HVJ-liposome mediated gene transfer into hepatocytes in vivo

Background/Aims: The efficient transduction of appropriate target cells will be critical for gene therapy. We evaluated the suitability of hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome-mediated gene transfer for gene therapy of liver diseases. Methods: The Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (β-gal) gene was introduced into rat liver by HVJ-liposome to examine gene transfer efficacy and persistence of expression with or without partial hepatectomy prior to transfection. Results: About 30% of hepatocytes were transduced after portal vein injection. Gene expression was transient, with only 2% of hepatocytes expressing β-gal after 4 weeks. However, partial hepatectomy performed 24 h prior to injection resulted in persistently high levels of β-gal for 4 weeks after injection. A 247-bp β-gal polymerase chain reaction fragment transcript was detected in livers of transfected rats, but not in livers of control rats. The rat livers following gene transfer were histologically normal, and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase was not found to be elevated in rats. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that HVJ-liposome-mediated gene transfer produced high gene transduction and persistent gene expression in the liver.