Localized adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into vascular smooth muscle in the hamster cheek pouch.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to develop a method for adenovirus delivery to the hamster cheek pouch to experimentally target gene transfer in tissue used for microvascular studies.


METHODS
Separate constructs were tested with transgenes for lacZ or green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by three promoters: RSV, CMV, and SM22. With university approval, adenovirus was delivered in anesthetized (pentobarbital, 70 mg/kg) hamsters (n = 28) by using either a vascular systemic injection or tissue infiltration (interstitial space behind the pouch). During 3 days, animals receiving infiltration gained the expected weight, whereas those receiving vascular injection lost weight; no other behavior changes were noted.


RESULTS
On day 3 postadenoviral delivery (infiltration), expression of lacZ (histology, beta-galactosidase) or GFP (fluorescence microscopy) was confirmed across the tissue (CMV and RSV promoters) and exclusively in vascular smooth muscle cells (specific SM22 promoter), without evidence of tissue inflammation. In vitro microvascular experiments verified normal responses in the cheek pouch of day 3 postadenoviral delivery animals. We tested local dilation to methacholine, adenosine, remote dilation to methacholine, adenosine, nitroprusside, and LM609 (alpha(v)beta3 integrin agonist), flow-dependent dilation, and flow recruitment.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, this method enables targeted, cell-specific gene transfer to one tissue important for microvascular studies, without significant systemic exposure and without adverse inflammation.
Frame
M D
MD
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. molly_frame@urmc.rochester.edu
Miano
J M
JM
Yang
J
J
Rivers
R J
RJ
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002610:Cheek; D006224:Cricetinae; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008833:Microcirculation; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase