Improved cell viability of linear polyethylenimine through gamma-cyclodextrin inclusion for effective gene delivery

Chembiochem. 2006 Feb;7(2):297-302. doi: 10.1002/cbic.200500348.

Abstract

A polypseudorotaxane consisting of a linear polyethylenimine with Mn of 22,000 (LPEI22k) and gamma-cyclodextrins (gamma-CDs; LPEI22k/gamma-CD) has been examined as a gene carrier. The polyplex formation with luciferase-encoding plasmid DNA (pDNA), intracellular trafficking of polyplex, cytotoxicity, and transfection efficiency were evaluated by various characteristic methods. LPEI22k/gamma-CD formed a pDNA polyplex at higher N/P ratios than LPEI22k; this suggests that the gamma-CD threading sterically interfered with the polyplex formation. In addition, the zeta potentials of the polyplex significantly decreased due to the reduction in charge density of LPEI22k caused by gamma-CD threading. The cellular uptake of pDNA in the LPEI22k/gamma-CD polyplex was enhanced by free gamma-CDs released from the polyplex that might accelerate the cellular uptake through enhanced membrane affinity. LPEI22k/gamma-CD significantly increased cell viability even at high N/P ratios, and the polyplex showed high transfection efficacy. The low cytotoxicity and high gene expression of LPEI22k/gamma-CD are advantageous to polyplex administration in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Cell Survival*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry*
  • Polyethyleneimine / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins / chemistry*
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • DNA