[Expression of human superoxide dismutase gene in rat vascular smooth muscle cells and its anti-oxidative effect].

A retroviral vector containing human superoxide dismutase (SOD) cDNA was constructed and transfected into rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The expression of exogenous hSOD1 in the VSMCs was analyzed with Northern and Southern blot. The protection of the transfected and/or non-transfected VSMCs from free radical produced by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system was investigated. The results showed that the construction strategy of the vector was correctly performed and the expression of hSOD1 in the transfected cells was highly detectable. The cell damage of X/XO could be alleviated with expression of hSOD1 in the transfected cells, as compared to control. In addition, proliferation of the transfected VSMCs resulted from oxidative stress was suppressed. It is suggested that the expression of gene-transferred hSOD1 is able to prevent the formation of atherosclerosis, partially due to its cell protection and inhibition of the proliferative embolization.