RECOMBINANT ADENOVIRUS EXPRESSING αA-CRYSTALLIN GENE AND GENE THERAPY FOR RETINAL VASCULAR DISEASE USING SAME

摘要

The present invention relates to recombinant adenovirus expressing αA-crystallin gene and to a gene therapy for retinal vascular disease using the recombinant adenovirus. The gene therapy using the recombinant adenovirus including αA-crystallin gene according to the present invention increases the expression level of αA-crystallin gene in injured of retinal pericytes to inhibit apoptosis and loss of pericytes, retinal vascular leakage, and leukocyte adherence in peripheral retinal vessels so as to protect pericytes. Therefore, the gene therapy using the recombinant adenovirus including αA-crystallin gene according to the present invention may be valuably used in the prevention and treatment of various retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.