[Experimental research of host endothelialization of transplanted hetero-heart valve by transfer of VEGF gene].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of host endothelialization of transplanted hetero-heart valve by transfer of VEGF gene.


METHODS
Bovine pericardium treated with glutaraldehyde and L-glutamine was positioned into ping's right atrium, then gene suture carrying plasmids with pcD2/hVEGF121 gene or only with pcD2 was sewn into the anterior wall of right ventricle. The contents of VEGF protein in blood from right atrium and peripheral vein were determined by ELISA 10 days after the transplantation. The expression of VFGF mRNA in the myocardium near the gene suture was detected by RT-PCR 16 days after the transplantatipn. Microscopy and unltrastructural analysis of the transplanted valve were carried out.


RESULTS
The content of VEGF protein in blood from the right atrium in the pcD2/hVEGF121 group was significantly higher than that in the pcD2 group 10 days after the VEGF gene transfer (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF mRNA in the myocardium of right ventricle in pcD2/VEGF121 group was much higher than that in the left ventricle of the same group and that in the right ventricle in pcD2 group. Morphological observation showed that the coverage rate of host endothelium in pcD2/hVEGF121 group was higher than in pcD2 group 16 days after the gene transfer (P < 0.05). 30 days after the gene transfer. Complete host endothelialization was observed 30 days after the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF gene transfer with surgical suture promotes the host endothelialization of bioprothesis, thus inhibiting calcification of biological valves and improving biocompatibility and long-term durability of bioprothesis.
Zhang
Z
Z
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China.
Dong
H
H
Liu
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002417:Cattle; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors