Abstract: Objective: To investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene plasmid carried by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular graft materials could transfect endothelial cells (ECs) and promote their growth. Methods: PTFE vascular graft materials carried with pCDI-hVEGF₁₂₁, pCDI or pEGFP were incubated in Tris-buffer solution and the values of optical density of 260 nm at different time were plotted, then the DNA controlled release curve was made. ECs derived from human umbilical vein were seeded on the pCDI-hVEGF₁₂₁/pCDI/pEGFP-PTFE materials or tissue culture plates, ECs numbers were counted and VEGF protein concentrations at different time were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay method. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in ECs on pEGFP-PTFE materials was examined with fluorescence microscopy. Results: The controlled release curve showed that the gene released from PTFE materials was rapid within 8 h, then slowed down and that the gene released continuously even after 72 h. At 24, 72 and 120 h, ECs number and proliferation rate of pCDI-hVEGF₁₂₁-PTFE materials were higher than those of pCDI or pEGFP-PTFE materials (P<0.05). VEGF protein concentration of pCDI-hVEGF₁₂₁-PTFE materials was higher than that of pCDI or pEGFP-PTFE materials at 6, 24, 72 and 120 h (P<0.01). GFP expression in ECs on the pEGFP-PTFE materials could be detected by fluorescence microscopy. Conclusion: PTFE graft can be used as a carrier of VEGF gene plasmid, VEGF gene carried by PTFE can transfect ECs and promote ECs growth.

Key words: Polytetrafluoroethylene, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Vascular grafts, Gene, Endothelial cell

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