Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and myocardial infarction.

摘要

Many human diseases are characterized by disorders of the vasculature. In ischemic heart disease, insufficient blood vasculature leads to tissue ischemia. Inflammatory cytokines and several growth factors have been implicated in the pathogenetic process in ischemic heart disease [1-8]. Out of the many players in the angiogenic network, the vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are by far the best characterized [7, 8]. Gene-based therapy for patients with refractory coronary artery disease has been the subject of extensive investigation. Preclini-cal studies have shown promise for the delivery of VEGF gene to treat ischemic vascular disease both peripherally and in coronary artery disease, whereas the results of randomized placebo-controlled trials have not demonstrated unequivocal evidence of efficacy [9].