ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of establishing a murine new vessels model with Lentiviral vector (LVs) mediated human vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (pcDNA3.1/ VEGF165) gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lentivirus plasmid carrying a human VEGF165 was constructed and was used to transfect mouse's NIH/3T3 cells. The NIH/3T3 cells with high secretion of VEGF were injected into the skeletal muscle of mouse to establish a mouse new vessels model by implantation of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) gene. The external secretion of VEGF was measured with ELISA. Histological examination was carried out after injection. The expression of CD31 was assessed with immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lenti-VEGF165-EGFP was correctly constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis, polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing analysis. Lentivirus plasmid carrying a human VEGF165 was constructed. lenti-VEGF165-EGFP was used to transfect mouse's NIH/ 3T3 cells, and human VEGF165 gene was assessed. NIH/3T3 cells mediated VEGF gene implantation can produce stable and effective mouse new vessels model. The external secretion of VEGF in peripheral blood was measured with ELISA. The legs became swollen in experimental group 14 d after injection. It found the cells expression of CD31 44 d after injection, and histological analysis showed the swollen tissue was composed of small new vessels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NIH/3T3 cells mediated VEGF gene implantation can produce stable and effective mouse new vessels model.</p>