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Chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and P-galactosidase marker genes were coated onto fine gold particles and used to bombard a variety of mammalian tissues and cells. Transient expression of the genes was obtained in liver, skin, and muscle tissues of rat and mouse bombarded in vivo. Similar results were obtained with freshly isolated ductal segments of rat and human mammary glands and primary cultures derived from these explants. Gene transfer and transient expression were also observed in eight human cell culture lines, including cells of epithelial, endothelial, fibroblast, and lymphocyte origin. Using CHO and MCF-7 cell cultures as models, we obtained stable gene transfer at frequencies of 1

The ability to produce monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) in plants offers the opportunity for the development of an inexpensive method of mucosal immunoprotection against sexually transmitted diseases. To investigate the suitability of plant-expressed Mabs for vaginal preventive applications, we compared a humanized anti-herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) Mab expressed in mammalian cell culture with the same antibody expressed in soybean. We found these Mabs to be similar in their stability in human semen and cervical mucus over 24 h, their ability to diffuse in human cervical mucus, and their efficacy for prevention of vaginal HSV-2 infection in the mouse.

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