Abstract
The phenotypic alteration of interstitial fibroblasts into ‘myofibroblasts’, acquiring characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells is a key event in the formation of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The up-regulation of the early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) preceded the increased interstitial expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), a marker of phenotypic changes, in obstructed kidney, a model of interstitial fibrosis. To target Egr-1 expression in the interstitium of obstructed kidneys, we introduced a DNA enzyme for Egr-1 (ED5) or scrambled DNA (SCR) into interstitial fibroblasts by electroporation-mediated gene transfer. Northern blot analysis confirmed an increase in the cortical mRNA expression of Egr-1 in the obstructed kidneys from untreated or SCR-treated rats, while ED5 transfection blocked Egr-1 expression with a concomitant reduction in TGF-β, αSMA and type I collagen mRNA expression. Consequently, ED5 inhibited interstitial fibrosis. In conclusion, electroporation-mediated retrograde gene transfer can be an ideal vehicle into interstitial fibroblasts, and molecular intervention of Egr-1 in the interstitium may become a new therapeutic strategy for interstitial fibrosis.
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Nakamura, H., Isaka, Y., Tsujie, M. et al. Introduction of DNA enzyme for Egr-1 into tubulointerstitial fibroblasts by electroporation reduced interstitial α-smooth muscle actin expression and fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats. Gene Ther 9, 495–502 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3301681
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3301681
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