In vivo gene electroinjection and expression in rat liver

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 β‐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 β‐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.