Py. Reaves et al., Attenuation of hypertension by systemic delivery of retroviral vector containing type I angiotensin II receptor antisense cDNA, METHODS, 22(3), 2000, pp. 211-218
Despite recent strides in the traditional pharmacological therapies in the
control and management of hypertension, a successful prevention and cure fo
r this disease by conventional drug strategy remain at a standstill. We hav
e begun to investigate the conceptual possibility of the use of gene therap
y in the control of hypertension. In this article we describe an experiment
al protocol that provides proof of the principle that antisense (AS) inhibi
tion of Type I angiotensin II receptor (AT(1)-R) could prevent development
of hypertension on a longterm basis. A retrovirus-based vector has been use
d to deliver AT(1)R-AS with high efficiency that attenuates development of
high blood pressure and hypertension-associated cardiac and Vascular pathop
hysiology in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. (C) 2000 Academic Press.