透明质酸／壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米粒介导体外基因转染关节软骨细胞与滑膜细胞的比较

[目的]以透明质酸(HA)修饰的壳聚糖(CS)／质粒DNA(pDNA)纳米粒介导体外基因转染关节软骨细胞与滑膜细胞,以明确其作为非病毒基因载体治疗关节疾病的潜能.[方法]将HA修饰的CS与负载增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP)的pDNA以复凝聚法制成纳米粒,以扫描电镜检测纳米粒形态;激光粒度仪测定其粒径、Ze-ta电位及分散度(PDl);凝胶电泳阻滞试验榆测HA/CS和pDNA的结合力及pDNA的释放;体外转染兔关节软骨细胞与滑膜细胞,以流式细胞仪及荧光显微镜检测转染效率.[结果]HA/CS/pDNA纳米粒多呈球形,粒径平均为(142.5±20.3)nm,表面Zeta电位平均为(25.99±8.48)mV,分散度平均为(0.283±0.089),可有效保护pDNA免受核酸酶的降解;通过调节pH值至7.5以上或加入壳聚糖酶可促使纳米粒中的pDNA释放;体外转染实验证明HA/CS/pDNA纳米粒能介导pEGFP转染软骨细胞和滑膜细胞并在细胞内表达绿色荧光蛋白,其对软骨细胞的转染能力较强,比裸pEGFP和CS/pEGFP纳米粒有更高的转染效率(P＜0.05);但对滑膜细胞的基因转染效率较低,与CS/pEGFP纳米粒无明显差别(P＞0.05).[结论]复凝聚法制备的HA/CS/pDNA纳米粒是一种有效的新型非病毒基因转染载体,在体外可介导基因转染关节软骨细胞和滑膜细胞,其转染效率具有明显的细胞依赖性.     

Green fluorescent protein as marker in chondrocytes overexpressing human insulin-like growth factor-1 for repair of articular cartilage defects in rabbits

Objective:To label the primary articular chondrocytes overexpressing human insulin-like growth factor (hIGF-1) with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for repair of articular cartilage defects in rabbits. Methods: GFP cDNA was inserted into pcDNA3. 1-hIGF-1 to label the expression vector. The recombinant vector, pcGI, a mammalian expression vector with multiple cloning sites under two respective cytomegalovirus promoters/enhancers, was transfected into the primary articular chondrocytes with the help of lipofectamine. After the positive cell clones were selected by G418, G418-resistant chondrocytes were cultured in medium for 4 weeks. The stable expression of hIGF-1 in the articular chondrocytes was determined by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical analysis and the GFP was confirmed under a fluorescence microscope. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) and flow cytometer methods were employed to determine the effect of transfection on proliferation of chondrocytes. Gray value was used to analyze quantitatively the expression of type II collagen. Results: The expression of hIGF-1 and GFP was confirmed in transfected chondrocytes by in situ hybridization, immunocytochemical analysis and fluorescence microscope observation. Green articular chondrocytes overexpressing hIGF-1 could expand and maintain their chondrogenic phenotypes for more than 4 weeks. After the transfection of IGF-1, the proliferation of chondrocytes was enhanced and the chondrocytes could effectively maintain the expression of typeⅡcollagen. Conclusions: The hIGF-1 eukaryotic expression vector containing GFP marker gene has been successfully constructed. GFP, which can be visualized in real time and in situ, is stably expressed in articular chondrocytes overexpressing hIGF-1. The labeled articular chondrocytes overexpressing hIGF-1 can be applied in cell-mediated gene therapy as well as for other biomedical purposes of transgenic chondrocytes.     

壳聚糖-负载增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因的质粒DNA纳米微球体外转染软骨细胞的能力及影响因素

目的 探讨壳聚糖介导体外基因转染软骨细胞的能力及不同条件下基因转染率的变化,以筛选最佳转染条件.方法 将壳聚糖与负载增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)基因的质粒DNA(pDNA)以复凝聚法制成壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米微球,用扫描电镜检测纳米微球的形态,Zeta电位粒度分析仪测定其粒径、表面电位及分散度.以脂质体为对照,观察对软骨细胞的毒性.体外转染兔关节软骨细胞,以裸pDNA及脂质体为对照,流式细胞仪及荧光显微镜检测基因转染率.检测在不同pH值、N/P比值及pDNA剂量下壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米微球介导对软骨细胞的转染率变化.结果 壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米微球呈球形,平均粒径为(141.5±26.7)nm,表面Zeta电位平均为(17.8±3.9)mV,分散度平均为0.227±0.025.细胞毒性试验显示壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米微球与软骨细胞相容性良好,与脂质体比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).体外转染实验证实壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米微球能转染软骨细胞并在细胞内表达绿色荧光蛋白,在pH值为7.0、N/P为5、pDNA浓度为4.0μg/mL时基因转染率最高,48 h转染率达10.9％±0.2％.结论 复凝聚法制备的壳聚糖/pEGFP纳米微球是一种有效的非病毒基因转染系统,细胞毒性小,对软骨细胞有一定基因转染能力,其转染率与pH值、N/P比值及pDNA剂量等密切相关,pH值为7.0、N/P为5、pDNA浓度为4.0 μg/mL是其最佳转染条件.     

骨形态发生蛋白-2对兔骨髓基质细胞向软骨细胞分化基因表达的影响

目的 观察骨形态发生蛋白-2(BMP-2)基因对兔骨髓基质细胞(MSCs)向软骨细胞分化mRNA表达的影响.方法 从兔骨髓细胞中分离提取BMP-2 mRNA,构建重组BMP-2真核表达质粒,并转染兔MSCs,采用荧光定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测各组MSCs内Ⅱ型胶原和蛋白多糖mRNA表达水平.结果 转染后2、4 d实验组MSCs内的Ⅱ型胶原和蛋白多糖mRNA表达量28.7±4.0、236.7±48.5及26.9±4.3、208.2±36.7,均明显高于转染后2、4 d的空白对照组(16.1±2.8、99.2±24.8及14.6±2.7、111.1±18.9)和空载体对照组(14.6±2.6、85.4±24.7及16.1±2.8、98.0±22.5)(P＜0.05).结论 重组真核表达载体BMP-2质粒能够诱导MSCs向软骨细胞分化.

Abstract：

Objective To observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on gene expression during the differentiation of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) into chondrocytes. Methods The BMP-2 mRNA was extracted from the rabbit bone marrow cells. The recombinant BMP-2 eukaryotic expression plasmids were constructed and transfected into MSCs. The mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen and proteoglycan was detected by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PGR) technique. Results At 2nd, and 4th day after transfection of plasmid pEGFP-C3-BMP-2 into MSCs, the mRNA expression levels of type Ⅱ collagen and proteoglycan in MSCs of experimental group were significantly higher than controls (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion Recombinant eukaryotic expression plastmid pEGFP-C3-BMP-2 can induce MSCs differentiation towards chondrocytes.     

Green fluorescent protein as marker in chondrocytes overexpressing human insulin-like growth factor-l for repair of articular cartilage defects in rabbits

Objective： To label the primary articular chondrocytes overexpressing human insulin-like growth factor （ IdGF-1 ） with green fluorescent protein （GFP） for repair of articular cartilage defects in rabbits. Methods： GFP cDNA was inserted into PeDNA3.1- hlGF-1 to label the expression vector. The recombinnnt vector, pcGI, a mammalian expression vector with multiple cloning sites under two respective cytomegalovirus promoters/enhancers, was transfected into the primary articular chondrocytes with the help of lipofectamine. After the positive cell clones were selected by G418, G418- resistant chondrocytes were cultured in medium for 4 weeks. The stable expression of hlGF-1 in the articular chondrocytes was determined by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical analysis and the GFP was confirmed under a fluorescence microscope. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） and flow cytometer methods were employed to determine the effect of transfection on proliferation of chondrocytes. Gray value was used to analyze quantitatively the expression of type lI collagen. Results： The expression of hlGF-1 and GFP was confirmed in transfected chondrocytes by in situ hybridization, immunocytochemical analysis and fluorescence microscope observation. Green articular chondrocytes overexpressing hlGF-1 could expand and maintain their chondrogenic phenotypes for more than 4 weeks. After the transfectton of IGF-1, the proliferation of chondrocytes was enhanced and the chondrocytes could effectively maintain the expression of type lI collagen. Conclusions： The hlGF-1 eukaryotic expression vector containing GFP marker gene has been successfully constructed. GFP, which can be visualized in real time and in situ, is stably expressed in articular chondrocytes overexpressing hlGF-1. The labeled articular chondrocytes overexpressing hlGF-1 can be applied in cell-mediated gene therapy as well as for other biomedical purposes of transgenic chondrocytes.     

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor and hyaluronic acid on proliferation of rabbit chondrocytes in vitro

Objective: To investigate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on the proliferation of rabbit chondrocytes in vitro. Methods: Chondrocytes from the knee joints of New Zealand white rabbits were cultured, bFGF or HA or both were added into the culture medium respectively, and the proliferation of the ehondrocytes was measured with MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl-tetra-zolium bromide. (MTT, Sigma, M2128). Results: Basic fibroblast growth factor (10ng/ml) with low concentration of fetal bovine serum in the culture medium promoted the proliferation of chondrocytes significantly, and this effect reached its maximum when concentration of bFGF reached 50ng/ml. HA itself had no effect on the proliferation of chondrocytcs. However, when bFGF was used in combination with HA, especially when the concentration of bFGF was 50-500ng/ml and that of HA was 10-50ng/ml, the effect on the proliferation of chondrocytes was much more than when bFGF or HA was used alone. Conclusions: bFGF can promote the proliferation of chondrocytes. HA, which has no effect on the proliferation of the cells, can maintain a normal growth of chondrocytcs.When bFGF is used in combination with HA, more proliferation is obtained.     

携带超抗原SEA基因的白蛋白纳米载体的构建及其治疗膀胱癌潜能研究

目的 构建一种非病毒载体基因投递系统-携带超抗原葡萄球菌肠毒素A(SEA)基因的白蛋白纳米载体,观察白蛋白纳米粒表征并探讨其潜在的靶向基因投递作用和强大的抗瘤机制.方法 采用去溶剂化法制备白蛋白纳米粒,平均粒径(253.1±11.9)nm,Zeta电位(-34.0±4.5)mV,PDI 0.43±0.04;抽提SEA基因质粒(pSEA)260/280:1.84±0.02,pSEA浓度:(85.54±1.43)mg/L;经生物活性及基因测序鉴定后耦合SEA基因质粒和白蛋白纳米载体,并观察耦合物的稳定性及白蛋白纳米载体对SEA基因的保护作用.结果 成功构建携带超抗原SFA基因的白蛋白纳米载体,平均粒径(118.9±4.8)nm,Zeta电位(-43.9±10.5)mV,PDI 0.19±0.02,基因转载率为(97.61±0.06)%,性质稳定、分散性较好,体外实验表明白蛋白纳米载体能保护SEA基因免受DNase Ⅰ的降解.结论 获得符合超抗原SEA基因转染要求的白蛋白纳米载体.

Abstract：

Objective To assess the characteristics of human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA-NP) as a nonviral vector system for delivery staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) gene and probe into its potential targeted antitumor mechanism.Methods HSA-NP and plasmid containing SEA gene (pSEA)encapsulated in HSA (pSEA-HSA-NP) were prepared by a desolvation-crosslinking method.HSA-NP had a mean size of (253.1 ± 11.9) nm,zeta potential of ( -34.0 ±4.5) mV,polydispersity index of 0.43 ±0.04.The superantigen SEA gene was extracted by the Endo-Free Plasmid Maxi Kit,260/280 of pSEA was 1.84 ±0.02 and the concentration of pSEA was ( 85.54 ± 1.43 ) mg/L.pSEA was verified by sequencing and biological activity survey,the stability of pSEA-HSA-NP was investigated by laying for 10 days at room temperature,and the size and zeta potential were remeasured and contrasted with the samples 10 days before.HSA-NP protecting pSEA from degradation of DNase I was detected by gel electrophoresis.Results Electrophoretic mobility analysis and fluorescent labeling revealed that pSEA-HSA-NP was successfully constructed.PSEA-HSA-NP had a mean size of ( 118.9 ±4.8) nm,zeta potential of ( -43.9 ± 10.5 ) mV,polydispersity index of 0.19 ±0.02 and pSEA encapsulation efficiency of (97.61 ±0.06)%.The characteristics of pSEA-HSA-NP solution laying for 10 days at room temperature indicated a better stability and polydispersity.HSA-NP stabilizing pSEA against DNase I in vitro was also testified by gel electrophoresis.Conclusion pPSEA-HSA-NP served the transfecting needs of superantigen SEA gene.     

Gene functional research using polyethylenimine-mediated in vivo gene transfection into mouse spermatogenic cells

Aim:To study polyethylenimine(PEI)-mediated in vivo gene transfection into testis cells and preliminary functionalresearch of spermatogenic cell-specific gene NYD-SP12 using this method.Methods:PEI/DNA complexes wereintroduced into the seminiferous tubules of mouse testes using intratesticular injection.Transfection efficiency andspeciality were analyzed on the third day of transfection with fluorescent microscopy and hematoxylin staining.Thelong-lasting expression of the GFP-NYD-SP12 fusion protein and its subcelluar localization in spermatogenic cells atdifferent stages were analyzed with fluorescent microscopy and propidium iodide staining.Results:With the media-tion of PEI,the GFP-NYD-SP12 fusion gene was efficiently transferred and expressed in the germ cells(especially inprimary spermatocytes).Transfection into Sertoli cells was not observed.The subcellular localization of the GFP-NYD-SP2 fusion protein showed dynamic shifts in spermatogenic cells at different stages during spermatogenesis.Conclusion:PEI can efficiently mediate gene transfer into spermatocytes.Thus,it might be useful for the functionalresearch of spermatogenic-cell specific genes such as the NYD-SP12 gene.In our study,the NYD-SP12 protein wasvisualized and was involved in the formation of acrosome during spermatogenesis.Our research will continue into thedetailed function of NYD-SP12 in spermatocytes.(Asian J Androl 2006 Jan;8:53-59)     

增强绿色荧光蛋白标记比较腺病毒、腺相关病毒体外转染兔软骨细胞的效果

目的 通过增强绿色荧光蛋白(eGFP)标记,比较腺病毒(Ad)、腺相关病毒(AAV)对体外培养软骨细胞的转染效果.方法 体外培养正常3月龄新西兰兔关节软骨细胞,以rAd5-eGFP、rAAV2-eGFP分别转染原代关节软骨细胞,计算最佳传染复数.之后以最佳传染复数的病毒重组体转染软骨细胞,分别应用流式细胞仪检测绘制转染率的时间一反应曲线,倒置荧光显微镜下观察转染后细胞的大体形态、绿色荧光的表达情况并应用荧光定量PCR检测转染前后软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原mRNA表达水平的变化.结果 rAd5-eGFP、rAAV2-eGFP的最佳传染复数分别为1×103 vp/cell和1×105 vg/cell.分别应用最佳传染复数体外转染原代培养的软骨细胞后,rAd5-eGFP在转染后1～2 d荧光表达即可达到高峰,但之后迅速衰减,在转染后第28天基本检测不到荧光表达.rAAV2-eGFP在转染第7天荧光表达达高峰,随之缓慢衰减,在转染后第56天仍可检测到绿色荧光表达.荧光定量PCR检测显示,rAd5-eGFP在转染软骨细胞后,软骨细胞合成Ⅱ型胶原mRNA的水平明显下降,而rAAV2-eGFP则影响不显著.结论 Ad转染体外培养的关节软骨细胞后,目的基因的表达迅速,但维持时间短,对软骨细胞表型的影响较明显;AAV转染软骨细胞后,目的基因的表达缓慢,但维持时间长,且对软骨细胞表型的影响较小.AAV更适于作为软骨细胞的体外转染载体.     

壳聚糖纳米粒作为消化道给药基因治疗载体的研究

目的 观察壳聚糖纳米粒载体的体内外基因转染活性,寻找最佳转染条件.方法 以编码GFP的质粒DNA作报告基因,3种不同壳聚糖[季铵化壳聚糖(TMO-60%),壳聚糖(43×103～45×103,87%),壳聚糖(230×103,90%)]分别与质粒DNA混合,用复凝聚法制备壳聚糖/DNA复合物.检测纳米粒形态和直径,壳聚糖对DNA包裹力,体外转染效率,纳米粒包裹质粒饲喂裸鼠后报告基因在消化道黏膜的表达率.结果 壳聚糖纳米粒能高效稳定包裹质粒DNA;TMO-60%与DNA的比例为3.2∶ 1.0时,体外转染效率最高,达28.9%;TMO-60%/质粒DNA复合物灌胃后,全胃肠道均有GFP表达,尤其在胃和小肠上段最强.结论 季铵化壳聚糖纳米粒在体内、体外均有较高的转染活性,是基因治疗的可取载体.     

巯基烷基化壳聚糖介导共表达质粒pIRES-hVEGFl2lcDNA/hBMP4体外转染的研究

目的 以新型巯基烷基化壳聚糖(TACS)为载体介导重组共表达质粒pIRES-hVEGFl2lcDNA/hBMP4体外转染大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs),探讨TACS用作骨组织工程中基因载体的可行性.方法 复凝聚法制备TACS-基因纳米粒,检测其形态和粒径;全骨髓培养法分离、培养大鼠MSCs;将纳米粒转染第3代大鼠MSCs,并设壳聚糖组、脂质体组及裸质粒组分别为实验对照、阳性对照及阴性对照,噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法测定TACS的细胞毒性.分别于转染后3、4 d提取MSCs的总RNA、总蛋白,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western blot检测目的 基因的表达.结果 TACS能有效包裹和保护共表达质粒,TACS组细胞存活率(73.18±6.56)%,明显高于脂质体组(45.92±4.93)%(P<0.01).除阴性对照组外,RT-PCR和Western blot均检测到转染后MSCs中hVEGF121及hBMP4的表达,TACS组目的 蛋白表达量低于脂质体组(P<0.05),但明显高于壳聚糖组(P<0.01).结论 共表达质粒在TACS介导下成功转染大鼠MSCs并获得表达.TACS细胞毒性小,且较未改性壳聚糖转染效率明显提高.     

壳聚糖季铵盐/累托石纳米粒作为基因载体的转染活性

目的 观察壳聚糖季铵盐/累托石纳米粒载体的体内外转染活性,探讨其作为基因治疗载体的可行性.方法 采用溶液插层法合成壳聚糖季铵盐/累托石复合物(QC/REC)纳米粒,包裹绿色荧光蛋向(GFP)基因质粒DNA.透射电镜、凝胶电泳和吸附实验研究其包裹效率;转染人肝癌细胞HCCLM6,测定其转染率.通过裸裸鼠胃肠道及肌肉注射途径给药,研究其体内转染效果及安全性.结果 QC/REC可有效包裹质粒DNA,形成纳米粒的直径小于100 nm.壳聚糖季铵盐、累托石、质粒DNA质量比为1:2:1.5时,120 h的转染率近100%.体内实验中,QC/REC-DNA纳米粒胃肠道和肌肉给药,均可见到明显荧光表达,主要在胃和十二指肠表达,裸鼠未出现明显毒性反应.结论 QC/REC纳米粒有较好的转染活性和安全性,有望作为基因治疗的非病毒载体.     

超声微泡介导白细胞介素-1受体拮抗蛋白基因体外转染兔软骨细胞的研究

目的 观察超声介导下携白细胞介素-1受体拮抗蛋白基因(IL-1Ra)的微泡体外转染兔软骨细胞的效率和表达.方法 体外分离培养兔软骨细胞,分为单纯质粒组(P)、微泡+质粒组(M+P)、超声+质粒组(U+P)和超声+微泡+质粒组(U+M+P),照射后48 h,荧光显微镜和流式细胞术检测转染效率,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western blot法检测IL-1Ra基因的mRNA和蛋白表达,台盼兰染色检测细胞生存率.结果 U+M+P组转染效率较其他三组明显提高,为(11.6±1.0)%;且eGFP-C1-IL-1Ra质粒经超声微泡介导转染后可表达IL-1Ra的mRNA和蛋白.结论 超声微泡可介导IL-1Ra基因在兔软骨细胞内的转染和表达,可望成为软骨损伤基因治疗的新方法.     

The effects of radial shock waves on gene transfer in rabbit chondrocytes in vitro

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a new technique of gene transfer utilizing radial shock waves. The effects of radial shock waves on gene transfer in rabbit chondrocytes were examined by varying the parameters of exposure conditions in vitro. METHODS: Chondrocytes were obtained from New Zealand white rabbits and cultured in a monolayer. A luciferase-encoding gene expression vector, or vector alone, was added to chondrocyte cell suspensions, and the cells were then exposed to radial shock waves. Parameters such as pressure amplitude, number of pulses, frequency, and DNA concentration were varied, and luciferase activity was measured 48h after transfection. Transfection efficiency of radial shock waves was compared with the FuGENE6 transfection method using a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-encoding gene vector by fluorescent-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. RESULTS: Radial shock wave exposure significantly increased luciferase activity over 140-fold as compared to the control under the optimal exposure conditions. Both pressure amplitude and number of pulses were relevant to transfection efficiency and cell viability, but frequency was not. Transfection efficiency increased in a dose-dependent manner with DNA concentration. FACS analysis showed 4.74% of GFP-encoding gene using radial shock waves. FuGENE6 transfection was almost similar in transfection efficiency to radial shock wave. CONCLUSION: In spite of certain degree of cell disruption, radial shock waves significantly augmented reporter gene transfection in rabbit chondrocytes in vitro. Radial shock waves may potentially contribute to the treatment of the cartilage morbidities by enhancing the potency of tissue healing and gene transfection of growth factors.     

Water-soluble lipopolymer as a gene carrier to corpus cavernosum

Adenovirus or naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) has been used to deliver the therapeutic gene into corpus cavernosum. However, the potential risks of viral vector and inefficiency of naked pDNA have limited their clinical application. In this study, water-soluble lipopolymer (WSLP) was evaluated as a gene carrier to corpus cavernosum. The WSLP/pDNA complex was transfected to smooth muscle cells in vitro. WSLP had high transfection efficiency, which was comparable to poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). In addition, WSLP had much less cytotoxicity than PEI, suggesting that WSLP is a safer carrier than PEI. To evaluate the transfection efficiency to corpus cavernosum, the WSLP/pDNA complex was injected into the rat corpus cavernosum. As a result, the WSLP/pDNA complex showed higher transfection efficiency than naked pDNA. In addition, the gene expression was dependent upon the dose of the complex. The results suggest that WSLP may be useful for gene therapy of erectile dysfunction.     

Optimizing nonviral-mediated transfection of human intervertebral disc chondrocytes

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The use of viral vectors for transfection of human disc chondrocytes has been well documented. However, because of immunological and cell toxicity concerns, nonviral reagents may provide gene delivery to intervertebral disc (IVD) chondrocytes without these associated obstacles. Several studies have been done using nonviral delivery systems with varying degrees of success. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the efficiency, toxicity, and optimal conditions for gene delivery into human degenerative IVD cells via nonviral reagents in vitro. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: In vitro viral and nonviral gene transfer. PATIENT SAMPLE: Human disc chondrocytes from 21 patients undergoing discectomy for trauma, disc herniation, and fusion for scoliosis or degenerative low back pain. OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency as determined by microscopy, luciferase assay, and flow cytometry. METHODS: Seventeen lipid-based nonviral reagents coupled to DNA plasmids coding for luciferase were transfected into cultured chondrocytes. Cells were transfected with varying ratios of DNA plasmid to reagent, harvested at 48 hours and analyzed for transfection rates and cell viability. Transfections with adenoviral constructs were comparisons. The three most efficient reagents were then coupled to green fluorescent protein and the experiments repeated. The most efficient reagent after these experiments (LT1) was tested in standard chondrocyte-maintenance medium and a minimal medium mixture devoid of antibiotics, buffers, and amino acids. Finally, LT1 in minimal medium with various hyaluronidase treatments was tested. The most effective reagents and relative toxicity as measured by flow cytometry were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: LT1 was most efficient and least toxic of nonviral reagents tested. LT1 had a mean percent survival of 78.1% versus 26.6% for TKO, 15.8% for T-Jurkat, and 70.8% in controls. Transfection was 1.5%. LT1 in minimal medium was significantly better than other reagents for both cell viability and transfection percentages. Minimal medium increased transfection with other reagents, yet cell viability with TKO and T-Jurkat was poor. Hyaluronidase had no effect on the viability of controls and decreased viability from 74.9% to an overall mean of 62.6% for all treatments. Transfection percentages increased from 1.8% without treatment to 15.2% with 40 units and 10.4% with four units of hyaluronidase given 24 hours before transfection and left in throughout the experiment. When treated at the time of transfection, efficiency was not significantly different to samples without hyaluronidase added. Additionally, hyaluronidase added 24 hours before transfection and washed out at the time of transfection significantly increased transfection percentages. CONCLUSIONS: LT1 was the most efficient reagent in terms of transfection ability and cell toxicity compared with other reagents. Treatments in minimal medium yielded significant increases in transfection and no significant difference in toxicity as compared with controls. Hyaluronidase treatments improve transfection significantly but also increase toxicity. These results suggest that the nonviral reagent LT1 can be used to transfect IVD chondrocytes in vitro and may help facilitate gene transfection of IVD chondrocytes in vivo.