title: Chitosan nanoparticle as gene therapy vector via gastrointestinal mucosa administration: results of an in vitro and in vivo study.
abstract: This study was designed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo transfection efficiency of chitosan nanoparticles used as vectors for gene therapy. Three types of chitosan nanoparticles [quaternized chitosan -60% trimethylated chitosan oligomer (TMCO-60%), C(43-45 KDa, 87%), and C(230 KDa, 90%)] were used to encapsulate plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) using the complex coacervation technique. The morphology, optimal chitosan-pDNA binding ratio and conditions for maximal in vitro transfection were studied. The in vivo transfection was conducted by feeding the chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles to 12 BALB/C-nu/nu nude mice. Both conventional and TMCO-60% could form stable nanoparticles with pDNA. The in vitro study showed the transfection efficiency to be in the following descending order: TMCO-60%>C(43-45 KDa, 87%)>C(230 KDa, 90%). TMCO-60% proved to be the most efficient and the optimal chitosan/pDNA ratio being 3.2:1. In vivo study showed most prominent GPF expression in the gastric and upper intestinal mucosa. GFP expression in the mucosa of the stomach and duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and large intestine were found, respectively, in 100%, 88.9%, 77.8% and 66.7% of the nude mice examined. TMCO-60%/pDNA nanoparticles had better in vitro and in vivo transfection activity than the other two, and with minimal toxicity, which made it a desirable non-viral vector for gene therapy via oral administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Cancer Center of Wuhan University, No 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xiao-Wen
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Gui-Fang
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ling-Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Hong-Yin
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Ye-Jian
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yu-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D048271:Chitosan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000235:genetics*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D004247:DNA; D048271:Chitosan