Objective To explore the feasibility of high-pressure injection to transfer human thrombomodulin (hTM) gene into arterial wall of rabbits.Methods Eighty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid group (n=28), pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group (n=28) and untransfected group (n=28). After gene transfection, the model of arterial injury-blocking was established. Then, the expressions of hTM mRNA and protein in arterial wall were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry at 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after operation. Results Seventeen rabbits died accidentally from the day of operation to 3 d after operation. The expressions of hTM mRNA of different time points in pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid group were significantly higher than that in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group (Plt;0.01). For the expressions of hTM mRNA at different time points in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group, the difference of inter-group and intra-group was not significant (Pgt;0.05). hTM protein was expressed in every group and mainly localized in the inner lining of arterial wall. The expressions of hTM protein at different time points in pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid group were significantly higher than that in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group (Plt;0.05). The expression of hTM protein at different time points in pcDNA3.1(+)/neo plasmid group and untransfected group kept relative constancy, the difference of inter-group and intra-group was also not significant (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion High-pressure injection is feasible to transfer pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid into arterial wall of live animals.
