Regional angiogenesis induced in nonischemic tissue by an adenoviral vector expressing vascular endothelial growth factor.

The feasibility of a single administration of a replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad) vector encoding the cDNA for human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (AdCMV.VEGF) to induce neovascularization in vivo in normal tissue was evaluated in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. Following administration of AdCMV.VEGF (10(9) pfu/50 microliters), maximal VEGF cDNA expression was observed at 2-5 days in the injected adipose tissue. No VEGF protein was detected at > or = 10 days in injected adipose tissue, and there was no increase in serum VEGF levels at any time. In vivo quantification of the number of blood vessels using 30x visualization of the adipose tissue demonstrated an increase in vessel number by 10 days, plateauing by 30 days with a 123% increase in vessel number compared to the control vector AdCMV.Null, despite the fact that no VEGF protein was detected after 5 days. Consistent with the in vivo data, histologic quantification of capillary number demonstrated an increase by day 5, reaching a 38% increase over AdCMV.Null by day 30. These observations demonstrate that an Ad vector carrying the VEGF cDNA is capable of inducing the growth of new blood vessels in a regional fashion in a relatively avascular, normal organ. This suggests in vivo Ad-mediated gene transfer may be useful for therapeutic angiogenesis in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular disease.

Circumvention of anti-adenovirus neutralizing immunity by administration of an adenoviral vector of an alternate serotype.

Effective gene transfer and expression following repetitive administration of adenoviral (Ad) vectors in experimental animals is limited by anti-Ad neutralizing antibodies. Knowing that anti-Ad humoral immunity is serotype-specific, we hypothesized that anti-Ad neutralizing immunity could be circumvented using Ad vectors of different serotypes (Ad2, Ad5) within the same subgroup (C) to transfer and express beta-glucuronidase (beta glu) in the lung. Sprague-Dawley rats received an intratracheal administration of either Ad2 beta glu or Ad5 beta glu, and, 14 days later, repeat administration of either the same vector or a vector of a different serotype. Analysis of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following initial vector administration demonstrated systemic and local serotype-specific neutralizing antibodies. For both the Ad2 and Ad5 vectors, beta glu expression 24 hr following the second administration of the same serotype was < 30% of that of naive animals. In contrast, beta glu expression 24 hr following second administration of a different serotype Ad vector was similar to expression at 24 hr of naive animals receiving a single administration (Ad5 beta glu followed by Ad2 beta glu, as well as Ad2 beta glu followed by Ad5 beta glu; p > 0.2 both comparisons). Although the alternative serotype bypassed anti-Ad neutralizing immunity, persistence of expression was reduced compared to that following administration to naive animals. Compatible with this observation, systemic administration of the same vectors to C57B1/6 mice demonstrated induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed against the beta glu transgene, as well as products of the Ad genome. Interestingly, intratracheal administration of vectors with different serotypes and different transgenes to rats resulted in longer expression (but still not normalized) compared to that achieved with vectors of different serotypes but the same transgene. These observations demonstrate that alternate use of Ad vectors from different serotypes within the same subgroup can circumvent anti-Ad humoral immunity to permit effective gene transfer after repeat administration, although the chronicity of expression is limited, likely by cellular immune process directed against both the transgene and viral gene products expressed by the vector.

Primary inflammatory fibrosarcoma of the esophagus.

Primary sarcomas of the esophagus are rare. We report the radiologic, surgical, and pathologic findings of a primary inflammatory fibrosarcoma of the esophagus in a 33-year-old woman, and review the prognostic features and management options of this tumor.

Direct in vivo gene transfer to canine myocardium using a replication-deficient adenovirus vector.

BACKGROUND: Direct myocardial gene transfer is a mordality that involves the introduction of genetic information into myocardial tissue to achieve a therapeutic effect. This study was designed to characterize the temporal and spatial limits of gene expression and to determine the safety of direct myocardial gene transfer in a large animal model using replication-deficient adenovirus vectors. METHODS: Mongrel dogs underwent left thoracotomy and direct myocardial injections (100 microL/injection) of adenovirus vectors (10(9) pfu) carrying the DNA for the reporter enzyme chloramphenicol acetyl transferase or the angiogenic protein vascular endothelial growth factor. Two to 14 days after vector administration, regional protein expression was evaluated in myocardium and distant organs. Left ventricular function, assessed by echocardiography, and routine hematologic and biochemical indices were evaluated before and after vector administration. RESULTS: Peak levels of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase activity were detected 2 days after vector administration, and levels above baseline persisted for at least 14 days. Local chloramphenicol acetyl transferase activity was detected at distances at least as far as 1.5 cm from the site of injection. Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase activity in distant organs was less than 0.1% of that in injected myocardium 7 days after vector administration. Localized expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was achieved for up to 7 days after a single vector administration. Cardiac function and laboratory values were unchanged during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Adenovirus-mediated direct myocardial gene transfer can be accomplished safely in a large animal model, providing high levels of protein expression in a greater spatial distribution than previously reported, with minimal transfection of distant organs. Sustained and localized expression of a potent angiogenic mediator has been accomplished, which may provide an innovative strategy to stimulate angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium.

Achalasia of the esophagus.

Achalasia, a disease of unknown cause, is characterized by absence of peristalsis in the esophagus body and incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in response to swallowing. This article reviews the history and pathogenesis of achalasia along with clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management options relating to the disease.

Parapneumonic and post-traumatic pleural space infections.

Thoracic empyema, an accumulation of pus in the pleural space, was first described by Hippocrates. Today, parapneumonic and post-traumatic empyemas account for two thirds of all pleural space infections. Although modern antibiotic therapy has significantly reduced the incidence of thoracic empyemas, it remains a problem that thoracic surgeons will encounter and should feel comfortable about recognizing and treating. The successful management of thoracic empyemas centers on adequate and timely drainage, the use of appropriate antibiotics, the selective use of decortication, and the proper treatment of underlying pulmonary parenchymal disease.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is the major angiogenic factor in omentum: mechanism of the omentum-mediated angiogenesis.

Omentum has been used clinically to promote wound healing and to stimulate the revascularization of ischemic tissues. The biologic mechanism responsible for these effects has, however, not yet been defined. A number of polypeptide growth factors that possess potent angiogenic properties have recently been identified, and we therefore sought to determine whether one of these growth factors might be responsible for the angiogenic properties of the omentum. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein in a number of rat tissues and organs were analyzed by Western and enzyme immunoassay analysis. Because omentum was found to have the greatest VEGF concentrations of the tissues examined, antibody neutralization, transcription inhibition assays, and Northern blot analysis were performed under hypoxic and normoxic conditions on tissues extractions and primary tissue cultures of omentum to further characterize the functional significance of VEGF expression in these tissues. The omentum demonstrated the highest VEGF secretion rate as well as the highest concentration of VEGF protein of the various rat tissues and organs examined. Fractionation studies of the omentum furthermore demonstrated that omental adipocytes, rather than the stromal-vascular cells, were the primary source of VEGF protein. An endothelial cell mitogenic assay showed that a major portion of the mitogenic activity of heparin-binding proteins and conditioned media derived from omentum was abolished by VEGF antibody. Additional studies with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin-D furthermore demonstrated that the VEGF gene was continuously transcribed in the rat omental adipocytes. Incubation of the omental adipocytes under hypoxic conditions induced approximately a 1.7-fold increase in VEGF protein expression, which was abolished by actinomycin-D. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that hypoxia resulted in upregulation of the VEGF mRNA in the hypoxia-cultured omental adipocytes, suggesting that the augmentation of VEGF expression in omental adipocytes by hypoxia occurs at the transcriptional level. These data suggest that VEGF is the major angiogenic factor produced by omentum and possibly underlies the mechanism of omentum-induced angiogenesis. Augmented expression of VEGF by omental cells under hypoxic conditions may furthermore reflect the mechanism responsible for enhancing the angiogenic activity of omentum in the setting of ischemia.

Channel patency and neovascularization after transmyocardial revascularization using an excimer laser: results and comparisons to nonlased channels.

BACKGROUND: Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) has emerged as a promising treatment for ischemic heart disease in patients who are not candidates for coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty. Controversy exists, however, as to whether the use of laser energy is critical for TMR channel patency. We therefore compared by histologic assessment the outcome of lased channels with nonlased channels 30) days after TMR, using a low energy, short-pulse, fiberoptic excimer laser. METHODS AND RESULTS: In each of six sheep, 36 1-mm TMR channels (9 mJ; 240 Hz; 1.55 cm advance/s) were placed in the anterior wall of the left ventricle, and 12 1-mm nonlased channels were created in adjacent segments by advancing the fiberoptic through the left ventricular wall with the laser inactivated. Of the 36 lased channels, 56+/-7.3% were identifiable, and 100% of those identifiable appeared to represent a "channel derivative" with evidence of an endothelialized lumen, whereas none of the nonlased channels had evidence of channel patency. Lased channels had a marked neovascular response (graded on a 0-3 scale) compared with nonlased channels (2.5+/-0.1 versus 1.0+/-0.1; P<.05). Echocardiography performed 1 and 30 days after TMR demonstrated normal global and regional left ventricular function in all animals. Creatinine phosphokinase myocardial band fractions were not significantly increased after TMR. CONCLUSIONS: TMR using the excimer laser results in increased evidence of channel derivatives and neovascularization compared with nonlased channels while preserving normal ventricular function. These findings suggest that laser energy may be an important component of TMR strategy.

Salvage angiogenesis induced by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor protects against ischemic vascular occlusion.

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, and transgene expression from adenovirus vectors can provide in vivo delivery of proteins. On the basis of this knowledge, we hypothesized that local administration of a replication-deficient adenovirus vector expressing complementary DNA for VEGF (AdVEGF) would induce collateral vessel formation in the setting of ischemia that could protect against subsequent acute vascular occlusion. METHODS: Hindlimb ischemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by means of unilateral ligation of the common iliac artery immediately followed by administration of 4 x 10(9)-plaque-forming units VEGF, the control vector AdNull, or phosphate-buffered saline solution into the iliofemoral adipose tissue and thigh muscles. Untreated rats with common iliac ligation were used as an additional control group. RESULTS: Local VEGF expression was observed for 5 days in AdVEGF-treated rats but not in controls. Three weeks after ligation and vector administration, the ipsilateral femoral artery was ligated for a model of an acute vascular occlusion in the setting of preexisting ischemia. Blood flow to the ischemic hindlimb relative to the contralateral hindlimb evaluated with color microspheres demonstrated significantly increased blood flow in the AdVEGF-treated rats compared with each control group (p < 0.0001). Relative blood flow assessed by means of 99mTc-sestamibi radionuclide scans also demonstrated increased blood flow to the ligated hindlimb of AdVEGF-treated rats compared with each control group (p < 0.002). AdVEGF-treated rats also demonstrated increased vascularity in the ligated limb compared with each control group as assessed by means of angiography (p < 0.0001) and histologic quantification of blood vessels less than 80 microm diameter in local adipose tissue and capillaries per muscle fiber (p < 0.0002). AdVEGF treatment prevented a rise in femoral venous lactate femoral venous concentrations 1 hour after femoral artery ligation in control rats (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: An adenovirus vector expressing VEGF complementary DNA is capable of stimulating an angiogenic response that protects against acute vascular occlusion in the setting of preexisting ischemia, suggesting that in vivo gene transfer of VEGF complementary DNA might be useful in prophylaxis of advancing arterial occlusive disease.