Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Naked plasmid DNA and DNA/liposome complexes are currently being considered as gene therapy treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease. Current methods of gene delivery to the airways result only in transient correction of the CF ion transport defect, and disease treatment is likely to require repeated administrations of vector. However, it is unclear if repeat administration will be tolerated by CF individuals. Technologies including TaqMan (Applied Biosystems) real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be used to determine the efficacy of gene transfer formulations. TaqMan RT-PCR assays were designed and optimised to detect plasmid vector-derived and endogenous gene expression. Subsequently, these assays were used to quantify vector-derived mRNA after delivery of naked DNA and DNA/liposome formulations expressing human and murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to the mouse airways. Vector-derived mRNA was detected in samples following the delivery of naked DNA or DNA/liposomes to the mouse airways, and no reduction in vector-derived mRNA was observed upon repeat administration, a finding that is consistent with the murine and human CFTR being tolerated by the mouse. Although it remains to be seen if CF patients can tolerate long-term expression of wild-type CFTR, these data demonstrate that TaqMan RT-PCR is an effective tool to accurately quantify transgene expression in the airways.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/sj.gt.3301792

Type

Journal article

Journal

Gene Ther

Publication Date

10/2002

Volume

9

Pages

1312 - 1320

Keywords

Animals, Cystic Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, Female, Gene Expression, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genetic Therapy, Genetic Vectors, Humans, Liposomes, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Plasmids, RNA, Messenger, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Transgenes