Variables Pertinent to the Efficiency of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vectors Mediated Gene Transfer to Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Factors influencing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer to endothelial cells are not fully determined. We tested the variables pertinent to the efficiency of AAV-mediated gene transfer to human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) including: (i) kinetics of transduction efficiency of LacZ gene to HUVEC, (ii) the concentration and volume of vector-containing medium, (iii) the period of incubation time of AAV vectors with HUVEC, (iv) the target cell density/proliferation, (v) the duration of transgene expression. There is a dose-response relationship between moi of vectors and transduction efficiency in HUVEC. The higher moi of AAV vectors achieved more than 80% of transduction efficiency in cultured HUVEC. AAV vectors showed incubation time dependent increase in transduction efficiency of LacZ gene to the HUVEC up to 24 h of vector exposure. The foreign gene of AAV vectors preferably transduces the lower density of cells being proliferated. These results indicate that AAV-vector is efficient for gene transfer to HUVEC, and higher moi of vectors or a longer period exposure of vectors to proliferating HUVEC can facilitate efficient transduction of foreign gene into human vascular endothelial cells in vitro. (Hypertens Res 2001; 24: 437-443)