Ultrasound-targeted microbubbles mediated VEGF gene delivery to injured artery in vivo

Abstract

Objective To comparatively investigate the VEGF gene transfer of rabbit femoral artery balloon-injured models mediated by targeted-ultrasound or microbubble. Methods The plasmid pCDNA3.1 (-)/hVEGF165 was constructed. The rabbit models of injured femoral artery were established, and randomly divided into 5 groups: Group 1, the control; Group 2, blank plasmid + ultrasound + microbubbles; Group 3, VEGF plasmid; Group 4, VEGF plasmid + microbubbles; Group 5, targeted-ultrasound (VEGF plasmid + ultrasound + microbubbles). After two weeks from operation, the VEGF staining degree was observed from harvested injured artery segment by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore,RT-PCR and western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the expression level of VEGF. Results A lot of brown-yellow VEGF positive particles were visible in group 4 and group 5 by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis showed VEGF expression was significantly increased in group 5 than the other four groups(P 0.05). Conclusions Above these observations,it is believed that both microbubble and targeted-ultrasound can facilitate VEGF gene transfer of vascular endothelial. Targeted-ultrasound group transfer efficiency is higher than that of microbubble group, and the plasmid alone can not promote transfer of vascular endothelial. Key words: Ultrasonography;  Microbubbles;  Transfection;  Femoral artery