Objective: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) regulates the expression of angiogenic growth factors. We analyzed the effect of intramuscular (i.m.) delivery of AdCA5, an adenovirus encoding a constitutively active form of the HIF-1α subunit, in a novel model of limb ischemia.

Methods: AdCa5 or AdLacZ (6 × 10⁸ pfu) was injected into male New Zealand White rabbits that were untreated or subjected to occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery by endovascular coils. Expression of mRNAs was quantified 1, 3, and 7 days after adenovirus injection into rabbits without occlusion. Calf blood pressure (BP), angiography, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed 14 days after arterial occlusion and adenovirus injection.

Results: AdCA5 increased the expression of HIF-1α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, placental growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor B, stromal-derived factor 1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA as well as HIF-1α and VEGF protein. On day 14, AdCA5-injected limbs showed improved calf BP ratios (0.89 ± 0.13 vs. 0.51 ± 0.05, p = 0.02), angiographic perfusion scores (3.50 ± 0.56 vs. 8.33 ± 1.31, p = 0.007), and distal deep femoral artery diameter ratio (1.84 ± 0.25 vs. 0.93 ± 0.22, p = 0.02) relative to those receiving AdLacZ. The capillary/myocyte ratio (0.93 ± 0.03 vs. 0.78 ± 0.06, p = 0.04) and arterial luminal area (0.32 ± 0.05 mm² vs. 0.21 ± 0.03 mm², p = 0.04) were significantly increased in the AdCA5 group.

Conclusion: In a model that resembles atherosclerotic obstruction of peripheral arteries in patients, the i.m. administration of AdCA5 promoted arteriogenic and angiogenic responses.