Targeted gene transfer to corneal endothelium in vivo by electric pulse.

A novel method of in vivo targeted gene transfer to intentionally selected areas of the corneal endothelium was developed. Plasmid DNA with the lacZ gene coding for beta-galactosidase was injected into the anterior chamber of adult Wistar rats, and eight pulses of electricity at intensities ranging from 5 to 40 V/cm were delivered for 50 ms to the cornea with a specially designed electric probe in order to determine the effect of gene transfer on the corneal endothelial cells. Gene expression was visualized by enzymatic color reaction using X-gal in enucleated eyes on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after gene transfer. The treated eyes were then photographed and the X-gal-positive areas were evaluated by an image analyzer. The ratios of the areas (X-gal-positive area/area of entire corneal endothelium x 100%) were then calculated to determine gene transfection efficiency. The expression of beta-galactosidase was clearly detected in the cytoplasm of the corneal endothelial cells as early as day 1 and lasted until day 21. The most intense gene expression was observed on days 1 and 3 (5.21% on day 1 and 6.45% on day 3). The expression of beta-galactosidase on day 3 was most evident following delivery of 20 V electric pulses (0.09% at 5 V, 0.03% at 10 V, 6.45% at 20 V). beta-Galactosidase expression was limited to the corneal endothelial cells in highly selected areas and no beta-galactosidase expression was detected in any other intra- or axtraocular tissues. In addition, no cell damage was apparent in the cornea and no inflammation was detected in any other intraocular tissues. Thus, low-voltage electric pulses successfully transferred the gene of interest to highly selective areas of the corneal endothelium without inducing any pathological changes. This targeted gene transfer method appears to have great potential for use in gene therapy for ocular diseases.