Reporter studies with a rat stent angioplasty mode demonstrating efficient delivery and transgene expression with vector immobilized on the surfaces of the stents. A–C, Luciferase optical imaging studies with luciferin bioluminescence. Stainless steel NIR stents were formulated with 109 particles of AdLuc tethered via PABT/PEI(PDT)/HL interactions. Two days after deployment of AdLuc stents (A) or control BMS (B), the animals underwent bioluminescence imaging after local periarterial delivery of 3 mg of luciferin in a Pluronic gel. The individual data from 8 animals are presented in a point scatterplot with a logarithmic scale y-axis (C). D and E, AdGFP immobilized on stent surfaces. Immunostaining studies documented efficient transgene expression. Stainless steel NIR stents were formulated with 109 particles of AdGFP immobilized by a PABT/PEI(PDT)/HL conjugation strategy. Animals stented with AdGFP stents (D) or control BMS (E) were euthanized 7 days after stent deployment. Cryoembedded arterial sections were immunostained with DAB/peroxidase (brown staining) with anti-GFP antibody and counterstained with hematoxylin. Original magnification ×200. F and G, AdGFP immobilized on stent surfaces: fluorescent microscopy studies. Stainless steel NIR stents were formulated with 109 particles of AdGFP immobilized by a PABT/PEI(PDT)/HL conjugation strategy. Animals stented with AdGFP stents (F) or control BMS (G) were euthanized 7 days after stent deployment. Sections were directly examined for GFP fluorescence after Evans blue/DAPI staining. F and G are merged images obtained with DAPI, FITC, and rhodamine filter sets; original magnification ×200.