title: Effective modulation of transforming growth factor-β1 expression through engineered microRNA-based plasmid-loaded nanospheres.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sustained gene delivery could be particularly necessary in modulating gene expression in healing intrasynovial tendons and may be a promising approach for preventing adhesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanospheres were prepared and were then incorporated with plasmids expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein and miRNA for inhibiting the transforming growth factor-β1 gene expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We demonstrated that cultured tenocytes could be effectively transfected by means of nanosphere/plasmid. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 is significantly downregulated in healing chicken flexor tendon treated with nanosphere/plasmid. Histology analysis did not demonstrate any significant inflammation or necrosis in tendons injected with nanosphere/plasmid after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nanosphere/plasmid may be a promising non-viral vector for gene therapy of the injured flexor tendon.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Research Center, Department of Hand Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Peoples Republic of China.
authors.forename: Youlang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Peoples Republic of China.
authors.forename: Changlai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Research Center, Department of Hand Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Peoples Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ya Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Peoples Republic of China. Electronic address: zhangluzhong@ntu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Luzhong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Research Center, Department of Hand Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Peoples Republic of China. Electronic address: jinbotang@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jin Bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002645:Chickens; D015870:Gene Expression; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000737:chemistry*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology; D014162:Transfection; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: flexor tendon; gene delivery; nanosphere; tissue reaction; transfection