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(Hypertension. 1997;30:708.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.

Articles

Gene Transfer to Carotid Sinus In Vivo

A Novel Approach to Investigation of Baroreceptors

Silvana S. Meyrelles; Hui Z. Mao; Donald D. Heistad; Mark W. Chapleau

From the Cardiovascular Center and the Departments of Internal Medicine (S.S.M., H.Z.M., M.W.C.) and Pharmacology (D.D.H.), University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City (M.W.C.), Iowa.

Correspondence to Mark W. Chapleau, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, E327 General Hospital, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.

Abstract Baroreceptor nerve endings are located in the adventitia of the carotid sinuses and aortic arch. The goal of the present study was to develop a method for gene transfer to the carotid sinus adventitia. Replication-deficient adenovirus containing the gene for Escherichia coli ß-galactosidase (ß-Gal) was applied topically to the carotid sinuses of anesthetized rabbits. Transgene expression was localized by histochemical staining and quantified by chemiluminescence assay (Galacto-Light). Possible effects of adenovirus on baroreceptor sensitivity were investigated by recording baroreceptor activity from the vascularly isolated carotid sinus over a pressure range of 0 to 160 mm Hg. ß-Gal expression in carotid sinus was evident 1 day after virus application, was dose dependent, and was markedly enhanced after 4 days. Expression was restricted to the adventitia of the vessel wall and was not present in vehicle-treated carotid sinuses. Baroreceptor sensitivity measured from carotid sinuses exposed to adenovirus 4 to 5 days beforehand was not altered compared with that measured from control carotid sinuses. In summary, topical application of adenoviral vectors to the carotid sinus provides transgene expression restricted to the region of baroreceptor innervation. The technique provides a novel approach to delineate mechanisms involved in baroreceptor activation and to deliver neuroactive gene products to the baroreceptors.

Key Words: baroreceptors • carotid sinus • gene transfer • adenovirus • blood pressure

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