NT-3 gene transfer to facial muscle denervation in rats

Objective: To observe the effect of neurotrophin-3(NT-3) gene transfer on the function recovery of facial muscle denervation in rats.Methods: The model of facial nerve lesion was established in rats by cutting the marginal mandibular branch and buccal branches of facial nerve.The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-NT-3 and DC-chol liposome admixture were injected into the muscles around the injured facial nerve.RT-PCR was adopted to confirm whether NT-3 cDNA expressed after the injection,and the movement of the rats'palp was observed.Results: The muscles were infected by injecting the DC-chol mediated NT-3 transfer and NT-3 gene was expressed.The movement of the rats'palp at the side injected NT-3 began to recover earlier than the control side.Conclusions: Transfer of NT-3 can promote the recovery of the function of the injured facial nerve by increasing local expression of exogenous NT-3.