[Study of GE7-transferring system mediated beta-galactosidase gene transfer in a rat model of ovarian tumor by intraarterial route].

Objective: To investigate the efficiency and targeting of the GE7 system mediated gene transfer in the chemically induced ovarian tumor by intraarterial route.

Methods: Animal models were chemically induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). GE7-polylysine/beta-galactosidase (beta-gal)/polylysine-HA20 complexes were constructed. Fifteen rats with induced ovarian tumor were divided into three groups, the complexes were injected through ovarian artery and tail vein, respectively. The tumor, heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney were obtained at 72 h. X-gal staining was used to check expression of beta-gal.

Results: beta-gal was expressed strongly and well-distributed in tumor in the first group, and stained blue in the liver, spleen, lung and kidney, but much weaker than that of tumor. In the second group, beta-gal was expressed in the tumor, and weakly expressed in the liver, none was detected in the other organs. In the third group beta-gal was detected in the lung slightly, none was detected in the tumor and other organs.

Conclusions: When GE7 complexes were administrated through ovarian artery, the introduced gene expressed preferentially in ovary. This result was the basis of intraarterial administration of therapeutic gene to treat ovarian cancer.