Retroviral-mediated gene transfer into rat experimental liver transplant

Replication-defective retroviral vectors were used for ex vivo gene transfer into rat liver grafts under conditions mimicking clinical liver transplantation. Supernatant containing single- and double-gene vectors encoding for either the human IL-7 and/or neomycin phosphotransferase genes were used to perfuse the liver grafts during cold ischemia before transplantation. Whole liver grafts were perfused with vector supernatant or medium only. Reduced-size liver grafts (50% hepatectomy) were similarly perfused either immediately after reduction or 24 hr later after induction of active hepatocyte division. After transplantation of these grafts in orthotopic position, the liver tissue was removed at specified intervals, and genomic DNA and mRNA were examined for proviral sequences and expression. Stable integration of the proviral sequences was detected only in reduced-size grafts transplanted 24 hr after hepatectomy. Proviral message of both neomycin phosphotransferase and human IL-7 were present up to 21 days after transduction. This study demonstrates efficient ex vivo gene transfer to donor liver grafts. Gene transfer to livers before transplantation carries the potential to modulate immunogenicity and alter the antigraft immune response.