【Abstract】 Objective To construct a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) shuttle vector expressing nervegrowth factor β (NGF-β) gene. Methods By PCR amplification, the structural element of pAAV-multi ple cloning site(MCS) and the functional element of pGenesil-1.1 were obtained and cloned into T-easy vector, respectively; the recombinant T-easy vectors were digested by restriction enzyme, then the target fragments were reclaimed and connected by DNA l igase, so the recombinant AAV shuttle vector pAAV-U6/CMV-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) containing U6 promoter and CMV promoter was obtained. The vector was transfected into 293 cells. The human Miapaca-2 cell l ine was cultured, and total RNA was extracted, then human NGF-β gene was obtained by RT-PCR. T-easy-NGF-β vector was constructed by cloning human NGF-β gene into T-easy vector and identified by RT-PCR, digestion, and DNA sequencing. As NGF-β gene was cloned into pAAV-U6/CMV-EGFP vector, the recombinant AAV shuttle vector expressing NGF-β gene was obtained and identified by RT-PCR, digestion, and DNA sequencing. Results The bands of 800 bp and 4 250 bp were detected when pAAV-U6/CMVEGFP was digested. The GFP was detected when pAAV-U6/CMV-EGFP was transfected into 293 cells. The bands of 736 bp and 3 015 bp were detected when T-easy-NGF-β was digested; DNA sequencing result of T-easy-NGF-β was fully consistent. The bands of 736 bp and 4 250 bp were detected when pAAV-U6/CMV-NGF-β was digested. DNA sequencing result of pAAV-U6/ CMV-NGF-β showed that sequences were completely correct. Conclusion The AAV shuttle vector pAAV-U6 /CMV-NGF-β is successfully constructed, providing experimental basis for investigation of the repair of spinal cord injury.
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) expressing vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) of rat and its mechanisms. Methods The 144 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, and each group contained 36 rats. The rats in sham group (group A) received dorsal laminectomy without SCI and microinjection, the rats in model control group (group B), rAAV-green fluorescent protein (GFP) group (group C), and rAAV-hVEGF165-GFP group (group D) received dorsallaminectomy with SCI and injection of 20 μL sal ine, rAAV-GFP viruses, or rAAV-hVEGF165-GFP viruses, respectively. At 3 and 7 days after operation, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the neurologic function. At 7 days after operation, Nissl’s body staining was used to evaluate the histopathological changes; apoptosis was confirmed by transmission electron microscope examination and TUNEL staining; the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) was detected by Western blot assay. At 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, ELISA assay was used to detect the VEGF165 protein expression. Results According to BBB scores, the neurologic function in group D was significantly better than those in groups B and C at 3 and 7 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). Nissl’s body staining showed that tissue damage in group D was significantly milder than those in groups B and C at 7 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). ELISA results showed that VEGF165 protein expression was slowly-released in low dose in group D, and the expression in group D was significantly higher than that in groups A, B, and C at 3, 5, and 7 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). The results of transmission electron microscope and TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis rate of spinal cord neurons in group D was significantly lower than that in groups B and C at 7 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that AQP-4 expression in group D was significantly decreased when compared with that in groups B and C at 7 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion TherAAV expressing VEGF has neuroprotective effects by inhibiting apoptosis of spinal cord neurons and relieving spinal cord edema.
Objective To study the time effect of the gene expression of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector co-expressing human vascular endothel ial growth factor 165 (hVEGF165) and human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (hBMP-7) genes so as to lay a theoretical foundation for gene therapy of osteonecrosis. Methods The best multipl icity of infection (MOI) of BMSCs transfected with rAAV was detected by fluorescent cell counting. The 3rd generation rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transfected with rAAV-hVEGF165-internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-hBMP-7 (experimental group) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled rAAV-IRES-GFP (control group), respectively. The expression of GFP was observed by inverted fluorescent microscope. The expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were assessed by RT-PCR assay and Western blot assay in vitro. The transfected cells in 2 groups were prepared into suspension with 5 × 106 cells/mL, and injected into the rabbit thigh muscles of experimental group 1 (n=9) and control group 1 (n=9), respectively. The muscle injected with rAAV-IRES-GFP was sl iced by frozen section method and the expression of GFP protein was observed by inverted fluorescent microscope. The expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were assessed by Western blot assay and ELISA assay in vivo. Results The best MOI of BMSCs transfected with rAAV was 5 × 104 v.g/cell. In vitro, the expressions of GFP, hVEGF165, and hBMP-7 genes started at 1 day after transfection, the expressions obviously increased at 14 days after transfection, and the expression maintained the b level at 28 days after transfection. In vivo, the expressions of GFP, hVEGF165, and hBMP-7 genes could be detected at 2 weeks after injection, and b expressions were shown at 6 to 8 weeks after injection. The values of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were (248.67 ± 75.58) pg/mL and (4.80 ± 0.61) ng/mL respectively in experimental group 1, and were (32.28 ± 8.42) pg/mL and (0.64 ± 0.42) ng/mL respectively in control group 1; showing significant differences between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The rAAV-hVEGF165-IRES-hBMP-7 has efficient gene expression ability.
Objective To study the effect of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector co-expressing human vascular endothel ial growth factor 165 (hVEGF165) and human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (hBMP-7) genes on bone regeneration and angiopoiesis in vivo so as to provide a theoretical basis for the gene therapy of avascular necrosis of thefemoral head (ANFH). Methods Twenty-four male adult New Zealand rabbits were made the ischemic hind l imb model and divided into 4 groups (n=6). The 3rd generation rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transfected with the following 4 virus and were administered intramuscularly into the ischemic thigh muscle of 4 groups, respectively: rAAVhVEGF165- internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-hBMP-7 (group A), rAAV-hVEGF165-green fluorescent protein (GFP) (group B), rAAV-hBMP-7-GFP (group C), and rAAV-IRES-GFP (group D). At 8 weeks after injection, the blood flow of anterior tibial artery in the rabbit hind l imb was detected by ultrasonographic image. Immunohistochemical staining for CD34 was performed to identify the prol iferation of capillary. Another 24 male adult New Zealand rabbits were made the femur muscle pouch model and divided into 4 groups (n=6). The above 4 BMSCs transfected with rAAV were administered intramuscularly into the muscle pouch. At 8 weeks after injection, X-ray radiography was used to assess orthotopic bone formation, and von Kossa staining to show mineral ization. Results No symptoms of local or systemic toxicity were observed after rAAV injection. At 8 weeks after injection, the ratio of ischemic to normal blood flow and the number of capillaries in group A were the highest among 4 groups (P lt; 0.05). The ratio of ischemic to normal blood flow and the number of capillaries in group B were significantly higher than those in group C and group D (P lt; 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). At 8 weeks after injection, orthotopic ossification and mineral ization were evidently detected in group A and group C, and group A was ber than group C. No obvious evidence of orthotopic ossification and mineral ization were observed in group B and group D. Conclusion rAAV-hVEGF165-IRES-hBMP-7 vector has the biological activities of inductive bone regeneration and angiopoiesis in vivo.