Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule to porcine interposition vein grafts

The efficacy of aorto-coronary vein grafting is limited by early graft thrombosis and accelerated graft atherosclerosis. Direct adenovirus-mediated transfer of genes encoding inhibitory proteins may prevent or slow progression of vein graft disease. Recombinant adenoviruses containing the cDNA for the marker gene lacZ (Ad.CMVlacZ) or soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) (Ad.CB-sVCAM) were used to infect segments of porcine jugular vein or human saphenous vein. Ex vivo testing showed expression of the introduced genes after incubation with Ad.CMVlacZ or Ad.CBsVCAM for periods from 1 to 24 hours, with an increase in transfection efficiency with increasing incubation time. Porcine jugular veins were then interposed as vascular grafts in the carotid arteries of four juvenile farm pigs after ex vivo gene transfer by incubation for 90 to 120 minutes with Ad.CMVlacZ or Ad.CBsVCAM. sVCAM-transfected carotid vein grafts were placed on one side and lacZ transfected veins were placed contralaterally as controls. Three days later, the vein graft segments were resected. Expression of the lacZ gene was confirmed by X-Gal chromagen staining and visualization by light and transmission electron microscopy. Gene expression was apparent in all layers of the vein graft wall, with prominent staining in the adventitia. sVCAM expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. We conclude that ex vivo gene transfer before vein grafting is feasible using a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus and results in a high level of gene expression in vivo. The potential for this approach to prevent early vein graft thrombosis or accelerated vein graft atherosclerosis requires further evaluation.