Abstract： Objective To evaluate the in vitro effects of recombinant human interluekin-β1 receptor antagonist(IL-1Ra) gene and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene on rabbit osteoarthritis (OA).Methods Articular cartilages were extracted from mature New Zealand rabbits and by enzyme digestion,isolated for chondrocytes which were then identified with specific extracellular matrix collagen type Ⅱ stained immunocytochemistry.The chondrocytes were divided into IL-1Ra-transfected group (group A), TGF-β1?transfected group (group B) , combined IL-1Ra- and TGF-β1-transfected group (group C) , untransfected group (group D) and the blank control group (group E).LipofectamineTM 2000 Reagent was used as the vehicle for transfection among groups A, B and C.All the groups of chondrocytes were co-cultured with fragmented articular cartilages and added with 20 ng IL-β 1?expect for group E.The transgenic expression of chondrocytes was detected under fluorescence microscope at 12h,24h,2d,4d and 6 d after transfection and co-culture.In addition, radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to determine the levels of IL-1βand TNF-α in each group at 2 d, 4 d and 6 d after transfection and co-culture.Results The chondrocytes were successfully isolated and cultured.Collagen type Ⅱ stained immunocytochemistry showed the brownish - yellow cytoplasm and unstained chromophobic nuclei.Under fluorescence microscope, the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein was observed in groups A, BandC, which peaked at 24 hours after transfection (16.16±2.71)% vs (16.54±2.91)% vs (17.20±2.39)% and gradually declined 2 d later.At any time spots, the IL-1βevel was highest in group D, followed by group B, group A, group C, and group E.The level of TNF-a in each group was ordered by group D＞group A＞group B＞group C＞group E on days 2 and 6, and by group E＞group A＞group B＞group C＞group D on day 4.The level of TNF-α in group A was slightly higher than that of group B, but the difference was not statistical significance.There were statistical difference among the other groups.The expressions of IL-1βand TNF-α in groups A, B and C were significantly lower on day 6 than those on days 2 and 4.The level of IL-1βin groups D and E did not change with time, while the level of TNF -α was the lowest in group D and highest in group E on day 4.ConclusionsTransfection with IL-1Ra or TGF-β1 can reduce the level of inflammatory cytokines.Combined use of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 genes may show control of inflammatory response and provide evidences for gene therapy of osteoarthritis.