Evaluation of recombinant retrovirus and adenovirus for gene transfer to normal and pathologic intestine.

Intestinal tract is an attractive target for gene therapy. A number of dise ases could benefit from gene transfer into this organ and in particular inf lammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease. In the present report, we have evaluated the efficiency of retroviral and adenoviral recombinant vectors f or transferring a marker gene (beta galacosidase from E. Coli) in two parts of the intestinal tract : the small bowel and the left part of the colon. Retroviruses were inefficient for the transfer of the marker gene in these two sites either in normal conditions OF. after induction of inflammation b y treatment with acetic acid or trinitrobenzene. Conversely, beta galactosi dase positive cells were found in small bowel as well as colon following ge ne transfer with adenoviral vectors. Moreover the location of the positive cells in the intestinal wall was dependent upon the route of injection of t he adenoviral vectors (transparietal, endoluminal or intramural).