Direct Intramuscular Gene Transfer of Naked DNA Encoding Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Augments Collateral Development and Tissue Perfusion

Abstract

Ischemic skeletal muscle represents a promising target for gene therapy with naked plasmid DNA. IM transfection of genes encoding angiogenic cytokines, particularly those that are naturally secreted by intact cells, may constitute an alternative treatment strategy for patients with extensive peripheral vascular disease in whom the use of intravascular catheter-based gene transfer is compromised and/or prohibited.