Process of delivering a polynucleotide to a muscle cell via the vascular system

Abstract

A process for delivering a polynucleotide into a parenchymal cell in a mammal, comprising, transporting the polynucleotide into a blood vessel communicating with the parenchymal cell in tissue or organ of the mammal such that the polynucleotide is transfected into the parenchymal cell. More specifically, the parenchymal cell consists of a muscle cell and the polynucleotide consists of a viral vector.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A process for delivering a polynucleotide to a muscle cell, comprising: 
 inserting the polynucleotide into a vessel for delivery to the muscle cell such that the polynucleotide is transfected into the muscle cell.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of RNA and DNA.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the polynucleotide is a viral vector.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the polynucleotide is a vector selected from the group consisting of adenoviral and retroviral.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the retroviral vector is selected from the group consisting of VSV G, lentivirus.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the vessel consists of a blood vessel having a permeable wall.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the blood vessel is selected from the group consisting of afferent and efferent vessels.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7  wherein the permeability is increased by a method selected from the group consisting of: increasing hydrostatic pressure on the blood vessel wall, increasing osmotic pressure on the blood vessel wall, and introducing a biologically-active molecule to the blood vessel wall.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the hydrostatic pressure is increased by obstructing outflow from the blood vessel.  
     
     
         10 . A process for delivering a polynucleotide to a muscle cell for expressing a protein, comprising: 
 a) inserting the polynucleotide into a vessel having a permeable wall; and,    b) increasing the permeability of the wall for a time sufficient to allow delivery of the polynucleotide.    
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of RNA and DNA.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the polynucleotide consists of a viral vector.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the polynucleotide is a vector selected from the group consisting of adenoviral and retroviral.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the retroviral vector is selected from the group consisting of VSV G, lentivirus.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the vessel consists of a blood vessel having a permeable wall.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein the blood vessel is selected from the group consisting of afferent and efferent vessels.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16  wherein the permeability is increased by a method selected from the group consisting of: increasing hydrostatic pressure on the blood vessel wall, increasing osmotic pressure on the blood vessel wall, and introducing a biologically-active molecule to the blood vessel wall.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the hydrostatic pressure is increased by obstructing outflow from the blood vessel.