Adenoviral gene transfer with soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptors impairs angiogenesis and perfusion in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the current study was to examine the contribution of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to ischemia-induced angiogenesis and perfusion.


RESULTS
C57BL/6J mice (n=28) were subjected to unilateral hindlimb ischemia after intravenous injection of recombinant adenoviruses (10(9) plaque-forming units) encoding the ligand-binding ectodomain of VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1/Ad Flt1), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2/Ad Flk1-Fc), a control murine IgG2alpha Fc fragment (Ad Fc), or vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline). Hindlimb perfusion was assessed by both laser Doppler and fluorescent microsphere injection 10 days after surgery. The role of endogenous VEGF in ischemia-induced angiogenesis and arteriogenesis was measured by capillary density and microangiography, respectively. Adenoviral gene transfer with soluble VEGFRs significantly attenuated hindlimb perfusion as assessed by laser Doppler and microsphere analysis (P<0.05). Furthermore, soluble VEGFRs significantly reduced ischemia-induced angiogenesis and collateral growth and inhibited histological recovery of muscle tissue. Adverse events consistent with ongoing vascular insufficiency such as limb necrosis or gangrene were observed only in animals expressing soluble VEGFRs and not in control animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic, soluble receptor-mediated VEGF inhibition indicates an essential role for endogenous VEGF during postischemic angiogenesis and hindlimb perfusion.
Jacobi
Johannes
J
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif 94305-5156, USA.
Tam
Betty Y Y
BY
Wu
Grace
G
Hoffman
Jana
J
Cooke
John P
JP
Kuo
Calvin J
CJ
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005734:Gangrene; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008863:Microspheres; D009336:Necrosis; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D012995:Solubility; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2