Spleen-Selective Gene Transfer Following the Administration of Naked Plasmid DNA onto the Spleen Surface in Mice

Abstract

The purpose of present study was to examine spleen-selective gene transfer following the administration of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) onto the spleen surface in mice. Gene expression in the spleen and other tissues was evaluated based on firefly luciferase activity. Six hours after spleen surface instillation of naked pDNA, high gene expression in the spleen was observed. On the contrary, intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of naked pDNA resulted in no detectable gene expression. After instilling naked pDNA onto the spleen surface, gene expression in the spleen was significantly higher than those in other tissues. Six hours after instillation of naked pDNA onto the spleen surface, gene expression in the spleen reached the peak value, and thereafter decreased gradually. By utilizing a glass-made diffusion cell that is able to limit the contact dimension between the spleen surface and naked pDNA solution administered, site-specific gene expression in the spleen was found. This novel gene transfer method is expected to be a safe and effective strategy for DNA vaccine against serious infectious diseases and cancers.