Minimizing side effects of ballistic gene transfer into the XXXX corneal epithelium.

@entity267 @entity8022 @entity19 @entity17796 @entity1618 @entity58 @entity46403
BACKGROUND: The beneficial effect of modulating an allospecific immune response by ballistic @entity58 and @entity17796 gene transfer to deliver minimalistic immunologically defined gene expression (MIDGE) vectors into the corneal epithelium was demonstrated in corneal transplantation. However, side effects reduced graft survival in control animals after ballistic transfer without DNA. METHODS: An adapter was constructed for the gene gun apparatus to enlarge and keep constant the distance between the gun and the @entity267 . @entity19 were treated by ballistic transfer of luciferase- or @entity1618 -encoding MIDGE vectors using gold particles different in quantity, size and size uniformity. Levels of protein expression were determined. Treated corneas were observed under the scanning electron microscope and immunohistologically. Three groups of Balb/c ( @entity8022 ) @entity19 received a @entity46403 (H-2 k) corneal graft and two of them had gold particles delivered into the corneal epithelium by gene gun. RESULTS: Using the gene gun and the distance piece, scanning electron microscopy did not reveal morphological differences of the corneal surface compared with untreated corneas on day 2 and 5. Sagittal histological sections of the central @entity267 did not show an invasion of macrophages 24 h after treatment. The expression of luciferase and @entity1618 was not reduced when a smaller amount of gold (0.1 mg instead of 0.5 mg) was employed. Ballistic gold treatment did not reduce graft survival. CONCLUSION: Ballistic gene transfer into the corneal epithelium allows high cytokine expression in the @entity267 without measurable side effects if an apparatus is used that is adapted for this specific purpose.
