© 1997 by European Society of Cardiology
Copyright © 1997, European Society of Cardiology
Efficient adenoviral gene transfer to early venous bypass grafts: comparison with native vessels
aDepartment of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3060, Durham, NC 27710 USA
bDepartment of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
* Corresponding author. Tel: +1 (919) 681 8446; fax: +1 (919) 684 8591; e-mail: samuel.george@duke.edu
Objectives: Gene therapy may provide new approaches to reduce vein graft failure following coronary or peripheral bypass surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative efficacy of intraoperative adenoviral gene transfer to vein grafts, comparing transgene expression in vein grafts with that in matched native vessels in the same animal. In addition, we assessed the impact of bypass grafting on the cellular targets of gene transfer. Methods: New Zealand White rabbits underwent interposition bypass grafting of the carotid artery, using the ipsilateral external jugular vein, which was infected with an adenovirus expressing β-galactosidase immediately prior to bypass grafting (n = 16). The contralateral native jugular vein (n = 16) and carotid artery (n = 8) were infected concurrently with the same adenoviral preparation. After 3, 7 or 14 days, β-galactosidase protein expression was quantified by ELISA, and specific cell types expressing β-galactosidase were identified by X-Gal staining and by immunohistochemistry. Results: After 3 days, endothelial cells were efficiently transduced in all vessels; medial smooth muscle cells were transduced infrequently. In contrast to jugular veins after gene transfer, endothelium in vein grafts showed expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and intense inflammation with CD18+ leukocytes. Transgene expression in vein grafts at day 3 was maintained at levels approximately 50% of that in ungrafted jugular veins, but continued to decrease through day 7. Conclusions: Although vascular injury in early venous bypass grafts reduces gene transfer efficacy, significant transgene expression is maintained for at least 7 days. These findings have important implications for intraoperative gene transfer strategies in vein grafts.
KEYWORDS Gene transfer; Adenovirus; Bypass grafts; Endothelium; Smooth muscle; Rabbit, endothelial cells
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