Cardiovascular disease researchers have found that treatment with a genetically modified herpes virus prevented re-narrowing of the arteries following angioplasty.

Investigators at the University of Chicago (IL, USA) worked with a rabbit model that mimicked human cardiovascular disease. They found that after angioplasty, the rabbits’ arteries showed signs of re-narrowing (restenosis), as is often seen in human patients.

To prevent restenosis from occurring, the investigators treated the rabbits with a genetically engineered, attenuated herpes simplex virus that had already been shown to be effective against malignant tumors of the central nervous system and the liver by blocking certain types of cell death and preventing proliferation of surviving cells. Results published in the July 12, 2007, online edition of the Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences revealed that treatment with the virus blocked activation of caspase 3-dependent apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase- (MAPK)-dependent cell proliferation after carotid artery balloon angioplasty and ligation to reduce blood flow. Furthermore, treatment with the virus allowed partial restoration of the arterial endothelial layer after 14 days and complete restoration after 28 days.

“The ability to target the smooth muscle cells that cause the narrowing, and regenerate the endothelial cell lining is an important finding,” said first author Dr. Christopher Skelly, assistant professor of vascular surgery at the University of Chicago. “This study is an important step in the application of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses for treatment of vascular disease. It suggests that genetically engineered viruses may have a significant impact on the outcomes of angioplasty performed in humans. Human trials would be the next step to test this theory.”

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