[The in vivo and in vitro effects on neovascularization of VEGF gene transfer with a new pseudotyped rAAV1 vector].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transfer with a new pseudotyped recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector with AAV serotype 1 capsid protein (rAAV1) vector on neovascularization.


METHODS
PBS, rAAV1-GFP and rAAV1-VEGF vectors were added in C2C12 derived myotubes [10(5) vg (vector genomes) per cell]. Transfer efficiency was determined by fluorescent microscope and VEGF protein concentration in the culture media measured by ELISA. Ten days following ischemia in a hindlimb ischemic mouse model, PBS, 3 x 10(11)vg rAAV1-LacZ vectors and rAAV1-VEGF165 vectors were injected in ischemic thigh muscles. VEGF protein at ischemic thigh muscle was measured by ELISA at 1 month after vector infection. Capillaries and arterioles were observed by immunohistochemical analysis at 6 weeks after vector infection.


RESULTS
GFP expression was found in 60% - 80% myotubes at 120 hours after rAAV1-GFP infection. VEGF protein peaked at the 3rd day post rAAV1-VEGF infection with an average concentration of (567.7 +/- 16.8) pg/ml. Transfer efficacy in ischemic thigh muscle was 100% one month post rAAV1-LacZ infection. The average concentration of VEGF protein in ischemic skeletal muscles is (205.4 +/- 36.1) pg/mg total protein in rAAV1-VEGF165 treated mice. Extensive angiogenesis [(147.0 +/- 13.3)/mm(2)] and arteriogenesis [(17.0 +/- 1.2)/mm(2)] were observed in ischemic skeletal muscles at 6 weeks post rAAV1-VEGF165 injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Gene transfer with the new pseudotyped rAAV1-VEGF165 vector might be an effective therapeutic approach for ischemic cardiovascular diseases.
Yan
Hua
H
Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China.
Wu
Xiao-bing
XB
Guo
Yan-hong
YH
Zhang
Peng
P
Chen
Li
L
Dong
Xiao-yan
XY
Wang
Gui-song
GS
Gao
Wei
W
D000818:Animals; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000628:therapy; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A