Experimental study of adenovirus vector mediated-h VEGF₁₆₅ gene on prevention of restenosis after angioplasty

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of adenovirus vector mediated human vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (hVEGF₁₆₅) gene on prevention of restenosis after angioplasty. Rabbit models of bilateral carotid artery injury were established by balloon denudation. The recombinant adenoviruses containing hVEGF₁₆₅ cDNA was directly injected into left side of the injured carotid arteries. On day 3 and week 3 after transfection the expression of VEGF was observed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The thrombokinesis, reendothelialization (rET) and intimal hyperplasia in carotid arteries were evaluated by computerized image analysis system 3 weeks after gene transfer. The changes in the VEGF gene-treated side were compared with the control side. Our results showed that 3 days and 3 weeks after hVEGF₁₆₅ gene transfer the VEGF mRNA and antigen expression were detectedin vivo. 3 weeks after the transfer, the carotid artery rET was markedly better in the VEGF gene-treated group compared with the control. The thrombokinesis, intima area/media area (I/M), maximal intimal and medial thicknesses (IT_max and MT_max) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in arteries treated with VEGF gene as compared with the control group. It is concluded that VEGF gene transfer could be achieved by intra-arterial injection of recombinant adenoviruses. It might accelerate the restoration of endothelial integrity, inhibit thrombokinesis and attenuate intimal hyperplasia in the injured arteries after VEGF gene transfer. This procedure could be useful in preventing restenosis after angioplasty.

Keywords

vascular endothelial growth factor / adenovirus / restenosis / gene therapy

References

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