Effect of Transfection with Liposome-Mediated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene VEGF_(165) on the Growth of Endothelial Cells

To construct the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA 3-VEGF 165 with cationic liposome mediated gene transfection technique and transfect into the primarily cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC),it was found that the intracellular existence of the VEGF DNA could be detected one hour after gene transfection with prominent elevation in the level of VEGF mRNA as determined by PCR. Two days after transfection,the expression of the VEGF proteins in the supernatant of culture fluid significantly increased (1 355.12±62.3 vs 19.27±2.96)pg/ml. The apoptosis of EC was significantly decreased compared with pcDNA 3 transfection (7.15%±0.42% vs 17.61%±1.56%),while the survival rate was notably increased (90.13%±2.84% vs 81.52%±2.15%) as determined by flow cytometry analysis after programmed cryopreservation and thawing. As revealed in the MTT the transfected VEGF 165 gene could improve the expression of VEGF proteins in EC,accelerate cell proliferation and inhibit the development of apoptosis of EC. It is hopeful that the VEGF 165 gene therapy may be used for the treatment of the ischemic disorders of heart and lower extremities.