title: [Experimental study of gene therapy with human vascular endothelial growth factor-c in lymphedema].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy of gene therapy with human vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C) on obstructive lymphedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two animal models of lymphedema were created: one in the right hind limb of adult New Zealand white rabbits and the other in SD mouse tail. Each model was randomly divided into two groups to receive intradermal injection of either VEGF-C gene (experimental group), or saline(control group). In rabbit model, the volume change of affected limb was measured. In mouse model, biopsy was performed after 3 weeks treatment to detect the expression of VEGF-C mRNA and proteins. The lymphagenesis was evaluated by immunohistochemical examination with lymphatic endothelium hyaluronan receptor antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The volume of the affect rabbit limb decreased by (24.40 +/- 1.08) ml in experimental group, compared with (5.80 +/- 1.92) ml in control group (P = 0.0001). The expression of VEGF-C mRNA and protein increased markedly in experiment group, but not in controls. More lymphatic vessels with large caliber were seen in experiment group (P = 0.0004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF-C gene therapy may alleviate or treat lymphedema by inducing lyphmangiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the 9th Affiliated People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University Medical School, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Jian-guo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xue-qing
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Wei-gang
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Sheng-li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kai-xiang
authors.initials: KX
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Ning-fei
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Di-sheng
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Juan-juan
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: De-li
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000628:therapy*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C