Y. Isaka et al., Gene therapy by transforming growth factor-beta receptor-IgG Fc chimera suppressed extracellular matrix accumulation in experimental glomerulonephritis, KIDNEY INT, 55(2), 1999, pp. 465-475
Background. The evidence that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is
a key mediator in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases is now supported b
y several lines of investigation. This evidence provides a certain base for
targeting TGF-beta as an antifibrotic agent.
Methods. We generated a chimeric cDNA, termed TGF beta RIL/Fc, encoding an
extracellular domain of the TGF-beta type II receptor fused to the IgG-Fc d
omain, and tested whether TGF beta RII/Fc could be a novel strategy for tre
ating glomerular diseases.
Results. In cultured BNul-7 cells, recombinant TGF beta RII/Fc reversed the
antiproliferative response induced by TGF-beta 1. In addition, TGF beta RI
I/Fc diminished the TGF-beta 1-induced production of EIIIA-positive fibrone
ctin in cultured normal rat kidney cells. We then introduced the chimeric c
DNA into the muscle of the nephritic rats by the hemagglutinating virus of
Japan liposome-mediated gene transfer method in order to block the TGF-beta
activity in nephritic glomeruli through systemic delivery of chimeric mole
cules. Treatment with TGF beta RII/Fc gene transfection could suppress the
glomerular TGF-beta mRNA in nephritic rats with a comparable effect in the
reduction of extracellular matrix accumulation.
Conclusion. TGF beta RII/Fc successfully inhibited the action of TGF-beta i
n vitro and in vivo, and gene therapy by chimeric TGF beta RII/Fc might be
feasible for the therapy of glomerulosclerosis.