NEW THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES OF MOLECULAR INTERVENTION IN GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Recent progress of genetic engineering allows us to create animal mode ls expressing the new genetic phenotype and also indicates a sure futu re for clinical use of gene therapy. We applied HVJ-liposome method fo r manipulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta gene expressio n in anti-Thy-1 experimental glomerulonephritis. Either the glomerular introduction of TGF-beta antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or transfect ion of gene for decorin, a natural inhibitor of TGF-beta, into the ske letal muscle could suppress the extracellular matrix (ECM) expansion i n glomerulonephritis. Thus, these results may suggest the potential of gene therapy as a novel treatment for fibrotic diseases caused by TGF -beta.