OBJECTIVETo explore the immunosuppressive effect of local transfection of Molluscum contagiosum virus 148 (MC148) gene to allogenous skin graft against rejection.

METHODSMC148 gene was cloned from molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), and was employed to construct recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad-MC148). The recombinant Ad-MC148 was then locally transfected into a part of the tail skin of eight Lewis rats, which served as skin donors for grafting. The wounds (1 cm x 1 cm) were produced on the tails of 16 Wistar rats, and they were then randomly divided into control (C, n=8, with grafting of skin from donor rats without transfection), and transfection (T, n=8, with grafting of skin from donor rats with transfection of the recombinant Ad-MC148) groups. The expression of MC148 mRNA gene in T group was detected on 6 post operation hour( POH) and 2, 3, 7 and 10 post operation day (POD), and the results were expressed by the ratio of absorption value (A) between MC148 gene and beta-actin. The survival time of skin grafts in both groups was compared. Gross examination of grafted skin was carried out from 7 POD on in both groups, and the pathomorphological changes were examined in both groups on 7 POD.

RESULTSThe MC148 gene expression in rat skin of T group could be identified in 6 POH, and it reached the peak on 3 POD (A(MC148 mRNA) / A(beta_actin) = 0.86), and then subsided thereafter, but it maintained for 10 days. The survival time of the grafts in T group was (15.0 +/- 2.0) days, and it was significantly longer than that in C group (8.5 +/- 3.4) days, (P < 0.01). Gross and microscopic examination showed that the tail skin of T group appeared ruddy on 7 POD, with little leukocytic infiltration in subcutaneous tissue; it began to turn black after 12 to 20 PODs. On the other hand, the tail skin of C group began to turn black and to shed off on 7 POD, with evident leukocytic infiltration in subcutaneous tissue and dermis.

CONCLUSIONLocal transfection of MC148 gene may promote immunosuppression by inhibiting leukocytic infiltration after allogenous skin transplantation.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Chemokines, CC ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Graft Survival ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin Transplantation ; Transfection ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Viral Proteins ; genetics