The immune response to adenoviral vectors can induce inflammation and loss
of transgene expression in transfected tissues. This would limit the use of
adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in disease states in which long-term gene
expression is required. While studying the effect of the anti-adenoviral immune
response in transplantation, we found that transgene expression persisted
in cardiac isografts transfected with an adenovirus encoding -galactosidase.
Transfected grafts remained free of inflammation, despite the presence of
an immune response to the vector. Thus, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer
may have therapeutic value in cardiac transplantation and heart diseases.
Furthermore, immunological limitations of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy
are not universal for all tissue types.
-galactosidase.
Transfected grafts remained free of inflammation, despite the presence of
an immune response to the vector. Thus, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer
may have therapeutic value in cardiac transplantation and heart diseases.
Furthermore, immunological limitations of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy
are not universal for all tissue types.
