title: Efficient Transfection by Using PDMAEMA-Modified SiNWAs as a Platform for Ca(2+)-Dependent Gene Delivery.
abstract: The major bottleneck for gene delivery lies in the lack of safe and efficient gene vectors and delivery systems. In order to develop a much safer and efficient transfection system, a novel strategy of combining traditional Ca(2+)-dependent transfection with cationic polymer poly(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) modified silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) was proposed in this work. Detailed studies were carried out on the effects of the PDMAEMA polymerization time, the Ca(2+) concentration, and the incubation time of Ca(2+)@DNA complex with PDMAEMA-modified SiNWAs (SN-PDM) on the gene transfection in the cells. The results demonstrated that the transfection efficiency of SN-PDM assisted traditional Ca(2+)-dependent transfection was significantly enhanced compared to those without any surface assistance, and SN-PDM with polymerization time 24 h exhibited the highest efficiency. Moreover, the optimal transfection efficiency was found at the system of a complex containing Ca(2+) (100 mM) and plasmid DNA (pDNA) incubated on SN-PDM for 20 min. Compared with unmodified SiNWAs, SN-PDM has little cytotoxicity and can improve cell attachment. All of these results demonstrated that SN-PDM could significantly enhance Ca(2+)-dependent transfection; this process depends on the amino groups' density of PDMAEMA on the surface, the Ca(2+) concentration, and the available Ca(2+)@DNA complex. Our study provides a potential novel and excellent means of gene delivery for therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yuqi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xinhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry*; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; D009757:Nylons; C407037:poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate); D012825:Silicon
keywords: Ca2+-dependent transfection; DNA; PDMAEMA-modified SiNWAs; biocompatibility; gene delivery; transfection efficiency