Adeno-associated virus-mediated heme oxygenase-1 gene transfer suppresses the progression of micronodular cirrhosis in rats

Aims: Liver cirrhosis is a worldwide health problem. To test the hypothesis that enhancement of the activity of heme oxygenase can interfere with processes of fibrogenesis associated with recurrent liver injury, we investigated the therapeutic potential of over-expression of heme oxygense-1 in a CCl4-induced micronodular cirrhosis model. Methods: Recombinant adeno-associated viruses carrying rat HO-1 or eGFP gene were generated. 1×10(12)vg/rat of adeno-associated viruses were administered through portal injection at the time of the induction of liver fibrosis. Results: Conditioning the rat liver with over-expres…