The influence of gene therapy on structural damage in case of traumatic brain injury in experiment

• Published in: Ukrainian neurosurgical journal no. 1; pp. 14 - 20
• Main Authors: V. V. Biloshytsky, V. M. Semenova, N. Ya. Gridina, L. O. Tsyba, I. G. Vasilyeva, N. G. Chopik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute 15.03.2009
• ISSN: 2663-9084; 2663-9092
• DOI: 10.25305/unj.108807

Possibilities of improving traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes using gene therapy directed at apoE3 synthesis induction in damaged brain tissue were studied in an experimental setting. A severe TBI was inflicted in rats under general anesthesia by a450 gweight falling free from a height of1.5 m. A mixture of DOTAP liposome and 25 µg of plasmid vector pCMV•SPORT6 with cDNA of APOE3 gene was infused into ventricles using ALZET pumps. On the 10th day following the TBI the transfection effectiveness was evaluated using RT-PCR; histological examination of the brain tissue was done. Applying the RT-PCR method corroborated the expression of APOE3 gene with corresponding mRNA presence in the samples of brain tissue. Liposome transfection of the rats’ damaged brain by APOE3 protected the vascular system and brain parenchyma, and prevented the formation of secondary disintegration zones in the damaged brain. It was verified by a considerable reduction of signs of capillary permeability disturbance (almost to marks) and brain parenchyma damage, as well as reactive brain edema in animals under treatment.