Objective To study the biological activity of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV) coexpressing human vascular endothel ial growth factor165 (hVEGF165) and human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (hBMP-7) genes in vitro so as to provide a new method for the therapeutics of osteonecrosis. Methods The 3rd passage rabbit bone marrow 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). The expressions ofhVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were detected by ELISA assay at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 14th days and Western blot assay at the14th day after transfection. The expression consistencies of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were observed by immunofluorescence assay at the 14th day after transfection. The biological activity of hVEGF165 was assessed by angiopoiesis experiment of the 3rd passage human umbil ical vein endothel ial cells (HUVEC). The biological activity of hBMP-7 was assessed by mineral ization of BMSCs detected by ALP staining and al izarin red staining. Results With infecting time, the hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 expressions increased gradually in two groups, showing significant difference between two groups (P lt; 0.05). The expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were positive in experimental group and negative in control group, respectively. Immunofluorescence assay showed positive expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 in the exprimental group and negative expression in the control group, the expression of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 had good consistencies. hVEGF165 secreted from BMSCs enhanced HUVEC migration, prol iferation and tube formation in experimental group. There was significant difference in the number of blood vessel between two groups (P lt; 0.05). The ALP staining showed more bly stained granules in experimental group than in control group. There was significant difference in the number of the mineral ized nodules between two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The rAAV-hVEGF165-IRES-hBMP-7 has good biological activity in vitro.
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.