Abstract

Introduction

Vascular Gene Transfer Vectors

eNOS Gene Transfer to Cerebral Arteries

Future Directions

References

Discussion
Board

Gene therapy involves the transfer of functional genes to host cells in order to correct the malfunction of a specific gene. Gene transfer to cerebral blood vessels is not only a powerful tool to study gene expression and function in vascular biology, but could also be a promising strategy to treat cerebrovascular disease. For gene transfer to the vascular system, recombinant adenoviruses are the most efficient vectors. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator and an essential regulator of cerebral vascular tone. Impaired production and biological activity of NO contribute to cerebrovascular disorders including cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recently, we have studied the transfer and functional expression of recombinant endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (eNOS) to cerebrovascular bed both in vivo and ex vivo. Our findings concerning cerebral vascular eNOS gene transfer are reviewed in this article, and the potential use of eNOS gene therapy for intracranial disease is also discussed. Although the feasibility of this approach has been demonstrated in animal models, currently available vectors have a number of technical and safety limitations that have to be solved before eNOS gene therapy can be applied in clinical settings.

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Presentation Number SAalex f.y. chen0349
Keywords: adenoviral vector, adventitia, cerebral arteries, gene therapy, NO synthase