Magnetic nanosphere-guided site-specific delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor gene attenuates restenosis in rabbit balloon-injured artery

In this study, intra-arterial delivery of microspheres cross-linked with DNA-gelatin magnetic nanospheres containing naked vascular endothelial growth factor expression plasmids greatly increased DNA stability, transfection efficiency, and targeting specificity. When these microspheres were guided by a magnet, site-specific overexpression of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor in vivo as well as attenuated intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured artery occurred. These findings provide a basis for a new and potent therapeutic strategy for restenosis treatment after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.