The Study Of Endostatin Gene In Vivo Transfection Mediated By Non-viral Vector Using Intramuscular Administration In Combination With Electroporation

Objective To enhance the gene transfer efficiency and gene expressionlevel in vivo by using non-viral vector. Methods We investigated the applicability of electroporation forendostatin gene transfer in vivo, using plasmid DNA expressing pMG as vector(pMGh-Endo). The tibialis anterior muscles of mice were injected with theplasmid DNA, and then the electric pulses were delivered. And the controlgroup were only injected with the plasmid DNA. The plasmid were dissolvedeither in saline or in 150 mM sodium phosphate. We have also examined theeffect of the DNase inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) on gene expressionin vivo after electroporation mediated gene transfer. Serum was collected ondays 7, 14, 28, 35, and endostatin levels determined by ELISA. Results Application of electrical pulses after injection of plasmid DNAresulted in more than 50 fold increase in gene expression and show stableexpression level for five weeks. We noted an increase in gene expression whenusing 150mM sodium phosphate (NaP) compared to the saline. The resultsshowed that ATA did not increase gene expression when NaP is used as vehicle. Conclusions Non-viral vector mediated gene transfer by electroporationin combination with intramuscular injection of endostatin gene provideshigh-level and long-lasting gene expression in vivo. These results are of crucialconcern for the development of efficient delivery techniques for gene therapy.