Cell transfection with a β-cyclodextrin-PEI-propane-1,2,3-triol nanopolymer

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 23;9(6):e100258. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100258. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Successful gene therapy necessitates safe and efficient gene transfer. This article describes the use of a cationic polymer, which was synthesized by cross-linking low molecular weight branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) with both β-cyclodextrin and propane-1,2,3-triol, for efficient and safe non-viral gene delivery. Experimentation demonstrated that the polymer had a pH buffering capacity and DNA condensing ability comparable to those of PEI 25 kDa. In B16-F0 cells, the polymer increased the transfection efficiency of naked DNA by 700-fold and yielded better transfection efficiencies than Fugene HD (threefold higher) and PEI 25 kDa (fivefold higher). The high transfection efficiency of the polymer was not affected by the presence of serum during transfection. In addition to B16-F0 cells, the polymer enabled efficient transfection of HepG2 and U87 cells with low cytotoxicity. Our results indicated that our polymer is a safe and efficient transfection reagent that warrants further development for in vitro, in vivo and clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Glycerol / chemistry*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry*
  • Transfection / methods*
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / chemistry*

Substances

  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • DNA
  • Glycerol

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant for the Bio and Medical Technology Development Program (2012M3A9B4028738) funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Republic of Korea. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.