Stability of adenoviral vectors following catheter delivery

Adenoviral vectors have shown promise in a variety of preclinical vascular disease models. Intravascular infusion is one methodology to introduce the adenoviral vector into the affected area of the blood vessel. The biocompat ibility of the infusion catheter with the adenoviral vector is key for succ essful local transfer. It has been recently suggested that catheter-based d elivery of adenoviral vectors may result in the loss of vector infectivity. We demonstrate here a catheter capable of delivering adenoviral vectors wi thout the loss of viral particle or infectious titers. First- (Delta E1) an d second- (Delta E1/Delta E4) generation adenoviral vectors were tested for their biocompatibility with the Crescendo microporous infusion catheter, w hich is designed for local infusion of therapeutic agents to human coronary or peripheral arteries. We found that incubation of either the Delta E1 or the Delta E1/Delta E4 viral vectors for up to 30 min in the catheter at 37 degreesC did not result in a loss of viral particles or of viral infectivi ty. Here, we show that the Crescendo catheter is biocompatible with adenovi ral vectors and suitable for vascular gene therapy.