Method optimization of HIF-1α transfection and its effects on survival rate and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Objective To investigate a method of MSCs transfection with HIF-1α gene-recombined liposome.Methods HIF-1α was transferred into the third generation of MSCs by liposome.The expression of green flouresence protein(GFP) was observed and the efficiency of transfection was assessed.The three groups of cells,which were MSCs transfected with HIF-1α gene-recombined liposome,with control vector or with no transfection,were cultured in the hypoxia environment simulated through CoCl2.The expressions of HIF-1α mRNA,HIF-1αprotein of the different groups of MSCs were compared.Results pcDNA3.0-HIF-1α-eGFP could be transfected into MSCs by the liposome method successfully and the efficiency of the transfection is 21%.MSCs transfected with HIF-1α can be induced to differentiate to osteoblast and lipoblast successfully and HIF-1α transfection may increase MSCs survival rate under hypoxia condition(P0.05).The group of HIF-1α-transfected cells express much more HIF-1αmRNA and HIF-1α protein than the other two(P0.05).Conclusions The study shows that the liposome can be used to transfect HIF-1α into MSCs successfully and MSCs transfected by HIF-1α gene-recombined liposome can strongly express HIF-1α mRNA and HIF-1α protein.