In the present study, packaging system composed of pAAV-CMV-GFP, pAAV-RC and pHelper were transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293 cells) mediated by polyethyleneimine (PEI) to explore an optimal transfection condition. Different total plasmid DNA dosages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 μg) and different PEI/Plasmid ratios (1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7:1) were tested with detection of green fluorescence protein (GFP) with ImagePro Plus6. 0 Software. Then transfection efficiency of the optimized transfection system was further observed for different time periods(12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h). The results showed that total plasmid dosage of 4 μg/well with PEI/plasmid ratio of 3 : 1-5 : 1 was an efficient transfection condition. Transfection efficiency-time curve was an S-shaped curve. Transfection efficiency reached a plateau at 60 h after transfection. The optimized conditions for PEI-mediated transfection at the optimal time result in enhanced transfection efficiency of triple plasmid into HEK293 cells.
Green Fluorescent Proteins ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polyethyleneimine ; Transfection ; methods

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a kind of nanometer nonviral vector frequently applied in gene transfection. It is simple and easy to prepare and to modify and relatively safe compared to viral vectors. In recent years, PEI has been utilized in many research areas for gene delivery to stem cells in vitro or targeted gene delivery to cells in the brain. This review reveals that the cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency of PEI requires to be improved. However brain-targeted modification indicates the promising prospect of PEI for gene therapy in cerebrovascular diseases.
Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Polyethyleneimine ; chemistry ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Transfection ; methods

Apoptosis is a physiologically essential mechanism of cell and plays an important role in reducing the development and progression of tumors. The appealing strategy for cancer therapy is to target the lesions that induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Survivin, the smallest member of the mammalian inhibitors of the apoptosis protein family, is upregulated in various malignancies to protect cells from apoptosis. Survivin knockdown could induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor-angiogenesis. Survivin expression would be silenced by microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNA interference. However, noninvasive and tissue-specific gene delivery techniques remain absent recently and the utilizations of miRNA expression vectors have been limited by inefficient delivery technique, especially in vivo. On the other hand, safe and promising technologies of gene transfection would be valuable in clinical gene therapy. Successful treatment of gene transfer method would lead to a new and readily available approach in the anticancer research. Sonoporation is an alternative technique of gene delivery that uses ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction to create pores in the cell membrane. Based on our previous studies, in this article, we postulated that the transfection of miRNA could be mediated by the combination of sonoporation and polyethylenimine (PEI) which was one of the most effective poly-cationic gene vectors and enhance the endocytosis of plasmids DNA and hypothesized that the gene silencing and apoptosis induction with miRNA targeting human Survivin would be improved by this novel technique. In our opinion, this novel combination of sonoporation and PEI could enhance targeted gene delivery effectively and might be a feasible, novel candidate for gene therapy.
Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Polyethyleneimine ; chemistry ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare three different methods in transfection of plasmid pGPU6/GFP/Neo into chicken embryo fibroblast.

METHODSDifferent doses (1.25 μl,2 μl,2.5 μl) of Lipofec-tamin2000, Gbfectene-Elite and HilyMax were used to transfect 1 μg plasmid pGPU6/GFP/Neo. The transfection efficiency was observed by the fluorescence and the cell viabilities were measured.

RESULTSThe transfection efficiency of HilyMax was significant higher than that of Lipofectamin2000 and Gbfectene-Elite (86.85%±2.32% compared with 48.33%±3.24% and compared with 37.35%±5.41%; F=18.882, P<0.05). The transfection efficiency of 2.5 μl HilyMax was highest(90.53%±1.15%). The cell viability of Lipofectamin2000 was significantly lower than that of HilyMax and Gbfectene-Elite(65.76%±5.78% compared with 89.54%±0.86% and compared with 82.45%±3.56%;F=90.676, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHilyMax has the highest transfection efficiency and the lowest cell toxicity in transfection of plasmid pGPU6/GFP/Neo into chicken embryo fibroblast, with the optimal ratio of 2.5 μl HilyMax:1 μg plasmid.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Chick Embryo ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electroporation-mediated gene transfect on the expression of cyclins during mandible distraction in rabbit.

METHODSBilateral mandibular osteotomy was performed in 45 New-Zeland rabbits. After a latency of 3 days, the mandibles were elongated using distractors with a rate of 0.8 mm/day for 7 days. After the completion of distraction, the rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. 2 microg (0.1 microg/microl) of pIRES-hVEGF165-hBMP2, recombinant plasmid pIRES-hBMP2, recombinant plasmid pIRES-hVEGF165, pIRES and the same volume of normal saline (NS) was injected into the distraction area in each group, respectively. After injection, electroporation was performed in every group. Three animals in each group were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 days after completion of distraction, respectively. The lengthened mandibles were harvested and processed for immunohistochemical examinations. The expression of cyclins A, D1 ,E in positive cells were measured by CMIAS-2001A computerized image analyzer. The data were analyzed with the single factor analysis of variance and q test.

RESULTSCyclins A, D1, E staining was mainly located in inflammatory cells, granulation tissue monocyte, fibroblast, osteoblasts, osteocyte and the connective tissues around the new bone. The expression reached to the peak at 7th day of consolidation, and decreased at 14th day, and weak at 28th day. Image analysis results showed that, at 7th day, the expression absorbance A in group C (0.59 +/- 0.14) was the strongest, compared to group A (0.41 +/- 0.13), B (0.38 +/- 0.14), D (0.34 +/- 0.12) and E (0.31 +/- 0.10), showing a significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no significance difference between group A and B (P > 0.05), but the difference between group A/B and group D/E (P < 0.05). At 14th and 28th day, there was no significant difference among group A (0.39 +/- 0.11), B (0.34 +/- 0.10) and C (0.33 +/- 0.09) (P > 0.05), but there was significant difference between group A/B/C and group D (0.19 +/- 0.12) or E (0.14 +/- 0.04) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSElectroporation-mediated gene transfection can promote cyclins A, D1, E expression effectively, which may promote cell differentiation and proliferation, stimulate extracellular matrix synthesis and new bone formation in distraction gap.

Animals ; Cyclins ; metabolism ; Electroporation ; Genetic Therapy ; Mandible ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Plasmids ; Rabbits ; Transfection

AIMTo pretreat sperm at various temperatures before exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 DNA fragments and to assess the efficiency of HPV carrier sperm to transfect cumulus cells.

METHODSCumulus cells from follicular aspirates were obtained, pooled and divided into culture dishes containing Sybr Gold-stained HPV DNA carrying sperm that were either pretreated at 4 degree C, 37 degree C or 40 degree C (n = 5). The cells were incubated in 5% CO(2) in air mixture at 37 degree C for 24 hours. The efficiency of sperm to take up fluorescent HPV DNA was determined at hour 0. After incubation, cumulus cell viability was assessed using the eosin method and the percentages of fluorescent cumulus cells determined.

RESULTSOver half of all the cumulus cells became fluorescent with the highest percentage in the 37 degree C group. Sperm pretreated at 4 degree C had the greatest amount of HPV DNA fragments. Total sperm motility was similar for the 3 pretreatment groups. There were no differences in cumulus viability among the groups.

CONCLUSIONSperm pretreated at 37 degree C transferred the greatest amount of fluorescent HPV DNA fragments to the cumulus cells. The HPV DNA was observed in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. The data suggested the possibility of sperm as a vector for the transmission of HPV DNA to the cumulus cells surrounding ovulated oocytes, which might lead to early implantation failures.

DNA, Viral ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Male ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Temperature ; Transfection ; methods

This work was directed at obtaining a better gene carrier to improve the effects of gene delivery. Neutral liposomes made from cholesterol, lecithin and DOPE by reverse evaporation technique were used for encapsulating DNA-HAP complex which was made from DNA and optimized HAP. The sizes of complexes and the efficiency of encapsulation were detected. The efficiency of transfection into Hela cells was shown by observation of X-gal staining and measurement of transfection efficience. The average size of complexes was 643nm, the average encapsulating efficiency of DNA in microspheres reached 11.67%. These Lipid-Hydroxyapatite-DNA complex (LHD) could be transfected into mammalian cells. The Lipid-Hydroxyapatite-DNA complex prepared by reverse evaporation technique could be applied availably in DNA delivery system, and it gave another thinking to increase the gene transfection of non- viral genetic vector.
DNA ; administration & dosage ; Durapatite ; administration & dosage ; Genetic Therapy ; Lipids ; administration & dosage ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate endostatin gene therapy of rat corneal neovascularization induced by acid cauterization.

METHODSpBlast-hEndostatin and pBlast-Mcs were identified by digestion with Nhe Iand Sal I, by PCR reaction, by sequence, and then by alignment of PCR products with the gene Bank using NCBIBLAST software. They were then purified with QIAGEN Endofree plasmid maxi kit. Rat corneal neovascularization models were made with 75% AgNO(3) and 25% KNO(3) cauterization. The treatment method was subconjunctive injection of the pBlast-hEndostatin with the control of pBlast-Mcs.

RESULTSpBlast-hEndostatin was found to contain the human endostatin gene. The rat corneal neovascularization induced by acid cauterization was significantly suppressed after subconjunctive injection of the pBlast-hEndostatin with inhibition rates of 37%, 40.2%, and 42.8% respectively on the sixth, tenth, and fifteenth day. The inhibition rate for the density of corneal neovascularization was 40%. However, no inhibition effect on the length of the neovascularization and corneal inflammatory cells was observed. Corneal neovascularization areas were positively correlated with edema and corneal opacity.

CONCLUSIONSThe plasmid of pBlast-hEndostatin contained the human endostatin gene. The rat corneal neovascularization induced by acid cauterization can be partially inhibited by subconjunctive injection of the pBlast-hEndostatin mediated by liposomes. Endostatin produced by transfected fibroblast cells directly inhibits corneal neovascularization. This is not caused by inflammatory reaction inhibition.

Animals ; Corneal Neovascularization ; pathology ; therapy ; Endostatins ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transfection

AIMTo study polyethylenimine (PEI)-mediated in vivo gene transfection into testis cells and preliminary functional research of spermatogenic cell-specific gene NYD-SP12 using this method.

METHODSPEI/DNA complexes were introduced into the seminiferous tubules of mouse testes using intratesticular injection. Transfection efficiency and speciality were analyzed on the third day of transfection with fluorescent microscopy and hematoxylin staining. The long-lasting expression of the GFP-NYD-SP12 fusion protein and its subcellular localization in spermatogenic cells at different stages were analyzed with fluorescent microscopy and propidium iodide staining.

RESULTSWith the mediation of PEI, the GFP-NYD-SP12 fusion gene was efficiently transferred and expressed in the germ cells (especially in primary spermatocytes). Transfection into Sertoli cells was not observed. The subcellular localization of the GFP-NYD-SP2 fusion protein showed dynamic shifts in spermatogenic cells at different stages during spermatogenesis.

CONCLUSIONPEI can efficiently mediate gene transfer into spermatocytes. Thus, it might be useful for the functional research of spermatogenic-cell specific genes such as the NYD-SP12 gene. In our study, the NYD-SP12 protein was visualized and was involved in the formation of acrosome during spermatogenesis. Our research will continue into the detailed function of NYD-SP12 in spermatocytes.

Animals ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Polyethyleneimine ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of using iron oxide nanoparticles as gene vector and the effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection.

METHODSIron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by alkaline precipitation of divalent and trivalent iron chloride. The surface of iron oxide nanoparticles was modified by self-assembled poly-L-lysine to form particle complexes (IONP-PLL). Transfection was determined by delivering reporter gene, PGL2-control encoding luciferase, to different cell lines using IONP-PLL as vector. The effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection was determined using Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet.

RESULTSForeign gene could be delivered to various cell lines by IONP-PLL and expressed with high efficiency, but the transfection efficiency and time course varied in the different cell lines studied. Magnetic field could enhance the efficiency of transfection by 5 - 10 fold.

CONCLUSIONIONP-PLL can be used as a novel non-viral gene vector in vitro, which offers a basis for gene delivery in vivo.

Animals ; COS Cells ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Genetic Vectors ; Magnetics ; Polylysine ; administration & dosage ; Transfection ; methods