The subject invention is related to a cell-mediated gene therapy treatment
for orthopedic disease using a member belonging to the transforming growth
factory-.beta. (TGF-.beta.) superfamily. TGF-.beta. gene therapy as a new
treatment method for degenerative arthritis is demonstrated. After
transfection of TGF-.beta. cDNA expression vectors into fibroblasts (NIH
3T3-TGF-.beta.1), the cells were injected into rabbit achilles tendon and
knee joints with artificially-made cartilage defects. Intratendinous
injections were performed to determine the optimal concentration for in
vivo expression. Partially defected cartilage model was made to simulate
degenerative arthritis of the knee joint. The partial cartilage defect
treated with the cell-mediated gene therapy procedure was covered by newly
formed hyaline cartilage which indicates that the cells survived and
stimulated matrix formation in this area. Completely denuded cartilage
areas were covered by fibrous collagen.
