Shinsuke Ina, Daisuke Sawamura, Xianmin Meng, Katsuto Tamai, Katsumi Hanada, Isao Hashimoto
DOI: 10.1080/000155500750012414

In order to develop a more efficient method of introducing genes into keratinocytes in vivo , we intradermally injected DNA bound to high mobility group 1 protein, thereby taking advantages of the naked DNA and hemagglutinating virus of the Japan-liposome method reported previously. First we performed a gel mobility shift assay, which confirmed DNA binding to high mobility group 1. Then we injected β-galactosidase expression vector complexed with high mobility group 1 into the rat skin and the activity of sample with the protein was 2-3 times higher than that without the protein as control. Semiquantification of transferred-DNA content using polymerase chain reaction and a time course of transgene expression in keratinocytes suggested that high mobility group 1 protein increased transfer of the DNA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Direct injection of the DNA-high-mobility-group-1 complex is a highly efficient method for introducing genes into keratinocytes in connection with gene therapy