ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To construct a novel non-viral vector loaded with growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) plasmid using chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis (OA) gene therapy.@*METHODS@#Nano-microspheres (NMPs) were prepared by mixing chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. GDF-5 plasmid was encapsulated in the NMPs through electrostatic adsorption. The basic characteristics of the NMPs were observed, and then they were co-cultured with chondrocytes to observe their effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression. Finally, NMPs loaded with GDF-5 were injected into the articular cavities of rabbits to observe their therapeutic effects on OA in vivo.@*RESULTS@#NMPs exhibited good physicochemical properties and low cytotoxicity. Their average diameter was (0.61±0.20) μm, and encapsulation efficiency was (38.19±0.36)%. According to Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, relative cell viability was 75%-99% when the total weight of NMPs was less than 560 μg. Transfection efficiency was (62.0±2.1)% in a liposome group, and (60.0±1.8)% in the NMP group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Immunohistochemical staining results suggested that NMPs can successfully transfect chondrocytes and stimulate ECM protein expression in vitro. Compared with the control groups, the NMP group significantly promoted the expression of chondrocyte ECM in vivo (P<0.05), as shown by analysis of the biochemical composition of chondrocyte ECM. When NMPs were injected into OA model rabbits, the expression of ECM proteins in chondrocytes was significantly promoted and the progression of OA was slowed down.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Based on these data, we think that these NMPs with excellent physicochemical and biological properties could be promising non-viral vectors for OA gene therapy.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rabbits , Cell Differentiation , Cell Survival/drug effects , Chitosan/chemistry , Chondrocytes/cytology , Chondroitin Sulfates/chemistry , Drug Carriers , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Genetic Therapy/methods , Growth Differentiation Factor 5/genetics , Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry , Microspheres , Nanomedicine , Osteoarthritis/therapy , Plasmids/metabolismABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the best digestion time for rabbit rib cartilage cells separation by collagenase Ⅱ diges‐tion method .Methods Rabbit cartilage tissue was taken from 3‐month‐old New Zealand white rabbits ,and then digested in 0 .2%collagenase Ⅱ solution for 4 ,8 ,12 ,16 and 20 h under vibration at 37 ℃ ,respectively .The corresponding experiments were named as group A ,B ,C ,D ,and E .The obtained primary cells were cultured and passaged after counting .The cell morphology ,proliferation rate ,secretion of extracellular matrix of passage 2 cells were compared to chose the best digestion time .Results The primary chon‐drocytes obtained in group C ,D and E were more than the other two group A and B .The chondrocytes cytoactive in group C and D were better than the other three group A ,B and E .The passage 2 chondrocytes in group C ,D had better secretion of extracellular matrix capability than the other three groups .Conclusion The best collagenase Ⅱ digestion time is 12 to 16 h ,at this digestion time period ,more primary chondrocytes with high cytoactive and strong proliferation capability can be obtained ,and the phenotype of their passage 2 cells is quite good .