title: The feasibility of using magnetic nanoparticles modified as gene vector.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as gene vector and the effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by controlling some chemical reaction parameters through a partially reduction precipitation method with ferric chloride aqueous solution as precursor material. The surface of particles was modified by polyethyleneimine (PEI) agents. The appearance, the size distribution, structure and phase constitute of MNPs were characterized by Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD); the potential of absorbing DNA of MNPs was analysed by electrophoresis. Transfection was determined by delivering reporter gene, PGL2-control encoding luciferase, to different cell lines using MNPs-PLL as vector. The effect of magnetic field on the efficiency of transfection was determined using Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Foreign gene could be delivered to various cell lines by MNPs-PLL and expressed with high efficiency but the transfection efficiency and time course varied in the different cell lines studied. Magnetic field could enhance the efficiency of transfection by 5-10 fold.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MNPs- PLL can be used as a novel non-viral gene vector in vitro, which offers a basis for gene delivery in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210042, China.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D013499:Surface Properties; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D011094:Polyethyleneimine