Gene transfer in the kidney. Kelley, Vicki Rubin, and Vikas P. Sukhatme. 1Renal Division, Molecular Autoimmunity, Brigham and Women_s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115; and 2Renal Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02215
APStracts 5:0143F, 1998.
Human gene transfer, once considered a fantasy, is a clinical reality. Gene transfer approaches offer the promise of revolutionizing medicine. In this review we focus on the current and future prospects for gene transfer into the kidney. We will discuss the concepts of somatic gene transfer, the general considerations of gene transfer, and review the pros and cons of current vectors systems. We will then address the unique features of the kidney which dictate the selection of a gene transfer strategy and review ex vivo and in vivo gene delivery approaches tailored for the kidney. Finally, we will speculate on the future directions and application of gene transfer systems to combat kidney transplant rejection, autoimmune, polycystic, malignant, and other acute glomerular and chronic interstitial kidney diseases.

Received 17 Augsut 1998; accepted in final form 17 August 1998.
APS Manuscript Number F213-8.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Renal Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1998 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 21 September 1998