Abstract
Purpose. Low molecular weight branched polyethylenimine (LMW-PEI) was synthesized and studied as a DNA carrier for gene delivery with regard to physico-chemical properties, cytotoxicity, and transfection efficiency.
Methods. The architecture of LMW-PEI, synthesized by acid catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of aziridine was characterized by size exclusion chromatography in combination with laser light scattering and 13C-NMR-spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxic effects were quantified by LDH and MTT assay and visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The potential for transgene expression was monitored in ECV304 cells using luciferase driven by a SV40 promoter as reporter gene system.
Results. LMW-PEI (Mw 11′900 D) with a low degree of branching was synthesized as a DNA carrier for gene delivery. In contrast to high molecular weight polyethylenimines (HMW-PEI; Mw l′616′OOO D), the polymer described here showed a different degree of branching and was less cytotoxic in a broad range of concentrations. As demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy the LMW-PEI formed only small aggregates which were efficiently taken up by different cells in the presence of serum, most likely by an endocytic pathway. LMW-PEI yielded transfection efficiencies measured via expression of the reporter gene luciferase which were up to two orders of magnitude higher than those obtained with HMW-PEI. The reporter gene expression was concentration dependent, but in contrast to lipofection independent of serum addition.
Conclusions. The LMW-PEI described here is a new, highly efficient, and non-cytotoxic vector with a favorable efficiency/toxicity profile for gene therapeutic applications.
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Fischer, D., Bieber, T., Li, Y. et al. A Novel Non-Viral Vector for DNA Delivery Based on Low Molecular Weight, Branched Polyethylenimine: Effect of Molecular Weight on Transfection Efficiency and Cytotoxicity. Pharm Res 16, 1273–1279 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014861900478
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014861900478