Expression of VEGF protein of lung and liver in GM-CSF gene transferred mice after neutron acute injury

Objective: To study lung and liver vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression changes in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) transgene mice after neutron exposure. Methods: Male BALB/C mice were irradiated with neutron, in dose of 0.6Gy, the mice were divided into the non-transfer group and the gene transfer group. In the gene transfer group, hGM-CSF gene was transfered by electroporation in vivo 24 h prior to exposure. Animals in the two groups were sacrificed at the 1st, 14th, 28th day, using pathologic test, immunohistochemica test and Western blot to study VEGF protein expression in lung and liver. Results: From 14 d to 28 d after exposure, the levels of VEGF protein expression in the mice in the genetransfer group was significantly higher than that in the non-transfer group. Conclusion: GM-CSF in vivo gene transfer in mice significantly promote angiogenesis and restoration in the climax and recovery phase acute injury caused by neutron. (authors)