Objective To determine whether fibroblasts can be used to promote endochondral bone formation in vivo by transfer of human bone morphogenetic protein-2(hBMP-2) into fibroblasts. Methods pcDNA3-hBMP-2 was constructed by use of gene clone and recombined technique.NIH3T3 fibroblasts were transfected with pcDNA3hBMP-2. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. In NIH3T3 fibroblaststransferred with pcDNA3-hBMP-2, the expression of hBMP-2 was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis; alkaline phosphatase activity was measured. hBMP-2producing fibroblasts were implanted into nude mouse muscle to observe endochondral bone formation in vivo. Results pcDNA3-hBMP-2 was successfully constructed. In NIH3T3 fibroblasts transfected with -pcDNA3-hBMP-2,the BMP-2 expression was stable; alkaline phophatase activity was much higher than that in nontransfectedNIH3T3 cells. Endochondral bone formation invivo was observed at the site of implantation 4 weeks later.Conclusion Fibroblasts transfected by hBMP-2 gene can be used to promote endochondral bone formation in vivo.
Objective To study the adenovirus-mediated human bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene （Ad-hBMP-2）transferred to the intervertebral disc cells of the New Zealand rabbit in vitro. Methods The cells of New Zealand white rabbitswere isolated from their lumbar discs. The cells were grown in the monolayer and treated with an adenovirus encoding the LacZ gene (Ad-LacZ) and Ad-hBMP-2 (50,100, 150 MOI,multiplicity of infection) in the Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium and the Ham’s F-12 Medium in vitro. Three days after the Ad-hBMP-2 treatment,the expression of hBMP-2 in the cells that had been infected by different dosesof MOI was determined by immunofluorescence and the Western blot analysis, and the expression was determined in the cells with the Ad-LacZ treatment in a dose of 150 MOI. Six days after the Ad-hBMP-2 treatment, mRNA was extracted for the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the difference was detected between the control group and the culture group that was treated withAd-hBMP-2 in doses of 50, 100 and 150 MOI so that the expressions of aggrecan and collagen ⅡmRNA could be observed. Results The expression of hBMP-2 in the cells was gradually increased after the transfection in an increasing dose, which was observed by immunofluorescence and the Western blot analysis. At 6 days the aggrecan and collagen type Ⅱ mRNA expressions were up-regulated by Ad-hBMP-2 after the transfection at an increasing viral concentration in the dosedependent manner. Conclusion The results show that Ad-hBMP-2 can transfect the rabbit intervertebral disc cells in vitro with a high efficiency rate and the expression of hBMP-2 after theinfection is dose-dependent in the manner. AdhBMP-2 after transfection can up-regulate the expression of aggrecan and collagen Ⅱ mRNA at an increasing viral concentration.
Objective To observe the expression of adenovirus vector coding for mouse endostatin gene（Ad-mES） in lung cancer cells and its antiangiogenic activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells（ECV304） in vitro.Methods Lewis lung cancer（LLC） cells were transfected with Ad-mES at different multiplicity of infection（MOI）.The expression of mES in LLC cells and supernatant after 48 hours was detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot respectively.The inhibitory effect of supernatant at different MOI on ECV304 non-stamulated and stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor（bFGF） was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium（MTT） assay.Results After transfected for 48 hours，endostatin was identified in the cell plasma of infected LLC and negative result was founded in non-infected LLC.Western blot revealed band of endostatin in 20 kDa in culture supernatant of infected LLC and negative results in non-infected LLC.The inhibitory effects on ECV304 cell proliferation were ber at higher MOI，and the difference was significant between stimulated and non-stamulated cells by bFGF（Plt;0.05）.Conclusion Ad-mES can transfect and express endostatin effectively in LLC with biological activity
Objective To establish hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines which olig-expressed IGF1R gene stably． Methods An eukaryotic expressing vector pSUPER-IGF1R-siRNA that could block IGF1R expressing was transferred into hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC7721 and Hep3B with Lipofectamine 2000 reagents． After transferred, cells were selected with G418 to obtain positive clones. The expressions of IGF1R, cyclin D1 and cyclin B1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western-blot． Cell growth curve were painted. Results Two cell lines clones were screened olig-expressing IGF1R gene stably． The experimental cell lines grew more slowly than control cell lines and the expression of cyclin D1 decreased (P＜0.05). Conclusion The HCC cell lines for olig-expressing IGF1R gene stably are established successfully．The plasmid pSUPER-IGF1R-siRNA can inhibit the growth of SMMC7721 and Hep3B cell lines, and the expression of cyclin D1.
Objective To explore the effects of the basic fibroblast growth factor（bFGF） gene transfection on the meniscal fibrochondrocytes with the reconstructed lentivirus and to observe the response of the meniscal fibrochondrocytes to the bFGF gene transfection. Methods The cultured meniscal fibrochondrocytes were isolated from the same 3-monthold New Zealand rabbit. The cultured first-generation meniscal fibrochondrocytes were divided into 3 groups:Group A (experimental group), Group B (control group), and Group C (blank group). Each group comprised the cells in a 24hole flask in which each hole contained 2×104 cells. At the confluence of 60%, the fibrochondrocytes in Group A were cultured with the reconstructed lentivirus carrying the bFGF gene. The fibrochondrocytes in Group B were cultured with the lentivirus carrying no bFGF gene. The fibrochondrocytes in Group C were cultured without any intervention. After 48 h, the cell cycle, the collagen synthesis ability, the expression of bFGF, and the cell proliferation ability in each group were investigated. Results In Group A, the bFGF expression of 870±60 pg/ml was detected in the cells 48 h afterthe co-culture; however, in Group B and Group C, no expression of bFGF was found. After the co-culture for 6 days, the results of the MTT colorimetry revealed that the cells in Group A had an absorbtance of 0.427±0.037, which had a significant difference when compared with that in Group B and Group C (0.320±0.042,0.308±0.034,Plt;0.01). The cell cycle was significantly shorter in GroupA than in Group B and Group C (Plt;0.05); The durations of G1, S and G2M of the cells in Group A were 16.28, 12.60 and 11.04 h, but those in Group B and Group C were 23.61, 16.90, 21.33 h and 21.56, 19.80, 21.41 h, respectively. The disintegration per minute of the cells was significantly greater in Group A than in Group B and Group C (7281.69±805.50 vs 5916.40±698.11 and 5883.57±922.63，Plt;0.05). Conclusion The lentivirus vector can transfer the bFGF gene into the meniscal fibrochondrocytes, resulting in an increase of the cell proliferation and the collagen synthesis.
Objective To explore the human stromal cell-derived factor 1α (hSDF-1α) and human vascular endothel ial growth factor 165 (hVEGF165) mRNA expressions of the transfected cells after hSDF-1α gene and hVEGF165 gene were transfected into rat myoblasts in vitro so as to lay a foundation for further study on the synergistic effects of 2 genes on tissue engineered skeletal muscle vascularization. Methods The myoblasts of 1-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were cultured and purified by trypsin digestion assay in vitro and were identified by immunohistochemistry staining of Desmin. pproximately 70%-80% of confluent myoblasts were transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-hSDF-1α and EGFP-hVEGF165 genes in vitro (transfected group) and were not transfected (control group). The expressions of hSDF-1αand hVEGF165 mRNA and protein in the transfected cells were detected by RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot espectively.Results The cultured cells were identified as myoblasts by immunohistochemistry staining of Desmin. The expression ofgreen fluorescent protein was observed in transfected cells, indicating that hSDF-1α and hVEGF165 genes were transfected into myoblasts successfully. The mRNA and protein expressions of the 2 genes were positive in the transfected group by RT-PCR and Western bolt assay at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after transfection, and were negative in the control group. The expressions of hSDF- 1α and hVEGF165 showed a stable low level in the control group, but the expressions of the proteins increased at 2 days and then showed gradual downtrend with time in the transfected group by ELISA assay. There were significant differences in the expressions of hSDF-1α and hVEGF165 proteins between different time points in the transfected group, and between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion hSDF-1α and hVEGF165 genes are successfully transfected into myoblasts in vitro, and mRNA and proteins of hSDF-1α and hVEGF165 can be expressed in the transfected myoblasts, which may provide the experimental evidence for the expressions of hSDF-1α and hVEGF165 mRNA and proteins in vivo successfully.
Objective To explore an experimental method of transfecting the marrow stromal stem cells (MSCs) with the reconstructed PGL3-t ransforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene and to evaluate the feasibility of selfinduction of MSCs to the chondrocytes in vitro so as to provide a scientific and experimental basis for a further “gene enhanced tissue engineering” research. Methods The rabbit MSCs was transfected with the reconstructed PGL3-TGF-β1gene by the Liposo mesMethod, the growth of the cells were observed, and the growth curve was drawn. The living activity of the transfected cells in the experimental group was evalua ted by MTT, and the result was significantly different when compared with that in the control group. By the immunohistochemistry method (SABC), the antigens of TGF-β1 and collagen Ⅱ were examined at 2 and 7 days of the cell culture afte r transfe ction with PGL3-TGF-β1gene. The pictures of the immunohistochemistry slice were analyzed with the analysis instrument, and the statistical analysis was perfor med with the software of the SPSS 11.0, compared with the control group and the blank group. Results Transfection of the cultured rabbit MSCs in vitro with the reconstructed PGL3-TGF-β1gene by the Liposomes Method achie ved a success, with a detection of the Luceraferase activity. The result was significantly different from that in the control group (Plt;0.01). Tested by MTT, the living acti vity of the transfected cells was proved to be significantly decreased (Plt;0.01 vs. the control group). By the immunohistochemistry method (SABC) to study TGF-β1 positive particles were detected in the experimental group，but there were no positive particles in the control and the blank groups. There was a significant difference between the two groups of the experiment and the control group based on the analysis of the ttest (Plt;0.01). By the immunohistochemistry me thod (SABC) to study collagen Ⅱ, there were more positive particles in the transfected cells in t he experimental group than in the control and the blank groups, and there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the two other groups based on the t-test (Plt;0.01). Conclusion Transfection of the rabbit MSCs with the reconstructed PGL3-TGF-β1 gene by the Liposomes Method is successful. There may be some damage to the cells when transfection is performed. The transfecte d BMS cells with PGL3-TGF-β1 gene can express and excrete TGF-β1when cultured in vitro. The transfected MSCs that secret TGF-β1 can be self-induced into the chondrocytes after being infected for 7 days when cultured in vitro.
Objective To explore the feasibility of high-pressure injection to transfer human thrombomodulin (hTM) gene into arterial wall of rabbits.Methods Eighty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid group (n=28), pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group (n=28) and untransfected group (n=28). After gene transfection, the model of arterial injury-blocking was established. Then, the expressions of hTM mRNA and protein in arterial wall were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry at 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after operation. Results Seventeen rabbits died accidentally from the day of operation to 3 d after operation. The expressions of hTM mRNA of different time points in pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid group were significantly higher than that in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group (Plt;0.01). For the expressions of hTM mRNA at different time points in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group, the difference of inter-group and intra-group was not significant (Pgt;0.05). hTM protein was expressed in every group and mainly localized in the inner lining of arterial wall. The expressions of hTM protein at different time points in pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid group were significantly higher than that in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group (Plt;0.05). The expression of hTM protein at different time points in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group kept relative constancy, the difference of inter-group and intra-group was also not significant (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion High-pressure injection is feasible to transfer pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid into arterial wall of live animals.
Objective To construct a bioengineered dermis containing microencapsulated nerve growth factor (NGF) expressing -NIH3T3 cells and to study the effect of the microencapsule on the bioengineered dermis and acute wound healing. Methods A recombinant NGF (PcDNA3.1+/NGF) was constructed and transfected intoNIH-3T3 cells using FuFENETM6 transfection reagent. Positive cell strain was cultured and enclosed in alginate-polylysine-alginate(APA) microcapsules in vitro. Bioengineered dermis was incorporated with NGF-expressing micorencapsules and human fibroblast cells as seed cells using tissue engineering method. The characteristics of the dermis were described by the content of Hydroxyproline(Hyp), HE staining. The content of NGF in the dermis culturing supernatant was measured by ELISA method. These bioengineered dermis were transplanted onto the acute circular full thickness excisional wounds on the dorsum of each swine to observe the rate of reepithelization and wound healing: NGFNIH3T3 microencapsulations(group A), NIH3T3 microencapsulations( group B), empty microencapsulations (group C), NGF incorporated with collagenⅠ( group D) and blank (group E as control group). Results NGF can be tested stably about 124.32 pg/ml in the dermis culturing supernatant after 6 weeks, and the content of Hyp in group A was 69.68±6.20(mg/g wet weight) and increased about 2 times when compared with control groups after 1 week. The tissue engineering skin grafts which can secrete NGF were used to ure the acute wounds and the rate of reepithelization was promoted. The periods of wound healing were 25±2 days in group A, 34±3 days in group B, 34±2 days in group C, 33±2 days in group D and 40±3 days in group E.The period of wound healing was decreased about 10 days at least. Conclusion NGF-expressing NIH3T3 microencapsulates can promote the quality of bioengineered dermis and alsopromote acute wound healing.
Objective To construct lentiviral vector carrying the human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene, and then to get hHGF gene/modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by infecting the BMSCs. Methods The hHGF gene was obtained with PCR from pcDNA-hHGF plasmid. The recombination lentiviral vector plasmid hHGF was constructed with Age I digestion and gene recombinant, then was identified with PCR and sequencing. Mediated by Lipofectamine2000, the three plasmids system of lentiviral vector including pGC-E1-hHGF, pHelper 1.0, and pHelper 2.0 was co-transfected to 293T cells to produce hHGF gene. The supernatant was collected and concentrated by ultracentrifugation and the titer of lentivirus was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The BMSCs were infected by the constructed lentivirus and the multipl icities of infection (MOI) was identified with fluorescent microscope, the efficiency of infection with flow cytometry (FCM) analysis, the hHGF level with ELISA analysis, and the expression of hHGF gene with RT-PCR. Results Lentiviral vector carrying hHGF gene was constructed successfully. The titer of lentivirus was 1 × 108 TU/mL. The infection efficiency of BMSCs by hHGF lentiviral was high and reached 98% by FCM, and the best MOI was 10. A great mount of green fluorescence was observed with the fluorescent microscope at 28 days after infection. Peak concentration of hHGF secreted by BMSCs/hHGF reached 40.5 ng/mL at 5 days. The concentration could maintain a high level until 28 days after infection. RT-PCR showed that BMSCs/hHGF could express hHGF gene. Conclusion By lentiviral vector, hHGF gene was integrated into BMSCs genome, and it can express stably.