[Progress in gene therapy of liver cirrhosis]

Liver cirrhosis is a common progressive pathological lesion in the late stage of chronic liver disease, which is characterized by disorganization of normal hepatic structure of regenerative nodules and hyperplasia of fibrotic tissues. In recent years, with the development of molecular biology, the molecular mechanisms underlying liver cirrhosis has been revealed more and more, which makes the therapy at the gene level possible. The ideal strategy for the treatment of liver cirrhosis should include prevention of fibrogenesis, stimulation of hepatocyte proliferation and reorganization of the liver architecture. Several gene therapy approaches for treatment of liver cirrhosis have been developed by transfer of some genes of cytokines and enzymes (e.g. HGF, TGF beta 1R, MMPs). These gene therapies can inhibit fibrogenesis and hepatocyte apoptosis and also produce resolution of fibrosis in the cirrhotic liver. Thus, gene therapy may be potentially useful for the treatment of liver cirrhosis, which is otherwise fatal and untreatable by conventional therapy.