Effective gene delivery to adult neurons by a modified form of electroporation

P G Leclere, A Panjwani, R Docherty, M Berry, J Pizzey, D A Tonge

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65 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Non-viral methods of transfection of cDNAs into adult neurons and other post-mitotic cells are generally very inefficient. However, the recent development of Nucleofector(TM) technology developed by Amaxa Biosystems allows direct delivery of cDNAs into the nucleus, enabling transfection of non-dividing cells. In this study, we describe a reliable method for culturing large numbers of retinal cells from adult rats and using Nucleofection, we were able to transfect cDNA-encoding GFP (jellyfish green fluorescent protein) into retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with relatively high efficiency (up to 28%). Neuronal GFP expression was observed within 18 h and continued for up to 14 days. This compares with values up to 60% of RGCs expressing GFP following infection with an HSV-1 vector. Adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were also successfully transfected. Thus, in summary, Nucleofection provides the possibility for a fast and efficient method for cDNA delivery and study of gene function in adult mammalian neurons. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137 - 143
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods
Volume142
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2005

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