Original paper
Gene preparations encoding angiogenic factors effectively stimulate skin neovascularization and hair growth

Introduction: Gene therapy has become a novel method for the treatment of many diseases. Angiogenesis is a crucial process for the physiology as well as progression of various diseases. Currently, the construction of gene preparations that stimulate skin neovascularization is possible. It may be helpful for contemporary medicine.
Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess in mouse skin the proangiogenic activity of cloned plasmid expression vectors encoding angiogenic factors – VEGF, FGF and SDF.
Material and methods: The experiments were performed on Balb/c mice. The animals were intradermally injected with the studied vectors. The gene preparations were formulated as pDNA:PEI complexes. Results: Proangiogenic gene preparations (pDNA:PEI) effectively stimulate skin neovascularization and hair growth. The pVIF:PEI and pSDF:PEI preparations were selected as the most powerful stimulators of skin neovascularization. Hair growth was observed mainly after intradermal injection of pVIF:PEI complexes.
Conclusions: Gene preparations encoding proangiogenic factors injected into mouse as pDNA:PEI complexes effectively induce skin angiogenesis and stimulate hair growth. The results may have promising implications for further development of skin gene therapy.