New method of delivering gene-altered Kupffer cells to rat liver: studies in an ischemia-reperfusion model.
OBJECTIVE
Kupffer cells play a major role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. They release physiologically active substances that often lead to localized tissue injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a model to protect the liver through supplementation of Kupffer cells that have been transduced by recombinant adenovirus.


METHODS
Optimal conditions for intravenous injection in rats were established using carbon-labeled Kupffer cells. Adenoviral-transduced Kupffer cells encoding the Cu/Zn-SOD gene (Ad.SOD1) or beta-galactosidase reporter gene (Ad.LacZ) were transplanted into recipient rats. Twenty-four hours after transplantation, 70% hepatic ischemia-reperfusion was used to induce hepatic oxidative stress, and liver injury was determined 8 or 24 hours later.


RESULTS
In initial experiments, 10%-20% of the injected carbon-labeled cells were localized in the host liver after 24 hours, representing approximately 1% of the total population of Kupffer cells. Pretreatment of the recipient with a single dose of cyclosporin A maximized Kupffer cell reseeding up to 4%-10% of the total Kupffer cell population, suggesting that efficiency is limited by host immune response. Moreover, reseeded Kupffer cells were retained in host livers for up to 14 days after transplant. In livers of animals injected with Kupffer cells transduced with Ad.LacZ, transgene expression was observed, indicating Kupffer cell functional integrity. Injection of Kupffer cells transduced with Ad.SOD1 significantly blunted the increase in serum transaminases and liver injury because of ischemia-reperfusion compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel approach allows delivery of transduced Kupffer cells in rats, which can be used as an investigative tool as well as a therapeutic strategy against inflammatory liver diseases.
Froh
Matthias
M
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Wheeler
Michael D
MD
Smutney
Olivia
O
Zhong
Zhi
Z
Bradford
Blair U
BU
Thurman
Ronald G
RG
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
C000606292:Sod1 protein, rat; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1