Production of the NK4 gene product by the AdCMV.NK4 vector and intramuscular injection of AdCMV.NK4 in lcr/scid mice. (A) AdCMV.NK4 was used to infect KMS 11 cells at multiplicity of infection (MOI) 30. Supernatant (5 μL) was subjected to Western blot analysis. Rabbit anti-HGF polyclonal antibody enabled the detection of a 67-kDa NK4 gene product. (B) Pharmacokinetic study of the NK4 gene product. Infectious particles (5 × 108/mL) of AdCMV.NK4 were injected into the femoral muscle of 5-week-old male lcr/scid mice on day 0 (arrow). On days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21, 3 mice were killed. Tissue lysates were obtained by immersing various organs in the lysis buffer overnight. The concentrations of NK4 in the plasma and tissue lysates were examined by ELISA. (C) Change in the weight of AdCMV.NK4-treated mice. A total of 5 × 108 infectious particles/mL AdCMV.NK4 or AdCMV.lacZ were injected into the femoral muscle of 5-week-old male lcr/scid mice. Changes in weight are shown. Each group consists of 3 mice.
