Ectopic osteogenesis of mouse bone marrow stromal cells transfected with BMP 2/VEGF(165) genes in vivo.

Objective: To evaluate the osteogenic efficacy of mouse bone marrow stromal cells (mBMSC) transfected with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF(165)) genes.
Methods: pIRES-BMP2-VEGF(165) plasmid DNA was introduced into the mBMSC using a liposome-mediated method. The expression of BMP2 and VEGF(165) genes was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis. Transfected cells were injected into the thigh muscle pouches of four nude mice. The osteoinductivity activity of the transfected cells was evaluated by radiographic and histological analysis at 4 weeks after injection.
Results: The mRNA and proteins of both BMP2 and VEGF(165) were successfully expressed in mBMSC as confirmed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Ectopically formed bone tissue was clearly observed at 4 weeks after cell injection in the thigh muscle pouches of the nude mice.
Conclusion: mBMSC transfected with BMP2 and VEGF(165) genes can induce ectopic osteogenesis.
(© 2009 Tianjin Hospital and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)