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。     

量子点在基因转染中的应用研究进展

量子点因其独特的纳米尺寸效应、光学特性和生物相容性,既能作为纳米载体与目的基因结合,又能作为纳米荧光标记物跟踪记录其在转染过程中的位置,给基因工程的发展带来了新的契机。在阐述量子点用于基因转染的优势、标记基因的方法等基础上,作者系统综述了量子点在基因转染中的应用,并对其发展趋势和应用前景进行了展望。     

纳米基因载体在植物遗传转化中的应用

纳米基因载体已成功地应用于生物医学领域并显示了优越的转染效率、良好的生物相容性和有效的基因保护作用。近年来,纳米颗粒作为基因载体在植物转导中的应用潜力越来越受到关注,也为植物遗传工程提供了新的可能性。在阐述纳米载体的特性、在植物细胞中的转导机制及转导优势的基础上,重点讨论了纳米载体在植物转基因中的应用,并对其前景进行了展望。     

磁性纳米颗粒作为载体在基因转染中的研究进展

磁性纳米颗粒具有很强的结合、浓缩与保护DNA的作用,具有超顺磁性、较高的安全性和低的免疫原性,可以结合大片段DNA,在外加磁场的作用下可实现安全、高效的基因靶向性运输,提高外源基因的转染效率。由于磁性纳米颗粒的独特性质,使得其作为非病毒载体在基因治疗中的应用进展迅速。我们简要介绍磁性纳米材料的特点、种类及结构,磁性纳米基因载体的特点,以及磁性纳米颗粒作为载体在基因转染中的应用情况。     

表面电荷对阳离子基因载体的影响

阳离子基因载体表面带有大量正电荷,由于许多DNA和细胞膜表面带负电荷,因此阳离子基因载体表面电荷有利于提高结合DNA的效率,纳米粒子与细胞膜的吸附也受粒子表面电荷的影响。同时,其表面电荷也是产生细胞毒性的主要原因之一,因此揭示细胞毒性及其作用机制有利于开发出更安全高效的基因递送载体。本文综述了阳离子基因载体表面电荷对DNA结合能力、细胞摄入、转染效率以及细胞毒性及其作用机制的影响。     

金特异性结合短肽介导的重组杆状病毒与胶体金构成的纳米复合体

纳米金在生物探针方面的应用技术是重要的研究方向, 这一技术的关键在于纳米金与生物分子有效的结合, 本文通过基因重组策略, 研究杆状病毒表面展示技术与金特异结合肽介导的固定化方法联用以构建生物-无机复合材料的可行性。利用Bac-to-Bac杆状病毒表达系统将合成的金特异结合肽基因融合到杆状病毒BmNPV囊膜糖蛋白gp64的N端信号肽与成熟蛋白之间构成转移质粒载体, 经过转座得到重组穿梭质粒pFB-gp64-Au, 转染Sf9昆虫细胞后收获多角体启动子控制下表达融合蛋白的重组AcMNPV。同时采用硼氢化钠还原法制备得到胶体金, 进行组建病毒 胶体金复合结构的初步研究。结果表明, 成功构建的重组穿梭质粒转染细胞后得到囊膜表面经金无机结合肽修饰的AcMNPV重组病毒, 并通过透射电子显微镜(transmission electron microscopy, TEM)观察到由金特异结合肽所介导的病毒 胶体金的复合结构。这项研究有助于进行生物-无机复合体系构建及纳米材料在生物学领域应用的研究。     

p27kip1基因纳米粒子抑制鼠移植静脉内膜增殖的实验研究

用美国FDA批准使用的生物可降解材料聚乳酸聚乙醇酸共聚物 (PLGA) 为载体材料,制备载p27kip1基因的纳米粒子. 用激光光散射法测定纳米粒子的平均粒径为288.9 nm,粒径呈窄分布,扫描电镜观察纳米粒子表面光滑. DNA含量为3%. 包封效率为86%. 观察p27kip1基因纳米粒子的体外释放情况,发现DNA体外最初释放速度较大,约1周后释放速度开始减缓,可维持平稳释放15天以上. 体外转染大鼠血管平滑肌细胞,用流式细胞仪检测到p27kip1基因纳米粒子对细胞周期进程的抑制作用. 建立自体静脉移植大鼠模型,随机分成三组进行试验：p27kip1基因纳米粒子组,空白纳米粒子组,单纯静脉移植组. 分别于给药后3天、7天、14天、28天取材,HE染色及Verhoeff 染色检测内膜厚度,蛋白质印迹检测P27抑癌基因蛋白的表达,免疫组化SABC法检测移植静脉内膜PCNA、E2F表达. 动物模型试验中转基因组内膜平均厚度较其他组明显减少 (P < 0.01);转基因组PCNA的表达较其他组明显降低 (P < 0.01);转基因组E2F的表达7 ~ 14天较其他组显著降低 (P < 0.01);对照组及单纯静脉移植组之间均无明显差异. 纳米粒子作为p27kip1基因载体能够有效抑制自体静脉移植后内膜平滑肌细胞的增殖.     

慢病毒介导KCNMA1体外转染大鼠间充质干细胞及功能测定

间充质干细胞具有高度增殖、自我更新和多向分化的潜能。大电导钙离子激活的钾通道M亚族α亚基（potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel,subfamily M,alpha member 1,KCNMA1）介导细胞内K＋的外流,使细胞膜超极化,降低细胞的兴奋性。该研究通过制备KCNMA1重组慢病毒载体和空白对照慢病毒载体,将其转染至间充质干细胞内,测定转染复数值（MOI）,并通过RT-PCR和Western blot比较转染前后KCNMA1的表达变化情况,检测转染前后细胞微环境中电解质浓度变化。结果成功包装了KCNMA1慢病毒载体和空白病毒载体并转染入干细胞内;含有目的基因的慢病毒转染间充质干细胞后,RT-PCR和Western blot提示KCNMA1过表达,且细胞微环境中K＋浓度升高。证实成功地将含KCNMA1的慢病毒载体转染进入大鼠间充质干细胞内,并在细胞内过表达且发挥功能,为体内研究KCNMA1结合干细胞治疗相关疾病奠定了基础。     

阳离子脂质体介导RNA干扰的效果评价

考察自制的肽型阳离子脂质体CDO14作为RNA转染载体的细胞毒性及其运载si RNA进行RNA干扰的效果。通过MTT法检测脂质体对稳定表达荧光素酶的肺癌A549(Luc-A549)细胞的毒性。以脂质体为载体将荧光素酶si RNA(Luc-si RNA)转染至Luc-A549细胞内,用发光仪检测转染细胞内荧光素酶含量,BCA法检测细胞内总蛋白含量。在裸鼠腋下接种Luc-A549细胞,成瘤后尾静脉注射Luc-si RNA和脂质体的复合物,利用活体成像系统检测模型小鼠体内荧光素酶的表达量。细胞毒性实验表明,自制脂质体的毒性与商品脂质体DOTAP相近,低于商品脂质体Lipo2000;细胞转染实验表明自制脂质体作为基因转染载体的转染效率高于DOTAP;体内转染实验表明CDO14作为载体转染效果优于DOTAP。结果表明,肽型阳离子脂质体CDO14具有毒性小、转染效率高等优点,有望作为转染载体用于基因治疗。     

PAMAM介导基因转染的机制与应用进展

聚酰胺-胺型树枝状高聚物(PAMAM)是一种新型的高度分枝的球形纳米级高分子,其表面带有多价功能基团,结构规整呈放射状对称,目前广泛用于生物化学、纳米医药的研究开发中.介于其作为基因载体转染效率高、低毒性、装载量大、可介导遗传物质的稳定表达等优点吸引越来越多的科学家对其进行更深入的研究.本文在简述PAMAM结构和功能的基础上,对近年来关于其介导基因转染的生物学机制、优化与应用进展展开综述.     

Recent advances in rational gene transfer vector design based on poly(ethylene imine) and its derivatives

The continually increasing wealth of knowledge about the role of genes involved in acquired or hereditary diseases renders the delivery of regulatory genes or nucleic acids into affected cells a potentially promising strategy. Apart from viral vectors, non-viral gene delivery systems have recently received increasing interest, due to safety concerns associated with insertional mutagenesis of retro-viral vectors. Especially cationic polymers may be particularly attractive for the delivery of nucleic acids, since they allow a vast synthetic modification of their structure enabling the investigation of structure-function relationships. Successful clinical application of synthetic polycations for gene delivery will depend primarily on three factors, namely (1) an enhancement of the transfection efficiency, (2) a reduction in toxicity and (3) an ability of the vectors to overcome numerous biological barriers after systemic or local administration. Among the polycations presently used for gene delivery, poly(ethylene imine), PEI, takes a prominent position, due to its potential for endosomal escape. PEI as well as derivatives of PEI currently under investigation for DNA and RNA delivery will be discussed.This review focuses on structure-function relationships and the physicochemical aspects of polyplexes which influence basic characteristics, such as complex formation, stability or in vitro cytotoxicity, to provide a basis for their application under in vivo conditions. Rational design of optimized polycations is an objective for further research and may provide the basis for a successful cationic polymer-based gene delivery system in the future.     

Generation of magnetic nonviral gene transfer agents and magnetofection in vitro

This protocol details how to design and conduct experiments to deliver nucleic acids to adherent and suspension cell cultures in vitro by magnetic force-assisted transfection using self-assembled complexes of nucleic acids and cationic lipids or polymers (nonviral gene vectors), which are associated with magnetic (nano) particles. These magnetic complexes are sedimented onto the surface of the cells to be transfected within minutes by the application of a magnetic gradient field. As the diffusion barrier to nucleic acid delivery is overcome, the full vector dose is targeted to the cell surface and transfection is synchronized. In this manner, the transfection process is accelerated and transfection efficiencies can be improved up to several 1,000-fold compared with transfections carried out with nonmagnetic gene vectors. This protocol describes how to accomplish the following stages: synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for magnetofection; testing the association of DNA with the magnetic components of the transfection complex; preparation of magnetic lipoplexes and polyplexes; magnetofection; and data processing. The synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles can be accomplished within 3-5 d. Cell culture and transfection is then estimated to take 3 d. Transfected gene expression analysis, cell viability assays and calibration will probably take a few hours. This protocol can be used for cells that are difficult to transfect, such as primary cells, and may also be applied to viral nucleic acid delivery. With only minor alterations, this protocol can also be useful for magnetic cell labeling for cell tracking studies and, as it is, will be useful for screening vector compositions and novel magnetic nanoparticle preparations for optimized transfection efficiency in any cell type.     

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a carrier platform for intracellular delivery of nucleic acids

Virus-mediated gene delivery has been, to date, the most successful and efficient method for gene therapy. However, this method has been challenged because of serious safety concerns. Over the past decade, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted much attention for intracellular delivery of nucleic acids. Delivery of cellular plasmid DNA (pDNA) is designed to replace the function of a defective gene and restore its normal function in the cell. Delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can selectively knockdown genes by targeting specific mRNAs. The biocompatibility and unique structures of MSNs make these nanoparticles ideal candidates to act as biomolecule carriers. This concise review highlights current progress in the field of nucleic acid delivery using MSNs, specifically for delivery of pDNA, siRNA, and combinatorial delivery of nucleic acids and drugs. The review describes important design parameters presently being applied to MSNs to administer drugs and therapeutic nucleic acids.     

Poly (beta-amino ester) as an in vivo nanocarrier for therapeutic nucleic acids

Therapeutic nucleic acids are an emerging class of therapy for treating various diseases through immunomodulation, protein replacement, gene editing, and genetic engineering. However, they need a vector to effectively and safely reach the target cells. Most gene and cell therapies rely on ex vivo gene delivery, which is laborious, time-consuming, and costly; therefore, devising a systematic vector for effective and safe in vivo delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids is required to target the cells of interest in an efficient manner. Synthetic nanoparticle vector poly beta amino ester (PBAE), a class of degradable polymer, is a promising candidate for in vivo gene delivery. PBAE is considered the most potent in vivo vector due to its excellent transfection performance and biodegradability. PBAE nanoparticles showed tunable charge density, diverse structural characteristics, excellent encapsulation capacity, high stability, stimuli-responsive release, site-specific delivery, potent binding to nucleic acids, flexible binding ability to various conjugates, and effective endosomal escape. These unique properties of PBAE are an essential contribution to in vivo gene delivery. The current review discusses each of the components used for PBAE synthesis and the impact of various environmental and physicochemical factors of the body on PBAE nanocarrier.     

Liposome-mediated gene delivery into plant cells

Liposomes may offer several advantages as vectors for gene delivery into plant cells: (1) enhanced delivery of encapsulated DNA by membrane fusion, (2) protection of nucleic acids from nuclease activity, (3) targeting to specific cells, (4) delivery into a variety of cell types besides protoplasts by entry through plasmodesmata, (5) delivery of intact small organelles. Realization of these advantages calls for the construction of efficient liposomes, for appropriate fusion conditions and for an understanding of the nature of liposome-cell interactions. Various characteristics and techniques of the liposome-cell system are described (mode of delivery, liposome types and composition, and means of promoting delivery of liposome contents). Data of liposome-mediated delivery of various macromolecules into plant cells, with special reference to protoplasts, calli and pollen are reviewed. This includes data obtained by the use of fluorescent probes, radioactive-labelled DNA, viral nucleic acids and expression of plasmid-DNA. Structure and characteristics of plant surfaces and plasmodesmata are discussed with respect to DNA entry. It is suggested that liposome-mediated gene delivery into plant cells, and not only protoplasts, will be advantageous in certain specific tissues and situations.     

Gene therapy for Parkinson's disease: recent achievements and remaining challenges

Gene therapy is the use of nucleic acids as drugs. Thus, ways had to be developed to deliver this new generation of drugs to target tissues. Various viral and non-viral vectors have been engineered to carry potentially therapeutic nucleic acids into diseased organs or target cells. The brain offers a particular challenge for gene delivery to its constituent cells: it is encased by the skull, separated from the general circulation by the blood brain barrier, and made up of mostly non-dividing cells. The skull limits direct injection of vectors into the brain, the blood brain barrier inhibits the easy entry of vectors injected into the bloodstream, and post mitotic target cells restrict what type of vector can be used to deliver genes to the brain. We will discuss the main challenges faced by gene delivery to the brain, i.e. immune responses to the delivery vectors and therapeutic transgenes and length of duration of the therapy specifically as applied to Parkinson's disease. We will also discuss therapeutic strategies, which could be implemented to treat Parkinson's disease, and the models in which they have been tested.     

Tumor microenvironment as the “regulator” and “target” for gene therapy

In this review, we focus on strategies for designing functional nano gene carriers, as well as choosing therapeutic genes targeting the tumor microenvironment. Gene mutations have a great impact on the occurrence of cancer. Thus, gene therapy plays a major role in cancer therapy and has the potential to cure cancer. Well‐designed gene therapy largely relies on effective gene carriers, which can be divided into viral carriers and non‐viral carriers. A gene carrier delivers functional genes to their intracellular target and avoids nucleic acids being degraded by nucleases in the serum. Most conventional cancer gene therapies only target cancer cells and do not appear to be sufficintly efficient to pass clinical trials. Accumulating evidence has shown that extending the therapeutic strategies to the tumor microenvironment, rather than the tumor cell itself, can allow more options for achieving robust anti‐cancer efficiency. In addition, unusual features between tumor microenvironment and normal tissues, such as a lower pH, higher glutathione and reactive oxygen species concentrations, and overexpression of some enzymes, facilitate the design of smart stimuli‐responsive gene carriers regulated by the tumor microenvironment. These carriers interact with nucleic acids and then form stable nanoparticles under physiological conditions. By regulation of the tumor microenvironment, stimuli‐responsive gene carriers are able to change their properties and achieve high gene delivery efficiency. Considering the tumor microenvironment as the “regulator” and “target” when designing gene carriers and choosing therapeutic genes shows significant benefit with respect to improving the accuracy and efficiency of cancer gene therapy.     

非病毒型基因载体研究进展

非病毒载体以其安全性、低毒性、低免疫反应、靶向性及易于组装等优点被寄予厚望 ,对非病毒载体的研究人们投入了很大的精力 ,以期在基因治疗方面有所突破。综述了近年来非病毒载体的研究现状 ,分别总结阐述了阳离子脂质体载体、多聚阳离子载体、壳聚糖载体、树状高分子载体以及无机壳类SiO2 纳米粒子载体。提出非病毒载体今后的发展方向及发展的必要性。     

Acid‐activated nonviral peptide vector for gene delivery

Nonviral vector–based gene therapy is a promising strategy for treating a myriad of diseases. Cell‐penetrating peptides are gaining increasing attention as vectors for nucleic acid delivery. However, most studies have focused more on the transfection efficiency of these vectors than on their specificity and toxicity. To obtain ideal vectors with high efficiency and safety, we constructed the vector stearyl‐TH by attaching a stearyl moiety to the N‐terminus of the acid‐activated cell penetrating peptide TH in this study. Under acidic conditions, stearyl‐TH could bind to and condense plasmids into nanoparticle complexes, which displayed significantly enhanced cellular uptake and transfection efficiencies. In contrast, stearyl‐TH lost the capacities of DNA binding and transfection at physiological pH. More importantly, stearyl‐TH and the complexes formed by stearyl‐TH and plasmids displayed no obvious toxicity at physiological pH. Consequently, the high transfection efficiency under acidic conditions and low toxicity make stearyl‐TH a potential nucleic acid delivery vector for gene therapy.     

Lipophilic peptides for gene delivery

DNA transfections are widely performed in research laboratories and in vivo gene delivery holds the promise for curing many diseases. The synthetic carriers or vectors for DNA are typically cationic lipids. However, in biology, the recognition of nucleic acids by proteins involves both electrostatic and stacking contributions. As such we have prepared a series of new lipophilic peptide vectors that possess lysine and tryptophan amino acids for evaluation. These lipophilic peptides show minimal cytotoxicity and enhanced in vitro gene transfection activity.