Alginate/PEI/DNA polyplexes: a new gene delivery system.
OBJECTIVE
To avoid the limitation of the use of cationic polyethlenimine (PEI)-complexed plasmid DNA use for in vitro or in vivo gene delivery due to its cytotoxicity and lower efficiency in the presence of serum.


METHODS
A polyplex with decreased positive charge on the complex surface was designed. The PEI/DNA (PD) complexes coated with an anionic biodegradable polymer, alginate were prepared and their gene delivery behavior with PD was compared.


RESULTS
The alginate-coated PD polyplex, where alginate : PEI : DNA [alginate : DNA, 0.15 (w/w); PEI : DNA, N : P = 10] showed about 10 - 30 fold-increased transfection efficiency compared to corresponding non-coated complexes to C3 cells in the presence of 50% serum. The surface charge of the alginate-coated complex was approximately half of that of the alginate-lacking complex. The size of alginate-coated complex was slightly smaller than that of the corresponding complex without alginate. The former complex also showed a reduced erythrocyte aggregation activity and decreased cytotoxicities to C3 cells in comparison with PD complex.


CONCLUSIONS
The alginate-coated PD polyplexes as a new gene delivery system can improve transfection efficiency in high serum concentration with low cytotoxicity to C3 cells.
Jiang
Ge
G
Bioengineering College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China. jiangge1004@yahoo.com
Min
Sang-Hyun
SH
Kim
Mi-Na
MN
Lee
Dong-Chul
DC
Lim
Mi-Jung
MJ
Yeom
Young-Il
YI
D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002470:Cell Survival; D003470:Culture Media; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010957:Plasmids; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D044967:Serum; D014162:Transfection
D000464:Alginates; D003470:Culture Media; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D004247:DNA