机械喷射式雾化机对质粒DNA完整性的影响及保护性研究

目的:探索目前临床广泛使用的喷射式雾化机对质粒DNA(pDNA)完整性破坏的影响及保护措施。方法:在研究雾化时间对pDNA完整性影响的实验中,加入5ml pDNA(20μg/ml),分别在开始雾化后收集第1min内;第2min内;第3min内;第4min内;第5min内及第10min内雾化器喷口处的雾化液滴;在研究加样量对裸pDNA完整性影响的实验中,分别取2ml、4ml、6ml、8ml,各雾化4min,收集最后一分钟内雾化液滴。在两种高分子聚合物对pDNA保护性研究的实验中,各取4ml未经高分子聚合物修饰的以及经过聚乙烯亚胺(polyethylenimine, PEI)或阳离子脂质体修饰后的pDNA,分别雾化10min,收集最后一分钟内雾化液滴。使用琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析雾化样本质粒完整性。结果:在雾化时间由1min增至10min后完整性部分所占百分比由(83.5±2.2)%降至(37.1±2.8)%;加样量由2ml 增至8ml 后,pDNA完整性部分所占百分比由(32.1±3.5)%增至(93.6±0.6)%;经过PEI或阳离子脂质体修饰后的pDNA在雾化过程中几乎无破坏现象。结论:喷射式雾化机对pDNA的破坏呈剂量、时间依赖性,PEI与阳离子脂质体对pDNA保护效果良好,为喷射式雾化机在基因雾化治疗中的应用打下一定基础。     

新型阳离子基因传递载体PEI-PBLG的细胞转染研究

对新型阳离子聚合物PEI(10kD)-PBLG进行研究,重点考察其基因转染效率与细胞毒性,探讨其作为基因载体的可能性。通过粒径分析及扫描电镜(SEM)观察PEI(10kD)-PBLG与质粒pEGFP自组装形成的颗粒形态及粒径,预测其进入细胞的可能性。使用MTT比色法分析PEI(10kD)-PBLG、PEI(25kD)-PBLG、PEI(10kD)和PEI(25kD)的细胞毒性差异。选用表达增强型绿色荧光蛋白的质粒pEGFP作为报告基因模型,将其与PEI(10kD)-PBLG自组装后,分别转染真核细胞株Hela、COS-7、Vero-E6和ECV304,应用流式细胞术检测细胞转染效率,并比较了血清、缓冲液、细胞谱等多种因素对基因转染效率的影响。PEI(10kD)-PBLG可包裹质粒形成粒径100~120nm的纳米复合物,适合介导质粒进入细胞。该纳米粒复合物对转染缓冲液的敏感度较低,并能够在10%血清存在的条件下,转染全部实验用细胞株,尤其对Hela的转染效率最高,其次是COS-7、Vero-E6和ECV304;其中PEI-PBLG(10kD)/pEGFP复合物转染Hela细胞的比率为45.02%,高于PEI(10kD)/pEGFP的29.16%;PEI(10kD)-PBLG的细胞毒性作用显著低于PEI(25kD)、PEI(10kD)和PEI(25kD)-PBLG。新型阳离子多聚物PEI(10kD)-PBLG在提高PEI介导的基因转染效率的同时降低了其细胞毒性,提高了生物相容性,有望成为基因转移的有效载体。     

新型PEI衍生物对基因沉默作用的研究

目的:构建出一种新型的高效的非病毒基因输送材料.方法:利用1,4-丁二醇二氯甲酸酯连接小分子PEI,合成新型的PEI衍生物(dPEI),通过体外COS-7和HSC细胞实验检测其对质粒和siRNA的输送情况.结果;COS-7细胞实验显示,dPEI具有高效输送质粒的能力,其转染效率是对照组PEI 25 kDa的10倍以上;同时,HSC细胞实验进一步证实dPEI包裹siRNA转染具有一定的基因沉默作用.结论:本研究合成的新型PEI衍生物既可以用于质粒基因的转染,也可用于siRNA的转染,是一种新型的高效的非毒基因输送材料.     

聚乙烯亚胺转基因影响因素的测定及其优化

聚乙烯亚胺 (PEI)为阳离子多聚物 ,可浓缩DNA形成纳米级颗粒 ,作为基因释放载体转染真核细胞 .选用Mr2 5 0 0 0 ,分枝状的聚乙烯亚胺转染质粒 ,比较多种转基因效率的影响因素 .通过MTT法测定PEI对COS 7细胞的细胞毒性 .利用电泳阻滞实验测定PEI与DNA形成复合物时所需的比例 .通过PEI转染增强型绿色荧光蛋白的pEGFP质粒、编码β 半乳糖苷酶的pSVβ质粒 ,探索氯喹、白蛋白、血清、盐离子浓度、质粒剂量、细胞数量等对聚乙烯亚胺转基因效率的影响 .实验发现 ,PEI对细胞的毒性作用与剂量相关 .PEI DNA的N P比在 3 0以上方可完全结合DNA .溶酶体抑制剂氯喹可增加转染效率 .培养液中的白蛋白、血清会降低转染效率 .生理盐溶液作为配制PEI DNA复合物的溶媒 ,转染效率高于 5 %葡萄糖作为溶媒 .随着转染质粒剂量的增加 ,转染效率呈剂量依赖正效应 .聚乙烯亚胺是有效的体外真核细胞转染剂 ,可用于合成更复杂的基因释放载体 .     

低分子量聚乙亚胺介导的基因转染系统及动物皮肤组织基因转染试验

将带有绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)报告基因的真核表达质粒与阳离子聚合物聚乙亚胺(PEI)结合,用肝癌细胞株CM7221实验,研究其转染效率及可能引起的细胞毒性;进一步用此PEI/DNA复合物转染小鼠皮肤组织,通过报告基因检测,研究转染基因的表达位置及持续表达时间。结果发现,低分子量PEI介导的细胞转染效率最高可达55%,转染效率与PEI结构无关,但是随着分子量的增加,转染活性略有下降。同时,随着分子量的增加,PEI对细胞的毒性也相应的加大;动物皮肤转染实验显示,转染24h后,GFP基因在皮肤组织的毛囊、汗腺、皮脂腺等处高效表达,表达可持续7天。表明低分子量PEI是低毒性、高转染效率的有用非病毒转染载体,能够在动物皮肤组织中进行基因转移,这对皮肤疾病的基因治疗具有潜在的应用价值。     

低分子量聚乙亚胺介导的基因转染系统及动物皮肤组织基因转染试验

将带有绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)报告基因的真核表达质粒与阳离子聚合物聚乙亚胺(PEI)结合,用肝癌细胞株CM7221实验,研究其转染效率及可能引起的细胞毒性;进一步用此PEI／DNA复合物转染小鼠皮肤组织,通过报告基因检测,研究转染基因的表达位置及持续表达时间。结果发现,低分子量PEI介导的细胞转染效率最高可达550%,转染效率与PEI结构无关,但是随着分子量的增加,转染活性略有下降。同时,随着分子量的增加,PEI对细胞的毒性也相应的加大;动物皮肤转染实验显示,转染24h后,GFP基因在皮肤组织的毛囊、汗腺、皮脂腺等处高效表达,表达可持续7天。表明低分子量PEI是低毒性、高转染效率的有用非病毒转染载体,能够在动物皮肤组织中进行基因转移,这对皮肤疾病的基因治疗具有潜在的应用价值。     

一种新的非病毒基因转移载体及其体外细胞转染活性研究

目的：用低分子量的聚乙亚胺(PEI)有效地进行基因转染,为基因转染在基因治疗中的应用提供一种可靠、廉价、高效的方法。方法：将带有绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)报告基因的真核表达质粒与阳离子聚合物聚乙亚胺(PEI)结合,用肝癌细胞系SMMC7721实验,研究PEI分子量与转染活性以及可能引起的细胞毒性之间的关系;进一步研究在血清存在的情况下,PEG(聚乙二醇8000)、叶酸等物质对PEI介导的转染效率的影响。结果：分子量为600Da的PEI在pH值为6．0时与质粒DNA以1：1的质量比混合,细胞转染效率最高为43．6 /-7．3％,随着分子量的增大,转染活性略有下降;进一步研究发现,在血清存在下,20μM的叶酸和15％的PEG能有效地改善PEI介导的转染活性,使其转染活性提高了13％;用光学相差显微镜检测了PEI潜在的细胞毒性,结果发现分子量为600Da的PEI没有使细胞形态改变或死亡,但是随着分子量的增大,PEI潜在的细胞毒性也相应增大。结论：PEI是一种高效、有用的非病毒载体,能够在培养的哺乳动物细胞中进行基因转移,这对疾病的基因治疗具有潜在的应用价值。     

PEI在动物皮肤组织基因转化中的应用研究

用低分子量的聚乙亚胺(PEI)开发一种新的非病毒基因转染系统,为基因在皮肤组织中的有效转染提供一种可靠、廉价的方法。将带有绿色荧光蛋白报告基因(gfp)的真核表达质粒与阳离子聚合物聚乙亚胺结合,用肝癌细胞株CM7721试验,研究其转染效率及可能引起的细胞毒性;进一步转染小鼠皮肤组织,研究转染基因的表达位置及持续表达时间。结果发现,低分子量PEI介导的细胞转染效率最高可达55%,转染效率与PEI结构无关(P>0·05),但是随着PEI分子量的增加,其转染活性略有下降。同时,随着分子量的增加,PEI对细胞的毒性也相应加大;小鼠皮肤转染实验显示,转染24h后,gfp即可在皮肤组织的毛囊、汗腺、皮脂腺等处高效表达,表达可持续7~9d;进一步对皮肤用氮酮、维甲酸处理后,gfp可在皮肤组织的颗粒层细胞中高效表达。PEI是一种高效、有用的非病毒基因转染载体,能够在体外培养的动物细胞及动物皮肤组织中进行基因转移,这对皮肤疾病的基因治疗具有潜在的应用价值。     

纳米羟基磷灰石表面修饰及其转染细胞的研究

目的:探讨羟基磷灰石-聚乙烯亚胺(nHA-PEI 10KD)纳米颗粒的癌细胞基因转染效率.方法:通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)观察HA-PEI(10KD)纳米颗粒的形态及粒径,Zeta电位仪测定nHA-PEI和HA在酸、碱、中性环境中的电位,用琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测nHAP-PEI(10KD)与DNA结合的能力,MTT比色法检测nHAP-PEI(10KD)对nepG2细胞的毒性,选用增强型绿色荧光蛋白质粒pEGFP1与nHA-PEI结合后,分别转染真核细胞HepG2、Hela、SW620,计算其转染率.结果:nHA-PEI(10KD)分散程度好,粒径60-80nm,在PH7.2时,Zeta电位42.87mV,能转染实验中的细胞,转然效果最好的是HepG2细胞,其次Hela、SW620,转染率高于PEI(10KD)、nHA,但低于脂质体.结论:通过阳离子PEI修饰HA,可有效将增强型绿色荧光蛋白质粒转入HepG2细胞,HA-PEI(10KD)纳米颗粒复合物有望成为基因传递的有效栽体.     

人转铁蛋白偶联交联聚乙烯亚胺体外靶向转染肿瘤细胞

为了提高聚乙烯亚胺(Polythylenimine,PEI)类载体对肿瘤细胞的靶向性同时降低其细胞毒性,先用1800DaPEI制备了交联低分子量PEI,然后将人转铁蛋白与之偶联,得到了新型肿瘤靶向性人转铁蛋白偶联交联聚乙烯亚胺基因载体(TCP)。对所得的TCP的理化特性经行了表征,并检测了其细胞毒性。采用TCP介导pGL-3和pEGFP分别对293T、HepG2和Hela细胞系进行体外转染实验。结果表明:TCP是一种低毒高效的基因载体,在肿瘤细胞中的转染效率显著增强,因为其二硫键可在细胞内还原降解,而且通过偶联的转铁蛋白配体与肿瘤细胞表达的转铁蛋白受体间的相互作用,可增强该载体对肿瘤细胞的转染效率和靶向性。     

Effective pulmonary delivery of an aerosolized plasmid DNA vaccine via surface acoustic wave nebulization

Background

Pulmonary-delivered gene therapy promises to mitigate vaccine safety issues and reduce the need for needles and skilled personnel to use them. While plasmid DNA (pDNA) offers a rapid route to vaccine production without side effects or reliance on cold chain storage, its delivery to the lung has proved challenging. Conventional methods, including jet and ultrasonic nebulizers, fail to deliver large biomolecules like pDNA intact due to the shear and cavitational stresses present during nebulization.

Methods

In vitro structural analysis followed by in vivo protein expression studies served in assessing the integrity of the pDNA subjected to surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulisation. In vivo immunization trials were then carried out in rats using SAW nebulized pDNA (influenza A, human hemagglutinin H1N1) condensate delivered via intratracheal instillation. Finally, in vivo pulmonary vaccinations using pDNA for influenza was nebulized and delivered via a respirator to sheep.

Results

The SAW nebulizer was effective at generating pDNA aerosols with sizes optimal for deep lung delivery. Successful gene expression was observed in mouse lung epithelial cells, when SAW-nebulized pDNA was delivered to male Swiss mice via intratracheal instillation. Effective systemic and mucosal antibody responses were found in rats via post-nebulized, condensed fluid instillation. Significantly, we demonstrated the suitability of the SAW nebulizer to administer unprotected pDNA encoding an influenza A virus surface glycoprotein to respirated sheep via aerosolized inhalation.

Conclusion

Given the difficulty of inducing functional antibody responses for DNA vaccination in large animals, we report here the first instance of successful aerosolized inhalation delivery of a pDNA vaccine in a large animal model relevant to human lung development, structure, physiology, and disease, using a novel, low-power (<1 W) surface acoustic wave (SAW) hand-held nebulizer to produce droplets of pDNA with a size range suitable for delivery to the lower respiratory airways.     

Evaluation of the high-pressure extrusion technique as a method for sizing plasmid DNA-containing cationic liposomes

A promising strategy to improve the immunogenic potential of DNA vaccines is the formulation of plasmid DNA (pDNA) with cationic liposomes. In this respect, particle size may be of crucial importance. This study aimed at the evaluation of high-pressure extrusion as a method for sizing cationic liposomes after entrapment of pDNA. This is a well-known sizing method for liposomes, but so far, it has not been applied for liposomes that are already loaded with pDNA. Liposomes composed of egg PC, DOTAP, and DOPE with entrapped pDNA were prepared by the dehydration-rehydration method and subjected to various extrusion cycles, comparing different membrane pore sizes and extrusion frequencies. At optimized extrusion conditions, liposome diameter (Zave) and polydispersity index (PDI) were reduced from 560 nm and 0.56-150 nm and 0.14 respectively, and 35% of the pDNA was retained. Importantly, gel electrophoresis and transfection experiments with pDNA extracted from these extruded liposomes demonstrated the preservation of the structural and functional integrity of the pDNA. The reduction in size resulted in enhanced transfection of HeLa cells, as detected by functional expression of the fluorescent protein, eGFP. In addition, these liposomes were able to stimulate Toll-like receptor 9, indicating efficient endosomal uptake and release of the included pDNA. In conclusion, high-pressure extrusion is a suitable technique to size cationic liposomes with entrapped pDNA and allows preparation of well-defined nanosized pDNA-liposomes, with preserved pDNA integrity. Their improved transfection efficiency and ability to activate an important pattern-recognition receptor are favorable properties for DNA vaccine delivery vehicles.     

Studies on aerosol delivery of plasmid DNA using a mesh nebulizer

Aerosol delivery of plasmid DNA therapeutic solutions is promising for the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, it poses challenges, most significantly the need to protect the delicate supercoiled (sc) structure of plasmid during aerosolization. Nebulizers for liquid aerosolization using meshes appear a better method for delivery than conventional jet and ultrasonic nebulizers. This paper explores their application to the delivery of plasmid DNA. A computational fluid dynamics model of the dynamics of fluid flow through the nozzle of the MicroAIR mesh nebulizer indicated high strain rates (>10(5) s(-1)) near the nozzle exit capable of causing damage to the shear-sensitive plasmid DNA. Knowledge of the strain rates predicted using CFD and molecule size determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) enabled estimation of the hydrodynamic force and whether damage of shear-sensitive therapeutics was likely. Plasmids of size 5.7 and 20 kb were aerosolized in the mesh nebulizer. The sc structure of the 5.7-kb plasmid was successfully delivered without damage, while aerosolization of the 20-kb plasmid led to disintegration of the pDNA sc structure as observed in AFM. Subsequent formulation of the sc 20-kb plasmid with PEI resulted in successful aerosol delivery. The maximum hydrodynamic forces computed for the aerosolization of structures of the size of 5.7-kb and PEI formulated 20-kb plasmids were less than the forces reported to damage the structure of double-stranded DNA. A combination of CFD analysis and structure analysis may be used to predict successful aerosol delivery in such a mesh nebulizer.     

Transfecting pDNA to E. coli DH5α using bovine serum albumin nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle

We describe the formulation of bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSA‐NPs) by the coacervation method using surfactants. Plasmids (pUC18, pUC18egfp and pBBR1MCS‐2) isolated from E. coli were incorporated into the BSA matrix by incubating in albumin solution prior to formulation of NPs. Plasmid incorporation was calculated by % yield, entrapment efficiency, DNA loading capacity and release of entrapped DNA by comparing with blank NPs. BSA‐DNA binding studies were carried out by using fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The surface charge distribution of the NPs loaded with plasmid was calculated using zeta potential. The photoluminescence of BSA‐NPs was quenched when loaded with pDNA, confirming the interaction of DNA with BSA. Altogether, these results provide evidences for the excellent DNA carrying efficiency of BSA‐NPs without loss of plasmid's integrity. The NPs were used to transfect E. coli DH5α strain lacking ampicillin resistance. They, however, showed ampicillin resistance subsequent to transfection with plasmid encoding ampicillin resistance gene. Effect of transfection was confirmed by confocal microscopy and by the isolation of the plasmid by agarose gel electrophoresis from the transfected bacterial culture. This study clearly demonstrates the efficacy of BSA‐NPs as delivery vehicle for pDNA transfection. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High efficient encapsulation of plasmid DNA in PLGA microparticles by organic phase self-emulsification

To overcome the drawbacks of encapsulating plasmid DNA (pDNA) in poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) by water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method, we have developed a novel procedure for encapsulating pDNA in PLGA microparticles called DNA organic phase self-emulsification (DOPSM). This method was based on both the extraction plasmid DNA from aqueous phase into organic phase and the spontaneous emulsification DNA in organic phase by solvent diffusion method. The efficiency of extraction plasmid DNA into organic phase is 99% and the concentration of pDNA in organic phase is up to 2.4 mg/ml. The efficiency of microencapsulation of plasmid DNA in PLGA is up to 76% and can be enhanced by lowering the pH of aqueous solution of emulsion. The microparticles size of PLGA of pDNA is in a narrow range of 1-2 microm. This procedure does not involve the high mechanical energy to emulsify which may damage the integrity of pDNA. This method can be applied to encapsulate the pDNA into microparticles of other biocompatible polymers with high efficiency.     

Separation of supercoiled from open circular forms of plasmid DNA,and biological activity detection

To establish a cost-effective purification process for the large-scale production of plasmid DNA for gene therapy and DNA vaccination, a single anion-exchange chromatography (AEC) step was employed to purify supercoiled plasmid DNA (sc pDNA) from other isoforms and Escherichia coli impurities present in a clarified lysate. Two different size and conformation plasmids were used as model targets, and showed similar elution behavior in this chromatographic operation, in which sc pDNA was effectively separated from open circle plasmid DNA (oc pDNA) in a salt gradient. The process delivered high-purity pDNA of homogeneity of 95 ± 1.1% and almost undetectable levels of endotoxins, genomic DNA, RNA and protein, at a yield of 65 ± 8%. Furthermore, the transfection efficiency (29 ± 0.4%) was significantly higher than that (20 ± 0.1%) of a pDNA control. The present study confirms the possibility of using a single AEC step to purify sc pDNA from other isoforms and host contaminants present in a clarified E. coli lysate.