Mechanistic insights into linear polyethylenimine-mediated gene transfer

We recently debuted a variety of linear polyethylenimines (LPEIs) with low molecular weight as carriers for gene delivery. The highest transfection efficiency (approximately 44%) was obtained with LPEI 6.6 kDa, while the cytotoxicity remained low (approximately 90% of CHO-K1 cells survived the transfection procedure). Here, we investigated various steps during the transfection process using LPEI 8.1, 5.0 and 1.8 kDa, in order to gain a more complete insight into LPEI-mediated gene transfer and to explore conceptual aspects for further optimization. The cellular uptake characterized by flow cytometry was similar for LPEI 8.1 and 5.0 kDa, while it was significantly lower for LPEI 1.8 kDa. The transfection efficacy in contrast was at NP 24 20.07% for LPEI 8.1 kDa and 39.71% for LPEI 5.0 kDa. This suggests that the endocytosis seems not to be a decisive parameter that determines the efficacy of a polymer in the transfection process. Real-time PCR investigations revealed that LPEI 1.8 kDa likewise or even better protected plasmid from degradation compared to LPEI 5.0 or 8.1 kDa. Furthermore, we found that 1/6 to 1/3 intact plasmid DNA reached the intracellular compartments after complexation with LPEI 1.8 kDa. Therefore, the amount of plasmid DNA available in the cytoplasm seems not to be a limiting factor in the transfection process. That LPEI 8.1-polyplexes built at NP 12 in glucose and transfected in serum-free culture conditions were superior to those built in sodium chloride or transfected in serum-containing conditions points at the structure as a decisive parameter deserving more attention in future studies.     

Nonviral gene carriers based on diblock copolymers of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and linear polyethylenimine

Diblock copolymers that consist of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOz) and linear polyethylenimine (LPEI) were prepared for use as nonviral gene carriers. The PEOz-b-LPEI copolymers were synthesized by coupling PEOz with LPEI in a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction between the sulfhydryl and pyridyl disulfide terminal groups. A polymer/DNA weight ratio (P/D) of over 12 was required to enable PEOz-b-LPEI to condense DNA completely. The DNA-condensing capability of the diblock copolymers was increased with increasing the hydrolytic degrees of the LPEI segment. The PEOz-b-LPEI polyplexes were stable in 150 mM NaCl aqueous solution and had a mean diameter around 190 nm, whereas BPEI and LPEI polyplexes formed large aggregates in the range 300-500 nm. In addition, these polyplexes exhibited the sensitivity to solution pH and were dissociated in the acidic buffers (pH < or = 5.5). The results of in vitro cell viability and luciferase assay indicated that PEOz-b-LPEI showed not only low cytotoxicity but also high transfection efficiency in gene expression.     

Synthesis and characterization of dexamethasone‐conjugated linear polyethylenimine as a gene carrier

Linear polyethylenimine (25 kDa, LPEI25k) has been shown to be an effective non‐viral gene carrier with higher transfection and lower toxicity than branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) of comparable molecular weight. In this study, dexamethasone was conjugated to LPEI25k to improve the efficiency of gene delivery. Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid receptor ligand. Dexamethasone‐conjugated LPEI25k (LPEI–Dexa) was evaluated as a gene carrier in various cells. Gel retardation assays showed that LPEI–Dexa completely retarded plasmid DNA (pDNA) at a 0.75:1 weight ratio (LPEI/pDNA). LPEI–Dexa had the highest transfection efficiency at a 2:1 weight ratio (LPEI–Dexa/DNA). At this ratio, the size of the LPEI–Dexa/pDNA complex was approximately 125 nm and the zeta potential was 35 mV. LPEI–Dexa had higher transfection efficiency than LPEI and Lipofectamine 2000. In addition, the cytotoxicity of LPEI–Dexa was much lower than that of BPEI (25 kDa, BPEI25k). In conclusion, LPEI–Dexa has a high transfection efficiency and low toxicity and can therefore be used for non‐viral gene delivery. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 743–751, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Charge density and molecular weight of polyphosphoramidate gene carrier are key parameters influencing its DNA compaction ability and transfection efficiency

A series of polyphosphoramidates (PPAs) with different molecular weights (MWs) and charge densities were synthesized and examined for their DNA compaction ability and transfection efficiency. A strong correlation was observed between the transfection efficiency of PPA/DNA nanoparticles and the MW and net positive charge density of the PPA gene carriers in three different cell lines (HeLa, HEK293, and HepG2 cells). An increase in MW and net positive charge density of PPA carrier yielded higher DNA compaction capacity, smaller nanoparticles with higher surface charges, and higher complex stability against challenges by salt and polyanions. These favorable physicochemical properties of nanoparticles led to enhanced transfection efficiency. PPA/DNA nanoparticles with the highest complex stability showed comparable transfection efficiency as PEI/DNA nanoparticles likely by compensating the low buffering capacity with higher cellular uptake and affording higher level of protection to DNA in endolysosomal compartment. The differences in transfection efficiency were not attributed by any difference in cytotoxicity among the carriers, as all nanoparticles showed a minimal level of cytotoxicity under the transfection conditions. Using PPA as a model system, we demonstrated the structural dependence of transfection efficiency of polymer gene carrier. These results offer more insights into nanoparticle engineering for nonviral gene delivery.     

交联聚乙烯亚胺衍生物的构建及其转染COS-7 细胞的研究

目的:优化构建交联聚乙烯亚胺(Polyethylenemine,PEI)衍生物PEI-Bu,研究其对非洲绿猴肾成纤维细胞系(COS-7)的转染活性和细胞毒性。方法:以PEI 800Da为骨架,1,4-丁二醇二氯甲酸酯为连接剂制备聚合物PEI-Bu,琼脂糖凝胶电泳考察其复合质粒DNA的能力,MTT法检测PEI-Bu对COS-7的毒性,以荧光素酶质粒作为报告基因,测定PEI-Bu/DNA复合物在COS-7细胞的转染活性。结果:凝胶电泳表明PEI-Bu/DNA在质量比大于1时即具有复合DNA的能力,PEI-Bu的细胞毒性随浓度增大而增大,在同一浓度下PEI-Bu的细胞毒性小于PEI 25kDa,(P<0.05),PEI-Bu/DNA在质量比为5时达到最高转染活性,高于PEI 25kDa(P<0.01),并与Lipofectamine2000相当(P>0.05)。结论:PEI-Bu在COS-7细胞中是一种低细胞毒性、高转染活性的非病毒基因载体(与商业化的PEI 25kDa比较),其在基因治疗领域中具有潜在的应用前景。     

Low molecular weight hyaluronan shielding of DNA/PEI polyplexes facilitates CD44 receptor mediated uptake in human corneal epithelial cells

AIM: It was the aim of this study to prepare purified DNA/PEI polyplexes, which are coated with hyaluronan to facilitate CD44 receptor mediated uptake of the DNA/PEI polyplex and to reduce unspecific interactions of the complex with negatively charged extracellular matrix components on the ocular surface. METHODS: Hyaluronans of different molecular weights (<10 kDa, 10-30 kDa and 30-50 kDa) were isolated after enzymatic degradation of high molecular weight hyaluronan via ultrafiltration by centrifugation. The influence of the different hyaluronans used for coating on the stability and transfection efficiency of the complexes was evaluated in vitro. Transfection and uptake studies were performed in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. CD44 receptor expression of this cell model was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Coating of purified DNA/PEI polyplexes with low molecular weight hyaluronan (<10 kDa) facilitated receptor-mediated uptake via the CD44 receptor in HCE cells, increased complex stability in vitro, and effectively shielded the positive surface charges of the polyplex without decreasing its transfection efficiency. Higher molecular weights and larger amounts of hyaluronan in the complexes resulted in lesser improvements in the stability and transfection efficacy of the complexes. CONCLUSIONS: Coating of polyplexes with low molecular weight hyaluronan is a promising strategy for gene delivery to the ocular surface, where CD44 receptor mediated uptake decreased cytotoxicity and reduced non-specific interactions with the negatively charged extracellular matrix components are considered beneficial for increased transfection efficiency of non-viral vectors.     

Effective delivery of siRNA to transgenic rice cells for enhanced transfection using PEI-based polyplexes

Various polymers were used as transfection factors for small interfering RNA (siRNA) to effectively suppress human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin (hCTLA4Ig) gene in transgenic rice cells. Five kinds of polymers (PEI, PVA, PVP, and 8 and 20 kDa PEGs) were applied for delivery of siRNA with lipofectamine used as a control. In the cytotoxicity test, all polymers except 8 kDa PEG showed nontoxicity in relation to cell viability. For transfection efficiency, polyplexes composed of siRNA and PEG (20 kDa) did not significantly reduce production of intracellular hCTLA4Ig. On the other hand, siRNA + PEI polyplexes showed the most effective suppression efficiency with regards to production of intracellular hCTLA4Ig among all other polyplexes (PVA, PVP, and PEG (8 kDa)). Effects of molecular weight ratios of siRNA:PEI were investigated to obtain optimal transfection efficiency and avoid excessive damage to cells. PEI-based polyplexes with a 1:10 ratio of siRNA:PEI reduced production of intracellular hCTLA4Ig up to 70.6% without alteration of cell viability. These results demonstrate that PEI-based polyplexes are easy to prepare, inexpensive, non-toxic, and effective to deliver siRNA to transgenic plant cell cultures.     

Chitosan lactate as a nonviral gene delivery vector in COS-1 cells

The purpose of this research was to evaluate chitosan lactate (CL) of different molecular weights (MWs) as a DNA complexing agent for its efficiency in transfecting COS-1 cells (green monkey fibroblasts) and its effect on cell viability compared with polyethylenimine (PEI), a commercially available cationic polymer. CL and chitosan base dissolved in dilute acetic acid (chitosan acetate, [CA]) of different MWs (20, 45, 200, 460 kDa) and N/P ratios (2∶1, 4∶1, 8∶1, 12∶1, 24∶1) formed complexes with pSV β-galactosidase plasmid DNA. The complexes were characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis and investigated for their ability to transfect COS-1 cells compared with PEI. Additionally, the effect of CL on the viability of COS-1 cells was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethyliazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The binding of CL/DNA and CA/DNA was dependent on chitosan MWs. The N/P ratio of CL to completely form the complex with the DNA was higher than that of CA. Both CL and CA were comparable in transfection efficiencies at an N/P ratio of 12∶1, but less efficient than PEI (P<.05). The cell viability in the presence of CL and CA at all MWs was over 90%, whereas that of PEI-treated cells was ≈50%. These results suggest the advantage of CL for in vitro gene transfection, with the ease of preparation of polymer/DNA complexes and low cytotoxicity. Published: August 4, 2006     

Addition of "charge-shifting" side chains to linear poly(ethyleneimine) enhances cell transfection efficiency

We reported recently that the addition of ester-functionalized, "charge-shifting" side chains to linear poly(ethyleneimine) (LPEI) can be used to design polyamines that promote both self-assembly and self-disassembly with DNA in aqueous environments. This investigation sought to characterize the influence of charge-shifting side chains on the ability of LPEI to mediate cell transfection and understand the extent to which increases (or decreases) in levels of transfection could be understood in terms of time-dependent changes in the net charges of these polymers. We report that the addition of "charge-shifting" side chains to LPEI leads to significant increases in levels of LPEI-mediated transfection. In particular, polymer 1e, functionalized with 20 mol % ester-functionalized side chains, mediates levels of transgene expression in vitro up to 8-fold higher than LPEI. Experiments using an amide-functionalized analog of polymer 1e demonstrated that the esters in polymer 1e play an important role in promoting increased levels of transfection. These results, in combination with the results of additional gel electrophoresis experiments, provide support for the view that increases in transfection result from time-dependent changes in the net charge of polymer 1e and the disruption of ionic interactions in polyplexes. Additional support for this view is provided by the results of confocal microscopy experiments and measurements of fluorescence resonance energy transfer, which suggest that polymer 1e promotes the disruption of polyplexes in intracellular environments effectively. The approach reported here provides a means of addressing one important "late-stage" obstacle to polyplex-mediated transfection (polyplex unpackaging). If integrated successfully with methods that have been developed to address other important barriers to transfection, this general approach could lead to the development of multifunctional polyplexes that mimic more effectively the range of functions of viruses as agents for the delivery of DNA.     

Transfection of bovine fetal fibroblast with polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles: effect of particle size and presence of fetal bovine serum on transgene delivery and cytotoxicity

The development of efficient transfection protocols for livestock cells is crucial for implementation of cell-based transgenic methods to produce genetically modified animals. We synthetized fully deacylated linear 22, 87 and 217 kDa polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles and compared their transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity to commercial branched 25 kDa PEI and linear 58 kDa poly(allylamine) hydrochloride. We studied the effect of PEI size and presence of serum on transfection efficiency on primary cultures of bovine fetal fibroblasts and established cells lines (HEK 293 and Hep G2). We found that transfection efficiency was affected mainly by polymer/pDNA ratio and DNA concentration and in less extent by PEI MW. In bovine fibroblast, preincubation of PEI nanoparticles with fetal bovine serum (FBS) greatly increased percentage of cells expressing the transgene (up to 82%) while significantly decreased the polymer cytotoxic effect. 87 and 217 kDa PEI rendered the highest transfection rates in HEK 293 and Hep G2 cell lines (>50% transfected cells) with minimal cell toxicity. In conclusion, our results indicate that fully deacylated PEI of 87 and 217 kDa are useful DNA vehicles for non-viral transfection of primary cultures of bovine fetal fibroblast and HEK 293 and Hep G2 cell lines.     

Low molecular weight polyethylenimines linked by beta-cyclodextrin for gene transfer into the nervous system

BACKGROUND: Polyethylenimines (PEIs) with high molecular weights are effective nonviral gene delivery vectors. However, the in vivo use of these PEIs can be hampered by their cellular toxicity. In the present study we developed and tested a new PEI polymer synthesized by linking less toxic, low molecular weight (MW) PEIs with a commonly used, biocompatible drug carrier, beta-cyclodextrin (CyD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The terminal CyD hydroxyl groups were activated by 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole. Each activated CyD then linked two branched PEI molecules with MW of 600 Da to form a CyD-containing polymer with MW of 61 kDa, in which CyD served as a part of the backbone. The PEI-CyD polymer developed was soluble in water and biodegradable. In cell viability assays with sensitive neurons, the polymer performed similarly to low-MW PEIs and displayed much lower cellular cytotoxicity compared to PEI 25 kDa. The gene delivery efficiency of the polymer was comparable to, and at higher polymer/DNA ratios even higher than, that offered by PEI 25 kDa in neural cells. Attractively, intrathecal injection of plasmid DNA complexed by the polymer into the rat spinal cord provided levels of gene expression close to that offered by PEI 25 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: The polymer reported in the current study displayed improved biocompatibility over non-degradable PEI 25 kDa and mediated gene transfection in cultured neurons and in the central nervous system effectively. The new polymer would be worth exploring further as an in vivo delivery system of therapeutic genetic materials for gene therapy of neurological disorders.     

Cross-linked polyethylenimine as potential DNA vector for gene delivery with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been known as an efficient gene carrier with the highest cationiccharge potential.High transfection efficiency of PEI,along with its cytotoxicity,strongly depends on itsmolecular weight.To enhance its gene delivery efficiency and minimize cytotoxicity,we have synthesizedsmall cross-linked PEI with biodegradable linkages and evaluated their transfection efficiencies in vitro.Inthis study,branched PEI with a molecular weight of 800 Da was cross-linked by small diacrylate[1,4-butanediol diacrylate or ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA)] for 2-6 h.The efficiencies of thecross-linked PEI in in vitro transfection of plasmid DNA containing enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) reporter gene were assessed in melanoma B 16F10 cell line and other cell lines.Flow cytometrywas used to quantify the cellular entry efficiency of plasmid and the transgene expression level.Thecytotoxicities of the cross-linked PEI in these cells were evaluated by MTT assay.EGDMA-PEI 800-4h,atypical cross-linked PEI reported here,mediated a more efficient expression of reporter gene than thecommercially available 25-kDa branched PEI control,and resulted in a 9-fold increase in gene deliveryin B16F10 cells and a 16-fold increase in 293T cells,while no cytotoxicity was found at the optimizedcondition for gene delivery.Furthermore,the transfection activity of polyplexes was preserved in thepresence of serum proteins.     

Reversibly shielded DNA polyplexes based on bioreducible PDMAEMA-SS-PEG-SS-PDMAEMA triblock copolymers mediate markedly enhanced nonviral gene transfection

Reversibly shielded DNA polyplexes based on bioreducible poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-SS-poly(ethylene glycol)-SS-poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA-SS-PEG-SS-PDMAEMA) triblock copolymers were designed, prepared and investigated for in vitro gene transfection. Two PDMAEMA-SS-PEG-SS-PDMAEMA copolymers with controlled compositions, 6.6-6-6.6 and 13-6-13 kDa, were obtained by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) using CPADN-SS-PEG-SS-CPADN (CPADN: 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithionaphthalenoate; PEG: 6 kDa) as a macro-RAFT agent. Like their nonreducible PDMAEMA-PEG-PDMAEMA analogues, PDMAEMA-SS-PEG-SS-PDMAEMA triblock copolymers could effectively condense DNA into small particles with average diameters less than 120 nm and close to neutral zeta potentials (0 ～ +6 mV) at and above an N/P ratio of 3/1. The resulting polyplexes showed excellent colloidal stability against 150 mM NaCl, which contrasts with polyplexes of 20 kDa PDMAEMA homopolymer. In the presence of 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), however, polyplexes of PDMAEMA-SS-PEG-SS-PDMAEMA were rapidly deshielded and unpacked, as revealed by significant increase of positive surface charges as well as increase of particle sizes to over 1000 nm. Release of DNA in response to 10 mM DTT was further confirmed by gel retardation assays. These polyplexes, either stably or reversibly shielded, revealed a low cytotoxicity (over 80% cell viability) at and below an N/P ratio of 12/1. Notably, in vitro transfection studies showed that reversibly shielded polyplexes afforded up to 28 times higher transfection efficacy as compared to stably shielded control under otherwise the same conditions. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) studies revealed that reversibly shielded polyplexes efficiently delivered and released pDNA into the perinuclei region as well as nuclei of COS-7 cells. Hence, reduction-sensitive reversibly shielded DNA polyplexes based on PDMAEMA-SS-PEG-SS-PDMAEMA are highly promising for nonviral gene transfection.     

PEI-Et输送特异性shRNA对大鼠肝细胞AGT基因表达的影响

目的:研究交联小分子量聚乙烯亚胺衍生物PEI-Et对大鼠肝细胞(BRL-3A)的细胞毒性、转染效率和携带高血压相关基因血管紧张素原(AGT)短发卡RNA(shRNA)沉默AGT表达的能力。方法:MTT法检测PEI-Et/shRNA复合物对BRL-3A细胞的毒性,流式细胞术检测PEI-Et/shRNA复合物对BRL-3A细胞的转染效率,RT-PCR和Western blot检测PEI-Et/shRNA对AGT的基因沉默效果。结果:在相同质量比(w/w)时PEI-Et/shRNA的细胞毒性小于PEI 25kDa/shRNA(P0.01),PEI-Et/shRNA在w/w为30时达到最高转染效率,高于PEI 25 kDa(P0.01),PEI-Et/shRNA能高效沉默BRL-3A细胞中AGT基因的表达。结论:PEI-Et在BRL-3A细胞中是一种低细胞毒性、高转染效率的非病毒基因载体(与商业化的PEI 25kDa比较),能携带AGT shRNA高效沉默BRL-3A细胞中AGT基因的表达,通过用PEI-Et/AGT shRNA来抑制AGT的表达将为高血压的基因治疗提供一种新的思路。     

疏水修饰聚阳离子高分子SP-Chol 在COS-7 细胞中转染和毒性的研究

目的:研究以精胺为单体,以乙二醇二氯甲酸酯作为连接剂,以胆固醇氯甲酸酯作为疏水基团连接剂合成的疏水修饰聚阳离子高分子SP-Chol对非洲绿猴肾癌细胞COS-7的转染活性和细胞毒性的影响。方法:以荧光素酶质粒为报告基因,研究SP-Chol与DNA的复合物在COS-7细胞的转染活性,用MTT方法研究SP-Chol对COS-7细胞的毒性。结果:COS-7细胞实验显示,SP-Chol具有低于PEI 25kDa的细胞毒性,同时也具有高效输送DNA的能力。结论:SP-Chol是一种新型的高效、低毒,在基因治疗领域有潜在应用价值的非病毒基因输送载体。     

Correlating transfection barriers and biophysical properties of cationic polymethacrylates

Transfection efficiencies of several polymeric gene carriers were compared and correlated quantitatively to the amounts of cellular accumulation of plasmid DNA and to the expression of mRNA by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Three polycations polymers with similar chemical structure were used in this study: poly(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDMA) homopolymer, PEO-b-PDMA copolymer, and PEO-b-poly(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PEO-b-PDEA) copolymer. Despite their similar chemical structures, the transfection efficiencies were significantly different. PEO-b-PDEA copolymer was significantly less efficient as gene carrier as compared to both PDMA and PEO-b-PDMA. Correlations between cytotoxicity, cellular uptake of plasmid DNA, expression levels of transgene and protein, and the physical properties of the polymers were observed. With the PEO-b-PDEA studies, cytotoxicity was due primarily to the excess of polymers that did not participate in the DNA binding. In addition, the inability of the polymer/DNA polyplexes to interact with cell effectively was identified as a critical barrier for high efficiency of transfection. This study demonstrated that the use of quantitative real-time PCR in combination with physical characterization techniques could provide useful insights into the transfection barrier at different cellular levels.     

Controlled delivery of plasmid DNA and siRNA to intracellular targets using ketalized polyethylenimine

A new polyethylenimine (PEI)-derived biodegradable polymer was synthesized as a nonviral gene carrier. Branches of PEI were ketalized, and capabilities of nucleic acid condensation and delivery efficiency of the modified polymers were compared with ones of unketalized PEI. Ketalized PEI was able to efficiently compact both plasmid DNA and siRNA into nucleic acids/ketalized PEI polyplexes with a range of 80-200 nm in diameter. Nucleic acids were efficiently dissociated from the polyplexes made of ketalized PEI upon hydrolysis. In vitro study also demonstrated that ketalization enhanced transfection efficiency of the polyplexes while reducing cytotoxicity, even at high N/ P ratios. Interestingly, transfection efficiency was found to be inversely proportional to molecular weights of ketalized PEI, while RNA interference was observed in the opposite way. This study implies that selective delivery of plasmid DNA and siRNA to the nucleus and the cytoplasm can be achieved by tailoring the structures of polymeric gene carriers.     

Branched polyethylenimine derivatives with reductively cleavable periphery for safe and efficient in vitro gene transfer

Twenty-five kDa polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the most efficient nonviral gene transfer agents currently applied as a golden standard for in vitro transfection. In this study, novel 25 kDa PEI derivatives with reductively cleavable cystamine periphery (PEI-Cys) were designed to reduce carrier-associated cytotoxicity and to enhance further the transfection activity. The Michael-type conjugate addition of 25 kDa PEI with N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N'-acryloyl-cystamine (Ac-Cys-(t)Boc) and N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N'-methacryloyl-cystamine (MAc-Cys-(t)Boc) followed by deprotection readily afforded PEI-Cys derivatives, denoted as PEI-(Cys)x(Ac) and PEI-(Cys)x(MAc), with degree of substitution (DS) ranging from 14 to 34 and 13 to 38, respectively. All PEI-Cys derivatives had higher buffer capacity than the parent 25 kDa PEI (21.2 to 23.1% versus 15.1%). Gel retardation and ethidium bromide exclusion assays showed that cystamine modification resulted in largely enhanced interactions with DNA. PEI-(Cys)x(Ac) could condense DNA into small-sized particles of 80-90 nm at and above an N/P ratio of 5/1, which were smaller than polyplexes of 25 kDa PEI (100-130 nm). In comparison, PEI-(Cys)x(MAc) condensed DNA into somewhat larger particles (100-180 nm at N/P ratios from 30/1 to 5/1). Gel retardation and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements showed that PEI-Cys polyplexes were quickly unpacked to release DNA in response to 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT). These PEI-Cys derivatives revealed markedly decreased cytotoxicity as compared with 25 kDa PEI with IC(50) values of >100 mg/L and 50-75 mg/L for HeLa and 293T cells, respectively (corresponding IC(50) data of 25 kDa PEI are ca. 11 and 3 mg/L). The in vitro transfection experiments in HeLa and 293T cells using pGL3 as a reporter gene showed that gene transfection activity of PEI-Cys derivatives decreased with increasing DS and PEI-(Cys)x(MAc) exhibited higher transfection activity than PEI-(Cys)x(Ac) at similar DS. Notably, polyplexes of PEI-(Cys)14(Ac) and PEI-(Cys)13(MAc) showed significantly enhanced gene transfection efficiency (up to 4.1-fold) as compared with 25 kDa PEI formulation at an N/P ratio of 10/1 in both serum-free and 10% serum-containing conditions. The modification of PEI with reductively cleavable periphery appears to be a potential approach to develop safer and more efficient nonviral gene vectors.     

新型聚乙烯亚胺衍生物在COS-7 细胞中转染和毒性的研究

目的:研究以乙二醛为连接剂的聚乙烯亚胺(Polyethyleneimine,PEI)衍生物Polyimine-PEI对非洲绿猴肾癌细胞COS-7的转染活性和细胞毒性的影响。方法:以荧光素酶质粒为报告基因,研究高分子与DNA的复合物在COS-7细胞的转染活性,用MTT方法研究高分子对COS-7细胞的毒性。结果:COS-7细胞实验显示,Polyimine-PEI具有很低细胞毒性,其毒性显著低于PEI25kDa,同时也具有高效输送质粒的能力。结论:Polyimine-PEI是一种新型的高效,低毒在基因治疗领域有相当前景的非病毒载体。     

新型聚乙烯亚胺衍生物在Hep G2 细胞中转染和毒性的研究

目的:研究以对苯二甲醛( Terephthalaldehyde)为连接剂的聚乙烯亚胺(Polyethyleneimine,PEI)衍生物PEI-Tp对肝癌细胞Hep G2的转染活性和细胞毒性的影响.方法:以荧光素酶质粒作为报告基因,研究高分子和DNA的复合物在Hep G2细胞中的转染活性,用MTT的方法研究高分子对Hep G2细胞的毒性.结果:Hep G2细胞转染结果显示构建的聚乙烯亚胺衍生物PEI-Tp具有高效输送质粒的能力;细胞毒性结果显示PEI-Tp随着浓度的增加,其毒性显著低于PEI25 kDa.结论:Hep G2细胞实验数据显示PEI-Tp是一种高效、低毒,在基因治疗领域有相当前景的非病毒载体.