Highly efficient genetic transduction of primary human synoviocytes with concentrated retroviral supernatant

Arthritis Res. 2002;4(3):215-9. doi: 10.1186/ar409. Epub 2002 Feb 28.

Abstract

We are developing retroviral-mediated gene transfer to human fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) as one approach to characterizing genetic pathways involved in synoviocyte pathophysiology. Prior work has suggested that FLS are relatively refractory to infection by Moloney murine leukemia virus based vectors. To determine if viral titer influenced the transduction efficiency of FLS, we optimized a rapid, efficient, and inexpensive centrifugation method to concentrate recombinant retroviral supernatant. The technique was evaluated by measurement of the expression of a viral enhanced green fluorescent protein transgene in transduced cells, and by analysis of viral RNA in retroviral supernatant. Concentration (100-fold) was achieved by centrifugation of viral supernatant for four hours, with 100% recovery of viral particles. The transduction of FLS increased from approximately 15% with unconcentrated supernatant, to nearly 50% using concentrated supernatant. This protocol will be useful for investigators with applications that require efficient, stable, high level transgene expression in primary FLS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / pathology*
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Humans
  • Indicators and Reagents / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Retroviridae / genetics*
  • Synovial Fluid / cytology
  • Synovial Fluid / metabolism
  • Synovial Fluid / virology
  • Synovial Membrane / metabolism
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology*
  • Synovial Membrane / virology
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • RNA, Viral
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins