OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (hIL-1ra) in the transfected chondrocytes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

METHODSChondrocytes of TMJ in vitro were transfected by hIL-1ra gene via cationic liposome as a medium. The stable transfected cells were selected by G418. The proliferations of the transduced cell were examined with the growth curve, cell population doubling time. The protein expressing in different periods was detected by immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe proliferation suppression of gene transfected cells fell significantly with compared to normal cells. The expression of hIL-1ra was detected in the cell plasma and the cell culture supernatant. The highest expression of IL-1ra protein was at the time of 48 hours after gene transfection. The transiently transfected cells were secreted IL-1ra protein continuously 28 days and the stably transduced cells were secreted IL-1ra protein till 72 days.

CONCLUSIONThis study showed that hIL-1ra protein expressed positively in the cell plasma and the culture supernatant after gene transfection within a certain periods.