Using microglia as vehicles in gene therapy against glioma

摘要

In the case of a brain-developing tumor, it has been observed that the tumor is highly infiltrated by microglia that could thus be used as vehicles to target it. Microglia were transfected with the TK-GFP gene (with a HSP_(70) promoter, called PHT cells) and internalized VUSPIO (Versatile Ultra Small Paramagnetic Iron Oxides) were used to track them in the brain. We check if VUSPIO internalization could lead to a cellular stress, thus inducing non-specific activation of the suicide gene. We also determined the MR properties of the VUSPIO, as well as their detection limit, to establish whether this strategy could be used for in vivo cell tracking studies. Finally, the functionality of the TK gene was checked in vivo, by following the glioma progression when gancyclovir treatment was performed.