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.     

Disulfide cross-linked polyethylenimines (PEI) prepared via thiolation of low molecular weight PEI as highly efficient gene vectors

Ring-opening reaction of low molecular weight polyethylenimine with an Mw of 800 Da (800 Da PEI) with methylthiirane produced thiolated polyethylenimine (PEI-SHX ). The thiolation degree X, which is the average number of thiol groups on a PEI molecule, was readily adjusted by the methylthiirane/PEI ratio. Oxidation of the thiolated PEIs with DMSO afforded disulfide cross-linked PEIs (PEI-SSX ). The molecular weights of PEI-SS X were estimated by viscosity measurement to be 7100, 8000, and 8400 for X=2.6, 6.5, and 9.4, respectively. The PEI-SSX series can bind and condense plasmid DNAs effectively forming nanosized polyplexes. The size of dry polyplexes is less than 100 nm on the TEM pictures. In solution, the size of the polyplexes was measured by DLS to be about 400 nm. In vitro experiments showed that the PEI-SS X series have a lower cytotoxicity and higher gene transfection efficiency compared with the high molecular weight PEI with Mw of 25 KDa. The presence of fetal bovine serum did not decrease the transfection efficiency. The results proved the hypothesis that reductively degradable disulfide-containing PEIs could possesses simultaneously higher gene transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than the nondegradable ones.     

Cholic acid modified 2 kDa polyethylenimine as efficient transfection agent

New lipopolymers were synthesized by conjugating cholic acid (ChA) to polyethylenimines (PEI; 2 and 25 kDa) and a polyallylamine (PAA; 15 kDa) via N‐acylation to develop effective gene delivery systems. The extent of ChA substitution linearly varied with the feed ratio during synthesis, indicating good control over grafting ratio. While ChA did not affect binding to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for higher molecular weight (MW) polymers, ChA substitution to 2 kDa PEI significantly affected the pDNA binding. Toxicity of the 2 kDa PEI was unaffected by ChA substitution, but it was improved for the higher MW polymers. Using immortal 293T cells and primary cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, low MW (2 kDa) PEI was shown to display much better transfection efficiency as a result of ChA substitution, unlike the higher MW polymers. We conclude that ChA could be a suitable substituent for non‐toxic (low MW) PEIs in order to improve their transfection efficiency. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1337–1341, 2013     

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。     

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.     

Linear topology confers in vivo gene transfer activity to polyethylenimines

Although polyethylenimines (PEIs) are frequently used transfection agents, it is still unclear which of their properties are required for efficient gene delivery. This is even more striking when working in vivo since some PEIs are able to generate significant gene expression, whereas others are not. To facilitate a rational development of compounds with improved transfection activities, studies aimed at identifying the properties involved in the transfection process seem indispensable. In the present work, we investigated how transfection with linear PEI of 22 kDa allows for high reporter gene expression in lungs after intravenous injection, whereas the branched PEI of 25 kDa does not. To this end, we synthesized L-PEI derivatives that are intermediates between linear and branched PEIs. Our results show that the topology plays a crucial role in obtaining in vivo reporter gene expression, whereas the content of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines is only of minor importance.     

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。     

Low molecular weight linear polyethylenimine-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyethylenimine triblock copolymers: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro gene transfer properties

Novel ABA triblock copolymers consisting of low molecular weight linear polyethylenimine (PEI) as the A block and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the B block were prepared and evaluated as polymeric transfectant. The cationic polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOZO) using PEG-bis(tosylate) as a macroinitiator followed by acid hydrolysis afforded linear PEI-PEG-PEI triblock copolymers with controlled compositions. Two copolymers, PEI-PEG-PEI 2100-3400-2100 and 4000-3400-4000, were synthesized. Both copolymers were shown to interact with and condense plasmid DNA effectively to give polymer/DNA complexes (polyplexes) of small sizes (<100 nm) and moderate zeta-potentials (approximately +10 mV) at polymer/plasmid weight ratios > or =1.5/1. These polyplexes were able to efficiently transfect COS-7 cells and primary bovine endothelial cells (BAECs) in vitro. For example, PEI-PEG-PEI 4000-3400-4000 based polyplexes showed a transfection efficiency comparable to polyplexes of branched PEI 25000. The transfection activity of polyplexes of PEI-PEG-PEI 4000-3400-4000 in BAECs using luciferase as a reporter gene was 3-fold higher than that for linear PEI 25000/DNA formulations. Importantly, the presence of serum in the transfection medium had no inhibitive effect on the transfection activity of the PEI-PEG-PEI polyplexes. These PEI-PEG-PEI triblock copolymers displayed also an improved safety profile in comparison with high molecular weight PEIs, since the cytotoxicity of the polyplex formulations was very low under conditions where high transgene expression was found. Therefore, linear PEI-PEG-PEI triblock copolymers are an attractive novel class of nonviral gene delivery systems.     

Synergistic effect of polyethylenimine and cationic liposomes in nucleic acid delivery to human cancer cells

Polyethylenimine (PEI) and other polycations are good vehicles for transferring genes into the cells. In earlier reports, poly-L-lysine and protamine have been shown to improve gene delivery with cationic liposomes. In this study, PEI, combined with different cationic liposomes, was studied to determine the optimal conditions for gene delivery. The reporter genes, luciferase and green fluorescent protein, were used to transfect human HeLa, HepG2 and hepatoma 2.2.15 cells with various combinations of PEIs (0.8 and 25 kDa), poly-L-lysine (15-30 kDa), protamine and cationic liposomes. The highest expression level was achieved by using the combination of PEI 25 kDa (0.65 microg/microg of DNA, nitrogen-to-DNA phosphate (N/P) ratio=4.5) with 10 nmol of DOTAP-cholesterol (DOTAP-Chol, 1:1 w/w). This DNA complex formulation dramatically increased the luciferase expression 10- to 100-fold, which was much higher than those of other polycations alone, cationic liposomes alone or the combination. In addition, PEI/DOTAP-Chol combination had little cytotoxicity than DOTAP-Chol or other cationic liposomes alone. The effect of oligonucleotide (ODN) delivery facilitated by PEI and cationic liposomes was also studied in the hepatoma cell lines. We demonstrated an antisense ODN of p53 delivered by PEI/DOTAP-Chol combination effectively inhibited the biosynthesis of p53 protein in HepG2 (68% inhibiton) and 2.2.15 cells (43% inhibition). Thus, the large PEI could synergistically increase the transfection efficiency when combined with the cationic liposomes.     

The role of PEI structure and size in the PEI/liposome-mediated synergism of gene transfection

Polyethylenimines (PEIs) and cationic liposomes are widely used for nonviral gene delivery. When PEIs have been used alone, the transfection efficiency has been higher for larger or linear than smaller or branched PEIs. We have reported previously that a combination of small PEIs and liposomes results in a potentiation of transfection efficiency in vitro. Here, the role of PEI size and structure in this synergism has been clarified further. Therefore, two structurally different high MW PEIs, i.e. the linear PEI22K and branched PEI25K, were studied in the SMC cells. We found that both linear PEI22K and branched PEI25K resulted in a similar synergism and comparable transfection efficiencies. However, the potentiation for larger PEIs found in the present study was weaker than that for smaller PEIs obtained in our previous studies. In conclusion, our present and previous results demonstrate that the increment of PEI/liposome-mediated gene transfection by different types of PEIs in vitro is a common attribute that is rather associated with their size than the structure. Interestingly, the effect of PEI size seems to be opposite when combined with liposome or given alone, i.e. the small PEIs are more effective when combined and less effective when alone than the larger ones.     

Investigation of siRNA-Loaded Polyethylenimine-Coated Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticle Complexes for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules have great potential for developing into a future therapy for breast cancer. To overcome the issues related to rapid degradation and low transfection of naked siRNA, polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles have been characterized and studied here for efficient siRNA delivery to the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The optimized nanoparticles were ~90 nm in size, carrying a surface charge of +26 mV and a polydispersity index (PDI) less than 0.25. The shape and morphology of the particles was studied using electron microscopy. A cytotoxicity assessment of the nanoparticles showed no correlation of cytotoxicity with HSA concentration, while using high molecular weight PEI (MW of 70 against 25 kDa) showed higher cytotoxicity. The optimal transfection achieved of fluorescin-tagged siRNA loaded into PEI-coated HSA nanoparticles was 61.66 ± 6.8%, prepared with 6.25 μg of PEI (25 kDa) added per mg of HSA and 20 mg/ml HSA, indicating that this nonviral vector may serve as a promising gene delivery system.     

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。     

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。     

The use of low-molecular-weight PEIs as gene carriers in the monkey fibroblastoma and rabbit smooth muscle cell cultures

Background

Polyethylenimines (PEIs) and cationic polymers have been used successfully in gene delivery. In earlier reports, only large PEIs (MW>10 000) have shown significant transfection efficiency. In the present study, the roles of small PEIs (MW 700 and 2000) were studied as additional compounds to see if they can improve gene delivery with cationic liposomes.

Methods

The TKBPVlacZ expression plasmid was transfected in the CV1‐P (monkey fibroblastoma) and SMC (rabbit smooth muscle) cell lines using various combinations of PEIs (MW 700, 2000, and 25 000) and Dosper liposomes. The transfection efficiency was determined with the fluorometric ONPG (o‐nitrophenol‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside) assay and histochemical X‐gal staining. The toxicity of the transfection reagents was estimated by the MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazolyl‐2)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay.

Results

Transfection of TKBPVlacZ plasmid by the small PEIs (MW 700 and 2000) combined with Dosper liposomes was associated with high expression of the lacZ reporter gene in the CV1‐P and SMC cell lines. The transfection efficiencies of the low‐molecular‐weight PEI/liposome combinations were several fold higher than those of PEIs or liposomes alone. PEI/liposome combinations had no toxicity on the cell lines tested.

Conclusions

The low‐molecular‐weight PEIs could be used successfully for gene delivery when combined with the cationic liposomes, resulting in a synergistic increase of the transfection efficiency in both cell lines studied. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polyethylenimine copolymers enhance DNA condensation of low molecular weight polyethylenimines

Star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polyethylenimine [star-(PEG-b-PEI)] significantly enhance plasmid DNA condensation of low molecular weight (MW) PEIs. The star-block copolymers were prepared via a facile synthesis route using hexamethylene diisocyanate as linker between PEG and PEI blocks. NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the structures of intermediately activated PEG and final products. Furthermore, the copolymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, static light scattering, and viscosimetry. Their molecular weights (M(w) 19-26 kDa) were similar to high MW PEI (25 kDa). Thermoanalytical investigations (thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry) were also performed and verified successful copolymer synthesis. DNA condensation with the low MW PEIs (800 and 2000 Da) and their 4- and 8-star-block copolymers was studied using atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential measurements, and ethidium bromide (EtBr) exclusion assay. It was found that low MW PEIs formed huge aggregates (500 nm to 2 microm) in which DNA is only loosely condensed. By contrast, the star-block copolymers yielded small (80-110 nm), spherical and compact complexes that were stable against aggregation even at high ionic strength and charge neutrality. Furthermore, as revealed in the EtBr exclusion assay these star-block copolymers exhibited a DNA condensation potential as high as high MW PEI. Since these star-(PEG-block-PEI) copolymers are composed of relatively nontoxic low MW PEI and biocompatible PEG, their potential as gene delivery agents merits further investigations.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

Chitosan-Graft-Polyethylenimine/DNA Nanoparticles as Novel Non-Viral Gene Delivery Vectors Targeting Osteoarthritis

The development of safe and efficient gene carriers is the key to the clinical success of gene therapy. The present study was designed to develop and evaluate the chitosan-graft-polyethylenimine (CP)/DNA nanoparticles as novel non-viral gene vectors for gene therapy of osteoarthritis. The CP/DNA nanoparticles were produced through a complex coacervation of the cationic polymers with pEGFP after grafting chitosan (CS) with a low molecular weight (Mw) PEI (Mw = 1.8 kDa). Particle size and zeta potential were related to the weight ratio of CP:DNA, where decreases in nanoparticle size and increases in surface charge were observed as CP content increased. The buffering capacity of CP was significantly greater than that of CS. The transfection efficiency of CP/DNA nanoparticles was similar with that of the Lipofectamine™ 2000, and significantly higher than that of CS/DNA and PEI (25 kDa)/DNA nanoparticles. The transfection efficiency of the CP/DNA nanoparticles was dependent on the weight ratio of CP:DNA (w/w). The average cell viability after the treatment with CP/DNA nanoparticles was over 90% in both chondrocytes and synoviocytes, which was much higher than that of PEI (25 kDa)/DNA nanoparticles. The CP copolymers efficiently carried the pDNA inside chondrocytes and synoviocytes, and the pDNA was detected entering into nucleus. These results suggest that CP/DNA nanoparticles with improved transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity might be a safe and efficient non-viral vector for gene delivery to both chondrocytes and synoviocytes.