A novel vector system for gene transfer into the cornea using a partially dried plasmid expressing 18 basic fibroblast growth factor-synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18 (SAINT-18) complex.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a novel vector system of nonviral gene transfer into the cornea using a partially dried form of a plasmid expressing 18-kDa basic fibroblast growth factor (p-bFGF)-synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18 (SAINT-18) complex.


METHODS
Corneal neovascularization (NV) was evaluated in 48 eyes of Sprague-Dawley rats after implantation of SAINT-18 containing 2 micro g of plasmid-expressing green fluorescent protein (p-GFP; control group), 0.2 micro g, 2 micro g, or 20 micro g of p-bFGF from day 0 to day 60. bFGF protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The p-bFGF-SAINT-18 complex induced dose-dependent corneal neovascularization, which reached a maximum on days 15-21 in the 20-micro g p-bFGF group, days 12-18 in the 2-micro g p-bFGF group, and on days 9-15 in the 0.2-micro g p-bFGF group, and then regressed progressively. No NV was observed in the p-GFP group.


CONCLUSIONS
This noninflammatory corneal transfection model using partially dried p-bFGF-SAINT-18 complex allows precise localization of tranfection reagents for producing corneal neovascularization.
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Chien-Neng
CN
Kuo
Lin-Cheng
LC
Yang
Cheng-Ta
CT
Yang
Miao-Fen
MF
Chen
Chien-Hsiung
CH
Lai
Yi-Hao
YH
Chen
Ching-Hsein
CH
Chen
Chi-Hung
CH
Chen
Pei-Chang
PC
Wu
Hsi-Kung
HK
Kou
Jen-Chia
JC
Tsai
Chia-Hui
CH
Hung
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
C532953:1-methyl-4-(9-dioleyl)methylpyridinium; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2