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Autologous, Orthotopic Thyroid Follicular Cell Transplantation: A Surgical Component of Ex Vivo Somatic Gene Therapy

Ex vivo strategies for somatic gene therapy involve the harvest of primary cells from patients, the transfer of novel genetic material into these cells in cell culture, and reimplantation of the genetically engineered cells back into patients. In consideration of methods for targeting somatic gene therapy to the thyroid, we have studied the autologous, orthotopic transplantation of thyroid follicular cells in a canine model. Using the fluorescent dye Dil, we were able to stain follicular cells in vitro before transplantation and then follow the pattern of engraftment through histologic sectioning and microscopy up to 14 days after transplantation. The transplantations involved the direct injection of intact and disrupted follicles into a remaining thyroid lobe after cell harvest from the contralateral lobe. We also demonstrated engraftment of individual follicular cells recovered from primary monolayer cultures. Histologic studies revealed the presence of transplanted cells and follicles as well as focal regions of granulomatous reaction in close relation to the engrafted material. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of autologous, orthotopic transplantation of thyroid follicular cells. This method is an essential component of ex vivo strategies for targeting somatic gene therapy to the thyroid gland.