[Infection of recombinant adenovirus expressing acidic fibroblasts growth factor enhances rabbit corneal endothelium proliferation].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To transfer the gene encoding mammalian aFGF to rabbit corneal endothelial cell and determine transfection efficiency and the effect of Ad-aFGF on proliferation of RCEC. METHODS: Replication-defective adenovirus was used to deliver the LacZ reporter gene to RCEC to determine transfection efficiency by X-gal staining. A cDNA encoding mammalian aFGF was cloned into an adenoviral vector that was used to transfect RCEC. The expression of aFGF gene mRNA and protein were demonstrated by Reverse transcription PCR and Western blot respectively. The effect of Ad-aFGF on proliferation of RCEC was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS: RT-PCR and Western blot from RCEC infected with Ad-aFGF for 48 h detected a specific cDNA amplification and protein expression of aFGF gene, and no positive result in control cells. Consistently, RCEC infected by MOI 20 of Ad-aFGF demonstrated an enhanced RCEC proliferation compared to controls (F = 217.107, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adenoviral-mediated expression of aFGF can stimulate the proliferation of RCEC.