In vivo transfection of cis element ''decoy'' against nuclear factor-kappa B binding site prevents myocardial infarction

The transcriptional factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF kappa B) plays a pivotal role in the coordinated transactivation of cytokine and adhesion molecule genes that might be Involved in myocardial damage after ischemia and reperfusion. Therefore, we hypothesized that synthetic double-stranded DNA with high affinity for NF kappa B could be introduced in vivo as ''decoy'' cls elements to bind the transcriptional factor and to block the activation of genes mediating myocardial infarction, thus providing effective therapy for myocardial infarction. Treatment before and after infarction by transfection of NF kappa B decoy, but not scrambled decoy, oligodeoxynucleotides before coronary artery occlusion or immediately after reperfusion had a significant inhibitory effect on the area of infarction. Here, we report the first successful in vivo transfer of NF kappa B decoy oligodeoxynucleotides to reduce the extent of myocardial infarction following reperfusion, providing a new therapeutic strategy for myocardial infarction.