[Regulation of gene expression in cultured rabbit corneal stromal cells with recombinant adenovirus using the Cre/loxP system].

Purpose: To control exogenous gene expression is an important norm in human gene therapy. We attempted to control lac Z gene expression in a rabbit corneal stromal cell (RCS) culture system with recombinant adenovirus (Ad) and the Cre/loxP system.
Materials & Methods: The RCS was transfected with an Ad which expressed the lac Z gene by excisional deletion of stuffer DNA, Ax CA LNLZ. Four days after the transfection, the cells were also transfected with a Cre-producing Ad, Ax CA NCre.
Result: Few cells (0.8%) of the RCS transfected with Ax CA LNLZ expressed the lac Z gene. After the transfection of Ax CA NCre, all cells strongly expressed the lac Z gene. This result showed that recombinant adenovirus using the Cre/loxP system was capable of controlling exogenous gene expression in cultured rabbit corneal stromal cells.
Conclusion: We suggest that recombinant adenovirus using the Cre/loxP system is useful for studying ophthalmic gene therapy.