Version 1
: Received: 21 May 2020 / Approved: 23 May 2020 / Online: 23 May 2020 (10:11:31 CEST)
Version 2
: Received: 2 June 2020 / Approved: 3 June 2020 / Online: 3 June 2020 (05:46:32 CEST)
Sugasawa, T.; Aoki, K.; Yanazawa, K.; Takekoshi, K. Detection of Multiple Transgene Fragments in a Mouse Model of Gene Doping Based on Plasmid Vector Using TaqMan-qPCR Assay. Genes2020, 11, 750.
Sugasawa, T.; Aoki, K.; Yanazawa, K.; Takekoshi, K. Detection of Multiple Transgene Fragments in a Mouse Model of Gene Doping Based on Plasmid Vector Using TaqMan-qPCR Assay. Genes 2020, 11, 750.
Sugasawa, T.; Aoki, K.; Yanazawa, K.; Takekoshi, K. Detection of Multiple Transgene Fragments in a Mouse Model of Gene Doping Based on Plasmid Vector Using TaqMan-qPCR Assay. Genes2020, 11, 750.
Sugasawa, T.; Aoki, K.; Yanazawa, K.; Takekoshi, K. Detection of Multiple Transgene Fragments in a Mouse Model of Gene Doping Based on Plasmid Vector Using TaqMan-qPCR Assay. Genes 2020, 11, 750.
Abstract
The World Anti-Doping Agency has prohibited gene doping in the context of progress in gene therapy. There is a risk that the artificial regulation of genes using plasmids could be applied for gene doping. However, no gold standard method to detect this has been established. Here, we aimed to develop a method to detect multiple transgene fragments as proof of gene doping. First, gene delivery model mice as a mimic of gene doping were created by injecting firefly luciferase plasmid with polyethylenimine (PEI) into the abdominal cavity. The results confirmed successful establishment of the model, with sufficient luminescence upon in vivo imaging. Next, multiple transgene fragments in the model were detected in plasma cell-free (cf)DNA, blood-cell-fraction DNA, and stool DNA using the TaqMan-qPCR assay, with the highest levels in plasma cfDNA. Using just a single drop of whole blood from the model, we also attempted long-term detection. The results showed that multiple transgene fragments were detected until 11 days. These findings indicate that the combination of plasma cfDNA or just one drop of whole blood with TaqMan-qPCR assay is feasible to detect plasmid-PEI-based gene doping. Our findings could accelerate the development of methods for detecting gene doping in humans.
Keywords
gene doping; gene therapy; in vivo transfection; in vivo imaging
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Takehito Sugasawa
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author