γ-Ray-Radiation-Scissioned Chitosan as a Gene Carrier and Its Improved in vitro Gene Transfection Performance

Chitosan （CS） is expected to be an ideal gene carrier for its high biosafety. In this work, CS with low molecular weight were prepared through the γ-ray radiation on the acetic acid solution of CS. The CS chains were scissioned under the γ-ray radiation, and the molecu- lar weight （MW） of CS decreased with the absorbed dose. When the absorbed dose was above 30 kGy, the molecular weight of CS decreased about an order of magnitude. The γ-ray-radiation-scissioned CS can effectively bind with plasmid （pEGFP） through complex coacervation method, forming pEGFP/γ-ray-radiation-scissioned CS complex particles with a size of 200-300 nm. The complex particles have good stability and little cytotoxicity. The in vitro gene transfection efficiencies of the pEGFP/γ-ray-radiation-scissioned CS complex particles were investigated by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. The results showed that the gene vectors using γ-ray-radiation-scissioned CS as the carrier will possess better gene transfection efficiency than those using natural high-MW CS as the carrier. The higher the absorbed dose, the smaller the MW of CS and the better transfection efficiency of the corresponding gene vector. This work provides a green and simple method on the preparation of CS-based gene vectors with high efficiency and biosafety.

Transfection of the Human Sodium/Iodide Symporter(NIS) Gene with Liposomes and the Expression of the NIS Protein in Human Lung A549 Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE To examine the possibility of human sodium iodide symporter （hNIS） protein expression in lung cancer cells. METHODS Human lung A549 cancer cells were thawed and cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into an experimental group transfected with a recombinant pcDNA3-hNIS plasmid and a control group transfected only with a pcDNA3 plasmid. The recombinant plasmid vector encoding the hNIS gene （pcDNA3-hNIS） was amplified, purified and identified. The hNIS gene was followed by DNA sequencing. A Western blot and an immunohistochemical assay were applied to detect the hNIS protein expression in the transfected human lung A549 cancer cells. RESULTS Restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing results showed the size and direction of the inserted gene in the recombinant pcD- NA3-hNIS plasmid was correct. The Western blot method and immunohistochemical analysis showed a positive NIS protein expression in the experimental group. The NIS protein was detected mainly in the cell membranes showing a positive rate up to 70.6% with no expression of the NIS protein in the control group. There was a significant difference between two groups （P=0.000）. CONCLUSION The hNIS gene was transfected effectively into human lung A549 cancer cells mediated by Lipofectamine 2000, and was expressed with its protein in vitro.

BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR GENE TRANSFECTION TO ENHANCE THE REPAIR OF AVASCULAR NECROSIS OFTHE FEMORAL HEAD

Objective To explore a new method for the therapy of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Method The recombinant plasmid pCD-rbFGF was mixed with collagen and was implanted in the necrotic femoral head. Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. Re-pair of the femoral head was observed by histological and histomorphometric analysis. Result Expression of bFGF was detected in the femoral head transfected with bFGF gene, indicating significant increase of angiogenesis 2 weeks after gene transfection and increased new bone formation 8 weeks after gene transfection on histom-orphometric analysis (P< 0.01). Conclusion Transfection of bFGF gene enhances bone tissue angiogenesis. Repair in osteonecrosis would be accelerated accordingly.

Ultrasound-targeted cationic microbubble-mediated gene transfection and inhibition of retinal neovascularization

AIM:To investigate whether ultrasound-targeted cationic microbubbles(CMBs)destruction could deliver endostatingreen fluorescent protein(GFP)plasmids efficiently to the human retinal endothelial cells(HRECs)and inhibit retinal neovascularization in mice.METHODS:CMBs were prepared and the presentation of GFP reporter was confirmed by flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy.Experiments assessing HRECs migration and vascular formation were per formed to evaluate gene therapy’s efficiency in vitro.A mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy was employed and the expression of Bcl-xl,Bcl-2,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endostatin in the retina of mice were determined by Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction(q PCR).The expression of endostatin-GFP in the retina was examined by laser confocal microscopy at 5,14,and 28 d after treatment.RESULTS:The gene expression of endostatin was the highest in the group of the CMBs.Besides,the inhibition and antiangiogenesis effect of the migration and development of HRECs were improved following treatment with CMBs compared with the other groups in vitro.In vivo,retinal neovascularization was significantly inhibited and the fluorescence intensity of endostatin-GFP in the mouse retina was importantly higher in the group of CMBs than that in other groups.CONCLUSION:The research illustrates ultrasoundtargeted CMBs destruction possessed distinct effect on the inhibition of the vascular formation and the development of retinal neovascularization both in vitro and in vivo.

A study of the expression of p53 in posttransfection cells with rAdp53 gene and inhibitory activity in vitro

Objective： To investigate the inhibitory effect and IC50, （rAdp53） in colorectal cancer cells in vitro and to guide （50% inhibiting concentration） of the recombinant adenoviral p53 gene clinical practice. Methods： We evaluated the efficiency （IC50）of the rAdp53 and six kinds of anti-cancer drugs（5-fluorouracil, tegafur, mitomycin c, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel） in human colorectal cancer cell line-174 through the cell culture and MTT chemosensitivity assay to make sure the anti-cancer capability of rAdp53. Expression of p53 protein in transfection cells of colorectal cancer line-174 with rAdp53 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Results： The rAdp53 is a dose-and time-dependent anti-cancer drug, its IC50 is 5.73×10^11 VP/ml, but its effect was not obvious when compared with other anti-cancer drugs. In control group, the immunohistochemistry stain was negative. However, rAd-p53 of five different concentrations were all positive in infected colorectal cancer cells with rAd-p53 and the earliest positive result would present 24 hours after infection. Conclusion： The rAdp53 has good anti-cancer efficacy is colorectal cancer cell line-174 in vitro. But its anti-cancer efficacy was less than those of the classical chemical medicine mitomycin c, 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin etc., when it was used alone.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene transfection promotes neuronal repair and neurite regeneration after diffuse axonal injury

This study sought to assess the potential of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） to promote neuronal repair and regeneration in rats with diffuse axonal injury, and to examine the accompanying neurobiological changes. BDNF gene transfection reduced the severity of the pathological changes associated with diffuse axonal injury in cortical neurons of the frontal lobe and increased neurofilament protein expression. These findings demonstrate that BDNF can effectively promote neuronal repair and neurite regeneration after diffuse axonal injury.

Protection of rat islet viability following heme oxygenase-1 gene transfection via adenoviral vector in vitro

Objective： To investigate the effect of Heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） gene transfection on the viability of cultured rat islets, and to explore the potential value of HO-1 gene in islet transplantation. Methods：Recombinant adenovirus vector containing human HO-1 gene（Ad-HO-1 ） or enhanced green fluorescent protein gene（Ad-EGFP） was generated by using AdEasy system respectively. The rat islets were transfected with Ad-HO-1, Ad-EGFP or blank vector and then cultured for 7 days. Transfection was confirmed by expression of EGFP and human HO-1 protein detected by fluorescence photographs and western blot, respectively. The insulin release upon different concentration of glucose stimulation was detected using insulin radioimmunoassay kit, and stimulation index（SI） was calculated. Glucose-stimulated insulin release was used ＇to assess islet viability. Results：Adenovirus vector successfully transferred HO-1 gene to rat islet cells in vitro, and the insulin release upon high level of glucose stimulation and stimulation index （SI） of Ad-HO-1-infected islets were significantly higher than those of Ad-EGFP-infected islets and control islets （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Adenovirus-mediated HO-1 gene transfection is a feasible strategy to confer cytoprotection and therefore protect the viability of cultured rat islets.

EFFECTS OF CARBOXYMETHLY DEXTRAN MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES CARRIER SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELDS ON KILLING TUMOR CELLS AND GENE TRANSFECTION

Objective: To investigate the preparation of the carboxymethly dextran iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (CDMN) and the effects of CDMN carrier system associated with external magnetic fields on killing tumor cells and gene transfection in vitro. Methods: Epirubicin-CDMN (EPI-CDMN) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid-CDMN (GFP-CDMN) were prepared by the oxidation-reduction procedure and their characters were detected, respectively. The effects of EPI-CDMN associated with external pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) (10 mT) on killing human bladder cancer BIU-87 cells were studied by MTT assay and Annexin-V/PI double-labeled flow cytometry technique, respectively. And the transfection efficiency of GFP when CDMN were used as gene carrier associated with the external magnetic fields was evaluated under fluorescence microscope in vitro. Results: The diameter of EPI-CDMN and GFP-CDMN were about 8~10 nm and 5~9 nm, respectively, and saturation magnetization were 0.22 emu/g and 0.26 emu/g, respectively. EPI-CDMN associated with PEMFs could significantly inhibit the proliferation of BIU-87 cells and induce cells apoptosis, the growth inhibitory rate and apoptosis rate were (21.82±3.18)% and (16.79±3.37)%, respectively. The transfection efficiency of GFP-CDMN combined with PEMFs was significant higher than that of GFP-CDMN without PEMFs [(45.70±4.32)% vs (35.85±2.16)%, P<0.05]. Conclusion: It seemed that EPI-CDMN associated with external magnetic fields could significantly killed human bladder cancer BIU-87 cells and CDMN could effectively transfer GFP gene into tumors cells with the help of external magnetic fields which provided experimental basis for the magnetic targeting therapy of tumor.

Editor's Choice—Adenovirus-mediated gene transfection of stem cells

Neural stem cells transplantation plays an important role in repair and cell replacement therapy for nervous system degenerative diseases. However, the self-repair effects are minimal because of a limited absolute number, as well as the local microenvironment, post-transplantation. A combined treatment utilizing stem cell transplantation and gone therapy can exert a dual effect involving stem cells and neurotrophic factors. The adenovirus carrier is

Gene Transfection Mediated by Ultrasound and Pluronic P85 in HepG2 Cells

In order to assess whether gene transfection could be mediated by ultrasound in association with P85 and find the appropriate parameters of ultrasound irradiation, the effects of ultrasound with or without P85 on gene transfection of HepG2 cells were examined. The HepG2 cells were irra- diated by ultrasound at 1 MHz, 0.4-2.0 W/cm2 and 50% duty cycle with plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） as a report gene. Forty-eight h later, the expression of EGFP was detected under the fluorescence microscopy. Transfection efficacy was quantitatively assessed by flow cytometry, and cell viability was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion. The results showed that the transfection efficacy was increased with the increases in ultrasound output power and the ideal transfection efficacy was achieved in HepG2 cells irradiated by ultrasound at 0.8 W/cm2 for 30 s. The transfection efficacy in ulstrasound＋P85 group was three times higher than in single ultrasound group [（17.63±1.07）% vs （5.57±0.56）%, P〈0.05]. The cell viability was about 81% and 62% in ultrasound group and ultrasound＋P85 group respectively. It was concluded that ultrasound in combination with P85 could mediate the gene transfection of HepG2 cells, ideal transfection efficacy was achieved by ultrasound irradiation at 0.8 W/cm2 for 30 s, and P85 could somewhat increase the damage to cells caused by ultrasound.

Cationic Liposome-mediated bcl-xl Gene Transfection into Human Keratocytes

The efficiency and safe range of LipofectamineTM2000 (LF2000)/bcl-xl applied in human keratocytes, the optimal ratio of LF2000/bcl-xl and the bcl-xl gene expression in human keratocytes were investiaged. By using trypan-blue staining, the effects of LF2000 and bcl-xl on the survival rate of the cultured human keratocytes were measured respectively. By using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the efficiency and the expression of LF2000-mediated bcl-xl transfection into keratocytes were examined. The results showed that the survival rate of human keratocytes had no signficant change in the presence of LF2000 (20 μg/ml) or bcl-xl (10 μg/ml) for 24 h. LF2000 could effectively mediate the transfection of exogenous gene bcl-x1 into human keratocytes. The best transfection efficiency could be obtained when the ratio of bcl-xl/LF2000 was 1:8. One day after transfection, the positive cells for bcl-x1 could be detectable, and the positive rate reached the peak on the post-transfection day 3 (48.3 %), then gradually decreased. Fifteen days after transfection, there were few positive cells. It was suggested that LF2000 could effectively transfer the exogenous gene bcl-xl into human keratocytes without obvious toxicity during a concentration range. LF2000/bcl-xl may be likely to play an important role in gene therapy of human keratocytes.

Combined Pluronic P85- and Ultrasound Contrast Agents-mediated Gene Transfection to HepG2 Cells

This study examined the effect of P85 （a pluronic block copolymer） and microbubble （MB） ultrasound contrast agents under ultrasound irradiation on gene transfection and expression. The pEGFP plasmids that can encode enhanced green fluorescent protein （pEGFP） served as a report gene and were mixed with different concentrations of MB/0.05% （w/v） P85. Then the plasmids were transfected into human hepatoma G2 （HepG2） cells. The HepG2 cells treated with MB/P85 or without treatment were exposed to ultrasound （US parameters： 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2, 20 s, 20% duty cycle）. Twenty-four hours later, the transfection efficiency was assessed by fluorescence microscopy and fluo-rescence activated cell sorting （FACS） analysis. The cell viability was evaluated by Trypan blue exclusion test. The results showed that the gene transfection efficiency in HepG2 cells under ultrasound irradiation was significantly higher than that without ultrasound irradiation. HepG2 cells in the MB or P85 group in the absence of ultrasound expressed less amount of green fluorescent protein. The expression efficiency reached （22.14±3.06）% and the survival rate was as high as （55.73±3.32）% in the 30% MB plus P85 group. It was concluded that MB and P85 in the presence of ultrasound can enhance gene transfection and expression.

RAT GDNF GENE TRANSFECTION AND EXPRESSION OF ITS mRNA AND PROTEIN IN SCHWANN CELLS

Objective To investigate the possibility of the transfection of glial-cell line derived neurotro-phic factor (GDNF) gene into Schwann cells (SCs). Methods SCs cultures from sciatic nerves of neonatal rats were established. A recombinant retrovirus vector containing GDNF gene was constructed and transferred into SCs. Expression levels of GDNF mRNA and protein were respectively identified with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. Determination of GDNF synthesis rates from Retro. pLNCX2-GDNF-transduced SCs (GDNF-SCs) in vitro by enzyme-linked immunoassay sensitive assay (ELISA). Biololgical activity of conditioned medium from GENF-SCs was analysed by co-culture with rat motoneurons. Results Transfection of GDNF gene into SCs lead to significantly enhanced expression of GDNF mRNA and protein. The rate of GDNF secreted by GDNF-SCs was also enhanced(5. 1-fold) ,and more motoneurons survived co-cultured with conditioned medium of GNDF-SCs than with that of normal SCs. Conclusion GNDF gene transfection may be a better way to graft SCs promoting regeneration and repairing demyelination in PNS and CNS.

Differentiation of Rabbit Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Myogenic Cells and Expression of VEGF After Gene Transfection

Objectives To induce the differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） to myogenic cells in vitro, and to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） gene in MSCs transfected by AdTrackCMV-VEGF165. Methods MSCs were isolated and purified from rabbit bone marrow by percoll （11）73 g/ml） and then cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10% FBS. AdTrackCMV-VEGF165 eukaryotic expression vector was constructed and transfected into the MSCs. After being incubated with 5-azacytidine （5- Aza）, the expression of troponin I in MSCs was assayed by immunohistochemistry and the expression of VEGF gene was identified by northern blot and western blot. The concentration of VEGF in the supernatant was measured by ELASA. Results MSCs were isolated and cultured successfully from rabbit bone marrow. The positive cTnI stain of some MSCs after the induction of 5-aza indicated that the cells were differentiated to myogenic cells. Northern blot and western blot showed that the expression of VEGF 165 mRNA was much higher in the hVEGF165 gene transfected cells than that of the control. The concentration of VEGF in the supernatant got to the peak 3-5 days after hVEGF165 gene transfection （1011- 1027 pg/ml） and decreased gradually thereafter, but still higher than that of control group or pAdTrackCMV group （349 pg/mLvs 116 pg/mL or 125pg/ml respectively, MSCs could be induced P〈 0.01）. Conclusions to differentiate to myogenic cells by 5-aza in vitro and could express VEGF by VEGF gene transfection.

Acceleration of apoptosis by transfection of bak gene in multi-drug resistant (MDR) bladder cancer cellsI

Objective To observe the effects of bak gene on killing MDR bladder cancer cells and to study its mechanisms. Methods Bak gene was transfected into MDR bladder cancer cells by liposome. The mRNA of bak and bcl-2 were detected by in situ hybridization. The protein of bak and bcl-2 were detected by SABC immunohistochemistry. The growth rate of human bladder cancer cells was studied by constructing the growth curve, cell apoptosis being observed by flow cytometry, and the outline of cells observed by fluorescence stain. Results The expression of bak mRNA was positive in EJ/bak cells (64% ,P【0.05).Bak protein expression of EJ/bak cells was positive (60 % ) and bcl-2 protein expression was de creased (P【0.05). The growth of MDR bladder cancer cells was significantly inhibited by 32% after bak gene was transfected (P 【 0. 05 ). Apoptosis cells increased significantly. The apoptosis rate was 35 %. Apoptotic bodies can be found in these cells on fluorescence stain. Conclusion Bak gene could inhibit the growth

Cardiac autonomic nerve fiber regeneration in chronic heart failure Do Akt gene-transduced mesenchymal stem cells promote repair?

BACKGROUND： Transplantation of Akt-over-expressing mesenchymal stem ceils （Akt-MSCs） has been shown to repair infarcted myocardium and improve cardiac function. However, little is known about the therapeutic effects of Akt-MSCs on cardiac autonomic neuropathy in chronic heart failure （CHF）. OBJECTIVE： The present study used adriamycin-induced CHF rat models to observe the effect of Akt-MSCs on cardiac autonomic nervous regeneration and the factors mediating this effect. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Basic Medical College, China Medical University, between September 2008 and April 2009. MATERIALS： Rabbit anti-choline acetyltransferase （CHAT）, growth associated protein-43 （GAP-43） synaptophysin （SYN） polyclonal antibodies and the secondary antibody （goat anti-rabbit IgG） were purchased from Boster, China. Cat-A-Kit assay system was provided by Amersham, USA. METHODS： （1） Adult rat MSCs were isolated and cultured for the preparation of Akt-MSCs. （2） Forty male Wistar rats were intramyocardially administered adriamycin at 2 mg/kg over 3 days for a total of five times and once a week for additional five times thereafter to establish CHF models. At 2 weeks after final adriamycin treatment, 34 successful CHF rat models were randomized to three groups： Akt-MSCs （n = 11）, simple MSCs （s-MSCs, n =11）, and control （n = 12）. Each group was intravenously administered Akt-MSCs （2x106 cells in 100 IJL PBS）, s-MSCs （2×10^6 cells in 100 μL PBS） or equal volume of phosphate buffered saline, once a day for a total of three times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 4 weeks after final adriamycin treatment, myocardial norepinephrine （NE） content was detected using a Cat-A-Kit assay system. Myocardial CHAT, SYN and GAP-43 were performed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Prior to, 2 and 4 weeks after adriamycin treatment, echocardiographic examination was performed and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was determined. RESULTS： Myocardial NE content, as well as SYN-positive and GAP-43-positive nerve fiber density and expression, and LVEF, was the greatest in the Akt-MSCs group, followed by the s-MSCs group, and lastly the control group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. ChAT expression was similar between Akt-MSCs and s-MSCs groups, but it was higher compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. NE contents were negatively correlated to LVEF （r = -0.64, P = 0.015）. CONCLUSION： Transplantation of MSCs, in particular Akt-MSCs, promotes cardiac nervous regeneration in failing heart, which might be mediated by GAP-43.

Surface Modification of Biomimetic PLGA-(ASP-PEG) Matrix with RGD-Containing Peptide:a New Non-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer and Tissue Engineering

RGD-containing peptide （ K16-GRGDSPC） , characterized as non-viral gene vectors, was fabricated to modify the surface of PLGA-[ASP- PEG] matrix, which offered the foundation for gene transfer with porous matrix of gene activated later. Peptide was synthesized and matrix was executed into chips A, B and chip C. Chip C was regarded as control. Chips A and B were reacted with cross-linker. Then chip A was reacted with peptide. MS and HPLC were ased to detect the .14W and purity of peptide. Sulphur, existing on the surface of biomaterials, was detected by XPS. The purity of un-reacted peptide in residual solution was detected by a spectrophotometer. HPLC shows that the peptide purity was 94%- 95% , and MS shows that the MW was 2 741. 3307. XPS reveals that the binding energy of sulphur was 164 eV and the ratio of carbon to sulphur （C/S） was 99. 746 ：0. 1014 in reacted chip A. The binding energy of sulphur in reacted chip B was 164 eV and 162 eV, C/ S was 99.574：0.4255, aM there was no sulphur in chip C. Peptide was manufactured and linked to the surface of biomimetic and 3-D matrix, which offered the possibilities for gene transfer and tissue engineering with this new kind of non-viral gene vector.

Anticancer Drug Resistance of HeLa Cells Transfected With Rat Glutathione S-transferase pi Gene

To establish a cytologic expressing system of rat glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) cDNA for detecting the resistance of HeLa cells to anticancer drugs. Methods The assessment was made with various anticancer drugs (adriamycin, mitomycin, cisplatinum and vincristine) that showed different cytotoxicities in transfectant HeLa cells with pSV-GT containing rat GST-pi cDNA (HeLa/pSV-GT) or control pSV-neo (HeLa/pSV-neo). Expression levels of GST-pi mRNA in HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo were measured by in situ hybridization using Digoxin-labelled cDNA probe. Results HeLa/pSV-GT expressed significantly high degree of GST-pi mRNA, whereas both HeLa/pSV-neo and HeLa cells had very low expression. Cytotoxicities of HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo with 4 anticancer drugs were measured by MTT assay. Drug concentrations for yielding 50% inhibition (IC50) in HeLa/pSV-GT by adriamycin, mitomycin and cisplatinum were 70.13 靏/mL, 10.95 靏/mL and 16.52 靏/mL, respectively. In contrast, IC50 in HeLa/pSV-neo was 10.34 靏/mL, 7.48 靏/mL and 13.70 靏/mL, respectively. The cytotoxicities of vincristine on both HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo were not significantly different. Conclusions Our findings suggest that HeLa/pSV-GT containing rat GST-pi cDNA is resistant to some anticancer drugs due to overexpression of GST-pi. Also, HeLa/pSV-GT cell line could serve as a useful cytogenetic model for further research.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes transfect rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells based on cationic polymer vector

BACKGROUND： Gene therapy is an effective expression of genes within target cells after transferring exogenous target genes. Both vector selection and transfection method are important factors for gene transfection. An ideal gene vector is required for a high transfusion of target gene and an exact introduction of target gene into specific target cells so as to express gene products. OBJECTIVE： To study the expression of mRNA and protein after transfecting rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） with brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） genes based on cationic polymer vector. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled in vitro study using gene engineering, performed at the Neurobiology Laboratory, Xuzhou Medical College between October 2007 and April 2008. MATERIALS： PcDNA3.1 BDNF was obtained from Youbiai Biotechnological Company, Beijing and cationic polymer vector used was the SofastTM gene transfection reagent that was made by Taiyangma Biotechnological Co., Ltd., Xiamen. METHODS： BMSCs extracted from six Sprague Dawley （SD） rats aged 1 month were isolated and cultured in vitro. Third passage BMSCs were inoculated on a 6-well culture plate at the density of 1×106 cells/L. At about 80% confluence, BMSCs were transfected with PcDNA3.1-BDNF （2 μg） combined with SofastTM gene transfection reagent （6 μg） （BDNF group） or with PcDNA3.1 （2 μg） combined with SofastTM gene transfection reagent （6 μg） （blank vector group）. Cells that were not transfected with any reagents but still cultured under primary culture conditions were used as a non-transfection group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure time efficiency of BMSC-secreted BDNF protein. Twenty-four hours after gene transfection, RT-PCR was used to detect expression of BDNF mRNA in the BMSCs. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine expression of BDNF protein in the BMSCs. RESULTS： BDNF protein expression was detected at day 1 after gene transfection, rapidly increased after 5–9 days and gradually increased after 11–15 days in the BDNF group; moreover, BDNF protein expression was higher than that in the non-transfection group and the blank vector group at different time points （P 〈 0.01）. Additionally, BDNF mRNA expression in the BDNF group was higher than that in the blank vector group and the non-transfection group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： A cationic polymer vector can effectively mediate the BDNF gene to transfect BMSCs; genetically modified BMSCs can express BDNF protein effectively for a long term.

Hydrodynamics based transfection in normal and fibrotic rats

AIM： Hydrodynamics based transfection （HBT）, the injection of a large volume of naked plasmid DNA in a short time is a relatively simple, efficient and safe method for in vivo transfection of liver cells. Though used for quite some time, the mechanism of gene transfection has not yet been elucidated. METHODS： A lucJferase encoding plasmid was injected using the hydrodynamics based procedure into normal and thioacetamide-induced fibrotic Sprague Dawley rats. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images were taken. The consequence of a dual injection of Ringer solution and luciferase pDNA was followed. Halofuginone, an anti collagen type I inhibitor was used to reduce ECM load in fibrotic rats prior to the hydrodynamic injection. RESULTS： Large endothelial gaps formed as soon as 10＇ following hydrodynamic injection; these gradually returned to normal 10 d post injection. Hydrodynamic administration of Ringer 10 or 30 m prior to moderate injection of plasmid did not result in efficient transfection suggesting that endothelial gaps by themselves are not sufficient for gene expression. Gene transfection following hydrodynamic injection in thioacetamide induced fibrotic rats was diminished coinciding with the level of fibrosis. Halofuginone, a specific collagen type I inhibitor, alleviated this effect. CONCLUSION： The hydrodynamic pressure formed following HBT results in the formation of large endothelial gaps. These gaps, though important in the transfer of DNA molecules from the blood to the space of Disse are not enough to provide the appropriate conditions for hepatocyte transfection. Hydrodynamics based injection is applicable in fibrotic rats provided that ECM load is reduced.