The study with 13N-NH3 PET and coronary angiography to investigate the effect of CD151 gene therapy on swines with experimental myocardial infarction

Objective Our previous studies showed that CD151 could promote neovascularization in a rat hind-limb ischemia model and in a rat myocardial ischemia model. This study was to determine the change of myocardial perfnsion and coronary collateralization after intramyocardial administration CD151 in swines with experimental myocardial infarction. Methods CD151 and antiCD151 were constructed into the recombinant adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV). Twenty swines received coronary artery ligation and in-tramuscular injection of rAAV-CD151 or rAAV-green fluorescent protein (GFP). Eight weeks after vector administration, the expression of CD151 protein and the capillary density were measured using immunohisto-chemistry. Regional myocardial perfusian was evaluated by 13 N-NH3 PET. Coronary angiography was per-formed to assess collateral vessels reconstruction. The t-test or ANOVA with SPSS 11.0 was used for data a-nalysis. Results High levels of CD151 protein expression and capillary density were detected in the rAAV-CD151 group. 13N-NH3 PET imaging showed that myocardial perfusion was improved and the myocardial is-chemia scores were significantly decreased in the rAAV-CD151 group when compared with rAAV-GFP group (10.82±2.36 vs 19.33±1.67, t=5.86, P=0.002).Coronary angiography confirmed better collateral circulation in the rAAV-CD151 group. Conclusions rAAV-CD151 direct injection can transfect the myo-cardium and express the CD151 protein, thereby significantly improve the myocardial blood perfusion and coronary collateralization. 13N-NH3 PET and coronary angiography can be used directly to evaluate the col-lateral vessel reconstruction and perfusion status of swine myocardium. \r\n\r\nKey words: \r\nMyocardial infarction;  Genes, CD151 ;  Transfection;  Tomography, emission-computed;  Coronary angiography;  NH2;  Swine