Introduction of foreign genes into the tissue of live fish by direct injection and particle bombardment

We compared 2 methods of direct gene delivery into live rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss tissue, with the final goal of developing DNA-based vaccines for bacterial diseases in salmonids. The introduction of plasmid constructs containing the luciferase and beta -galactosidase reporter genes was achieved either by direct injection or by particle bombardment with DNA-coated gold microparticles. Luciferase expression was observed in homogenates of trout flank muscle and skin 2 d after injection of 10 to 100 mu g of DNA per fish or bombardment of 1 mu m gold particles coated with 5 to 25 mu g DNA per fish at helium pressures ranging from 2750 to 12 400 kPa. Expression levels increased over 10 d and persisted for at least 60 d after injection. For particle bombardment, the most reproducible levels of luciferase expression were obtained with the eye as a target (83% of fish positive versus 59% of fish positive when the flank was the target). The levels of luciferase expression observed after particle bombardment were significantly lower (t-test, p < 0.02) than the levels measured after direct injection. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated beta -galactosidase gene expression in muscle cells at the site of injection and in the dermis, epidermis and muscle after bombardment. These 2 methods may prove valuable for the development of a new generation of DNA-based vaccines for fish.