Gene therapy of adhesive disease. Myth or reality?
https://doi.org/10.18705/3034-7270-2025-1-3-15-19
EDN: LNVGKY
Abstract
Pathological adhesion formation in the abdominal cavity following surgical interventions remains an unresolved problem, leading to intestinal obstruction, chronic pain, and infertility. Despite existing preventive methods, an effective solution has not yet been found. Gene therapy approaches represent promising developments that target key molecular mechanisms of fibrosis and inflammation. Experimental studies demonstrate the potential of this direction. Suppression of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) reduces fibroblast activation. Activation of antifibrotic factors decreases collagen deposition and stimulates fibrinolysis. Gene editing modulates inflammation and angiogenesis. Thus, gene therapy could become a breakthrough in preventing adhesive disease but requires further research to address immunogenicity, controlled long-term efficacy, and other safety concerns.
About the Authors
B. V. SiguaRussian Federation
Sigua Badri V. – Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of General Surgery.
St. Petersburg
E. S. Oshchepkova
Russian Federation
Oshchepkova Ekaterina S. – Assistant of the Department of General Surgery at the Institute of Medical Education.
St. Petersburg
P. A. Kotkov
Russian Federation
Kotkov Pavel A. – Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of General Surgery at the Institute of Medical Education.
St. Petersburg
References
1. Tabibian N., Swehli E., Boyd A., et al. Abdominal Adhesions: A Practical Review of an Often Overlooked Entity. Ann Med Surg. 2017;15:9–13. DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2017.01.021.
2. Zins M., Millet I., Taourel P. Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: Predictive Radiology to Improve Patient Management. Radiology. 2020;296(3):480–492. DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2020192234.
3. Kim Y.I., Lee M., Kim S.I., et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Thermo-Sensitive Sol–Gel Anti-Adhesion Agent after Gynecologic Surgery. J Clin Med. 2020;9(7):2261. DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072261.
4. ten Broek R.P., Issa Y., van Santbrink E.J., et al. Burden of adhesions in abdominal and pelvic surgery: systematic review and met-analysis. BMJ. 2013;347:f5588. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f5588.
5. Liakakos T., Thomakos N., Fine P.M., et al. Peritoneal adhesions: etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical significance. Recent advances in prevention and management. Dig Surg. 2001;18(4):260–73. DOI: 10.1159/000050149.
6. Atta H.M. Prevention of peritoneal adhesions: a promising role for gene therapy. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2011;17(46):5049–5058. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i46.5049
7. Atta H.M., Al-Hendy A., El-Rehany M.A., et al. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of human tissue plasminogen activator prevents peritoneal adhesion formation/reformation in rats. Surgery. 2009;146(1):12–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2009.02.018.
8. Guo H., Leung J.C., Cheung J.S., et al. Non-viral Smad7 gene delivery and attenuation of postoperative peritoneal adhesion in an experimental model. Br J Surg. 2009;96(11):1323–35. DOI: 10.1002/bjs.6722.
9. Guo Q., Li Q.F., Liu H.J., et al. Sphingosine kinase 1 gene transfer reduces postoperative peritoneal adhesion in an experimental model. Br J Surg. 2008;95(2):252–8. DOI: 10.1002/bjs.5890.
10. Liu H.J., Wu C.T., Duan H.F., et al. Adenoviral-mediated gene expression of hepatocyte growth factor prevents postoperative peritoneal adhesion in a rat model. Surgery. 2006;140(3):441–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2005.12.014.
11. Segura T., Schmokel H., Hubbell J.A. RNA interference targeting hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha reduces post-operative adhesions in rats. J Surg Res. 2007;141(2):162–70. DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2006.07.045.
12. Atta H., El-Rehany M., Roeb E., et al. Mutant matrix metalloproteinase-9 reduces postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rats. Int J Surg. 2016;26:58–63. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.12.065.
13. Hsieh T.B., Feng H.Z., Jin J.P. Deletion of Calponin 2 Reduces the Formation of Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesions. J Invest Surg. 2022;35(3):517–524. DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2021.1880672.
14. Jie Liao, Xiaoming Li, Yubo Fan. Prevention strategies of postoperative adhesion in soft tissues by applying biomaterials: Based on the mechanisms of occurrence and development of adhesions. Bioactive Materials. 2023;26:387–412. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.02.026.
15. Lee E.J., Han J.C., Park D.Y., et al. Effect of connective tissue growth factor gene editing using adeno-associated virus–mediated CRISPR–Cas9 on rabbit glaucoma filtering surgery outcomes. Gene Ther. 2021;28:277–286. DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-0166-4.
16. Zwi-Dantsis L., Mohamed S., Massaro G., Moeendarbary E. Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors: Principles, Practices, and Prospects in Gene Therapy. Viruses. 2025;17(2):239. DOI: 10.3390/v17020239.
Review
For citations:
Sigua B.V., Oshchepkova E.S., Kotkov P.A. Gene therapy of adhesive disease. Myth or reality? Russian surgical journal. 2025;1(3):15-19. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18705/3034-7270-2025-1-3-15-19. EDN: LNVGKY
