Gene transfer to homografts conduit after cryopreservation

Objective: The study was to assess the feasibility of gene transfer to homograft conduits after cryopreservation. Methods: The New Zealand white rabbits (adult n=15, infant n=15) were divided into five groups. Each group included three recipients(adult) and three donors(infant). Six homograft conduits (three aortic and three pulmonary) were havested from donors and then were stored in liquid nitrogen. Homograft conduits in five different groups were cryopreserved for 7、14、30、90 and 180 days, respectively. After being thawed quickly at temperature 37～42℃, 5 grafts of each group were incubated in 300 μl DMEM containing adenovirus carry the β galactosidas gene, one of each group was incubated 300 μl DMEM which did not contain adenovirus. After 30 minutes incubation, bilateral aorto cartid transplantation were performed in 3 recipient rabbits. The homografts were harvested at 5 days after transplantation and assayed for β galactosidase activity. Results: Successful gene transfer and expression of the β gal gene in all homograft conduits. Control group showed no transduction. No significant difference among the treated groups( P 0 05). Conclusion: It is feasible to perform adenoviral mediated gene transfer to homograft conduits after cryopreservation.