Ferrocene-containing cationic lipids: influence of redox state on cell transfection.
A ferrocene-containing, redox-active cationic lipid that can be transformed using electrochemical methods yields large differences in cell transfection depending on the oxidation state of the lipid. Expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase occurs at very high levels when DNA lipoplexes are formulated using the lipid in the reduced state. In contrast, transfection is negligible when oxidized lipid is used. These observations suggest the basis of a general method that could be used to transform inactive lipoplex formulations to an active form through the application of externally applied electrical potentials. The ability to activate lipoplexes toward transfection electrochemically and "on demand" could create new opportunities to deliver DNA in vitro and in vivo with both spatial and temporal control.
Abbott
Nicholas L
NL
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA. abbott@engr.wisc.edu
Jewell
Christopher M
CM
Hays
Melissa E
ME
Kondo
Yukishige
Y
Lynn
David M
DM
D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D000075163:Metallocenes; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D014162:Transfection
D002412:Cations; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D008055:Lipids; D000075163:Metallocenes; C505027:bis-(11-ferrocenylundecyl)dimethylammonium bromide; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D004247:DNA; C004998:ferrocene