Gene therapy for lung emphysema

【目的】角质细胞生长因子（Keratinocyte growth factor， KGF）参与多种组织的发育和再生。我们的初步研究表明，KGF在人气管软骨中有很强的表达。【方法】为明确KGF在软骨创面愈合中的作用，采用免疫组化方法检测大鼠气管切口软骨创面愈合区KGF及其受体（KGFR）的表达，并观察重组KGF对原代培养大鼠软骨细胞增殖分化的直接影响。【结果】手术前后软骨、软骨膜区KGF表达相似，但术后KGF表达受诱导，且在增殖的软骨细胞中表达受限。此外，对原代培养的软骨细胞进行的体外实验显示，200 ng/ml的KGF显著增加了约1.5倍的软骨细胞数量，同时显著减少了氨基酸粘多糖的产生。【结论】上述结果提示KGF可刺激软骨细胞增殖，为临床应用KGF调控气管软骨创面愈合提供了可能。

【Objective】 Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is implicated in the development and regeneration of a variety of tissues. Our preliminary study revealed a strong expression of KGF in human tracheal cartilage. 【Methods】To clarify the role of KGF in cartilage wound healing, we examined the expression of KGF and its receptor (KGFR) immunohistochemically in the wound healing area of rat tracheal cartilage with incision, and the direct effect of recombinant KGF upon the proliferation and differentiation of primary cultured rat chondrocytes.【Results】 Although a similar expression of KGF in the cartilage and perichondrium area was observed before and after the operation, the KGFR expression, was induced after the operation and limited in the proliferating chondrocytes. Moreover, in vitro experiments with primary cultured chondrocytes revealed that KGF at 200 ng/ml significantly increased the number of chondrocytes about 1.5-fold, accompanying a significant decrease in asid mucopolysaccharide production. 【Conclusion】 These results indicate the stimulation of chondrocytes proliferation by KGF and, therefore, the possibility to manipulate the wound healing process of tracheal cartilage by the administration of KGF in clinical settings.