Variations in transfection efficiency of VEGF165 and VEGF121-cDNA: its effects on proliferation and migration of human endothelial cells

Little is known about the expression pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) among smooth muscle cells of different arterial regions. Therefore, we have conducted studies aimed at increasing expression of VEGF in cultured human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from different sites: aorta, umbilical artery, and coronary artery. Two plasmids harboring human VEGF121 and VEGF165 isoforms, respectively, were constructed and lipotransfected into vascular SMCs, using the Fu-GENE 6. Extensive optimization of transfection conditions were performed prior to this.