title: [Effects of antisense RNA of connective tissue growth factor expressing plasmid on rat liver fibrosis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China. lucuihua@ntu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Cui-hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jing-xian
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Guo-ping
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jie-fei
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Mei-zhen
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Run-zhou
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Ni
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor