In vivo gene transfer into tendon by recombinant adenovirus

Recombinant adenovirus mediated Escherichia coli lacZ gene transfer into chicken tendon and tendon sheath has been reported in the current study. The constructed recombinant virus carrying lacZ gene was injected between tendon and tendon sheath to conduct in vivo gene transfer. During the course of the study, each tendon received a 10 uL injection containing 10(5) plaque forming units of recombinant adenovirus with beta-galactosidase gene. The samples were harvested at 3 days, 30 days, and 75 days after injection. For the virus dose-transduction rate study, five different doses were injected to groups of chicken tendons. LacZ gene transfer was detected for its coding product beta-galactosidase by staining with X-gal solution. Results showed that the tendon and tendon sheath received the gene transfer with blue staining. The transferred lacZ gene remained stable for 75 days in the tendon and tendon sheath. A virus dose-dependent pattern of transduction rate was observed in the gene transferred tendons. The area of tendon transduction was approximately 2% for 3 x 10(6) plaque forming units recombinant adenovirus with beta-galactosidase versus 40% for 6 x 10(7) plaque forming units recombinant adenovirus with beta-galactosidase gene. The data suggested that functional exogene could be transferred into the tendon and tendon sheath by the same strategy to improve healing and avoid adhesion.