Genetically modified vein-derived smooth muscle (Multi Gene Vascular Systems (MGVS))

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) were isolated from the  jugular vein or the femoral artery following the surgery for ischemia induction. After cell expansion to at least 5 × 10⁶ SMC, cells were transduced. Pseudo-typed retroviral vectors encoding VEGF165-GFP were used for gene transfer to SMC. Average time from cell isolation to completion of expansion and gene transfer was 40 days (range 31–55).