Summary
The biolistic technique transforms cells by bombardment with DNA-coated microprojectiles. It has been used to transform plants, microbes, and organelles. We adapted a standard Biolistic PDS-1000 device for use with animals and have successfully transformed tissues in live mice. The firefly luciferase gene was introduced into mouse skin and ear tissue. One day after transformation 344±74 and 1648±254 pg of luciferase were detected in skin and ear samples, respectively. Expression of the gene product was transient but detectable up to 7 days after bombardment. A further modification of the device allowed transient transformation of liver tissue in vivo. Liver contained 293±122 pg of luciferase 1 day postransformation. Expression of the gene in liver tissue was unchanged at Day 3 but declined to low levels by Day 5. This new device allowed a fourfold increase in gene expression in ear tissue extending a minimum of 14 days. This technology is applicable to a broad range of tissues and organs in situ and makes it possible to test numerous reporters and the tissue specificity of promoters. It may also be useful in protocols for somatic cell therapy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Armaleo, D.; Ye, G.; Klein, T. M., et al. Biolistic nuclear transformation ofSaccharomyces cerveisiae and other fungi. Curr. Genet. 17:97–103; 1990.
Benvenistry, N.; Reshef, L. Direct introduction of genes into rats and expression of genes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:9551–9555; 1986.
Boynton, J. E.; Gillham, N. W.; Harris, E. H., et al. Chloroplast transformation in Chlamydomonas with high velocity microprojectiles. Science 240:1534–1538; 1988.
de Wet, J. R.; Wood, K. V.; De Luca, M., et al. Firefly luciferase gene: structure and expression in mammalian cells. Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:725–737; 1987.
Freidman, T. Progress toward human gene therapy. Science 244:1275–1281; 1988.
Holt, C. E.; Carlick, N.; Cornel, E. Lipofection of cDNAs in the embryonic vertebrate central nervous system. Neuron 4:203–214; 1990.
Johnston, S. A.; Anziano, A. P.; Shark, K., et al. Transformation of yeast mitochondria by bombardment of cells with microprojectiles. Science 240:1538–1541; 1988.
Klein, T. M.; Fromm, M. E.; Weissinger, A., et al. Transfer of foreign genes into intact maize cells using high velocity microprojectiles. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4305–4309; 1988.
Klein, T. M.; Wolf, E. D.; Wu, R., et al. High-velocity microprojectiles for delivering nucleic acids into living cells. Nature 327:70–73; 1987.
Leavitt, J.; Gunning, P.; Porreca, P., et al. Molecular cloning and characterization of mutant and wild-type humanβ-actin genes. Mol. Cell. Biol. 4:1961–1969; 1984.
Sanford, J. C.; Klein, T. M.; Wolf, E. D., et al. Delivery of substances into cells and tissues using a particle bombardment process. J. Particle Sci. Technol. 5:27–37; 1987.
Sanford, J. C. Biolistic plant transformation: a critical assessment. Physiol. Plantarum 79:206–209; 1990.
Wang, C.; Huang, L. pH-sensitive immunoliposomes mediate target-cell specificity delivery and controlled expression of a foreign gene in mouse. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:7851–7855; 1987.
Wolff, J. A.; Malone, R. W.; Williams, P., et al. Direct gene transfer into mouse muscle in vivo. Science 247:1465–1468; 1990.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Presented in the Session-in-Depth Genetic Transformation and Genetic Analysis Using Microprojectile Bombardment at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Tissue Culture Association, Houston, Texas, June 10–13, 1990.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Johnston, S.A., Riedy, M., De Vit, M.J. et al. Biolistic transformation of animal tissue. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol - Plant 27, 11–14 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02632055
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02632055