HGFによる肝硬変の遺伝子治療

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Liver cirrhosis is the irreversible end result of chronic liver disease, characterized by a diffuse disorganization of the normal hepatic structure by fibrous scaring and hepatocellular regeneration. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with no effective therapy. The ideal strategy for the treatment of liver cirrhosis should include prevention of fibrogenesis, stimulation of hepatocyte mitosis, and reorganization of the liver architecture. We have developed a novel gene therapy approach for rat liver cirrhosis by muscle-directed gene transfer of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In rats with lethal liver cirrhosis produced by dimethylnitrosamin, repeated transfection of the HGF gene into skeletal muscle induced a high plasma level of HGF and a tyrosine phosphorylation of the c-Met/HGF receptor. HGF gene transduction inhibited fibrogenesis and hepatocyte apoptosis and also produced a resolution of fibrosis in the cirrhotic liver. Thus HGF gene therapy may be useful in the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis.
日本アフェレシス学会の論文
2002-05-31