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Brain‐specific gene expression by immortalized microglial cell‐mediated gene transfer in the mammalian brain
Author(s) -
Sawada Makoto,
Imai Fumihiro,
Suzuki Hiromi,
Hayakawa Motoharu,
Kanno Tetsuo,
Nagatsu Toshiharu
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)00879-5
Subject(s) - gene , gene expression , gene transfer , brain cell , microglia , microbiology and biotechnology , immortalised cell line , cell , biology , chemistry , genetics , immunology , inflammation
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.