IN-VIVO TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION OF A HUMAN EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR GENE ACCELERATES WOUND REPAIR

This report details the transfer of a human epidermal growth factor (h EGF) expression plasmid to porcine partial-thickness wound keratinocyt es by particle-mediated DNA transfer (Accell). After gene transfer an external sealed fluid-filled wound chamber was used to protect the wou nd, provide containment of the exogenous DNA and expressed peptide, an d permit sampling of the wound fluid. Analysis of wound fluid for hEGF and total protein, an indicator of reformation of the epithelial barr ier, showed that wounds bombarded with the hEGF plasmid exhibited a 19 0-fold increase in EGF concentration and healed 20% (2.1 days) earlier than the controls. EGF concentrations in wound fluid persisted over t he entire 10-day monitored period, decreasing from 200 pg/ml to 25 pg/ ml over the first 5 days. Polymerase chain reaction results showed tha t plasmid DNA was present in the wound for at least 30 days. These fin dings demonstrate the possible utility of in vivo gene transfer to enh ance epidermal repair.