Transfection of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene into rabbit chondrocytes by ultrasound-me-diated microbubble destruction

Abstract

Objective To explore the transfection efficiency and expression of interleukin-1 re-eeptor antagonist (IL-Ra) gene by ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction. Methods Cultured rabbit chondrocytes in vitro were assigned to P group (plasmid DNA alone);M+P group (microbubbles and plasmid DNA);U+P group (ultrasound irradiation and plasmid) ;U + M + P group (ultrasound irra-diation, microbubbles and plasmid DNA). Forty-eight h later, the transfection efficiency was observed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to examine the expres-sion of IL-1Ra mRNA and protein, respectively. Cell viability was assayed by Trypan Blue staining. Results The transfection efficiency was the highest in the U+M+P group (11.6%±1.0%). The IL-1 Ra ex-pression was increased after the ultrasound-mediated microbubbles irradiation. Conclusion Ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction can increase the transfection of IL-1Ra gene in chondrocytes. It may be-come a novel method of gene therapy for cartilage lesions. Key words: Ultrasound; Gene transfection; Interleuldn-1 receptor; Chondrocyte