Transforming growth factor-beta1 gene transfer ameliorates acute lung allograft rejection.

TitleTransforming growth factor-beta1 gene transfer ameliorates acute lung allograft rejection.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsMora BN, Boasquevisque CH, Boglione M, Ritter JM, Scheule RK, Yew NS, Debruyne L, Qin L, Bromberg JS, Patterson GA
JournalJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
Volume119
Issue5
Pagination913-20
Date Published2000 May
ISSN0022-5223
KeywordsAcute Disease, Animals, Drug Carriers, Gene Expression, Graft Rejection, Liposomes, Lung, Lung Transplantation, Male, Rats, Rats, Inbred BN, Rats, Inbred F344, Secondary Prevention, Time Factors, Transfection, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Transplantation, Homologous
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current work was to study the feasibility of functional gene transfer using the gene encoding for transforming growth factor-beta1, a known immunosuppressive cytokine, on rat lung allograft function in the setting of acute rejection.

METHODS: The rat left lung transplant technique was used in all experiments, with Brown Norway donor rats and Fischer recipient rats. After harvest, left lungs were transfected ex vivo with either sense or antisense transforming growth factor-beta1 constructs complexed to cationic lipids, then implanted into recipients. On postoperative days 2, 5, and 7, animals were put to death, arterial oxygenation measured, and acute rejection graded histologically.

RESULTS: On postoperative day 2, there were no differences in acute rejection or lung function between animals treated with transforming growth factor-beta1 and control animals. On postoperative day 5, oxygenation was significantly improved in grafts transfected with the transforming growth factor-beta1 sense construct compared with antisense controls (arterial oxygen tension = 411 +/- 198 vs 103 +/- 85 mm Hg, respectively; P =.002). Acute rejection scores from lung allografts were also significantly improved, corresponding to decreases in both vascular and airway rejection (vascular rejection scores: 2.0 +/- 0. 5 vs 2.8 +/- 0.6; P =.04; airway rejection scores: 1.3 +/- 0.7 vs 2. 3 +/- 0.8, respectively; P =.02). The amelioration of acute rejection was temporary and decreased by postoperative day 7.

CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of using gene transfer techniques to introduce novel functional genes in the setting of lung transplantation is demonstrated. In this model of rat lung allograft rejection, gene transfer of transforming growth factor-beta1 resulted in temporary but significant improvements in lung allograft function and acute rejection pathology.

DOI10.1016/s0022-5223(00)70086-9
Alternate JournalJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
PubMed ID10788812
Grant List1F32HL09751-01 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
1R01HL41281 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
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Lihui Qin, M.D., Ph.D.

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