Study of angiogenic gene ointments designed for skin neovascularization

In this study attention was focused on gene preparations that stimulate angiogenesis in the skin. Angiogenesis was stimulated by gene preparations encoding angiogenic factors introduced into the skin by injection, and applied as ointments.

The appropriate angiogenic formulations containing angiogenic nonviral vectors (pVEGF, pFGF, pSDF, pVIF), or viral vectors (rAAV/VEGF, rAAV/SDF) were prepared for the test. Cholesterol ointment was used as the vehicle for viral and non-viral vectors. The new vessels in the mouse skin were counted according to the criteria suggested by Sidky and Auerbach.

Studies indicate that all non-viral (pVEGF, pFGF, pSDF, pVIF) and viral (rAAV/VEGF, rAAV/SDF) vectors strongly stimulate new vessel formation when administered into mouse skin as injections. The impact of angiogenic gene ointments for skin angiogenesis was about 3-4 times weaker than that observed for injection preparations.

Angiogenic injection gene preparations strongly stimulate skin neovascularization. The clinical usefulness of gene ointments should stimulate further laboratory studies in the field of experimental skin gene therapy.