title: Vectors based on Semliki Forest virus for rapid and efficient gene transfer into non-endothelial cardiovascular cells: comparison to adenovirus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Replication-deficient, recombinant adenovirus is used as a carrier for gene transfer, but it is unspecific and the onset of transgene expression is relatively late. Here, we evaluated the efficiency and selectivity of gene transfer mediated by recombinant Semliki Forest virus (SFV).
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the efficiency of a SFV-based vector with an adenoviral vector, using LacZ as a reporter gene. Firstly, the affinity for vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and cardiac myocytes was assessed. Secondly, we compared the time course of LacZ expression and cytotoxicity in vascular smooth muscle cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SFV-based vector infects vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes as efficiently as adenovirus. In contrast to adenovirus, SFV hardly transfers LacZ to endothelial cells (2.6% or less). SFV-mediated expression was visible after 1 h, reaching a maximum after 6 h. In contrast, adenovirus-mediated expression became visible after 6 h, and reached a maximum after 48-72 h. Both vectors were cytotoxic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrate that SFV efficiently transfers LacZ to vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, but not to endothelial cells. In contrast, adenovirus causes efficient transgene expression in all cell types tested. Furthermore, SFV-mediated expression is faster than adenovirus-mediated expression. Therefore, SFV-mediated gene transfer may be a suitable alternative to adenovirus, providing a fast expression in non-endothelial cardiovascular cell types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Roks
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pries
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stula
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eschenhagen
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Orzechowski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gschwendt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilschut
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: van Gilst
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007763:Lac Operon; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D012672:Semliki forest virus