In vivo gene delivery. Efficient transfection of T lymphocytes in adult mice.

We have demonstrated that a single intraperitoneal injection of cationic liposomes complexed to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene expression plasmid can transfect the majority of splenic Thy 1.2+ T lymphocytes, as well as significant numbers of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cells, in adult mice. CAT activity was detected in the spleen for at least 2 weeks, and there was no evidence of treatment-related toxicity. Some degree of tissue-specific transgene expression was achieved by varying the cationic lipid used.