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DNA Nanoparticles: Detection of Long-Term Transgene Activity in Brain using Bioluminescence Imaging

Authors :
David M. Yurek
Anita M. Fletcher
Matthew McShane
Tomasz H. Kowalczyk
Linas Padegimas
Marcy R. Weatherspoon
Michael D. Kaytor
Mark J. Cooper
Assem G. Ziady
Source :
Molecular Imaging, Vol 10 (2011)
Publication Year :
2011
Publisher :
SAGE Publications, 2011.

Abstract

In this study, we used bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to track long-term transgene activity following the transfection of brain cells using a nonviral gene therapy technique. Formulations of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) combined with 30-mer lysine polymers (substituted with 10 kDa polyethylene glycol) form nanoparticles that transfect brain cells in vivo and produce transgene activity. Here we show that a single intracerebral injection of these DNA nanoparticles (DNPs) into the rat cortex, striatum, or substantia nigra results in long-term and persistent luciferase transgene activity over an 8- to 11-week period as evaluated by in vivo BLI analysis, and single injections of DNPs into the mouse striatum showed stable luciferase transgene activity for 1 year. Compacted DNPs produced in vivo signals 7- to 34-fold higher than DNA alone. In contrast, ex vivo BLI analysis, which is subject to less signal quenching from surrounding tissues, demonstrated a DNP to DNA alone ratio of 76- to 280-fold. Moreover, the ex vivo BLI analysis confirmed that signals originated from the targeted brain structures. In summary, BLI permits serial analysis of luciferase transgene activity at multiple brain locations following gene transfer with DNPs. Ex vivo analysis may permit more accurate determination of relative activities of gene transfer vectors.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15360121
Volume :
10
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Molecular Imaging
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.74fd1eaad961438ba622f377fd517651
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2310/7290.2010.00053