Abstract: Objective: To study the effects of bFGF transfection on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods: Lentiviral vectors carrying bFGF were constructed to transfect sheep bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cells were divided into two groups: bFGF group, and control group(non-transfected goat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells). Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blot were used to detect the changes of mRNA levels and protein levels of collagen-I, osteocalcin and osteopontin. Results: Expressions of collagen-I and osteopontin in mRNA levels were higher in transfection group than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), But the expressions of osteocalcin in mRNA levels were not significant different in two group. Expression of OPN, Collagen- I, and OC of transfection group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: bFGF transfection can enhance the ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ,and they are suitable for seed cells for bone tissue engineering.

Key words: bFGF, Lentiviral vectors, Seed cells, Real-time, PCR, Western-blot