Basic study on gene therapy of human malignant glioma by use of the cationic multilamellar liposome-entrapped human interferon beta gene.

For gene therapy of human malignant glioma, we adopted positively charged multilamellar liposomes entrapping the human interferon beta (hIFN-beta) gene. One week after the transplantation of human malignant glioma U251-SP cells to produce glioma in nude mouse brain, the liposomes entrapping the gene (500 ng of DNA per 25 nmol of lipids per 2 microl) were injected into the same site of the cell transplantation once every second day for a total of five injections; and by this means the tumor completely disappeared. To confirm the antiproliferative effect of hIFN-beta, we performed an in vitro study using a plasmid containing a secretion signal sequence-deleted hIFN-beta gene and one containing the hIFN-beta gene inserted in reverse. In both cases, there was no hIFN-beta release into the medium and no growth inhibition effect. On addition of anti-hIFN-beta antibody to the medium, the growth inhibition effect was abolished. As this cell line expresses IFN-alpha/beta receptor, the hIFN-beta produced in the transfected cells could be released and acted in a paracrine manner. For 120 days the body weight change of normal mice treated by the same procedure as used in the curing experiment was not significant among the groups injected with empty liposomes, plasmid only, and liposomes entrapping the gene. In all of these three groups, death, abnormal behavior, and significant histological changes were not observed.