Effect of angiopoietin-related protein 2 on coronary angiogenesis and myocardial function in a porcine model of acute myocardial ischemia

Background Our previous studies have suggested that angiopoietin-related protein 2 (Arp2) may improve rat cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by accelerating angiogenesis. We want to study the efficacy of the adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer of Arp2 (Ad.Arp2) in inducing angiogenesis and in improving the myocardial perfusion and function in a porcine acute myocardial ischemic model. Methods The minipigs underwent ligation of the proximal circumflex coronary artery (LCx) and were randomly assigned to treatment with Ad.Arp2, adenoviral vectors with no transgene (Ad.Null) or PBS. Four weeks later, the animals were evaluated using echocardiography, cardiac perfusion imaging and pathologic observation. Results Four weeks after treatment, the Arp2 protein was revealed in the myocardium of Ad.Arp2 animals, but was not found in the Ad.Null or PBS animals. Also, a significant revival of myocardial perfusion was found in the ischemic area in Ad.Arp2-treated animals, whose global and regional myocardial function was greatly improved. The quantitation of new capillaries was much greater in the Ad.Arp2 group than in the Ad. Null or PBS groups. Conclusion Treatment with Ad.ARP2 offers the obvious advantage of greatly improving the blood supply and the heart function.