Objective
Gene transfer by liposome-encapsulated DNA has several important advantages over other methods of gene transfer.
1) The method is safe.
2) There is no limit to the encapsulated expression vector size or conformation.
3) The liposomes are non-toxic and non-immunogenic and therefore can be injected repeatedly. Previous studies done by some of the participants indicated that liposomes-encapsulated DNA can mediate gene transfer into internal organs - mainly the liver and lungs, following intravenous injection, and gene transfer into the liver during operation procedure therapy applications will be developed toward clinical practice: A)Gene therapy of liver and lung cancer by IL-2 and interferon gamma-gene transfer (to induce immune reaction against the cancer cells) and combination of chemotherapy and cytokine gene transfer. B)Induction of tolerance to liver allograft by liposome mediated gene transfer of CTLA4-lg (which blocks the activation of the T lymphocytes and therefore the graft rejection into the transplanted liver following the transplantation). C)DNA vaccination against hepatitis C virus by liposome-mediated gene transfer of viral genes into the liver. In each of these applications, local and transient expression of the transferred gene is an advantage since biological activity can be obtained without serious side effects that high level of systemic expression might cause.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNA
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancer
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseases
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinetransplantation
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
50923 Köln
Germany