Naked plasmid DNA-based alpha-galactosidase A gene transfer partially reduces systemic accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in Fabry mice.

Fabry disease is an X-linked recessive inborn metabolic disorder in which a deficiency in lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (Gal A) causes the systemic accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Although many investigators have attempted to treat alpha-Gal A knock-out mice (Fabry mice) with gene therapy, no report has demonstrated therapeutic effects by the retrograde renal vein injection of naked DNA. We recently developed a naked plasmid vector-mediated kidney-targeted gene transfer technique.

Effects of viral interleukin 10 introduced by in vivo electroporation on arthrogen-induced arthritis in mice.

Objective: Viral interleukin 10 (vIL-10) has a variety of immunomodulatory properties. We examined the applicability of vIL-10 gene transfer to the treatment of mice with arthrogen-collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), which is induced by anti-type II collagen antibodies.

Methods: One day after anti-type II collagen antibodies were injected into mice, 400 microg of plasmid DNA expressing vIL-10 (pCAGGS-vIL-10) was injected into the bilateral tibialis anterior muscles followed by in vivo electroporation consisting of four 50-ms electric pulses of 100 V (pCAGGS-vIL-10 mice).

Pretreatment plasma intact parathyroid hormone and serum calcium levels, but not serum phosphate levels, predict the response to maxacalcitol therapy in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: The treatment strategy for secondary hyperparathyroidism is generally determined empirically with regards to present parathyroid function and serum calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels. More evidence is needed to avoid the aimless continuation of active vitamin D therapy.

Methods: Nondiabetic dialysis patients whose plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were greater than 300 pg/ml were included in the study.

Sustained transgene expression in rat kidney with naked plasmid DNA and PCR-amplified DNA fragments.

Recently, we developed a kidney-targeted gene transfer technique, in which naked DNA was injected into the renal vein while the renal vein and artery were clamped. Kidney-targeted DNA transfer with only the renal vein clamped is an important modification that may permit less invasive catheter-based gene transfer in future clinical applications. The preparation of PCR-amplified DNA fragments is less time-consuming than that of naked plasmid DNA.

Direct comparison between two 1-84PTH assays in dialysis patients.

Background/aim: Today, two kinds of 1-84PTH assays are available in clinical practice. Few studies have directly compared the results of these assays in the same plasma.

Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 235 dialysis patients and analyzed by the 1-84PTH-IRMA, intact PTH-IRMA, 1-84PTH-CLIA, and intact PTH-CLIA assays simultaneously.

Rat kidney-targeted naked plasmid DNA transfer by retrograde injection into the renal vein.

Kidney-targeted gene transfer is expected to revolutionize the treatment of renal diseases. Recently, we demonstrated that naked plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be transferred into renal interstitial fibroblasts near the peritubular capillaries (PTCs) in normal rats, by retrograde injection into the renal vein with the renal vein and artery clamped. The PTC network is a main target of kidney transplant rejection and of progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which typifies all progressive renal diseases.

Rat liver-targeted naked plasmid DNA transfer by tail vein injection.

High levels of foreign gene expression in mouse hepatocytes can be achieved by "hydrodynamics-based transfection," the rapid injection of a large volume of a naked deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) solution into the tail vein. Rats are more tolerant of the frequent phlebotomies required for monitoring blood parameters than mice and, thus, are more suitable for some biomedical research. Recently, we demonstrated that hydrodynamics-based transfection can also be used to deliver naked plasmid DNA into the normal rat, which is more than 10 times larger than the mouse.

Kidney-targeted naked DNA transfer by retrograde renal vein injection in rats.

Kidney-targeted gene transfer is expected to revolutionize the treatment of renal diseases. Previous gene transfer methods using nonviral vectors administered via renal arterial, pelvic, or ureteric routes into the glomerulus, tubules, or interstitial fibroblasts have resulted in low-level expression for <1 month. The peritubular capillaries (PTC) network is one of the main targets of kidney transplant rejection and of progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which typifies all progressive renal diseases.