Generation of recombinant adeno-associated viruses for delivery of genes into vascular cells

A variety of delivery systems, both viral and nonviral, have been employed to genetically modify vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in vitro and by direct in vivo gene transfer into the vessel wall. The most recent addition to gene delivery technology for the vasculature has been the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (1-5).