[Effects of antisense RNA of connective tissue growth factor expressing plasmid on rat liver fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of antisense RNA of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on rat liver fibrosis.


METHODS
Gene recombinant techniques were used to construct a rat antisense RNA of CTGF recombinant plasmid which could be expressed in eukaryotic cells. The recombinant plasmids were encapsulated with lipofectamine and then transducted into a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rat liver fibrosis model. Expression of CTGF was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify type I and III collagens. HE stained liver slides were used for pathological study.


RESULTS
The mRNA and protein expression of CTGF in the fibrotic liver transfected with antisense-CTGF were significantly decreased compared with those of the controls (P<0.01). The depositions of type I and type III collagens were also decreased (P<0.05). Antisense-CTGF also minimized the pathological fibrosis in the rat livers (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate that the antisense RNA of CTGF recombinant plasmid has certain effects in preventing liver fibrosis and makes it a possible candidate for use in future gene therapy.
Lu
Cui-hua
CH
Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China. lucuihua@ntu.edu.cn
Lu
Jing-xian
JX
Hua
Guo-ping
GP
Zhu
Jing
J
Wang
Hua
H
Huang
Jie-fei
JF
Gu
Mei-zhen
MZ
Zhou
Qian
Q
Ni
Run-zhou
RZ
D000818:Animals; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010957:Plasmids; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014162:Transfection
D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor