Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Lentiviral Vector-mediated Gene Therapy of Hepatocytes Ex Vivo for Autologous Transplantation in Swine
Published on: November 4, 2018
Hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy prevents radiation-induced liver damage
Chau-Hua Chi1, I-Li Liu, Wei-Yu Lo
1Department of Radiation Therapy and Oncology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, 95 Wen-Chang Road, Shih-Lin, Taipei, Taiwan, China. m006565@ms.skh.org.tw
Aim:
To transfer human HGF gene into the liver of rats by direct electroporation as a means to prevent radiation-induced liver damage.
Methods:
Rat whole liver irradiation model was accomplished by intra-operative approach. HGF plasmid was injected into liver and transferred by electroporation using a pulse generator. Control rats (n = 8) received electrogene therapy (EGT) vehicle plasmid and another 8 rats received HGF-EGT 100 mug 48 h before WLIR. Expression of HGF in liver was examined by RT-PCR and ELISA methods. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. Histopathology was evaluated 10 wk after whole liver irradiation.
Results:
Marked decrease of apoptotic cells and down-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA were observed in the HGF-EGT group 2 d after liver irradiation compared to control animals. Less evidence of radiation-induced liver damage was observed morphologically in liver specimen 10 wk after liver irradiation and longer median survival time was observed from HGF-EGT group (14 wk) compared to control rats (5 wk). (P = 0.031).
Conclusion:
For the first time it has been demonstrated that HGF-EGT would prevent liver from radiation-induced liver damage by preventing apoptosis and down-regulation of TGF-beta1.
