Abstract:Objective:To investigate the effect of early inflamation on the efficacy of gene(LacZ gene) transfer to vein graft by adenovirus vector.Methods:The liquid containing adenovirus vector was infused through external carotid vein and the segment of carotid vein was resected. The veins were inflated naturally. After 30min incubation, the veins were transplanted into carotid artery in experimental group, and the circulation was restored in control group. The veins with transferred gene were collected on day 3,day 14 and day 21. The mark gene expression in the veins was studied with X-Gal stain and activities of β-galactase were measured. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions were observed by immunohistochemistry stain in transgenic veins.Results:The activities of β-galactase in mark gene expressed for 14 days was decreased and in 21 day nearly disappearred. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression upregulated after day 3 in transplanted veins and there was leucocyte infiltration and shedding of endothelial cells with endothelial disruption. On the other hand, there was no expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in control group veins and integrity of endothelium was intact. The positive ECs expressed mark gene was obviously reduced in transplanted veins compared to control group. But the number of positive SMCs were not significently different between to two groups.Conclusions:The inflammation of vein grafts in early stage of transplantation may be the cause of endotheliocyte damage and is related to rapid depression of gene expression.