| abstract |
The present invention provides methods for reducing a pathology in a subject characterized by a deleterious accumulation of TGF- beta -induced extracellular matrix in a tissue by introducing a nucleic acid encoding a TGF beta -specific inhibitory agent or active fragment thereof into a cell in the subject. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the TGF- beta specific inhibitory agent is introduced into a cell in vivo by injection, for example, in skeletal muscle. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the TGF- beta specific inhibitory agent is transfected into a cell ex vivo to obtain a cell expressing the agent, and the cell is then administered into the subject to be treated. TGF- beta specific inhibitory agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to, members of the decoring family of proteoglycans such as decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin and lumican or an antibody specific for TGF- beta . Pathologies that can be reduced by the present invention include various fibrotic diseases and conditions. |