AIM:To evaluate the effect of EffecteneTM lipofectine mediated plasmids encoding human pcDNA4-vascular endothelia growth inhibitor(pcDNA4-VEGI) gene on corneal neovascularization(CNV).METHODS:Forty New Zealand albino rabbits were sutured by 5-0 silk on the superior cornea to induce CNV and divided into 4 random teams,ten per each team:team A:transfected by pcDNA4-VEGI gene mediated by EffecteneTM lipofectine transfection;team B:by plasmid pcDNA4;team C:by EffecteneTM,and team D:by normal saline.Length and area of CNV were observed under slit lamp every day after transfection.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of VEGI protein in corneas at day 3,7,14 and 21.RESULTS:1) Average occurrence of CNV was 6.3 days in team A,3.1 days in team B,3.2 days in team C,and 3.2 days in team D.Difference was significant between A and other teams(P<0.01);2) Length and average area of CNV in each period in team A was significantly different from those in team B,C and D(P<0.01);3) VEGI expressions were observed in epithelium,stroma,endothelium and the cliff of CNV in team A at 3 days after transfection by immunohistochemical staining.None VEGI positive cells were found in the control teams(team B,C and D) all the time.CONCLUSION:EffecteneTM lipofectine transfection technique can effectively transfect pcDNA4-VEGI gene into rabbit cornea and the length and CNV areas can be inhibited by VEGI gene.