Experimental Physiology
90.3 pp 327-331
DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2004.028498
© The Physiological Society 2005
Cardiovascular Genomics
Targeting cerebral arteries for gene therapy
Yoshimasa Watanabe12 and
Donald D. Heistad12
1 Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA,USA2 Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA,USA
After the steady progress towards application of gene therapy to cerebral arterial diseases, several applications, including modification of gene expression in cerebral arteries, are now feasible. There are several possible targets for cerebrovascular gene therapy, and numerous studies have tested gene therapy strategies in animal models of cerebrovascular disorders. However, some major obstacles, especially issues of safety, must be overcome before clinical use in humans. Gene therapy for cerebral arterial diseases is still in its infancy, and many basic and preclinical studies are yet to be done in order to develop effective and safe techniques.
(Received 12 January 2005;
accepted after revision 1 February 2005; first published online 18 March 2005)
Corresponding author D. D. Heistad: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Email: donald-heistad{at}uiowa.edu
Copyright © 2005 by the The Physiological Society.