The plasmid pRSV-LacZ containing report gene─β-galactosidase gene and promoter RSV,was transfected into the primary skeletal muscle cells of rat in vitro by incubating with lipofectin.Meanwhile,the two plasmids,either pRSV-LacZ and pCMV-LacZ,were injected derectly into the Mtibialis anterior in mice.The expression of LacZgene either in the cultrue cells and in the muscle cells was detected respectively by X-gal histochemistry.About 10%～20% of the cultrued primary muscle cells of rat were blue-stained, while a few cells in the sections of M.tibialis anterior in mice were X-gal positive.The results showed that the skeletal muscle cells might be good vehicle for carrying and expressing foreign recommbinant DNAand be useful for somatic gene therapy.
