Liver site-specific gene transfer following the administration of naked plasmid DNA to the liver surface in mice.

The present study was undertaken to investigate liver site-specific gene transfer following the administration of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) to the liver surface in mice. We examined whether genes could be delivered to the liver site specifically by utilizing the glass-made diffusion cell that is able to limit the contact dimension between the liver surface and pDNA solution administered. Gene expression was detected at the site of diffusion cell attachment (site 1) and was significantly higher than in other liver sites and tissues. Moreover, gene expression was also detected at deeper site from the liver surface (noncontact side with pDNA solution). The level of gene expression at site 1 did not change significantly with pDNA treatment for 10, 30, and 60 min. In conclusion, we demonstrated that naked pDNA administered to the liver surface in mice was taken up from its surface, and subsequently the protein encoded by pDNA could be produced site specifically.