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Gene transfer from bacteria to mammalian cells
P Courvalin1, S Goussard, C Grillot-Courvalin
1Unité des agents antibactériens, CNRS EP J0058, Paris, France.
Summary
Bacteria can deliver DNA directly into mammalian cells. Invasive bacteria, like Shigella flexneri and Escherichia coli, act as gene transfer vectors, offering potential for gene therapy and immune stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Genetic information transfer between bacteria, yeast, and plants via plasmid conjugation is established.
- Direct DNA transfer from prokaryotes to mammalian cells has not been previously demonstrated.
- Some bacteria can actively enter mammalian cells through induced internalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate direct DNA transfer from bacteria to mammalian cells.
- To investigate the potential of invasive bacteria as gene delivery systems.
- To explore applications in gene therapy and immune stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized invasive strains of Shigella flexneri and Escherichia coli.
- Exploited bacterial lysis upon entry into mammalian cells due to impaired cell wall synthesis.
- Employed replicative or integrative vectors for DNA delivery.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated efficient, direct gene transfer from bacteria to mammalian cells.
- Showcased broad host cell range for this DNA delivery method.
- Confirmed stable inheritance and expression of delivered vectors by cell progeny.
Conclusions:
- Invasive bacteria, through abortive invasion, can serve as stable DNA delivery systems to mammalian cells.
- This direct gene transfer method is efficient and has a broad host range.
- Potential applications include stimulating mucosal immunity and in vivo/ex vivo gene therapy.