Hepatic expression of the human insulin gene reduces glucose levels in vivo in diabetic mice model.

Objectives: The objective of these studies was to evaluate human insulin gene expression following intraliver plasmid injection in diabetic mice as a potential approach to gene therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The fragment containing human proinsulin gene lacking its own promoter, was cloned into plasmids containing promoter and enhancer of cytomegalovirus or human hepatitis B virus. The resulting gene constructs were first tested in vitro using 3T3 fibroblast cell line and subsequently in vivo applying streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.