OBJECTIVEWe aimed to construct a recombinant adenovirus Ad-APN-EGFP and to evaluate the transfection efficiency and effect of the adenovirus promoting osteogenesis around implants.

METHODSRecombinant adenovirus Ad-APN-EGFP containing adiponectin (APN) was constructed by DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion. Rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were transfected in vitro. Transfection efficiency and APN mRNA expression were tested. Animal models of rat femoral epiphysis and hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implants were established. The Ad-APN-EGFP adenovirus at 10 μL was injected into the defect around HA-coated implants in the experimental group, whereas the same volume of phosphate-buffered saline was injected into the defect in the control group. Osteogenesis around implants was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining four weeks after implantation.

RESULTSAd-APN-EGFP was successfully constructed by DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion. The transfection efficiency of Ad-APN-EGFP to BMSCs was up to ≥ 90%. APN mRNA expression of BMSCs transfected with Ad-APN-EGFP was higher than that of the control group. Osteogenesis in the experimental group was more evident than that in the control group in vivo.

CONCLUSIONAd-APN-EGFP could be transfected into BMSCs and express APN mRNA at a high level. Ad-APN-EGFP could improve osteogenesis around implants in vivo.