Objective    To observe the effect of lentivirus vector-medicated enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) transfection on in vitro corneal epithelial cells.     Methods    Primary corneal epithelial cells of rabbits were cultured and transfected with lentivirus vector into different multiplicity of infection (MOI) in order to find the best transfection dose. After 24

48

72

and 96 h of transfection

expression of EGFP was observed under microscope and detected by RT-PCR. The transfection rate of corneal epithelial cells was calculated in different MOI.     Results    EGFP was expressed in corneal epithelial cells 48 h after transfection

which increased with the increasing transfection time. The transfection rate of corneal epithelial cells was 4.5%±0.6%

30.4%±0.9%

51.9%±1.4%

and 75.4%±0.7%

respectively

when MOI was 1

10

50

and 100（P0.05). However

no difference was found in the transfection rate of corneal epithelial cells when MOI was 100 and 500. The optimol MOI was 100. RT-PCR showed that EGFP gene was expressed in transfected corneal epithelial cells.     Conclusion    Lentivirus vector can effectively transfect corneal epithelial cells in vitro.