Cardiac overexpression of human VEGF(165) by recombinant Semliki Forest virus leads to adverse effects in pressure-induced heart failure.

ABSTRACT: Semliki Forest virus (SFV) is an efficient vector for cardiac gene delivery. The relatively short transgene expression induced by SFV seems appropriate for angiogenic gene therapy. We tested the effects of SFV expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on cardiac angiogenesis and heart failure in the mRen2 transgenic rat.Six-week-old mRen2 rats received SFV-VEGF or control virus (n=7 each) administered intracoronarily. Twelve days after transfection, cardiac capillary density and function were assessed. Capillary density in cardiac regions where SFV expression was highest had decreased by 20% in the SFV-VEGF-treated group. The decrease in capillary density was accompanied by impaired systolic function as illustrated by increased endsystolic volumes and a 34% decrease in cardiac o

SUBMITTER: Loot AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2153471 | biostudies-literature | 2007

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature