Membrane fusion inducers, chloroquine and spermidine increase lipoplex-mediated gene transfection.
Gene transfection into mammalian cells can be achieved with viral and non-viral vectors. Non-viral vectors, such as cationic lipids that form lipoplexes with DNA, are safer and more stable than viral vectors, but their transfection efficiencies are lower. Here we describe that the simultaneous treatment with a membrane fusion inducer (chlorpromazine or procainamide) plus the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine increases lipoplex-mediated gene transfection in human (HEK293 and C-33 A) and rat (PC12) cell lines (up to 9.2-fold), as well as in situ in BALB/c mice spleens and livers (up to 6-fold); and that the polyamine spermidine increases lipoplex-mediated gene transfection and expression in cell cultures. The use of these four drugs provides a novel, safe and relatively inexpensive way to considerably increase lipoplex-mediated gene transfection efficiency.
Wong-Baeza
Carlos
C
Biochemistry Department, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 11340, Mexico.
Bustos
Israel
I
Serna
Manuel
M
Tescucano
Alonso
A
Alcántara-Farfán
Verónica
V
Ibáñez
Miguel
M
Montañez
Cecilia
C
Wong
Carlos
C
Baeza
Isabel
I
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D013095:Spermidine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
D002738:Chloroquine; D013095:Spermidine