Efficient gene transfer into myocardium by direct injection of adenovirus vectors.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Guzman R, Lemarchand P, Crystal R, Epstein S, Finkel T
Journal Circ Res
Volume 73
Issue 6
Pagination 1202-7
Date Published 12/01/1993
ISSN 0009-7330
Keywords Adenoviridae, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genetic Vectors, Myocardium
Abstract Previous studies have established that gene transfer into myocardial cells in vivo is detectable after direct injection of plasmid DNA. Recently, adenovirus vectors have been shown to provide an efficient method for gene transfer into a wide range of tissues. Therefore, this study sought to assess the efficiency and stability of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into myocardium and to compare this method with that using plasmid-based gene transfer techniques. Adult rats underwent myocardial injection via a subdiaphragmatic approach. Gene transfer efficiency was compared using direct injection of an adenovirus vector encoding for the marker gene beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), a control adenovirus vector encoding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, a plasmid encoding for beta-gal, or a control plasmid. Hearts infected with an adenovirus vector containing the beta-gal gene showed significantly increased beta-gal enzymatic activity compared with hearts injected with beta-gal plasmid. Histological examination revealed that cardiac myocytes were the target of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. A time course of gene expression showed that beta-gal enzymatic activity peaked during the first week following injection. Adenovirus vectors provide an efficient but transient method for in vivo gene expression in myocardium.
DOI 10.1161/01.res.73.6.1202
PubMed ID 8222091
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