[Experimental study of gene therapy with human vascular endothelial growth factor-c in lymphedema].
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.
Zhou
Jian-guo
JG
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the 9th Affiliated People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University Medical School, Shanghai 200011, China.
Hu
Xue-qing
XQ
Cao
Wei-gang
WG
Li
Sheng-li
SL
Cheng
Kai-xiang
KX
Liu
Ning-fei
NF
Zhang
Di-sheng
DS
Wu
Juan-juan
JJ
Yin
Li-min
LM
Liu
De-li
DL
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*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C