Abstract
We have demonstrated for the first time that the Hemagglutinating virus of Japan-envelope (HVJ-E) vector allows the efficient transduction of protein into the rat brainstem using the technique of microinjection in vivo. Successful transduction of an exogenous protein, β-galactosidase (β-gal), was performed via the direct injection of only 100 nl HVJ-E vector solution into the specific restricted brain area (nucleus tractus solitarius, NTS). To examine whether the β-gal activity was maintained in the rat brainstem, samples were collected 3, 6 and 24 hours after transduction and a colorimetric assay was utilized to detect and quantify β-gal activity. A constant and high transduction level of β-gal activity was maintained in the rat brainstem, that was not significantly reduced within 24 hours following transduction compaired with β-gal without HVJ-E vector. This kind of targeted delivery system using the HVJ-E vector should have wide applications of various therapeutic proteins to the central nervous system in vivo. [J Physiol Sci. 2006;56 Suppl:S122]
