Figure 1. The principal elements of the gene therapy paradigm.

(A) The rational design of a gene therapy strategy requires hierarchical combinations of a regulatable transgene, a targeted gene vector, an appropriate delivery system and, potentially, pharmacological control of the affected metabolic or signaling pathway. Representations of: (B) a transgene and (C) an adenovirus particle, as an example of a gene vector are illustrated. (D) A scanning electron microscopy image of stent-immobilized adenovirus-based vectors (original magnification 75,000-fold) is provided as an example of a delivery system; the arrows point to the individual adenoviruses. (E) The pharmacological regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzymatic function is shown. NO Nitric oxide