title: Monosize polycationic nanoparticles as non-viral vectors for gene transfer to HeLa cells.
abstract: Monosized cationic nanoparticles were produced by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and N-[3-(dimethyl-amino) propyl] methacrylamide, conducted in the presence of a cationic initiator, 2,2'-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, using different amounts of ingredients and at different conditions. The structure of the terpolymers was confirmed by (1)H-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The nanoparticles, with an average size of 71.3 nm [polydispersity index (PDI), 1.110] and a Zeta potential of 65.6 mV obtained by a zeta sizer, were used in the transfection studies. HeLa cells were transfected in in vitro cell cultures with these non-viral nanoparticle vectors with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing plasmid DNA. The transfer of the cationic nanoparticles into the cells and GFP expressions with the conjugates of the nanoparticles and the GFP-expressing plasmid were followed by both light and fluorescent microscopy. The GFP expression efficiency was unexpectedly high (up to 90%).
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department and Bioengineering Division, Hacettepe University, and Biyomedtek, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Güldem Utkan
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Güven
authors.forename: Nelisa Türkoglu
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Laçin
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pişkin
mesh_terms: D016923:Cell Death; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes