions, transfection of rat submandibular glands (SMGs) was consistently observed. Approximately 95% of the cells transfected with a plasmid encoding β‐galactosidase were acinar cells. Maximal hGH expression was obtained during the first 48 h post‐transfection using a plasmid encoding the hGH cDNA and complexed with GAP‐DLRIE/DOPE. hGH was detected in gland extracts and saliva, and occasionally in serum. No systemic or local gland pathology was consistently or significantly observed.
Conclusions
The levels of the reporter gene product, hGH, obtained after GAP‐DLRIE/DOPE‐mediated gene transfer are considerably lower (<0.5%) than those achieved with adenoviral vectors (108 PFU). Nonetheless, cationic liposome‐mediated gene transfer to salivary glands may be useful for potential therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.