Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by introduction of retinoblastoma gene via a recombinant adenovirus vector.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth suppression by recombinant adenovirus vector expressing a retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and to explore a gene therapy approach for vascular proliferative disorders including atherosclerosis and artery restenosis.


METHODS
A replication-deficient adenovirus vector encoding a wild-type Rb and AdCMVRb, was constructed and transfected into cultured rabbit aortic SMC. The efficiency of gene transfection and expression was detected by immunochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction. The role of Rb in regulating vascular SMC proliferation was observed by cell-counting, [3H] thymidine incorporation, and flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Wild-type Rb gene transfected effectively into the cultured SMC with AdCMVRb can suppress growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation through regulation of DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate the potential of adenovirus-mediated Rb gene therapy for atherosclerosis and artery restenosis after balloon angioplasty.
Department of Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, China.
J
J
Li
Y
Y
Xia
L
L
Jiang
S
S
Hu
H
H
Xu
D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016161:Genes, Retinoblastoma / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014162:Transfection