title: Cervical cancer gene therapy by gene loaded PEG-PLA nanomedicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advances in the treatment of cervical cancer over the last decade have predominantly involved the development of genes directed at molecular targets. Gene therapy is recognized to be a novel method for the treatment of cervical cancer. Genes can be administered into target cells via nanocarriers. This study aimed to develop systemically administrable nano-vectors. Floate (Fa) containing gene loaded nanoparticles (NPs) could target HeLa human cervical cancer cells through combination with receptors on the cells to increase the nuclear uptake of genetic materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fa was linked onto Poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (D, L-lactide) (PEG-PLA) to form Fa-PEG-PLA, and the resulting material was used to load plasmids of enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP) to obtain gene loaded nanoparticles (Fa-NPs/DNA). Physical-chemical characteristics, in vitro release and cytotoxicity of Fa-NPs/DNA were evaluated. The in vitro transfection efficiency of Fa-NPs/ DNA was evaluated in HeLa cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PEG-PLA without Fa was used to load pEGFP from NPs/DNA as a control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fa-NPs/DNA has a particle size of 183 nm and a gene loading quantity of 92%. After 72h of transfection, Fa-NPs/DNA displayed over 20% higher transfection efficiency than NPs/DNA and 40% higher than naked DNA in HeLa cells. However, in HUVECs, no significant difference appeared between Fa-NPs/DNA and NPs/DNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fa-PEG-PLA NPs could function as excellent materials for gene loading. This nano-approach could be used as tumor cell targeted medicine for the treatment of cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine Oncology, Shandong Tumor Hospital and Institute, Ji'nan, China E-mail : 15168888909@163.com.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shu-Mei
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Xiao-Yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Chang-Zhong
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; C542623:monomethoxypolyethyleneglycol-polylactide block copolymer; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols