Optimization of in vivo delivery methods and their applications in seminiferous tubules of mice.

Abstract

This study aims to explore and optimize the conditions for in vivo transfection and gene editing, emphasizing their potential applications in the treatment of infertility in mice. Our findings indicate that physical transfection can be effective in the dynamic fluid environment of mouse seminiferous tubules, with electroporation achieving transfection in multilayered cell tissues. Using the mTmG fluorescence reporter system, we visually assessed the efficiency of electroporation-based transfection and observed stable gene editing outcomes across different individuals. Additionally, we achieved effective transfection of germ cells in vivo for the clinical application of gene tools. We further investigated the impact of various delivery methods and molecular methods on transfection efficacy, revealing that RNP technology is adaptable and efficient in vivo, particularly in the context of treating hereditary diseases. We attempted to leverage gene editing techniques to address spermatogenesis blockage at different stages in Ythdc2-KO and CK137956-KO mice. While we did not succeed in rescuing spermatogenic blockage in Ythdc2 KO mice, the treatment of CK137956 KO mice yielded significant physiological responses. These results could be beneficial for the optimization of in vivo gene editing technologies for clinical applications.