Celine Baligand1,2, Claire Wary1,2,
Olivier Schakman3, Helene Gilson3, Jacques C. Menard1,2,
Jean-Paul Thissen3, Pierre Georges Carlier1,2
1NMR Laboratory, Institute of Myology,
F-75651 Paris, France; 2CEA, IBM, MIRCen, IdM NMR Laboratory,
F-75651 Paris, France; 3Unite de Diabetologie et Nutrition,
Universite Catholique de louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
In
vivo gene eletcrotransfer is frequently used in muscle preclinical research.
Procedures have been optimized to achieve high transgene expression level and
minimize damage. However, consequences on muscle function have rarely been
explored. We used multiparametric
functional (mpf-)NMR imaging and spectroscopy
to investigate perfusion, BOLD, and bioenergetics simultaneously in
response to exercise after electroporation of an empty plasmid in mouse leg
muscle. Important changes were found in all parameters and potential
interference with therapy might have to be considered. Mpf-NMR constitutes a
powerful tool for the optimization of electrotransfer protocols and the
longitudinal assessment of preclinical gene therapy.