SummaryVirus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful tool for the study of gene function in plants. Here we report that either by syringe-infiltrating the tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-vector into the surface, stem or carpopodium of a tomato fruit attached to the plant or by vacuum-infiltrating into a tomato fruit detached from the plant, TRV can efficiently spread and replicate in the tomato fruit. Although VIGS can be performed in tomato fruit by all of the means mentioned above, the most effective method is to inject the TRV-vector into the carpopodium of young fruit attached to the plant about 10 days after pollination. Several reporter genes related to ethylene responses and fruit ripening, including LeCTR1 and LeEILs genes, were also successfully silenced by this method during fruit development. In addition, we found that the silencing of the LeEIN2 gene results in the suppression of tomato fruit ripening. The results of our study indicate that the application of VIGS techniques by the described methods can be successfully applied to tomato fruit and is a valuable tool for studying functions of the relevant genes during fruit developing.
IntroductionOsteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is generally effective for treating large cartilage lesions. Cleansing OCA subchondral bone to remove donor marrow elements is typically performed with pulsed lavage. However, the effects of clinical and experimental parameters on OCA marrow removal by pulsed lavage are unknown. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects on marrow cleansing in human osteochondral cores (OCs) of (1) lavage duration, (2) lavage flow intensity, and (3) OC sample type and storage condition.MethodsOCs were harvested from human femoral condyles and prepared to a clinical geometry (cylinder, diameter = 20 mm). The OCs were from discarded remnants of Allograft tissues (OCA) or osteoarthritis patients undergoing Total Knee Replacement (OCT). The experimental groups subjected to standard flow lavage for 45 seconds (430 mL of fluid) and 120 seconds (1,150 mL) were (1) OCT/FROZEN (stored at -80°C), (2) OCT/FRESH (stored at 4°C), and (3) OCA/FRESH. The OCA/FRESH group was subsequently lavaged at high flow for 45 seconds (660 mL) and 120 seconds (1,750 mL). Marrow cleansing was assessed grossly and by micro-computed tomography (μCT).ResultsGross and μCT images indicated that marrow cleansing progressed from the OC base toward the cartilage. Empty marrow volume fraction (EMa.V/Ma.V) increased between 0, 45, and 120 seconds of standard flow lavage, and varied between groups, being higher after FROZEN storage (86–92% after 45–120 seconds) than FRESH storage of either OCT or OCA samples (36% and 55% after 45 and 120 seconds, respectively). With a subsequent 120 seconds of high flow lavage, EMa.V/Ma.V of OCA/FRESH samples increased from 61% to 78%.ConclusionsThe spatial and temporal pattern of marrow space clearance was consistent with gradual fluid-induced extrusion of marrow components. Pulsed lavage of OCAs with consistent time and flow intensity will help standardize marrow cleansing and may improve clinical outcomes.
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