577. Distribution, Time Course, In-Vivo Imaging, Expression and Inflammatory Response after Non-Viral Gene Delivery to Rat and Primate CNS

Gene delivery may provide both pre-operative neuroprotection before procedures with a predictable high risk, as well as an effective therapy after post-traumatic or ischemic CNS or spinal cord injury. Both DNA and mRNA can be delivered by non-viral, cationic lipid-mediated methods 1, 2. We describe and quantitate extensive distribution, uptake, and cellular expression, including in vivo imaging, in the CNS of the rat of reporter genes such as GFP, luciferase, and Hsp70, in cells which include neurons. PCR and immunohistochemistry results confirm extensive distribution and uptake throughout primate CNS.