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Transfection by Polyethyleneimine-Coated Microspheres

Transfection by Polyethyleneimine-Coated Microspheres

W S Manuel, J I Zheng, P J Hornsby

J Drug Target. 2001;9(1):15-22.

PMID: 11378520

Abstract:

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) can be used as a DNA delivery mechanism in cell culture and in vivo. Cells can be transfected by using surface-bound PEI, as well as by PEI/DNA microparticles. In the present experiments we extended these observations by preparing microspheres with covalently attached PEI. Blends of poly(epsilon-CBZ-L-lysine) mixed with poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) were formed into microspheres using a double-emulsification/solvent evaporation procedure. CBZ (carbobenzoxy) groups on the surface of microspheres were removed by Li(0) /liquid ammonia reduction. Surface amino groups were used for covalent attachment of PEI and other molecules. Silica microspheres with bonded-phase PEI were also used. Microspheres were mixed with plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescent protein and added to cultured cells. PEI-coated microspheres transfected cultured Caco cells and MH-S alveolar macrophages. Expression of the transfected DNA increased over several days. MH-S cells phagocytosed PEI-coated silica microspheres, which were shown to reside in an acidic subcellular compartment. This was demonstrated by conjugating a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye (seminaphthofluorescein, SNAFL) to the microsphere surface. Transfection of MH-S cells was increased when plasmid DNA was complexed with histone on the surface of the microspheres.
Conclusion:
PEI-coated microspheres have potential as a DNA delivery device with advantages of the unique properties of PEI and ease of surface chemical modification.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP25931479	Poly-ε-Cbz-L-lysine		25931-47-9	Price

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