[Development of non-viral gene delivery system and its applications]

Non-viral gene transfer methods have been developed as well as viral vectors toward gene therapy and in vivo analysis of diseases. Among non-viral vectors, cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer is well-established and widely used, but still inefficient for in vivo gene delivery. We developed a nobel liposome using fusion proteins of HVJ (Sendai virus) and nuclear protein, HMG 1. Using this delivery system, we succeeded in inducing glomerulosclerosis and lung fibrosis in rat, developed several strategies for gene therapy of restenosis of artery. Besides liposome, receptor-mediated gene transfer has been developed and improved for targeted gene delivery. Recently, devices for particle bombardment have been developed as gene-gun. Naked DNA without vector system was also available for gene expression in muscles.