title: Vascular endothelial growth factor-A gene electrotransfer promotes angiogenesis in a porcine model of cardiac ischemia.
abstract: This study aimed to assess safety and therapeutic potential of gene electrotransfer (GET) as a method for delivery of plasmid encoding vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) to ischemic myocardium in a porcine model. Myocardial ischemia was induced by surgically occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery in swine. GET following plasmid encoding VEGF-A injection was performed at four sites in the ischemic region. Control groups either received injections of the plasmid without electrotransfer or injections of the saline vehicle. Animals were monitored for 7 weeks and the hearts were evaluated for angiogenesis, myocardial infarct size and left ventricular contractility. Arteriograms suggest growth of new arteries as early as 2 weeks after treatment in electrotransfer animals. There is a significant reduction of infarct area and left ventricular contractility is improved in GET-treated group compared with controls. There was no significant difference in mortality of animals treated with GET of plasmid encoding VEGF-A from the control groups. Gene delivery of plasmid encoding VEGF-A to ischemic myocardium in a porcine model can be accomplished safely with potential for myocardial repair and regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Anna A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bulysheva
authors.affiliation: Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.|School of Medical Diagnostics and Translational Sciences, College of Health and Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hargrave
authors.affiliation: Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Burcus
authors.affiliation: Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Cathryn G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Lundberg
authors.affiliation: SoBran, Inc. Fairfax, VA.
authors.forename: Len
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.|School of Medical Diagnostics and Translational Sciences, College of Health and Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D013552:Swine; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A