Highly efficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into renal cells in culture

In summary, we have shown that adenovirus vector efficiently introduced foreign gene into cultured renal cells both of mesangial and tubular origin. Genes transferred were properly expressed to produce the molecules of expected function. It was possible to introduce the gene into nearly 100% of the cells treated. Expression of the gene began as early as 12 hours after the infection, increased until 48 hours and persisted at least up to eight days. Finally, the vector was non-toxic to the cells, as judged from simple toxicity tests. Successful application of adenovirus vector enables for us to study function of pertinent molecules in suitable host cells and opens a new way for examining renal cellular physiology and pathophysiology.