title: Enhanced siRNA delivery using oleic acid derivative of polyethylenimine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  RNA interference has promising therapeutic potential. However, safe and efficacious delivery systems are necessary for its application in the clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  An oleic acid (OA) derivative of branched polyethylenimine (PEI, M.W. 2000 Da), PEI-OA, was synthesized and evaluated for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery in SK-HEP-1 liver cancer cells stably transfected with luciferase. The physiochemical properties of PEI-OA/siRNA complexes, their cellular uptake, gene silencing activity based on luciferase reporter gene down-regulation, and cytotoxicity were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEI-OA complexes effectively delivered siRNA into SK-HEP-1 cells and efficiently induced down-regulation of luciferase reporter gene expression. Compared with free siRNA and PEI/siRNA, PEI-OA/siRNA was significantly more effective, reducing luciferase activity by ~50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEI-OA warrants further evaluation for therapeutic delivery of siRNA.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China.
authors.forename: Lesheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Lirong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010316:Particle Size; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D019301:Oleic Acid; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D008156:Luciferases