OBJECTIVE: To establish a system for efficient, direct in vivo gene transfer into joints. METHODS: A hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus)-liposome suspension containing SV40 large T antigen (SVT) gene was injected intraarticularly into knee joints of 6-week-old female Lewis rats. Rats were killed at various times for immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of SVT gene. RESULTS: The expression of SVT gene was detected immunohistochemically in chondrocytes in the superficial and middle zones of articular cartilage in the knee joints. The average percentage of SVT-positive cells was estimated to be approximately 30% on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after transfection. Moreover, no pathologic change caused by HVJ-liposome injection was observed in the joints. CONCLUSION: The transfection frequency and stability of expression recognized in this study indicate the possibility of a strategy for treatment of joint disorders, including arthritis, using direct gene transfer.
OBJECTIVE: To establish a system for efficient, direct in vivo gene transfer into joints. METHODS: A hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus)-liposome suspension containing SV40 large T antigen (SVT) gene was injected intraarticularly into knee joints of 6-week-old female Lewis rats. Rats were killed at various times for immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of SVT gene. RESULTS: The expression of SVT gene was detected immunohistochemically in chondrocytes in the superficial and middle zones of articular cartilage in the knee joints. The average percentage of SVT-positive cells was estimated to be approximately 30% on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after transfection. Moreover, no pathologic change caused by HVJ-liposome injection was observed in the joints. CONCLUSION: The transfection frequency and stability of expression recognized in this study indicate the possibility of a strategy for treatment of joint disorders, including arthritis, using direct gene transfer.
Authors: J Fernandes; G Tardif; J Martel-Pelletier; V Lascau-Coman; M Dupuis; F Moldovan; M Sheppard; B R Krishnan; J P Pelletier Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 1999-04 Impact factor: 4.307