Inhibition of growth of human gingival fibroblasts by chimeric DNA-RNA hammerhead ribozyme targeting transforming growth factor-beta 1.

Background: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is involved in the pathogenesis of both drug-induced gingival overgrowth and hereditary gingival fibromatosis. Ribozymes enzymatically cleave target mRNAs and are expected to be utilized as the basis of novel nucleic acid-based therapies. We designed a chimeric DNA-RNA ribozyme targeting TGF-beta1 mRNA and examined its effect on growth of gingival fibroblasts in culture.