GENE-TRANSFER THROUGH IMPLANTATION OF EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA-CELLS IN THE BRAIN

Mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 could be differentiated to neu rons or glial cells by appropriate induction. We introduced the lacZ g ene driven by a calmodulin promoter into P19 cells, and cloned the tra nsfectant CaM-Z that showed the strong expression of lacZ gene after t he induction of differentiation. CaM-Z cells after differentiation wer e then implanted in newborn rats or mice intracranially. PCR amplifica tion of the lacZ gene and histological examination of the recipient an imals revealed that transplanted cells survived for 1 to 7 mo in the r at or mouse brains with lacZ gene expression and neuronal differentiat ion. The rate of the successful transplantation was higher in mice tha n in rats.