Advances in Hypertension: Gene Therapy

U.S. scientists have used keratinocytes and fibroblasts that are in their genomes the gene for atrial natriuretic peptide.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute United States have developed through biological engineering of human skin grafts could be used to treat hypertension. The results of the study, conducted in mice, published in the online edition of “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Also, explain that their work could lead to a new method for producing and administering therapeutic molecules for a variety of systemic genetic disorders.
They note that one of the most important challenges in the use of skin tissues in gene therapy has been able to maintain sustained expression of therapeutic genes in a high percentage of cells.
Led by Jonathan Vogel, overcame this difficulty by introducing the gene for atrial natriuretic peptide (NPA) – can lower blood pressure-stem cell keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
Cultured skin cells with the gene of the NPA were used to create patches of skin, grafted onto the backs of mice fed a high salt diet, reduced blood pressure. According to the authors, the technique could be used to help develop specific therapies for human diseases, including those with a genetic component, such as hypertension and cystic fibrosis.