title: Pluronic block copolymers: novel functions in ultrasound-mediated gene transfer and against cell damage.
abstract: Pluronics have been investigated as vectors for drug and gene delivery in vitro and in vivo and were demonstrated to have high efficiency for gene transfer in vivo. However, they alone do not enhance gene transfer in vitro. We examined three pluronics, F127, L61 and P85, for their effects on ultrasound (US)-mediated gene transfer in three cell lines, 3T3-MDEI, C2C12 and CHO. The polymers showed differential effects on cell viability and transfection efficiency in a dose-dependent manner. All the polymers were unable to facilitate gene transfer when used alone, but enhanced US-mediated gene transfer significantly at concentrations around the critical micelle concentration in the three cell lines. F127 showed no significant toxicity at any concentration and protected the cells against US-mediated damage at a high concentration. L61 decreased cell viability significantly in a dose-dependent manner, whereas P85 showed mild toxicity when its concentration was at or above 0.05%.
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Group, Imaging Sciences Department, Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Yun-Chao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hai-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Qing-Ping
authors.initials: QP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Martin J K
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Blomley
authors.forename: Qi Long
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D051379:Mice; D011060:Poloxalene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014162:Transfection; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C422648:pluronic block copolymer p85; C480965:pluronic L61; D020442:Poloxamer; D011060:Poloxalene; C078661:UCON 50-HB-5100