Abstract
Both gene therapy and cell transplantation are promising approathes for therapeutic angiogenesis. However, some patients are refractory to these therapies. Here, we present a new concept for hybrid cell-gene therapy using a nonviral vector, gelatin hydrogel. Gelatin-mediated gene transfer may enhance the therapeutic potency of cell transplantation. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in modulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Genetically-modified EPCs served not only as a tissue-engineering tool to reconstruct the vasculature, but also as a vehicle for gene delivery to injured endothelium. In fact, intravenous administration of vasodilator gene-modified EPCs attenuated monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension and improved survival. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent cells that differentiate into a variety of cells including cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells. A recent study has shown that antiapoptotic gene-transduced MSCs effectively induce myogenesis in rats with myocardial infarction. Thus, hybrid cell-gene therapy may be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of intractable cardiovascUlar disease.
