Enhancement of flap survival and changes in angiogenic gene expression after AAV2-mediated VEGF gene transfer to rat ischemic flaps

ABSTRACT Necrosis of surgically transferred flaps due to ischemia is a serious wound problem. We evaluated the improvement of flap survival and changes in angiogenic gene expression profiles after transfer of the VEGF gene by means of adeno‐associated virus type 2 (AAV2) vector to rat ischemic flaps. Thirty rats were divided into one experimental group, one AAV2‐GFP group, and one saline group. AAV2‐VEGF or AAV2‐GFP were injected intradermally into the rat dorsum in the AAV2‐VEGF or AAV2‐GFP group. The saline group received saline injection. A 3 × 10 cm flap was raised in each rat two weeks post‐injection. One week after surgery, flap viability was evaluated. Angiogenesis real‐time PCR array was performed to analyze the expression of angiogenesis‐associated genes. The AAV2‐VEGF treatment significantly improved flap survival (p