title: Research on the Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis C Gene from Father-to-child via Human Sperm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim was to develop a better experimental model which could facilitate further studies assessing the vertical HCV gene transmission via human spermatozoa, and verify the possibility of father-to-child transmission of the HCV gene.
  
  
  METHODS
  The recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-HCV C was constructed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to detect the integration of the HCV C gene in human sperm genome and in zygote's pronucleus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful construction of recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-HCV C was confirmed by restriction mapping, PCR, and sequencing. Positive HCV C DNA signals were observed in sperm heads, human sperm chromosomes and two-cell embryos in transfected samples. No positive signal was found in normal control and HCV infected groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-HCV C was successfully constructed. The HCV C gene was able to pass through the sperm membrane and integrate into the sperm genome. Human sperm carrying the HCV C gene was able to achieve normal fertilization. The replication of the sperm-mediated HCV C gene was synchronized with that of the host genome. Our results provide direct evidence for vertical transmission of the HCV C gene from father-to-child via human sperm.
authors.forename: Mingfu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yijian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Dian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhiwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Jihua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Danyan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qingdong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Letian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Lianbing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tianhua
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002877:Chromosomes, Human; D006224:Cricetinae; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008875:Middle Aged; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000821:virology*; D016662:Virus Integration; D014779:Virus Replication; D055815:Young Adult; D015053:Zygote / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins