Brain-specific gene expression by immortalized microglial cell-mediated gene transfer in the mammalian brain

Makoto Sawada, Fumihiro Imai, Hiromi Suzuki, Motoharu Hayakawa, Tetsuo Kanno, Toshiharu Nagatsu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The intra-arterial injection of immortalized microglia transfected with the lacZ gene, resulted in the expression of β-galactosidase in the rat brain at 48 h and the activity of β-galactosidase was detected for up to 3 weeks post-injection. More than 30-fold higher activity of β-galactosidase was detected in the brain than in the liver, lung or spleen at 48 h post-injection. This method allows us to easily deliver the gene of interest to the brain without influencing other organs. Our brain-targeting gene delivery system can facilitate gene therapy of several brain disorders, including brain tumor, metabolic disorders, and degenerative disorders, as well as investigation into the roles of particular genes in brain function and development. Copyright (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-40
Number of pages4
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume433
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14-08-1998

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Brain-specific gene expression by immortalized microglial cell-mediated gene transfer in the mammalian brain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this