Liposome Mediated Transfer of Marker and Cytokine Genes Into Rat and Human Glioblastoma Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract

Gene transfer of Lac Z and TNF-α gene was performed in several glioblastoma cell lines in vitro (A172, F98, U373-MG, HS683, U343-MG, N31, N64, N28, N39 and N65). In comparison to the calcium phosphate precipitation technique (CPPT) the cationic liposomes were more successful measured by marker gene transfer (0.76 or 2.0%, depending on the cell line). In contrast, the amount of released human TNF-α was independed from the chosen transfer technique. Since the vector pWG29del3-hTNF contains a hormone response element it was possible to stimulate the hTNF secretion by dexamethasone up to 18 fold from a basic level of 1.1 ng/ml/24h/5×10⁵ cells. A liposomal mediated marker gene transfer (Lac Z) into a rat glio-blastoma in vivo revealed a three layer area of transfected cells around the stereotactical injection channel.