Comparative evaluation of gene delivery devices in primary cultures of rat hepatic stellate cells and rat myofibroblasts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The hepatic stellate cell is the primary cell type responsible for the excessive formation and deposition of connective tissue elements during the development of hepatic fibrosis in chronically injured liver. Culturing quiescent hepatic stellate cells on plastic causes spontaneous activation leading to a myofibroblastic phenotype similar to that seen in vivo. This provides a simple model system for studying activation and transdifferentiation of these cells. The introduction of exogenous DNA into these cells is discussed controversially mainly due to the lack of systematic analysis. Therefore, we examined comparatively five nonviral, lipid-mediated gene transfer methods and adenoviral based infection, as potential tools for efficient delivery of DNA to rat hepatic stella

SUBMITTER: Weiskirchen R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC29065 | biostudies-literature | 2000

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature