Adenovirus-mediated TGF-beta(1) gene transfer to human degenerative lumbar intervertebral disc cells.
OBJECTIVE
To test the possibility of modification of human degenerative lumbar disc cells by the exogenous growth factor gene, transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) cDNA, and the expression of the encoded protein.


METHODS
Nucleus pulposus samples were surgically obtained from 8 patients with degenerative lumbar disc disease. The cells were cultured and directly infected by two adenoviral constructs, Ad/CMV-EGFP containing the enhanced green fluorecence protein (EGFP) gene (marker gene) and Ad/CMV-TGF-beta(1) containing the potentially therapeutic TGF-beta(1) gene. Transgene expression was analyzed by fluorescence production and immunohistochemical staining (Ad/CMV-TGF-beta(1)).


RESULTS
Culture cells transduced by Ad/CMV-EGFP showed specific green fluorescence under the fluoroscope and expression sustained for at least 4 weeks. When infected by Ad/CMV-TGF-beta(1), approximately 30% of cultured cells were stained brown (+) with TGF-beta(1) staining.


CONCLUSIONS
This study established the strategy of delivering a potentially therapeutic gene, TGF-beta(1), by using an adenoviral vector to human degenerative lumbar intervertebral disc cells.
Zhao
Jian
J
Department of Orthopaedics, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China. drzhaojian@163.com
Jia
Lianshun
L
Chen
Deyu
D
Xiao
Jian
J
Pan
Xin
X
Jing
Xin
X
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1