In order to trace the expression of exogenous hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in eukaryotic cells exactly, a recombinant plasmid that expresses the fusion protein of HGF and red fluorescent protein (RFP) was constructed. The gene encoding HGF without stop code was amplified from pMD19-T-HGF by PCR technique and then cloned in pDsRed-express-N1. The recombinant plasmid (pDsRed-HGF) was identified by restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis and DNA sequence analysis. pDsRed-HGF was transfected into 293T cells. The expression of HGF mRNA, HGF and red fluorescent protein was detected. The results showed that the target gene sequence in pDsRed-HGF was completely in conformity with HGF cDNA in GenBank, and it was expressed highly in 293T cells. In this study, pDsRed-HGF was successfully constructed and expressed in eukaryotic cells.
Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Luminescent Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Animals ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Genetic Therapy ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Liver Cirrhosis ; therapy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on HGF gene-transfected Raji cells.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from human hepatic tissue, HGF gene cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR, and then cloned into vector pVITRO2-mcs to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF. The recombinant vector was transfected to Raji cells, and the stably transfected cells were selected by homomycin B in serial passages, and confirmed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, ELISA, immunocytohistochemistry. The biological features of transfected Raji cells were evaluated by semisolid culture.

RESULTSRT-PCR results showed that Raji cells were transfected successfully with recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF. HGF mRNA and protein were expressed successfully in Raji cells. Expression of HGF gene enhanced proliferation, metastasis and invasion of Raji cells.

CONCLUSIONHGF gene has been cloned and recombined to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF successfully. Transfected HGF may change the biological features of Raji cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo obtain high expression of human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in passaged rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) via recombinant adenovirus vector mediated HGF gene transfection, and explore the feasibility of this strategy for local treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH).

METHODSHGF gene was subcloned into the adenovirus shuttle plasmid pDC316, and the products were co-transfected into HEK293 cells with the helper plasmid pBHGlox deltaE1,3Cre. The recombinant adenovirus Ad-HGF was generated by homologous recombination of the 2 plasmids in HEK293 cells. After PCR identification, Ad-HGF was amplified and purified and its titer measured by TCID50 assay before transfected into the second passage of rabbit BMSCs. The transcription and expression of HGF gene in the transfected BMSCs was detected by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunological histochemistry.

RESULTSAd-HGF was successfully constructed with a titer of 2.6x10(10) TCID50/ml. The expressions of HGF mRNA and protein were confirmed in the transfected BMSCs.

CONCLUSIONAd-HGF transfection allows efficient expression of HGF protein in rabbit BMSCs, and this success may facilitate further study of local treatment of ANFH using HGF-expressing BMSCs.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Transfection

The present investigation was to construct lentiviral vector carrying the human gene NK4 and transfect the human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and to determine the expression of NK4 gene in hBMSCs after transfection. The NK4 gene was obtained from HGF cDNA by polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and the pGC-FU-NK4 plasmid was constructed by double restriction enzyme digestion and gene recombinant. The titer of virus was tested by real-time quantitative PCR. After transfected by lentivirus, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in hBMSCs was observed using fluorescence microscope, and the expression of NK4 in culture supernatant was detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sequence of the PCR product was consistent with the data of GeneBank by DNA sequencing. The virus titer was 2 X 10(8)TU/ml. Strong green fluorescence was observed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of hBMSCs with fluorescent microscopy. The expression of NK4 in culture supernatant was increased with time extension. The hBMSCs can be transfected by NK4 gene expressing lentiviral vector safely and effectively, and the expressin and secretion of NK4 was persistent and stable.
Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

pUDK-HGF, the recombinant plasmid DNA encoding human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), can treat ischaemic disease. A great quantity of pharmaceutical pUDK-HGF is needed. A pilot-scale production process of pUDK-HGF was established based on a new chromatographic media (plasmidselect), including fermentation, cell harvesting, alkaline lysis, ultrafiltration, RNA removing and buffer exchanging on Sephacryl S-1000, capturing supercoiled plasmid DNA with plasmidselect, and removing the salt with Sepharose 6BFF. The process does not use RNase enzyme and toxic solvents.
DNA, Recombinant ; biosynthesis ; DNA, Superhelical ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Plasmids ; isolation & purification

To study the morphological characteristics of hepatic stem cells and the expression of HGF, IGF-I, TGFbeta1 and their receptors in human embryonic livers at 3-5 weeks of gestation. The SABC immunohistochemical method with HE counterstaining was employed. We found that the hepatic bud formed at the end of the 3rd week. At the 4th week, the cells of hepatic bud migrated into the septum transversum mesenchyme and formed the hepatic cords. The hepatic cells at 3-4 weeks displayed the typical characteristics of immature cells: small size, a round or ovoid nucleus with dark color, scant cytoplasm with slight blue and a high ratio of nuclei/cytoplasm. They were positive for alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), c-Met and negative for cytokertin 19 (CK19), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). At the 5th week, compared to those at the 4th week, the number of cells within the hepatic cords increased. But the cells at the 5th week were homogeneous and displayed the typical characteristic of immature cells. Those cells began to express PCNA at the 5th week. The hepatic cells at the 5th week were positive for insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and their receptors, and were negative for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), while HGF were positive in the cardiac cells and septum transversum mesenchyme. The results indicated that the cells of hepatic bud and cords were the hepatic stem cells. The difference of morphology and proteins expression at 3-5 weeks of gestation inferred that those stem cells belong to different developmental stage. AFP and c-Met were the markers of hepatic stem cells at the early stage of human embryo. HGF, IGF-I, TGFbeta1 and their receptors may involve in regulating the development of early embryonic human liver.
Embryo, Mammalian ; Gestational Age ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor, IGF Type 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo construct a tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector containing human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cDNA.

METHODSHuman HGF cDNA fragment was obtained by PCR from pUC-SRalpha/HGF plasmid and inserted into the restriction site between Mlu I and Sal I of the tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L. pBI-L-HGF was constructed by DNA recombination in vitro, and was identified by restriction endonucleases digestion and sequencing.

RESULTSThe fragment of pBI-L-HGF digested with restriction endonucleases well corresponded to expectation, and the sequence of inserted HGF cDNA was correct according to the GenBank.

CONCLUSIONThe tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector of human HGF pBI-L-HGF has been constructed successfully, which allows further study of HGF gene therapy with much safety and easy manipulation.

DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical significance of expression of hepatic growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met in renal cell cancer (RCC).

METHODSTwenty-six patients with RCC and 10 benign renal tumor patients were examined. The expression of HGF and c-Met mRNA was detected using Northern blot. GAPDH was used as the internal control.

RESULTSTwenty-one out of 26 patients with RCC had positive gene expression of HGF and c-Met with the positive rate of 80.8%. According to the tumor TNM staging, the more advanced the cancer had a stronger expression of HGF and c-Met, the expression of c-Met was higher than that of HGF in the RCC. Whereas in the control group with benign tumor, the expression of c-Met was rather mild.

CONCLUSIONThe result suggests that HGF and its receptor c-Met may play an important role in the development and progression of renal cancer, which may also imply a potential clinical significance in diagnosing and assessing prognosis of RCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and its receptor c-Met protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and CNE-2 NPC cell line, to correlate their expression level with clinicopathologic features and to study the effect of HGF/c-Met system on the invasive and metastatic potential of NPC.

METHODSForty-five biopsies were collected from pre-treatment NPC patients during the period from 1999 to 2003. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of HGF-alpha subunit and c-Met protein in NPC tissues. The association between expression of these proteins and clinicopathologic features was statistically analyzed. The expression of HGF and c-Met, as detected by flow cytometry, in CNE-2 NPC cell line (with or without exogenous HGF) was compared. Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were also applied to evaluate the protein and mRNA expression of c-Met in CNE-2 cells.

RESULTSIn the 45 cases studied, the expression rate of c-Met was 91.1% (41/45). Only 1 case (2.2%, 1/45) showed positive signal for HGF in neoplastic cells. Instead, HGF was expressed in surrounding lymphocytes. The expression of c-Met positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.024). There was also a positive correlation between expression of c-Met by tumor cells and expression of HGF by surrounding lymphocytes (r(s) = 0.450, P = 0.002). Moreover, the expression of c-Met was higher if there was a higher expression of HGF by lymphocytes (P = 0.009). However, there was no association between expression of c-Met and clinicopathologic features, such as age, gender, histopathologic type and clinical stage. After treatment with HGF for 24 hours, the percentage of c-Met-positive cells was significantly increased in CNE-2 cell line, from (46.6 +/- 9.02)% to (85.8 +/- 6.05)% (P = 0.003). The c-Met protein expression and c-Met mRNA level were also enhanced in CNE-2 cells with HGF treatment. However, endogenous HGF was not detected in CNE-2 cells, regardless of HGF treatment.

CONCLUSIONSHGF may play an important role in the development of NPC metastasis by inducing the expression of c-Met in tumor cells via a paracrine, instead of an autocrine, pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; physiology ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics