Adenovirus-mediated extracellular superoxide dismutase gene therapy reduces neointima formation in balloon-denuded rabbit aorta

Restenosis is a frequent problem after invasive treatment of atherosclerotic vessels and is associated with intimal hyperplasia, which is primarily a result of proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells, leading to the formation of neointima. Because there is no effective conventional medication for restenosis, gene therapy is a potential new treatment to prevent neointima formation. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of adenovirus-mediated extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) gene transfer (3x10(9) pfu/kg AdEC-SOD versus AdLacZ control virus) on neointima formation in balloon-denuded rabbit aortas. Local catheter-mediated gene transfer to the arterial wall reduced restenosis (P