Objective: To introduce the studies on gene therapy for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using plasmid DNA encoding human hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) gene.
Methods: Recent articles including preclinical and clinical studies were reviewed.
Results: Intramuscular injection of human HGF plasmid DNA into rat, rabbit, dog and diabetic hindlimb ischemic models, resulted in a significant increase in capillary density, blood flow and blood pressure. but no influence on tumor growth in mice. A clinical trial was performed in ischemic limbs of 6 critical limb ischemic patients, the result showed that no side effect caused by gene transfer was detected in all 6 patients. The pain scale and long diameter of ischemic ulcers were reduced.
Conclusion: Intramuscular injection of naked HGF plasmid DNA could be a safe and potential treatment for PAD.