OBJECTIVETo summarize the development of gene delivery vectors in peritoneal fibrosis research and discuss the feasibility and superiority of lentiviral vectors.

DATA SOURCESThe data in this article were collected from PubMed database with relevant English articles published from 1995 to 2011.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the gene therapy in peritoneal fibrosis research using non-viral vectors, adenoviral vectors, retroviral vectors, and lentiviral vectors were selected. Data were mainly extracted from 60 articles, which are listed in the reference section of this review.

RESULTSNon-viral vector-mediated gene delivery (including naked DNA for ex vivo, oligonucleotides, ultrasound- contrast agent mediated naked gene delivery, etc.) and viral vector-mediated gene delivery (including adenovirus, helper-dependant adenovirus, and retrovirus vectors) have been successfully applied both in the mechanistic investigation and the potential prevention and treatment of peritoneal fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONSPeritoneal fibrosis is a major complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Recently, the wide use of the gene delivery technique made it possible to access and further research peritoneal fibrosis. The use of lentiviral vector is expected to be widely used in PD research in the future due to its advantages in gene delivery.