Adenovirus mediated gene transfer of vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in vitro.

Introducing foreign gene(s) into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) is the pre-requirement of gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases. We have explored the use of adenoviral vectors (Adv-CMV/LacZ) to transfer LacZ gene into cultured VSMCs and ECs. Our results demonstrated that adenoviral vectors transferred foreign gene into VSMCs and ECs high-efficiently with dose-dependent response pattern. The frequencies of transfection reached 100% at the viral titer of 10(9) pfu/ml. Comparing the sensitivities of VSMCs and ECs to adenoviral vectors, we found that ECs were more sensitive than VSMCs, of which the frequencies of transfection in ECs reached 80% while in VSMCs only 40% for 8 hrs after transfection. In addition, the transfection of ECs and VSMCs with adenoviral vectors was partly blocked by monoclonal antibodies to Fiber and Core protein of the adenoviral capsid, but not by monoclonal antibody to Hexon protein. It is suggested transfection of ECs and VSMCs with adenovirus vectors is mediated by Fiber or Core protein of adenoviral capsid proteins.