Effects of in vivo gene transfer of fibroblast growth factor-2 on cardiac function and collateral vessel formation in the microembolized rabbit heart

The effects of gene transfer of the secreted form of fibroblast growth fact or-2 (FGF-2) were tested using an adenovirus vector in the microembolized r abbit heart. Japanese white rabbits underwent an intracoronary injection of 25-mum microspheres followed by recombinant adenovirus vectors encoding a secreted form of FGF-2 (FGF group), LacZ (LacZ group), or saline (saline gr oup). Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was serially assessed by echo cardiography, Vascular density was measured at 14 days with Azan and CD31 s taining. The development of collateral vessels was assessed by measuring my ocardial brood flow before and after the occlusion of the left anterior des cending coronary artery. Percent fractional shortening (%FS) decreased afte r the microembolization, and improved gradually for 14 days in the FGF grou p only (41+/-1% (FGF) vs 32+/-1% (LacZ), 31+/-1% (saline), p<0.01). The vas cular density and myocardial collateral blood flow were significantly highe r in the FGF group in comparison with other groups. Transcoronary arterial gene transfer of the secreted form of FGF-2 was beneficial for the recovery of LV systolic function and development of collateral vessels in the micro embolized rabbit heart.