Recombinant platelet-derived growth factor B gene expression in porcine arteries induces intimai hyperplasia in vivo

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B chain induces cell proliferation in vitro and is associated with arterial lesions that cause cardiovascular disease. However, it has been difficult to document the biological response to PDGF B gene expression in arteries in vivo. To determine the biologic effects of this growth factor in vivo, we have introduced an eukaryotic expression vector plasmid encoding recombinant PDGF B by direct gene transfer into porcine iliofemoral arteries using DNA liposome complexes. The presence of PDGF B plasmid DNA and expression of recombinant mRNA were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis, and recombinant PDGF protein was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Intimai thickening was observed in porcine arteries 21 days following transfection with the recombinant PDGF B gene compared with arteries transduced with a control gene, E. coli β-galactosidase. An eightfold increase in intimai to medial ratio was present in PDGF B gene transfected arteries compared with control transfected arteries (P = 0.001). This study suggests that expression of a recombinant PDGF B gene in vivo can play a role in the induction of intimai hyperplasia, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases.