title: Augmentation of rat skin flap viability by relaxin-expressing adenovirus.
abstract: Relaxin (RLX) has multiple vascular actions, including vasodilation and angiogenesis, which occur via induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. We generated a RLX-expressing (dE1-RGD/lacZ/RLX) adenovirus and investigated whether it enhances skin flap survival. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: RLX-expressing adenovirus group, control virus group, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group. Two days before surgery and immediately after flap elevation, the caudally based flap that was 3 × 9 cm in size was subdermally injected with the dE1-RGD/lacZ/RLX virus (10⁷ PFU), dE1-RGD/lacZ virus (10⁷ PFU), or PBS. The surviving area of the flap and the amount of blood flow were measured. On postoperative day 10, CD31-positive vessels and VEGF protein expression were examined. We observed a significant increase in the survival area of the flap in the RLX group. Doppler measurement also showed significantly increased blood flow immediately after the operation and on postoperative days 7 and 10. CD31-positive vessels and VEGF protein expression were significantly greater in the RLX group. Thus, administration of RLX-expressing adenovirus into elevated skin flaps increased VEGF expression, the number of capillaries, and blood flow to the flap, thereby improving skin flap survival.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Human Tissue Restoration, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Jai
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chae-Ok
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: In Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Yong-Oock
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Il-Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Tae Jin
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Dong Kyun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Rah
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000494:pharmacology; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012065:Relaxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D012065:Relaxin