Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of hVEGF165 gene transfected bone marrow stem cells （BMSCs） in the repair of periodontal defect in rats. Methods A model of rat periodontal defect was established. The gene-modified tissue- engineered complex, constructed by transfected BMSCs and BME-10X, was implanted into subcutaneous sites in SD rats. The 36 SD rats were divided into 6 groups randomly （n：6）： control （A and B）, blank collagen membranes （C）, BMSCs with collagen membranes （D）, empty adenoviral vector transfected BMSCs with collagen membranes （E）, and hVEGF165 transfected BMSCs with collagen membranes （F）. BMSCs with different treatments were seeded on the collagen membranes. The collagen membrane with or without cells was transplanted into an acute periodontal defect model respectively, and then the defects were covered with e-PTFE membranes. Histological and morphometric analysis were performed 4 weeks after operation, the area of new alveolar bone （NB）, cementum area （NC） and the width of periodontal ligament （NP） were measured and compared. Results Different degrees of periodontal tissue regeneration were observed in all groups. There were no differences of the area of newly formed alveolar bone （NB）, cementum area （NC） and the width of periodontal ligament （NP） among the 3 groups （A, B, C）. NB and NC in group D, E, F were significantly increased compared with group A （P〈0.05）. NB, NC and NP in group F were significantly increased compared with group E （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The BME-IOXshowed a good biocompatibility with BMSCs transfected by hVEGF165. BMSCs transfected by hVEGF165 gene enhanced periodontal tissue regeneration in models of periodontal defect.

Key words: Vascular endothelial cells, Bone marrow stromal cells, Tissue engineering, Periodontal regeneration, Collagen membrane, Acute periodontal defect