GENE-THERAPY OF PARKINSON DISEASE-MODEL RAT BY DIRECT-INJECTION OF PLASMID DNA-LIPOFECTIN COMPLEX

Lipofectin-mediated gene transfer was used to introduce plasmid harbor ing the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene into the striatum of rats with lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway, The rotational asymmetry of Park inson disease model rat was reduced quickly and significantly, suggest ing that plasmid-DNA-transfected brain cells can generate L-dopa local ly in the striatum in quantities sufficient to compensate partially fo r the loss of intrinsic striatal dopaminergic input. Immunohistochemic al staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PC R) also confirm that striatal cells can express exogenous TH gene. Suc h in vivo plasmid DNA transfer strategy may be useful in other neurolo gic disease therapy, especially acute brain insults.