Authors:
Rowan Flynn, Kun Qian, Chongren Tang, Nagadhara Dronadula, Joshua M Buckler, Bo Jiang, Shan Wen, Helén L Dichek, and David A Dichek
Summary:
Expression of atheroprotective genes in the blood vessel wall is potentially an effective means of preventing or reversing atherosclerosis. Development of this approach has been hampered by lack of a suitable gene-transfer vector. We used a helper-dependent adenoviral (HDAd) vector to test whether expression of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in the artery wall could retard the development of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Carotid arteries were infused with an HDAd expressing rabbit apoA-I or a “null” HDAd and harvested 2 and 4 weeks later. ApoA-I mRNA and protein were detected only in HDAdApoAI arteries. Lesion size, lipid and macrophage content, and adhesion molecule expression were similar in both groups at 2 weeks. Between 2 and 4 weeks, most of these measures of atherosclerosis increased in HDAdNull arteries, but were stable or decreased in HDAdApoAI arteries (P ≤ 0.04 for all end points in 4-week HDAdApoAI versus HDAdNull arteries). A longer-term study in chow-fed rabbits revealed persistence of HDAd vector DNA and apoA-I expression for ≥48 weeks, with stable vector DNA content and apoA-I expression from 4 to 48 weeks. Expression of apoA-I in arterial endothelium significantly retards atherosclerosis. HDAd provides prolonged, stable expression of a therapeutic transgene in the artery wall.
Source:
Molecular Therapy; 19, 1833-1841 (10/11)