Abstract: Aimsare to construct a lentivirus encoding rat ferritin heavy chain 1（Fth1）and to detect its expression in rat bone mesenchymal stem cells（RMSCs）. The rat Fth1 gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into the lentivirus expression vector pLenti-GFP-C. The lentivirus carrying pLenti-GFP-C-Fth1 or empty vector was then packaged in HEK 293T cells,by which the RMSCs were infected. GFP expression was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Fth1 expression was detected by Western blot. WST-1 reagent was used to analyze the proliferation of infected cells（RMSC-Fth1）and empty vector（RMSC-GFP）. Resultsof DNA sequencing showed that the pLenti-GFP-C-Fth1 lentivirus expression vector was successfully constructed. After RMSCs were infected by the packaged lentivirus,GFP was observed under a fluorescence microscope,indicating the infection was achieved. A specific band of Fth1 in the lysate of Fth1-lentivirus infected cells（RMSC-Fth1）was detected by Western blot. Cell proliferation assay showed that the growth of RMSC was not affected by overexpressing Fth1 compared with RMSC-GFP. As conclusion,the recombinant lentivirus vector carrying rat Fth1gene was successfully constructed,infected RMSC as expected,and expressed FTH1 protein even without significant impacts on the cell proliferation.

Key words: Fth1, MRI reporter, lentivirus vector, rat bone mesenchymal stem cell