壳聚糖携载质粒纳米微球体外转染兔关节软骨细胞的实验研究

目的:研究携载质粒的不同分子量的壳聚糖纳米微球的包裹率和保护DNA的能力,镜下观察其大小和形态,观察其对原代兔关节软骨细胞的转染效率。方法:利用酶消化法消化3周龄新西兰大白兔的关节软骨,贴壁培养原代兔关节软骨细胞。购买相对分子量在5K和800K之间的八种壳聚糖,利用表达增强型绿色荧光蛋白的质粒(pEGFP)作报告基因,通过复合凝聚法制备壳聚糖-质粒纳米微球。琼脂糖凝胶电泳、紫外分光光度计分析不同N/P比值对不同分子量壳聚糖和质粒的结合能力及包封率的影响;纳米粒度仪、透射电子显微镜和环境扫描电子显微镜考察纳米微球的粒径分布和形态;荧光显微镜观察壳聚糖纳米微球介导pEGFP在体外培养的兔关节软骨细胞中的表达情况;流失细胞仪计算具体转染效率。结果:①N/P值为4及4以上时,各分子量的壳聚糖可完全包裹质粒成球;N/P值为2时,分子量为5K、50K、85K仅部分包裹质粒,其余可完全包裹;N/P值为1时,各壳聚糖均与质粒部分包裹;N/P值为0.25时,各壳聚糖均与质粒完全分离。②纳米粒度仪分析得出:N/P值为4时,各分子量的壳聚糖纳米微球的平均粒径均在1微米以下,③透射电子显微镜和扫描电子显微镜均可观察到球形或不规则形的大小不同的微球。荧光显微镜可大致观察到绿色荧光蛋白在软骨细胞内表达的表达情况。④流式细胞仪得出具体转染效率,分子量为170K、250K和800K的壳聚糖纳米微球的转染效率均高于5K、50K和85K的壳聚糖纳米微球,其中800K的壳聚糖纳米微球与脂质体相当(差异有统计学意义,P<0.05)。结论:与脂质体相比,N/P比值为4时,相对分子量为800k的壳聚糖纳米微球可高效转染原代培养的兔软骨细胞,可以作为今后进一步体外、体内实验的首选转染载体。     

荷包猪SLA-2-HB01真核表达载体的构建及在PK15细胞中的表达

为构建荷包猪SLA-2-HB01真核细胞表达载体,观察其在PK15细胞中的表达情况。首先参考SLA-2-HB01基因编码区序列设计了引物对,以SLA-2-HB01-pMD 18-T为模板PCR扩增获得SLA-2-HB01编码区基因片段,经TA克隆及菌落PCR筛选得到阳性克隆菌。测序正确后大量双酶切回收目的基因片段并与真核表达载体pEGFP N3相连接获得重组质粒SLA-2-HB01/pEGFP N3,重组质粒转化至大肠杆菌经大量克隆后,抽提阳性重组质粒并通过脂质体介导转染至PK15细胞,通过荧光显微镜观察转染后PK15细胞的荧光强度,进一步通过Western Blotting检测PK15细胞中SLA-2-HB01蛋白的表达情况。结果显示PCR成功扩增得到SLA-2-HB01,大小为1 104 bp,并成功构建重组质粒SLA-2-HB01/pEGFP N3,酶切鉴定证实插入片段大小为1 092 bp。SLA-2-HB01/pEGFP N3重组质粒转染PK15细胞后具有绿色荧光,Western Blotting显示SLA-2-HB01-EGFP融合蛋白分子量大小为70 kD,与理论值相符。成功构建了SLA-2-HB01/pEGFP N3重组质粒,并初步确认SLA-2-HB01-EGFP融合蛋白成功在PK15细胞中表达,为下一步进行SLA-2-HB01递呈多肽表位的研究奠定基础。     

可磷酸化短肽偶联壳聚糖介导IL-1RA与IGF-1共转染对兔关节软骨细胞的作用

探讨可磷酸化短肽偶联壳聚糖(phosphorylatable short peptide coupled chitosan,pSP-CS),介导人白细胞介素 1受体拮抗剂基因(interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein,IL-1RA)和人胰岛素样生长因子1基因(insulin like growth factor-1,IGF-1) 共转染,对体外培养的兔关节软骨细胞的作用. 将pSP-CS 与共表达质粒pBudCE4.1-IL-1RA+IGF-1、单基因表达质粒pBudCE4.1-IL-1RA、pBudCE4.1-IGF-1和空质粒pBudCE4.1制成pSP-CS/pDNA复合物,转染体外分离培养的正常兔原代关节软骨细胞. ELISA 法检测IL-1RA和IGF-1的表达,以表征pSP CS转染效率;Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) 法分析软骨细胞的增殖活力;流式细胞仪检测软骨细胞的凋亡;定量PCR检测软骨细胞中基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(matrix metallo proteinase inhibitor-1, Timp-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-3(matrix metalloproteinase-3, Mmp-3)、聚集蛋白聚糖 (Aggrecan) 基因表达. 转基因组IL-1RA和IGF-1有较高的表达水平;各转基因组明显促进细胞增殖、抑制细胞凋亡、下调Mmp-3基因表达、上调Timp 1和Aggrecan基因表达,且双基因组作用明显优于单基因组(P<0.05). 结果表明,pSP-CS可以携带外源基因进入软骨细胞并大量表达, IGF-1与IL-1RA协同作用明显提高体外培养软骨细胞的生物活性, 为今后研究pSP-CS介导多基因体内治疗软骨损伤提供了基础.     

慢病毒介导绿色荧光蛋白基因转染大鼠软骨细胞表达研究

目的:慢病毒载体是一种逆转录病毒载体,可将目的基因稳定整合入宿主基因组、感染非分裂期细胞,现已成为基因工程中转移目的基因的理想载体.软骨细胞可定向成软骨,是软骨基因工程中理想的靶细胞.本文以绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)基因作为报告基因,探讨慢病毒介导的GFP基因转染大鼠膝关节软骨细胞的最适病毒感染复数(multiplicity of infection,MOI)、转染效率,以及转染GFP后是否对关节软骨细胞增殖代谢活动产生影响,为下一步实验提供理论基础.方法:常规大鼠膝关节软骨细胞原代、传代培养,应用携带GFP基因的慢病毒载体转染软骨细胞.在软骨细胞培养状态最佳时,以不同MOI值(分别设定为10,20,50,100)进行慢病毒转染实验,96h后在荧光显微镜下观察GFP在软骨细胞中的表达情况,确定最佳MOI值,流式细胞术检测慢病毒转染效率,MTT法绘制生长曲线比较携带GFP基因的慢病毒对软骨细胞增殖能力的影响,以评价GFP慢病毒载体系统转染大鼠膝关节软骨细胞的高效性和稳定性.结果:置荧光显微镜下,转染96 h后,部分软骨细胞可见绿色荧光.其中当MOI=50时,慢病毒转染软骨细胞效率最高,且对软骨细胞生长状态无显著性影响,GFP阳性细胞率(转染效率)为90.1％,MTT法测生长曲线结果显示,与未转染GFP基因的对照组相比,慢病毒转染组对软骨细胞增殖活性没有显著影响(P＞0.05).结论:慢病毒介导的GFP基因转染大鼠膝关节软骨细胞的最适MOI值为50,携带GFP基因的慢病毒能高效转染大鼠膝关节软骨细胞并稳定表达,同时不影响其生物学特性,为将来应用慢病毒载体对大鼠软骨细胞进行基因改造提供了理论基础,也可作为可靠的转基因研究示踪方法,为进一步研究关节软骨疾病的治疗提供了有力依据.     

新型纳米转染试剂转染PNP自杀基因体外杀伤实验

将壳聚糖纳米粒包裹的报告基因pEGFP-N1质粒转染至HEK293细胞,并在HEK293细胞中成功表达荧光蛋白的基础上,进一步将本室自行构建的PNP基因的真核高效表达载体质粒pcDNA3-PNP转染至HEK293细胞。转染72h后,对转染的HEK293细胞给予前体药6-MPDR至终浓度40μg/ml,一天后,采用MTT比色法测定药物对细胞增值的影响,并进行统计学处理。实验结果表明采用壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂转染并给予前体药6-MPDR的实验组活细胞数,与用壳聚糖转染但不给前体药6-MPDR的对照组活细胞数相比,有显著差异(P<0.05),说明新筛选出的壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂可以将PNP自杀基因递送至靶细胞中,并在细胞中进行表达,从而使PNP/6-MPDR自杀基因系统发挥杀伤细胞的作用。分别采用相同工作浓度的脂质体与壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂转染相同浓度的基因质粒,壳聚糖纳米粒对靶细胞生长数量影响很小,说明的壳聚糖纳米粒细胞毒性大大低于阳离子脂质体的细胞毒性。     

人工软骨支架中TGF-β1缓释壳聚糖微球对ATDC-5细胞生长的促进作用

为了提高本课题组前期构建的Ⅱ型胶原蛋白-透明质酸-硫酸软骨素的人工三维软骨支架对软骨细胞生长的促进作用,采用乳化交联法以壳聚糖为原料,加入细胞转化生长因子TGF-β1,并通过真空冷冻干燥技术制备了包裹TGF-β1的壳聚糖微球。然后分别将其与空白壳聚糖微球整合进软骨支架中,并接种小鼠软骨细胞ATDC-5,通过观察细胞生长状态来评价缓释微球在人工软骨支架中对软骨细胞生长是否具有促进作用。结果显示所制得的壳聚糖微球球体表面光滑,分散均匀,直径在100 nm左右,吸水率良好可达983.73%±4.38%,抗酶解作用较强,第28天时降解率仅达到51.0%±1.8%。由TGF-β1累积释放曲线可知TGF-β1在开始的24 h内释放最快,之后逐渐减慢,在120 h之后进入平台期,具有缓释效果。MTT试验以及荧光染色试验充分表明,由Ⅱ型胶原蛋白、透明质酸以及硫酸软骨素构建的三维软骨支架适合ATDC-5细胞的生长增殖,并且壳聚糖微球对TGF-β1的缓释能够显著促进细胞的生长。     

用壳聚糖纳米磁性微球纯化血红细胞超氧化物歧化酶

本研究旨在用壳聚糖-聚丙烯酸纳米磁性微球纯化血红细胞超氧化物歧化酶。采用了接枝共聚法,以K2S2O8为引发剂,使壳聚糖(CTS)与聚丙烯酸(PAA)进行自由接枝共聚合成含有两性基团(-NH3,-COOH)的壳聚糖-聚丙烯酸纳米微球。化学共沉淀法制备Fe3O4磁流体,以戊二醛为交联剂,制备壳聚糖-聚丙烯酸纳米磁性微球。用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪对磁性微球结构进行检测。JEM-4000EX电镜技术对微球粒径,形貌进行表征。SOD试剂盒测定各步骤Cu-ZnSOD酶活性。结果表明,壳聚糖-聚丙烯酸纳米磁性微球有较好的粒径分布、磁响应性及蛋白吸附特性。纯化后酶比活性达6 727 U/mg,产品得率21.1%,活性回收85.7%。壳聚糖-聚丙烯酸纳米磁性微球经血液纯化血红细胞SOD具有可再生性、易操作性,其纯化效果取决于金属Cu2+的螯合程度。     

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 .     

幽门螺杆菌VacA真核表达载体的构建及其诱导细胞空泡化和凋亡

目的：研究幽门螺杆菌空泡毒素作为单一毒力决定簇对真核细胞的作用。方法：用PCR扩增VacA基因片段,克隆入真核表达载体pEGFP—N1,构建重组质粒pEGFP—VacA,转染HeLa细胞,通过相差显微镜和电子显微镜观察细胞形态与结构的变化。结果：重组质粒转染HeLa细胞24h,10％一20％细胞的胞质内出现明显空泡,其中少数细胞发生凋亡改变。结论：成功构建了用于真核表达的重组VacA质粒,转染真核细胞后,观察VacA作用导致的细胞形态结构的变化,为研究VacA作为单一毒力决定簇对真核细胞的作用奠定了基础。     

ZNF230/荧光蛋白融合基因表达载体的构建及其在Cos细胞中的表达与定位

为了用绿色荧光蛋白标记观察人类无精症相关基因ZNF230在Cos7细胞中的蛋白质表达及定位,用PCR方法扩增得到突变的人和小鼠mt ZNF230和mt znf230基因,使其3′端的终止密码TGA突变为TGG,并装入T 载体,双酶切后通过定向克隆将其与真核表达载体pEGFP N1的绿色荧光蛋白(greenfluorescenceprotein,GFP)基因融合,构建了ZNF230—荧光蛋白融合基因表达载体。然后经真核表达质粒-脂质体介导,导入Cos7细胞系。荧光显微镜观察显示:在空白载体pEGFP N1转染的Cos细胞中荧光布满整个细胞,而在转染阳性载体pEGFP ZNF230和pEGFP znf230的Cos细胞中荧光主要聚集在细胞核中。表明转染的Cos细胞系能高效表达人ZNF230和小鼠znf230蛋白,ZNF230基因表达的蛋白定位于细胞核内。     

硅纳米颗粒作为基因转染载体的研究

通过不同浓度的NaCl、NaI修饰硅纳米颗粒,用琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析硅纳米颗粒与DNA结合力及对DNA的保护作用,同时用绿色荧光蛋白基因作报告基因,以硅纳米颗粒作为基因转染的载体,转染HT1080细胞。经电镜观察证实硅纳米颗粒进入细胞内;硅纳米颗粒与DNA结合后,能对DNA起保护作用;并且硅颗粒作为基因转染的载体,将绿色荧光蛋白基因导入HT1080细胞,用荧光显微镜观察到发绿色荧光的细胞。结果表明,硅纳米颗粒可作为基因转染的载体。     

Low molecular weight polyethylenimine for efficient transfection of human hematopoietic and umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells

With the emerging role of hematopoietic stem cells as potential gene and cell therapy vehicles, there is an increasing need for safe and effective nonviral gene delivery systems. Here, we report that gene transfer and transfection efficiency in human hematopoietic and cord blood CD34+ cells can be enhanced by the use of low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI). PEIs of various molecular weights (800-750,000) were tested, and our results showed that the uptake of plasmid DNA by hematopoietic TF-1 cells depended on the molecular weights and the N/P ratios. Treatment with PEI 2K (m.w. 2000) at an N/P ratio of 80/1 was most effective, increasing the uptake of plasmid DNA in TF-1 cells by 23-fold relative to Lipofectamine 2000. PEI 2K-enhanced transfection was similarly observed in hematopoietic K562, murine Sca-1+, and human cord blood CD34+ cells. Notably, in human CD34+ cells, a model gene transferred with PEI 2K showed 21,043- and 513-fold higher mRNA expression levels relative to the same construct transfected without PEI or with PEI 25 K, respectively. Moreover, PEI 2K-treated TF-1 and human CD34+ cells retained good viability. Collectively, these results indicate that PEI 2K at the optimal N/P ratio might be used to safely enhance gene delivery and transfection of hematopoietic and human CD34+ stem cells.     

Dextran-g-PEI nanoparticles as a carrier for co-delivery of adriamycin and plasmid into osteosarcoma cells

Combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy of cancer has synergistic effects on overcoming drug resistance. Macromolecular materials such as dextran and PEI have been a potential module for chemotherapeutics and gene delivery. Herein, we hypothesize the combinational strategy of chemotherapy and gene therapy in a single dextran-PEI nanoplatform. The physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity, transfection efficiency were investigated in vitro. Ultra-violet spectrum and ¹H NMR revealed adriamycin and PEI were grafted to dextran chain. Agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the migration of plasmid was completely retarded when the N/P ratio of complex was 4. The sizes of DEX-ADM-PEI/DNA nanoparticles decreased and the zeta potentials enhanced with the increasing N/P ratio. Transmission electron microscope indicated a round morphology of the nanoparticles. DEX-ADM-PEI conjugation has higher cytotoxicity, compared to free adriamycin, in MG-63 and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells but DEX-PEI maintained over 65% cell viability at the concentration of 8 mg/mL. The transfection efficiency of DEX-ADM-PEI/pEGFP-N1 at N/P ratio of 4:1 both in MG-63 and Saos-2 cell were slightly low than that of PEI 25k. But our nanoplatform efficiently delivered both plasmid pEGFP-N1 and adriamycin into osteosarcoma cells. This study demonstrated that DEX-ADM-PEI efficiently and selectively delivered both plasmid pEGFP-N1 and adriamycin to osteosarcoma cells with low cytotoxicity.     

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.     

Effect of chitosan chain architecture on gene delivery: comparison of self-branched and linear chitosans

Chitosan possesses many characteristics of an ideal gene delivery system. However, the transfection efficiency of conventional chitosans is generally found to be low. In this study, we investigated the self-branching of chitosans as a strategy to improve its gene transfer properties without compromising its safety profile. Self-branched (SB) and self-branched trisaccharide-substituted (SBTCO) chitosans with molecular weights of 11-71 kDa were synthesized, characterized, and compared with their linear counterparts with respect to transfection efficiency, cellular uptake, formulation stability, and cytotoxicity. Our studies show that in contrast with unmodified linear chitosans that were unable to transfect HeLa cells, self-branched chitosans mediated high transfection efficiencies. The most efficient chitosan, SBTCO30, yielded gene expression levels two and five times higher than those of Lipofectamine and Exgen, respectively, and was nontoxic to cells. Nanoparticles formed with SBTCO chitosans exhibited a higher colloidal stability of formulation, efficient internalization without excessive cell surface binding, and low cytotoxicity.     

Characterization of PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic DNA

Local and controlled DNA release is a critical issue in current gene therapy. As viral gene delivery systems are associated with severe security problems, nonviral gene delivery vehicles were developed. Here, DNA-nanoparticles using grafted copolymers of PLL and PEG to increase their biocompatibility and stealth properties were systematically studied. Ten different PLL-based polymers with no, low, and high PEG grafting and PEG molecular weights as well as different PLL backbone lengths were complexed with plasmids containing 3200 to 10,100 base pairs. Stable complexes were formed and selected for cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency. Predominantly, PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles grafted with 4 or 5% PEG moieties of 5 kDa transfected 40% COS-7 cells without reduction of cell viability when formed at N/P ratios between 0.1 and 12.5. The molecular weight of PLL did not significantly affect transfection efficiency or cytotoxicity indicating that a specific cationic charge-density-to-PEG-ratio is important for efficient transfection and low cytotoxicity. The PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles were spherical with a diameter of approximately 100 nm and did not aggregate over 2 weeks. Moreover, they protected included plasmid DNA against serum components and DNase I digestion. Therefore, such storage stable and versatile PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles might be useful to deliver differently sized therapeutic DNA for in vivo applications.     

Poly(ethylene oxide) grafted with short polyethylenimine gives DNA polyplexes with superior colloidal stability, low cytotoxicity, and potent in vitro gene transfection under serum conditions

Poly(ethylene oxide) grafted with 1.8 kDa branched polyethylenimine (PEO-g-PEI) copolymers with varying compositions, that is, PEO(13k)-g-10PEI, PEO(24k)-g-10PEI, and PEO(13k)-g-22PEI, were prepared and investigated for in vitro nonviral gene transfer. Gel electrophoresis assays showed that PEO(13k)-g-10PEI, PEO(24k)-g-10PEI, and PEO(13k)-g-22PEI could completely inhibit DNA migration at an N/P ratio of 4/1, 4/1, and 3/1, respectively. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements revealed that all three graft copolymers were able to effectively condense DNA into small-sized (80-245 nm) particles with moderate positive surface charges (+7.2 ～ +24.1 mV) at N/P ratios ranging from 5/1 to 40/1. The polyplex sizes and zeta-potentials intimately depended on PEO molecular weights and PEI graft densities. Notably, unlike 25 kDa PEI control, PEO-g-PEI polyplexes were stable against aggregation under physiological salt as well as 20% serum conditions due to the shielding effect of PEO. MTT assays in 293T cells demonstrated that PEO-g-PEI polyplexes had decreased cytotoxicity with increasing PEO molecular weights and decreasing PEI graft densities, wherein low cytotoxicities (cell viability >80%) were observed for polyplexes of PEO(13k)-g-22PEI, PEO(13k)-g-10PEI, and PEO(24k)-g-10PEI up to an N/P ratio of 20/1, 30/1, and 40/1, respectively. Interestingly, in vitro transfection results showed that PEO(13k)-g-10PEI polyplexes have the best transfection activity. For example, PEO(13k)-g-10PEI polyplexes formed at an N/P ratio of 20/1, which were essentially nontoxic (100% cell viability), displayed over 3- and 4-fold higher transfection efficiencies in 293T cells than 25 kDa PEI standard under serum-free and 10% serum conditions, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies using Cy5-labeled DNA confirmed that these PEO-g-PEI copolymers could efficiently deliver DNA into the perinuclei region as well as into nuclei of 293T cells at an N/P ratio of 20/1 following 4 h transfection under 10% serum conditions. PEO-g-PEI polyplexes with superior colloidal stability, low cytotoxicity, and efficient transfection under serum conditions are highly promising for safe and efficient in vitro as well as in vivo gene transfection applications.     

Self-catalyzed degradable cationic polymer for release of DNA

The controlled release of siRNA or DNA complexes from cationic polymers is an important parameter design in polymer-based delivery carriers. In this work, we use the self-catalyzed degradable poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) (PDMAEA) to strongly bind, protect, and then release oligo DNA (a mimic for siRNA) without the need for a cellular or external trigger. This self-catalyzed hydrolysis process of PDMAEA forms poly(acrylic acid) and N,N'-dimethylamino ethyl ethanol, both of which have little or no toxicity to cells, and offers the advantage of little or no toxicity to off-target cells and tissues. We found that PDMAEA makes an ideal component of a delivery carrier by protecting the oligo DNA for a sufficiently long period of time to transfect most cells (80% transfection after 4 h) and then has the capacity to release the DNA inside the cells after ~10 h. The PDMAEA formed large nanoparticle complexes with oligo DNA of ~400 nm that protected the oligo DNA from DNase in serum. The nanoparticle complexes showed no toxicity for all molecular weights at a nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) ratio of 10. Only the higher molecular weight polymers at very high N/P ratios of 200 showed significant levels of cytotoxicity. These attributes make PDMAEA a promising candidate as a component in the design of a gene delivery carrier without the concern about accumulated toxicity of nanoparticles in the human body after multiadministration, an issue that has become increasingly more important.     

Low molecular weight polyethylenimine grafted N-maleated chitosan for gene delivery: properties and in vitro transfection studies

To develop chitosan-based efficient gene vectors, chitosans with different molecular weights were chemically modified with low molecular weight polyethylenimine. The molecular weight and composition of polyethylenimine grafted N-maleated chitosan (NMC-g-PEI) copolymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and (1)H NMR, respectively. Agarose gel electrophoresis assay showed that NMC-g-PEI had good binding ability with DNA, and the particle size of the NMC-g-PEI/DNA complexes was 200-400 nm, as determined by a Zeta sizer. The nanosized complexes observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) exhibited a compact and spherical morphology. The NMC-g-PEI copolymers showed low cytotoxicity and good transfection activity, comparable to PEI (25 KDa) in both 293T and HeLa cell lines, except for NMC 50K-g-PEI. The results indicated that the molecular weight of NMC-g-PEI has an important effect on cytotoxicity and transfection activity, and low molecular weight NMC-g-PEI has a good potential as efficient nonviral gene vectors.