Reports from Nagasaki University highlight recent research in gene therapy

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February 9th, 2009

   2009 FEB 9 -- "The purpose of this study was to achieve stomach-selective gene transfer in rats by our simple and novel administration method, which is gastric serosal surface instillation of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA). Naked pDNA encoding firefly luciferase as a reporter gene was instilled onto the gastric serosal surface in male Wistar rats," researchers in Nagasaki, Japan report.

   "As controls, we performed intraperitoneal, intragastric and intravenous administration of naked pDNA. At appropriate time intervals, we measured luciferase activities in the stomach and other tissues. Gene expression in the stomach 6 h after gastric serosal surface instillation of naked pDNA (5 mu g) was significantly higher than that after using other administration methods. The present study is the first report on stomach-selective gene transfer following instillation of naked pDNA onto the gastric serosal surface in rats. Also, the gene expression level in the stomach 6 h after gastric serosal surface instillation of naked pDNA was markedly higher than that in other tissues. In a dose-dependent study, the gene expression level was saturated over 5 mu g. Gene expression in the stomach was detected 3 h after gastric serosal surface instillation of naked pDNA," wrote J. Nishi and colleagues, Nagasaki University.

   The researchers concluded: "The gene expression level peaked 12-24 h after instillation of naked pDNA, then decreased to a level similar to 3 h at 48 h. Gastric serosal surface in stillation of naked pDNA can be a highly stomach-selective gene transfer method in rats."

   Nishi and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Gastroenterology (Highly stomach-selective gene transfer following gastric serosal surface instillation of naked plasmid DNA in rats. Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008;43(12):912-919).

   For additional information, contact S. Fumoto, Nagasaki University, Graduate School Biomedical Science, 1-14 Bunkyo Machi, Nagasaki 8528521, Japan.

   Publisher contact information for the Journal of Gastroenterology is: Springer Tokyo, 1-11-11 Kudan-Kita, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 102-0073, Japan.

   Keywords: Japan, Nagasaki, Biotechnology, DNA, Enzymology, Gastroenterology, Gene Therapy, Genetics, Genomics, Luciferase, Reporter Gene, Nagasaki University.

   This article was prepared by Gastroenterology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Gastroenterology Week via NewsRx.com.

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