GENE-TRANSFER TO VEIN GRAFT WALL BY HVJ-LIPOSOME METHOD - TIME-COURSEAND LOCALIZATION OF GENE-EXPRESSION

Background. A novel gene transfer method using liposomes with a viral envelope of hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) has been reported to be very effective for gene transfection into somatic cells and might be applicable to improve the patency of vein grafts. The present study examined the time course and localization of gene expression to asses s the feasibility of ex vivo gene transfer into the vein graft by the HVJ-liposome method. Methods. The HVJ-liposome complex containing eith er beta-galactosidase plasmid DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or no genes (controls) (experiment 1) or fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled oligon ucleotides either with or without HVJ-liposomes (experiment 2) was inf used into rabbit vein grafts and allowed to incubate before autologous transplantation to carotid arteries. Results. In experiment 1, all gr afts incubated with beta-galactosidase plasmid with HVJ-liposomes show ed the blue staining of X-gal 7 days after operation, whereas the cont rols did not. The blue granules were present in the medial and adventi tial tissue and were still present after 14 days. In experiment 2, man y fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled nuclei were observed in the graft wall 2 and 4 days after operation and remained present mainly in the media of HVJ-liposome-treated grafts after 7 and 14 days, when no fluo rescein isothiocyanate activity was observed without HVJ-liposome trea tment. Conclusions. These results demonstrated the feasibility of ex v ivo transfection to the medial and adventitial tissue of the vein graf t by the HVJ-liposome method and suggest the possibility of its clinic al application to prevent vein graft failure. (Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66 :814-20) (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.