Efficient gene transfer to human endothelial cells using DNA complexed to adenovirus particles

Human endothelial cells have been found to be relatively refractory to various methods of DNA transfection currently in common use. By using a transfection method involving DNA complexed with replication-deficient adenovirus particles, we have shown that 20% of a population of cultured endothelial cells can be transfected and high levels of transient expression achieved. Both early-passage human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the continuous differentiated line of human endothelium-derived EA.hy926 cells are responsive to this method of transfection. Efficient DNA transfection of endothelial cells is important for studies of endothelium-specific promoters and is a potentially useful route for transgenic therapy.