Low molecular weight polyethylenimine-conjugated gold nanospheres: a platform for selective gene therapy controlled by near-infrared light.
OBJECTIVE
Whether PEI2k-HAuNS could promote gene transfection efficiency controlled by near-infrared (NIR) light.


METHODS
This safe nonviral gene delivery system was obtained by conjugating low molecular weight (2 kDa) polyethylenimine (PEI) onto hollow gold nanospheres (PEI2k-HAuNS). Upon NIR laser irradiation, there was a conspicuous increase both in the in vitro and in vivo transfection achieved by the nanocomplexes. Furthermore, a plasmid encoding the tumor suppressor TP53 (pTP53) was applied to test antitumor activity.


RESULTS
The enhanced gene transfection efficiency and therapy of PEI2k-HAuNS were achieved via the mediation of an NIR laser compared with the other treatments in vitro and in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of NIR laser irradiated PEI2k-HAuNS can be used as a promising gene delivery systems in vitro and in vivo.
Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City 310016, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.|College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Fei
F
Liu
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Fen-Fen
FF
Kong
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Qing-Po
QP
Li
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Hong
H
Yuan
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Yong-Zhong
YZ
Du
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Fu-Qiang
FQ
Hu
Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City 310016, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
Ji-Hong
JH
Sun
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Jian
J
You
D000818:Animals; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry; D014162:Transfection; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D006046:Gold; D011094:Polyethyleneimine
hollow gold nanospheres; near-infrared (NIR) light; photothermal effect; polyethylenimine; transfection