Expression of recombinant construct for hBMP2 containing EGFP in human skin fibroblasts

Objective To construct an eukaryotic expressing vector for recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein2 (rhBMP2) that contains enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), and to determine its expression in the human skin fibroblasts. Methods The rhBMP2 eukaryotic expressing vector pcDNA3-hBMP2-IRES-EGFP (pcBE) was constructed and transfected to NIH3T3 and normal human skin fibroblasts. The transient transfection and expression of pcBE in the two types of cells were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical methods. Results Expression of both hBMP2 and EGFP in mRNA and protein levels could be detected, and green fluorescence could be visualized in the transfected cells. Conclusion NIH3T3 and normal human skin fibroblasts, showing green fluorescence, could effectively transcript BMP2 mRNA and express BMP2 protein. This study provides feasibility for tracing the transplanted fibroblasts expressing BMP2 in a bone healing fracture model.