548. Ethanol Increases Transgene Expression in Parenchymal Liver Cells after Adenoviral Transfer in Rabbits

Abstract

Background: We have previously shown that the size of sinusoidal fenestrae is a critical determinant of hepatocyte transduction after adenoviral transfer (Lievens et al. Gene Therapy 2004; 11: 1523-1531). Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that ethanol increases the size of fenestrae. The diameter of fenestrae in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits is approximately 1.7-fold smaller than in C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study was that intravenous administration of ethanol before transfer may increase transgene expression in NZW rabbits but not in C57BL/6 mice.