Effect of exogenous HGF gene transfection on pulmonary perfusion and pressure in pulmonary artery hypertension in rabbits

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of exogenous hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene transfection to promote pulmonary collateral angiogenesis, improve pulmonary perfusion and reduce pulmonary artery pressure in the rabbit model of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). METHODS: The model rabbits of PAH were randomly divided into control group, empty vector group and HGF gene transfection group. The rabbits in HGF gene transfection group were transfected with Ad-HGF via intratracheal instillation. Pulmonary hemodynamic indicators were monitored in the 4th week after HGF gene transfection. Density of pulmonary vessels was examined with double-labeling immunofluorescence (endothelial cells were labeled with anti-FⅧ and vascular smooth muscle cells were marked with anti-α-SMA). Double-labeling immunofluorescence of FITC-lectin and anti-α-SMA was also performed to evaluate the pulmonary blood perfusion. RESULTS: Four weeks after transfection, the density of pulmonary arterioles of the rabbits in HGF gene transfection group was higher than that in control group and empty vector group (P<0.05), which was confirmed by double-labeling immunofluorescence. Pulmonary blood perfusion in HGF group was significantly increased compared with that in the other two groups, in which pulmonary arterial stenosis and occlusion were observed. The mean pulmonary artery pressure in HGF transfection group was much lower than that in control group and empty vector group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Four weeks after intratracheal adenoviral-mediated HGF gene transfection, pulmonary collateral vessels and pulmonary perfusion increase, and the pulmonary artery pressure is effectively reduced.