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Endothelial cell transduction in primary cultures from regressing mesonephros
Víctor Nacher1, Ana Carretero, Marc Navarro
1Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), ES-08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Cells, Tissues, Organs
|July 31, 2009
Summary
Quail mesonephros, an embryonic kidney model, shows vascular changes similar to aging kidneys. Adenovirus gene transfer effectively targets senescent endothelial cells in this model, offering a new approach for studying age-related kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Renal Physiology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Aging kidneys exhibit vascular alterations, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies like gene therapy for endothelial cell protection.
- The quail mesonephros, a transient embryonic kidney, displays vascular involution patterns mirroring those in aging kidneys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adenovirus-mediated gene transfer efficiency in endothelial cells of developing and regressing quail mesonephros.
- To assess senescence markers in quail mesonephros and evaluate gene transfer to senescent endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Adenovirus vectors (rAd-CMV-LacZ) were used for gene transfer in whole quail mesonephros and primary cell cultures.
- Senescence markers (beta-galactosidase, p16INK4a) were analyzed in whole mesonephros.
- Endothelial cells were identified using QH1, LEP100, and acidic phosphatase markers; transduction was confirmed by beta-galactosidase activity.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cells in regressing quail mesonephros and primary cultures expressed senescence markers.
- Adenoviral vectors successfully transduced endothelial cells in the whole regressing mesonephros.
- Cultured endothelial and macrophagic cells from regressing mesonephros showed higher transduction efficiency compared to developing mesonephros.
Conclusions:
- Quail mesonephros exhibits senescence markers in its endothelial cells, similar to aging kidneys.
- Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer is effective in targeting senescent endothelial cells within the quail mesonephros model.
- The quail mesonephros serves as a practical model for evaluating gene transfer strategies in senescent or involuting vasculature.
