Enhanced capillary formation by transplanted Ad-VEGF165 transgenic epithelial cells on silk fibroin films
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) regulatemultiple physiological and pathological processes includingangiogenesis, i.e. growth of new blood vessels, a hallmark ofwound healing. To improve VEGF blood life-time for enhancedangiogenesis in clinical applications, we investigate the possibilityof cell transplant therapy using implanting silk protein filmsubstrates loaded with VEGF-transfected THCE cells into arabbit corneal model. Significantly enhanced cornealneovascularization is observed. THCE cells were cultivated onsilk protein films (SF) and transfected with the Ad-VEGF165 for48 hours. In vitro ELISA testing showed thatAd-VEGF165 transfected THCE cells expressed significantlyhigher levels of VEGF then self-secreted VEGF level inuntransfected THCE cells. Interestingly, Ang1 and EGF levelswere also higher in VEGF-transfected cells. After the transfection,the SF materials(4 mm× 3mm) were implanted into cornealstromal. Images of the corneal vasculature showed significantangiogenesis induced by VEGF-transfected THCE cells. Onemonth after the implantation, corneal neovasculars extended tothe margin of the pupil, with bifurcation and loops formation andthe mean area of neovascularization was drasticallyincreased. Immunostain-ing specimens all showed positivestaining for CD34 on corneal stromal. It is concluded that corneaneovasculariza-tion was successfully induced by implantingSF/THCE-Ad-VEGF165 in rabbit corneal stroma. Theregenerated silk fibroin films had good biological compatibilitywith THCE. Not only the expression level of the target VEGFgene was elevated, but also related genes such as Ang1 and EGFwere also activated. These results indicate that regenerated silkfibroin films are a practical biomaterial platform that, oncemodified with transgenic seed cells, can provide multiplefunctions such as induced angiogenesis and enhanced tissuewound healing.
Xiaofeng Zhang Tielian Liu Wei hua Sheng Yufeng Xie Jingcheng Miao Jicheng Yang
Cell and Molecular Biology Institute, College of Medicine, Soochow University,Correspondence to: Jicheng Yang
国际会议
成都
英文
1-6
2010-06-18（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）