Extracellular matrix synthesis and ultrastructural changes of degenerative disc cells transfected by Ad/CMV-hTGF-beta 1 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine whether the synthesis of proteoglycan, collagen and associated ultrastructure are related to the adenovirus-mediated gene transferred to adult degenerative cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adenovirus/cytomegalovirus human transforming growth factor-beta 1 (Ad/CMV-hTGF-beta 1) was used to transfect degenerative cells. Antonopulos method, Miamine method and transmission electron microscopy were conducted to study the synthesis of proteoglycan, collagen, and ultrastructure, respectively. Cell cultures were established from the nucleus pulpous and annulus fibrosus tissues, which were taken from surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nucleus pulpous and annulus fibrosus cells were efficiently transduced by the adenoviral vector carrying hTGF-beta 1 gene. The synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The metabolism of cells was slightly improved. No significant toxic effects were found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expression of hTGF-beta 1 gene is efficient to accelerates proteoglycan synthesis and thus accelerates the improvement of collagen. The function and structure of degenerative cells are improved. Ad/CMV-hTGF-beta 1 may be suitable for treating disc degeneration.</p>