Conditional gene modification in mouse liver using hydrodynamic delivery of plasmid DNA encoding Cre recombinase

FEBS Lett. 2006 Aug 7;580(18):4346-52. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.06.094. Epub 2006 Jul 10.

Abstract

The success of Cre-mediated conditional gene targeting in liver of mice has until now depended on the generation of Cre recombinase transgenic mice or on viral-mediated transduction. Here, we sought to establish the feasibility of using hydrodynamic gene delivery of Cre recombinase into liver, using a ROSA26 EGFP mouse. The expression of EGFP and beta-galactosidase was exclusively detected in the liver of mice treated with hydrodynamic gene delivery of Cre recombinase, as assessed with fluorescence microscopy and X-Gal staining, respectively; Southern blotting also showed that Cre mediated recombination occurred specifically in the liver and not in other organs. The Cre mediated recombination reached about 61% of hepatocytes of mouse after repeated injection, as analyzed by flow cytometry. These results demonstrate that Cre recombinase can be transferred to the liver of mice through a simple hydrodynamic gene-delivery approach and can mediate efficient recombination in hepatocytes. Thus, hydrodynamic gene delivery of the Cre recombinase provides a valuable approach for Cre-loxP-mediated conditional gene modification in the liver of mice.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / administration & dosage
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis
  • Gene Targeting*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / analysis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Integrases / genetics*
  • Integrases / metabolism
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Plasmids / administration & dosage
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Transfection / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Gt(ROSA)26Sor non-coding RNA, mouse
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • DNA
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases