GENE-TRANSFER MEDIATED BY ALPHA(2)-MACROGLOBULIN

alpha(2)-Macroglobulin covalently linked to poly(L)-lysine can be used as a vehicle for receptor-mediated gene transfer,This modified alpha( 2)-macroglobulin maintains its ability to bind to the alpha(2)-macrogl obulin receptor, and was shown to introduce a luciferase reporter gene plasmid into HepG2 human hepatoma cells in vitro. The alpha(2)-macrog lobulin receptor is a very large and multifunctional cell surface rece ptor, whose rapid and efficient internalization rate makes it attracti ve for gene therapy, e.g. for hepatic gene targeting via injection int o the portal vein.