Effects of recombinant adenoviruses carrying human urokinase-type plasminogen activator on experimental liver fibrosis

Objective To observe the effects of recombinant adenoviruses carrying human urokinase-type plasminogen activator on experimental liver fibrosis. Methods We constructed replication-deficient recombinant adenoviruse (pAd-△uPA) inserted with non-secreted human urokinase-plasminogen activator cDNA which can be expressed in eukaryotic cells, pAd-△uPA was transferred to the rat's fibrotic liver in vivo by portal vein, then the effects of the pAd-△uPA on the fibrotic liver were observed by RTPCR, immunohistochemistry and pathology. Results The pAd-△uPA could be expressed in rat liver. The expression of the pAd-△uPA could increase the degradation of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in the rat's fibrotic liver as compared with fibrotic model group (P0.05). However according to the pathological observation, the pAd-△uPA had little reverse effects on the rat's fibrotic liver as compared with fibrotic model group (P0.05). Conclusion The pAd-△uPA have some effects on liver fibrosis, but the effects are limited.