Figure2. Allogeneic rabbit articular chondrocytes are viable in the degenerating rabbit disc, although transgene expression diminished over time.
Chondrocytes transduced with adenovirus expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) and β-galactosidase (Ad-RFP-β-gal) continued to express these transgenes. A&B: β-gal (blue) at 2 and 8 weeks, respectively, post injection; C&D: RFP (red) at 2 and 8 weeks, respectively, post injection. E: Expression of hBMP-7 in IVDs at 2 and 8 weeks, respectively, post injection of AC transduced with AdGFP-hBMP-7.