Objective To introduce the studies on gene therapy for peripheral arterial disease(PAD) using plasmid DNA encoding human hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) gene. Methods Recent articles including preclinical and clinical studies were reviewed. Results Intramuscular injection of human HGF plasmid DNA into rat, rabbit, dog and diabetic hindlimb ischemic models, resulted in a significant increase in capillary density, blood flow and blood pressure. but no influence on tumor growth in mice. A clinical trial wasperformed in ischemic limbs of 6 critical limb ischemic patients, the result showed that no side effect caused by gene transfer was detected in all 6 patients.The pain scale and long diameter of ischemic ulcers were reduced. Conclusion Intramuscular injection of naked HGF plasmid DNA could be a safe and potential treatment for PAD.
