[Direct intramuscular injection of pSV-VEGF(165) augments capillaries formation in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate an easier and safer clinical method of gene therapy for treating arterial ischemic diseases in the lower extremity.


METHODS
Recombinant plasmid pSV-VEGF(165) constructed in vitro was directly injected into the ischemic hindlimb muscles in rabbit models. 30 days after gene transfer, the capillary density and the capillary to muscle fiber ratio were determined histochemically in the resected samples.


RESULTS
The capillary density and the capillary to muscle fiber ratio were significantly higher for pSV-VEGF(165) transfected group than for control group, particularly increased in the shank of the hindlimbs.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct intramuscular injection of pSV-VEGF(165) was an easier and efficient gene therapy method, and it significantly augmented the capillary formation in ischemic limbs.
Zhao
Y
Y
Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200001.
Shi
Y
Y
He
T
T
Zhang
H
H
Chen
S
S
Zhang
B
B
D000818:Animals; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A