P379 Vascular endothelial growth factor response in porcine coronary and peripheral arteries using non-surgical occlusion model, local delivery and liposome-mediated gene transfer.
1J.Pelisek, 2A.Fuchs, 3M.Engelmann, 1A.Golda, 4P.Rolland, 1S.Nikol
1Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital, Münster; 2Paediatric Clinic, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig Maximilian University, München; 3Medical Clinic I, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig Maximilian University, München; 4Laboratoire Cardiovasculaire, Faculté de Médécine, Université de Marseille, Marseille, FR.

Angiogenesis and arteriogenesis play an important role in advanced vascular occlusive diseases. Whether angiogenesis or arteriogenesis predominate depends on the pre-existing collateral vessel network, the type and location of occlusion and different developmental origin of the arteries. Angiogenesis and arteriogenesis were investigated following VEGF treatment in different arteries important in occlusive arterial diseases, using a newly developed porcine arterial occlusion model.

Porcine coronary and peripheral arteries were occluded interventionally using blinded stent grafts. Gene transfer was performed using a needle injection catheter and cationic lipid DOCSPER as the gene carrier. DNA and gene expression in arterial tissue were examined using PCR and RT-PCR. Vessel development was determined by angiography, immunohistochemistry and measurement of capillary density.

The transduced gene and its expression were found 3 months following application. In tissue adjacent to coronary arteries, significantly enhanced capillary density was observed but no increase in angiographic score. In contrast, tissue surrounding peripheral arteries demonstrated no enhancement in capillary density but increase in angiographic score.

These results demonstrate differential responses to VEGF treatment in coronary and peripheral arteries resulting predominantly in either angiogenesis or arteriogenesis. Further investigation of VEGF signaling pathway is necessary for better understanding the processes of vascular development, which may have potential impact on the design of cardiovascular therapeutics.