The distribution and time course of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression after plasmid DNA transfer to adult rat spinal cord

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We investigated the potential of non-viral vector-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene transfection in adult rat spinal cord. The potential of transfection of in vivo spinal cord was examined using three cationic lipids, Lipofectin^<TM>, LipofectAMINE^<TM> and LipofectAMINE^<TM> 2000, which have been proven to transfect genes into neuronal cells in vitro using plasmid DNA. After the direct injection of liposome cDNA complexes into thoracic spinal cord, histological analysis and immunoblot analysis demonstrated green fluorescent protein (GFP) and exogenous BDNF expression only in the group of LipofectAMINE^<TM> 2000/ cDNA complexes. In the group of LipofectAMINE^<TM> 2000/ cDNA complexes, fluorescent histochemical examination confirmed the presence of injected GFP around the injection areas for at least 5 days after injection. The transfected cells were identified reactive astrocytes, and some neuron. Both BDNF mRNA using RT-PCR and BDNF proteins using Western Blotting indicated a similar profile. The results suggest that cationic liposome-mediated delivery may be a practical method for gene transfer in spinal cord.