Gene transfer through implantation of embryonal carcinoma cells in the brain

Mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 could be differentiated to neurons or glial cells by appropriate induction. We introduced the lacZ gene driven by a calmodulin promoter into P19 cells, and cloned the transfectant CaM-Z that showed the strong expression of lacZ gene after the induction of differentiation. CaM-Z cells after differentiation were then implanted in newborn rats or mice intracranially. PCR amplification of the lacZ gene and histological examination of the recipient animals revealed that transplanted cells survived for 1 to 7 mo in the rat or mouse brains with lacZ gene expression and neuronal differentiation. The rate of the successful transplantation was higher in mice than in rats.