Specific transgene expression in HIV-infected cells using protease-cleavable transcription regulator.

Gene therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of HIV infection, but cell specificity remains an issue. Recently we have developed a new concept for a drug or gene delivery system responding to cellular signals (D-RECS) to achieve cell-specific transgene expression using a non-viral polymer-based vehicle. According to this concept, intracellular signaling enzymes, which are activated specifically in target cells, are used to trigger transgene expression.

Detachment of brain pericytes from the basal lamina is involved in disruption of the blood-brain barrier caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in mice.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is highly restrictive of the transport of substances between blood and the central nervous system. Brain pericytes are one of the important cellular constituents of the BBB and are multifunctional, polymorphic cells that lie within the microvessel basal lamina. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of pericytes in the mediation of BBB disruption using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced model of septic encephalopathy in mice.

Drug delivery system based on responses to an HIV infectious signal.

Gene therapy is a growing topic in the medical arena. Since the safety system of gene therapy has not been sufficiently established, its clinical use is limited. Recently, we developed a cell-specific gene regulation system based on a new concept, D-RECS, or Drug and Gene Delivery System Responding to Cellular Signals.