The reduction of the positive charges of polylysine by partial gluconoylation increases the transfection efficiency of polylysine/DNA complexes

Charge-shifting polyplex as a viral RNA extraction carrier for streamlined detection of infectious viruses

The recent outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the need for rapid, user-friendly nucleic acid testing that involves simple but efficient RNA extraction. Here, we present a charge-shifting polyplex as an RNA extraction carrier for advanced diagnosis of infectious viral diseases. The polyplex comprises poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate) (pDMAEA) electrostatically conjugated with RNA. The pDMAEA film can rapidly dissolve in the viral RNA solution, promoting immediate binding with RNA to form the polyplex, which enables the efficient capture of a substantial quantity of RNA. Subsequently, the captured RNA can be readily released by the quick hydrolysis of pDMAEA at the onset of quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), streamlining the entire process from RNA extraction to analysis. The developed method requires only 5 min of centrifugation and enables the detection of RNA in a one-pot setup. Moreover, the proposed method is fully compatible with high-speed qRT-PCR kits and can identify clinical samples within 1 h including the entire extraction to detection procedure. Indeed, the method successfully detected influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and their delta and omicron variants in 260 clinical samples with a sensitivity of 99.4% and specificity of 98.9%. This rapid, user-friendly polyplex-based approach represents a significant breakthrough in molecular diagnostics.

The Length of Hydrophobic Chain in Amphiphilic Polypeptides Regulates the Efficiency of Gene Delivery

The major challenges of non-viral carriers are low transfection efficiency and high toxicity. To overcome this bottleneck, it is very important to investigate the structure-property-function (transfection efficiency) relationships of polycations. Herein, different length hydrophobic poly(l-leucine) chains in amphiphilic polypeptides were precisely synthesized by α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCA) ring-opening polymerization and these biocompatible polypeptides were chosen as a model to further examine the transfection in vitro. These polypeptides were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) was employed to validate the ability of DNA condensation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the assemblies of polyplexes. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in COS-7 cell lines and transfection was performed in normal cell COS-7 and cancer cell Hep G2. The results showed that NCA monomers were prepared and the amphiphilic polypeptides, poly(lysine(CBZ))₅₀-block-poly(l-leucine)₁₀, poly(l-lysine(CBZ))₅₀-block-poly(l-leucine)₁₅, and poly(l-lysine(CBZ))₅₀-block-poly(l-leucine)₂₅, were successfully synthesized with controlled molecular weight and narrow distribution. After deprotection of CBZ, these materials can condense plasmid DNA into 100 nm nanoparticles and the cellular uptake of polyplexes was as fast as 30 min. The transfection data shown these materials had a good transfection efficiency comparing to polyethylenimine (Branched, 25 kDa) while they displayed ignored cytotoxicity. More importantly, we discovered the length of hydrophobic poly(l-leucine) in amphiphilic polypeptides steadily regulates gene delivery efficiency in two kinds of cells ranking poly(l-lysine)₅₀-block-poly(l-leucine)₂₅ > poly(l-lysine)₅₀-block-poly(l-leucine)₁₅ > poly(l-lysine)₅₀-block-poly(l-leucine)₁₀.

Characterization of complexes made of polylysine-polyleucine-polylysine and pDNA

Polylysine shows unique physical and biological abilities in its application. In this study, different kinds of tri-block co-polypeptides are used as gene delivery vectors with hydrophobic polyleucine (L) in the middle and polylysine (K) on both sides. We explored their physical properties in aqueous solution as well as their biological effects toward gene transfection efficiency. After reaching critical micelle concentration, it is found that these tri-block polypeptides could form vesicles, and the size of each sample is independent of concentration. The self-assembly of each kind of tri-block co-polypeptide could obtain higher molecular weight vectors for gene delivery. After measuring the transfection efficiency and cell viability, these samples showed a high gene transfer ability, together with similar or lower cytotoxicity. Additionally, pDNA binding strength tests and zeta-potential assays reveal that the addition of an L part would reduce the charge density of the vector chains and thus lower the binding strength, leading to the easier release of pDNA from the complexes and an increase in transfection efficiency.

MicroRNA-mediated non-viral direct conversion of embryonic fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes: comparison of commercial and synthetic non-viral vectors

Technological advances opened up new ways of directing cell fate conversion from one cell lineage to another. The direct cell conversion technique has recently attracted much attention in regenerative medicine to treat devastated organs and tissues, particularly having limited regenerative capacity such as the heart and brain. Unfortunately, its clinical application is severely limited due to a safety concern and immunogenicity of viral vectors, as human gene therapy did in the beginning stages. In this study, we examined the possibility of adopting non-viral vectors to direct cell conversion from mouse embryonic fibroblasts to induced cardiomyocytes (iCM) by transient transfection of four types of chemically synthesized micro-RNA mimics (miRNA-1, 133, 208, and 499). Herein, we tested several commercial and synthetic non-viral gene delivery carriers, which could be divided into three different categories: polymers [branched PEI (bPEI), bioreducible PEI (PEI-SS), deoxycholic acid-conjugated PEI (DA-PEI), jetPEI™, SuperFect™], lipids (Lipofectamine 2000™), and peptides (PepMute™). According to the analyses of physicochemical properties, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity of the carrier/miRNA complexes, DA-PEI exhibited excellent miRNA delivery efficiency to mouse embryonic fibroblasts. One week after a single treatment of DA-PEI/miRNA without other adjuvants, the cells started to express cardiomyocyte-specific markers, such as α-actinin and α-MHC, indicating the formation of cardiomyocyte-like cells. Although the overall frequency of non-viral vector induced cardiomyogenic transdifferentiation was quite low (ca. 0.2%), this study can provide compelling support to develop clinically applicable transdifferentiation techniques.

Gene delivery using calcium phosphate nanoparticles: Optimization of the transfection process and the effects of citrate and poly(l-lysine) as additives

Despite the long history of nanoparticulate calcium phosphate (CaP) as a non-viral transfection agent, there has been limited success in attempts to optimize its properties for transfection comparable in efficiency to that of viral vectors. Here we focus on the optimization of: (a) CaP nanoparticle precipitation conditions, predominantly supersaturation and Ca/P molar ratios; (b) transfection conditions, mainly the concentrations of the carrier and plasmid DNA; (c) the presence of surface additives, including citrate anion and cationic poly(l-lysine) (PLL). CaP nanoparticles significantly improved transfection with plasmid DNA encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) in pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells compared to a commercial non-viral carrier. At the same time they elicited significantly lesser cytotoxicity than the commercial carrier. Plasmid DNA acted as a nucleation promoter, decreasing the nucleation lag time of metastable CaP solutions and leading to a higher rate of nucleation and a lower size of the precipitated particles. The degree of supersaturation (DS) of 15 was found to be more optimal for transfection than that of 12.5 or 17.5 and higher. Because CaP particles precipitated at DS 15 were spherical, while DS 17.5 and 21 yielded acicular particles, it was concluded that spherical particle morphologies were more conducive to transfection than the anisotropic ones. Even though the yield at DS 15 was 10 and 100 times lower than that at DS 17.5 and 21, respectively, transfection rates were higher using CaP nanoparticle colloids prepared at DS 15 than using those made at higher or lower DS, indicating that the right particle morphology can outweigh the difference in the amount of the carrier, even when this difference is close to 100×. In contrast to the commercial carrier, the concentration of CaP-pDNA delivered to the cells was directly proportional to the transfection rate. Osteosarcoma K7M2 cells were four times more easily transfectable with CaP nanoparticles than the MC3T3-E1 cells. The addition of citrate increased the transfection rate at lower concentrations; however, a complete redispersal of CaP-pDNA nanoparticles at higher concentrations of citrate coincided with a complete diminishment of transfection, implying the benefits of partial aggregation of CaP nanoparticles carrying pDNA. In contrast, PLL delayed transfection initially, but enhanced it at longer time points (⩾96h), leading to the conclusion that both citrate and PLL could exert positive effects on transfection: citrate if added at low concentrations and PLL to extend transfection over longer periods of time.

Fluorescent dye incorporation causes weakened gene association and intracellular aggregate formation in nonviral carriers

BACKGROUND

The successful application of nonviral gene transfer technologies requires both improved understanding and control with respect to intracellular trafficking and release. However, the intracellular space is highly complex and hence well-defined, stable structures are necessary to probe the stages of the delivery pathway. Fluorescent labeling is a regularly used approach to monitor nonviral delivery and release, yet few studies investigate the effects of label incorporation on the structure and activity of gene-containing vehicles.

METHODS

In the present study, the impacts of label incorporation on the assembly and gene transfer capacity of DNA polyplexes were determined through the utilization of a model DNA-polyethylenimine (PEI) delivery system. PEI was fluorescently labeled with the Oregon Green® dye prior to polyplex formation and delivery to CHO-K1 cells.

RESULTS

The present study provides evidence showing that routine labeling strategies for polyplexes weakened DNA binding affinity, produced large quantities of extracellular structures and significantly increased intracellular polyplex aggregation. Additionally, cellular internalization studies showed that increased labeling fractions led to reductions in polyplex uptake as a result of weakened complexation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results not only provide insight into the assembly of these structures, but also help to identify labeling strategies sufficient to preserve activity at the same time as enabling detailed studies of trafficking and disassembly.

Catch and Release: Photocleavable Cationic Diblock Copolymers as a Potential Platform for Nucleic Acid Delivery

Binding interactions between DNA and cationic carriers must be sufficiently strong to prevent nuclease-mediated degradation, yet weak enough to permit transcription. We demonstrate cationic diblock copolymers containing PEG and o-nitrobenzyl moieties that facilitated tailorable DNA complexation and light-activated release. This design unlocks a new approach to advance non-viral gene packaging.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-cationic polylactide nanocomplexes of differing charge density for gene delivery

Representing a new type of biodegradable cationic block copolymer, well-defined poly(ethylene glycol)-block-cationic polylactides (PEG-b-CPLAs) with tertiary amine-based cationic groups were synthesized by thiol-ene functionalization of an allyl-functionalized diblock precursor. Subsequently the application of PEG-b-CPLAs as biodegradable vectors for the delivery of plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) was investigated. Via the formation of PEG-b-CPLA:pDNA nanocomplexes by spontaneous electrostatic interaction, pDNAs encoding luciferase or enhanced green fluorescent protein were successfully delivered to four physiologically distinct cell lines (including macrophage, fibroblast, epithelial, and stem cell). Formulated nanocomplexes demonstrated high levels of transfection with low levels of cytotoxicity and hemolysis when compared to a positive control. Biophysical characterization of charge densities of nanocomplexes at various polymer:pDNA weight ratios revealed a positive correlation between surface charge and gene delivery. Nanocomplexes with high surface charge densities were utilized in an in vitro serum gene delivery inhibition assay, and effective gene delivery was observed despite high levels of serum. Overall, these results help to elucidate the influence of charge, size, and PEGylation of nanocomplexes upon the delivery of nucleic acids in physiologically relevant conditions.

PEGylated chitosan complexes DNA while improving polyplex colloidal stability and gene transfection efficiency

Chitosan is widely explored as a gene delivery vehicle due to its ability to condense DNA, facilitate transport, and subsequent release allowing gene expression, as well as protecting the DNA. Here, we investigate the enhancement of chitosan-DNA dispersion stability while maintaining transfection efficacy by PEGylation of chitosan. Molecular properties of fully deacetylated chitosans and degree of PEGylation were investigated with respect to compaction of DNA, stability and transfection efficacy. Each of the three chitosan samples with varying chain lengths was PEGylated at three different degrees. The chitosans with degree of PEGylation from 0.6 to 1.9% made polyplexes with DNA. PBS induced colloidal aggregation of polyplexes with initial radius of about 100 nm observed for nonPEGylated chitosans was suppressed for 1.9% PEGylated chitosans. The observed increase in transfection efficacy coinciding with increased polyplex colloidal stability suggests that aggregation of gene-delivery packages may reduce the transfection efficacy.

Method to improve DNA condensation efficiency by alkali treatment

The improvement of DNA's bioactivities by altering their structure is meaningful for their biological applications, ranging from DNA condensation study to gene therapeutic research. In this study, we treated the plasmid DNA with alkali and investigated the structure and the condensation efficiency of the alkali-treated DNA. We noticed that the alkali treatment could significantly increase the DNA condensation efficiency with spermidine and polyethylenimine (PEI). In addition, due to the improved interactions between the alkali-treated DNA and PEI, gene transfection experiments could be performed in the presence of less PEI. This research can contribute to the creation of a universal method to enhance the interaction between DNA and gene delivery vectors by alkali treatment, and should have significant potential in the field of gene therapy.

Acid-transforming polypeptide micelles for targeted nonviral gene delivery

Efficient delivery of therapeutic genes requires overcoming key extracellular and intracellular barriers. These include stability during circulation, internalization by target cells, facilitated endosomal escape, and localization of genes in destined intracellular compartments (e.g., nucleus). Micelles that transform their structure in the mildly acidic endosome and release their cargo genes into the cytoplasm were synthesized by self-assembling DNA with PEG-conjugated poly(ketalized serine) [PEG-poly(kSer)]. It was confirmed that, upon acid-hydrolysis of ketal linkages, poly(kSer) converts to neutral and naturally occurring poly(serine), destabilizing PEG-poly(kSer)/DNA micelles. In vitro studies demonstrated that PEG-poly(kSer) micelles were able to transfect NIH 3T3 cells more efficiently than both PEG-poly(Lys)/DNA micelles and poly-L-lysine/DNA polyplexes through efficient DNA dissociation in the cytoplasm. In addition, the core of PEG-poly(kSer)/DNA micelles were cross-linked via acid-cleavable amine-bearing branches, and the resulting cross-linked PEG-poly(kSer)/DNA micelles showed improved transfection capability in the presence of serum. Conjugation of folic acids (FAs) at the PEG termini of the acid-transforming micelles resulted in selectively increased cellular internalization and transfection of FA receptor-expressing HeLa cells over NIH 3T3 cells, implicating the possibility of cancer-targeted gene delivery using FA-PEG-poly(kSer)/DNA micelles. This study demonstrates that the acid-transforming PEG-poly(kSer)/DNA micelles are promising nonviral vectors for stimuli-responsive, efficient, biocompatible, and targeted gene delivery.

Effect of acyl chain length on transfection efficiency and toxicity of polyethylenimine

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is an efficient nonviral gene delivery vector because of its high buffering capacity and DNA condensation ability. In our study, the amino groups on the polymeric backbone were acylated using acetic or propionic anhydride to alter the protonation behaviour and the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the polymer. The concentration of acylated primary amines was determined using trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid assay. Results showed that our modified polymers had lower buffering capacities in solutions compared to PEI. The polymers were complexed with plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein at three different ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 1:10 w/w DNA to polymer) to form polyplexes and their toxicities and transfection efficiencies were evaluated in HEK 293 cells. Acylation reduced the number of primary amines on the polymer and the surface charge, improving haemocompatibility and reducing cytotoxicity. The reduction in the concentration of amino groups helped to optimise DNA compaction and facilitated polyplex dissociation in the cell, which increased transfection efficiency of the modified polymers compared to the parent polymer. Polymers with buffering capacities greater than 50% and less than 80% relative to PEI, showed higher transfection efficiencies than PEI. The propionic anhydride modified polymers had appropriate interactions with DNA which provided both DNA compaction and polyplex dissociation. These systems interacted better with the cell membrane because of their slightly higher lipophilicity and formed polyplexes which were less cytotoxic than polyplexes of acetic anhydride modified polymers. Among the vectors tested, 1:0.3 mol/mol PEI:propionic anhydride in a 1:2 w/w DNA:polymer composition provided the best transfection system with improved transfection efficiency and reduced cytotoxicity.

Gene delivery systems for gene therapy in tissue engineering and central nervous system applications

The present review aims to describe the potential applications of gene delivery systems to tissue engineering and central nervous system diseases. Some key experimental work has been done with interesting results, but the subject is far from being fully explored. The combined approach of gene therapy and material science has a huge potential to improve the therapeutic approaches now available for a wide range of medical applications. Focus is given to this multidisciplinary strategy in neurodegenerative pathologies, where the use of polymeric matrices as gene carriers might make a crucial difference.

Enhanced gene delivery using disulfide-crosslinked low molecular weight polyethylenimine with listeriolysin o-polyethylenimine disulfide conjugate

One of the most important requirements for non-viral gene delivery systems is the ability to mediate high levels of gene expression with low toxicity. After the DNA/vector complexes are taken up by cells through endocytosis, DNA is typically contained within the endocytic compartments and rapidly degraded due to the low pH and hydrolytic enzymes within endosomes and lysosomes, limiting its accessibility to the cytosol and ultimately to the nucleus. In this study, the endosomolytic protein listeriolysin O (LLO) from the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was conjugated with polyethylenimine (PEI) of average molecular weight 25 kDa (PEI25) via a reversible disulfide bond (LLO-s-s-PEI), and incorporated into plasmid DNA condensed with disulfide-crosslinked low molecular weight PEI 1.8 kDa (PEI1.8). We have investigated and demonstrated that high gene transfection efficiency, which is comparable to that by the most commonly used PEI25, can be achieved by reversibly crosslinking low molecular weight PEI (PEI1.8) using disulfide bonds, with greatly reduced cytotoxicity of the PEI. The reversible incorporation of LLO into the DNA condensates of PEI, through the use of the synthesized LLO-s-s-PEI conjugate, further enhances the transfection efficiency beyond that of DNA condensates with disulfide-crosslinked PEI1.8 alone.

Polyplex-mediated gene transfer and cell cycle: effect of carrier on cellular uptake and intracellular kinetics, and significance of glycosaminoglycans

BACKGROUND

Here we report on studies that probe whether the intracellular kinetics of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are modified during the cell cycle in a way that can be correlated with changes in gene transfer efficiency with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) polyplexes.

METHODS

Synchronized D407 retinal cells were transfected with PEI and PLL polyplexes using a luciferase reporter. The free and/or loosely complexed nuclear pDNA was determined by real-time PCR, and compared with transgene expression, the rate of pinocytosis by FITC-dextran uptake and the content of cell surface GAGs.

RESULTS

The amount of free and/or loosely complexed nuclear pDNA between cell cycle phases varied approximately 4-20 times (G1 < S < G2/M). Both carriers delivered pDNA in a similar way into the nucleus (PLL vs. PEI < or = 3.5-fold), but PEI was approximately 10-100 times more efficient in gene expression than PLL (G1 < G2/M < S). The rate of pinocytosis increased up to 70-fold from G1 to middle S phase. Cell surface heparan and chondroitin sulfate increased 50-80%, and hyaluronan decreased 50% when the cells went from G1 through S to G2/M.

CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained indicates that no single parameter (pinocytosis, cell surface GAGs, nuclear uptake) solely accounts for the differential pDNA uptake or expression during cell cycle, and that the main difference in PLL- and PEI-mediated transfections seems to be at the nuclear level.

Emerging vectors and targeting methods for nonviral gene therapy

Until recently, nonviral vectors were outside the mainstream of gene transfer technology. Recent problems in clinical trials using viral vectors renewed interest in these methods. The clinical usefulness of nonviral methods is still hindered by their relatively low gene delivery/transgene expression efficiencies. Vectors must navigate a series of obstacles before the therapeutic gene can be expressed. This review considers these barriers and the properties of components of nonviral vectors that are essential for nucleic acid transfer. Although developments of new physical methods (hydrodynamic delivery, ultrasound, electroporation) have made a significant impact on gene transfer efficiency, various chemical carriers (lipids and polymers) have been shown to achieve high-level gene delivery and functional expression. Success of nonviral gene targeting will depend not only on the efficacy, but also safety of this methodology, and this aspect is also discussed. Understanding problems associated with nonviral targeting can also help in designing better viral vectors. In fact, interplay between viral and nonviral technologies should lead to a continued refinement of both methodologies.

Design and development of polymers for gene delivery

The lack of safe and efficient gene-delivery methods is a limiting obstacle to human gene therapy. Synthetic gene-delivery agents, although safer than recombinant viruses, generally do not possess the required efficacy. In recent years, a variety of effective polymers have been designed specifically for gene delivery, and much has been learned about their structure-function relationships. With the growing understanding of polymer gene-delivery mechanisms and continued efforts of creative polymer chemists, it is likely that polymer-based gene-delivery systems will become an important tool for human gene therapy.

Degradable polyethylenimine-alt-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers as novel gene carriers

An ideal gene carrier requires both safety and transfection efficiency. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a well-known cationic polymer, which has high transfection efficiency owing to its buffering capacity. But it has been reported that PEI is cytotoxic in many cell lines and non-degradable. In this study, we synthesized degradable PEI-alt-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymers using Michael-type addition reactions as a new gene carrier and characterized them. These copolymers were complexed with plasmid DNA and the resulting complexes were characterized by dynamic light scattering, gel retardation and atomic force microscopy to determine particle sizes, complex formation and complex shape, respectively. Cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of the copolymers were also checked in cultured HeLa human cervix epithelial carcinoma cells, HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cell line and MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. PEG to PEI ratio in the copolymers was near 1 and the molecular weight of the copolymer ranged from around 8000 to 12,900. These copolymers degraded rapidly at 37 degrees C in 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4). The complete copolymer/DNA complex was formed at an N/P ratio of 12, producing a complex resistant to DNase I. Particle sizes decreased with increasing N/P ratio and PEG molecular weight, exhibiting a minimum value of 75 nm at an N/P ratio of 45 with PEI-alt-PEG (700). Cytotoxicity study showed that copolymers exhibited no cytotoxic effects on cells even at high copolymer concentration. Also, transfection efficiency was influenced by PEG molecular weight and, in case of PEI-alt-PEG (258), the transfection efficiency was higher than that for PEI 25 K in HepG2 and MG63, whereas it was lower than that for PEI 25K in HeLa cells.

Glycosaminoglycan destabilization of DNA–chitosan polyplexes for gene delivery depends on chitosan chain length and GAG properties

Chitosan-based gene delivery systems are promising candidates for non-viral gene therapy. A wide range of chitosans has been studied to optimize the properties of the DNA-chitosan complexes to yield high transfection efficiencies. An important parameter to control is the polyplex stability to allow transport towards the cells, subsequent internalization and release of DNA intracellularly. The stability of the DNA-chitosan complexes was here studied after exposure to heparin and hyaluronic acid (HA) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ethidium bromide (EtBr) fluorescence assay. To study the effect of polycation chain length on the polyplex stability, chitosans with a degree of polymerization (DP) varying from approximately 10 to approximately 1000 were employed for DNA compaction. Whereas HA was unable to dissociate the complexes, the degree of dissociation caused by heparin depended on both the chitosan chain length and the amount of chitosan used for complexation. When increasing the chitosan concentration, larger heparin concentrations were required for polyplex dissociation. Furthermore, increasing the chitosan chain length yielded more stable complexes. Varying the chitosan chain length thus provides a tool for controlling the ability of the polyplex to deliver therapeutic gene vectors to cells.

Partial acetylation of polyethylenimine enhances in vitro gene delivery

PURPOSE

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a highly effective gene delivery vector, but because it is an off-the shelf material, its properties may not be optimal. To investigate the effects of the protonation properties of the polymer, we generated PEI derivatives by acetylating varying fractions of the primary and secondary amines to form secondary and tertiary amides, respectively.

METHODS

Reaction of PEI with increasing amounts of acetic anhydride at 60 degrees C for 4.5 h yielded polymers with 15%, 27%, and 43% of the primary amines modified with acetyl groups. Polymer-DNA complexes were characterized by dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. Cytotoxicity of the polymers was assessed by XTT assay for metabolic activity, and gene delivery efficiency was determined as the relative expression of a luciferase gene in MDA-MB-231 and C2C12 cell lines.

RESULTS

Acetylation of PEI decreased the "physiological buffering capacity," defined as the moles of protons absorbed per mole of nitrogen on titration from pH 7.5 to 4.5, from 0.29 mol H+/mol N to 0.17 mol H+/mot N, 0.12 mol H+/mol N, and 0.090 mol H+/mol N for PEI-Ac15, PEI-Ac27, and PEI-Ac43, respectively. In addition, acetylation decreased the zeta potential of polyplexes from 14 mV to 8-11 mV and increased the polyplex diameter by two- to threefold. Surprisingly, acetylation had a negligible effect on cytotoxicity of the polymers and increased gene delivery effectiveness by up to 21-fold compared to unmodified PEI, both in the presence and absence of serum.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction of the buffering capacity of PEI greatly enhanced the gene delivery activity of the polymer. The mechanism is not yet understood, but the enhancement may be caused by more effective polyplex unpackaging, altered endocytic trafficking, and/or increased lipophilicity of acetylated PEI-DNA complexes. Future studies will address these possibilities in more detail.

Compositional regulation of poly(lysine-g-(lactide-b-ethylene glycol))–DNA complexation and stability

The search for an effective nonviral gene therapy vector has revealed several significant hurdles, such as transient expression and cytotoxicity, that impede the success of these systems. A terpolymer of poly(lysine-g-(lactide-b-ethylene glycol)) [pK-g-p(LL-b-EG)] has been developed, which is capable of stably packaging DNA with significantly less polycation than unmodified polylysine (pK) systems. A comparison of unmodified pK (DP=14, M(w)=2930) to pK grafted with p(LL-b-EG) (M(w tot)=7500) showed that the minimum amine/phosphate ratio (N:P(min)) needed for complete DNA condensation was reduced by 50%. However, when the molecular weight of pK was reduced (DP=4, M(w)=838), there was evidence of terpolymer interference with DNA condensation. Increasing the number of grafted p(LL-b-EG) chains produced a similar result of incomplete DNA condensation. All terpolymer formulations produced complexes with DNA that had greater resistance to salt-induced dissociation and short-term exchange with excess DNA. Terpolymer-DNA complexes exhibited approximately zero-order plasmid release profiles over a period of 6 weeks. The rate of release was dependent on the complex N:P ratio as well as the molecular weights of pLL and pK. The ability to use terpolymer composition to control complex stability and controlled release can provide a means for system optimization for sustained expression profiles of exogenous DNA.

Competitive Reactions in Solutions of Poly-l-histidine, Calf Thymus DNA, and Synthetic Polyanions: Determining the Binding Constants of Polyelectrolytes

The physicochemical characteristics of a nonviral gene delivery system will govern its functional bioactivity; however, empiricism dominates the literature in this field, and a significant deficiency of quantitative investigation and evaluation of nonviral gene delivery vehicles remains. Herein, we derive a physical model and experimental method to quantitatively determine the binding constants between a model polycationic nonviral gene delivery vehicle poly-L-histidine (PLH) and calf thymus DNA. The approach has utility to a variety of systems and is not limited to the described polymer model. The interaction of PLH with DNA was monitored by fluorescence quenching of an ethidium bromide probe in the pH range 4 to 8. The interaction increased with pH decrease with the most pronounced change between pH 6 and 7. The obtained pH-dependence of fraction of salt bonds formed between PLH and DNA was used to estimate pK(a) of PLH in the presence of DNA, which equaled 6.24. The interaction of PLH with DNA in the presence of added synthetic polyanions was studied by the same approach and found to be controlled by pH, nature of the charge groups of the polyanion, and its degree of polymerization. In the mixture with sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) the interaction was negligible in the whole studied pH range, whereas in the mixtures with sodium poly(acrylate) (PA) or sodium poly(methacrylate), DNA was able to compete effectively for the binding with PLH. For PA samples with degree of polymerization higher than degree of polymerization of PLH, DP(PA) > DP(PLH), the fraction of polycation bound to DNA was constant regardless of DP(PA.) In contrast, at DP(PA) < DP(PLH), a pronounced increase in the bound fraction was observed. It substantiates the notion that the binding energy of two polymers is mainly controlled by the DP of the shorter component of polyelectrolyte complex. The data on PLH distribution between DNA and added polyanion with different values of DP were treated according to the developed procedure to yield the effective binding constants of PLH with DNA and polyanion-competitor, calculated both per mole of interacting units K(1) and mole of interacting chains K(n). In all cases, K(1) had similar numerical values reflecting common type of interaction stabilizing the complexes, i.e., electrostatics. Slight variation of K(1) yielded in drastic changes in K(n) and alteration of dominance of PLH interaction with DNA or synthetic polyanion. The results of the study can have a high impact in deriving the correlation between the binding constant of a polycation to DNA and its ability to serve as gene delivery vehicle.

Histidine-rich peptides and polymers for nucleic acids delivery

Nucleic acids transfer into mammalian cells requires devices to improve their escape from endocytic vesicles where they are mainly confined following cellular uptake. In this review, we describe histidine-rich molecules that enable the transfer of plasmid and oligonucleotides (ODN) in human and non-human cultured cells. An histidine-rich peptide which permeabilizes biological membrane at pH 6.4, favored the transfection mediated by lactosylated polylysine/pDNA complexes. Histidylated polylysine forms cationic particles of 100 nm with a plasmid and yielded a transfection of 3-4.5 orders of magnitude higher than polylysine. The biological activity of antisense ODN was increased more than 20-fold when it was complexed with highly histidylated oligolysine into small cationic spherical particles of 35 nm. Evidence that imidazole protonation mediates the effect of these molecules in endosomes are provided. We also describe a disulfide-containing polylysine conjugate capable of mediating DNA unpackaging in a reductive medium and to increase the transfection efficiency. Overall, these molecules constitute interesting devices for developing non-viral gene delivery systems.

Gene therapy of cystic fibrosis: the glycofection approach

Many cells express surface membrane lectins that selectively bind and carry glycoconjugates into intracellular endosomes; in addition, various intracellular membrane and soluble lectins act as shuttles between different compartments. On this basis, we developed glycosylated polycations, now called glycofectins (glycosylated polylysine and polyethyleneimine). Recently, we set up a simple way to transform oligosaccharides into glycosynthons suitable to substitute proteins or polymers. Glycofectins bind plasmid DNA leading to compact glycoplexes. Glycoplexes prepared with glycofectins were found to be much more active than naked plasmid to transfer genes to various types of cells including human airway epithelial and serous cells. The gene transfer efficiency was found to depend on the nature of the sugars borne by glycofectins. It appeared that the sugar-dependent efficiency was not only related to the uptake but also to the intracellular traffic of glycoplexes.

Systematic solid-phase synthesis of linear pseudooligolysines containing multiple adjacent CH(2)NH amide bond surrogates: potential agents for gene delivery

Solid-phase methodology was used to synthesize a series of fully reduced linear oligolysines (pseudooligolysines, abbreviated herein as PLs) containing up to five adjacent CH2NH peptide bond isosteres. The reduced peptide bonds were introduced by the reductive alkylation reaction between Fmoc-Lys-(Boc)-al and a free alpha-amine moiety on the pseudopeptidyl resin, using sodium cyanoborohydride in an acidified mixture of NMP/CH3OH (1 : 1 v/v). The oligomeric molecules, which can be regarded as polyethylene imine and spermine analogs, possess multiple positive charges under physiological conditions and form tight complexes with plasmid DNA. These characteristics and the increased resistance to hydrolysis by trypsin make these molecules potential candidates for future use as DNA carriers in gene delivery.

Triggered intracellular activation of disulfide crosslinked polyelectrolyte gene delivery complexes with extended systemic circulation in vivo

We have developed polyelectrolyte gene delivery vectors that display good extracellular stability and are activated intracellularly to permit transgene expression. The strategy comprises covalent crosslinking of primary amines in poly-L-lysine/DNA complexes with a crosslinking agent that can later be cleaved by reduction. Crosslinked complexes maintained the same size and surface charge but showed increased stability against polyelectrolyte exchange with poly-L-aspartic acid. Surface modification with polyethyleneglycol improved solubility and masked their positive surface charge. Crosslinked complexes showed 10-fold increased plasma circulation following intravenous administration to Balb/c mice. In the absence of chloroquine, the levels of transgene expression in B16F10 murine melanoma cells were similar for crosslinked and non-crosslinked complexes, however, chloroquine selectively potentiated transgene expression by the non-crosslinked complexes. Cellular uptake of the complexes was the same, irrespective of crosslinking. Following microinjection into the cytoplasm of Xenopus oocytes, or the cytoplasm or nucleus of Rat-1 fibroblasts, crosslinked complexes mediated the same transgene expression as non-crosslinked complexes, indicating crosslinked complexes are rapidly reduced and activated intracellularly. We therefore hypothesize that the lower in vitro transfection activity of crosslinked complexes in the presence of chloroquine is due to reduced transfer from endosome to cytoplasm, mainly due to increased stability against destabilization by chloroquine. The extended systemic circulation together with triggered intracellular activation makes these complexes a promising system for targeted gene delivery in vivo.

Non-viral vectors in cancer gene therapy: principles and progress

This review focuses on the use of synthetic (non-viral) delivery systems for cancer gene therapy. Therapeutic strategies such as gene replacement/mutation correction, immune modulation and molecular therapy/'suicide' gene therapy type approaches potentially offer unique and novel ways of fighting cancer, some of which have already shown promise in early clinical trials. However, the specific and efficient delivery of the genetic material to remote tumors/metastases remains a challenge, which is being addressed using a variety of viral and non-viral systems. Each of these disparate systems has distinct advantages and disadvantages, which need to be taken into account when a specific therapeutic gene is being used. The review concentrates on particulate gene delivery systems, which are formed through non-covalent complexation of cationic carrier molecules (e.g. lipids or polymers) and the negatively charged plasmid DNA. Such systems tend to be comparatively less efficient than viral systems, but have the inherent advantage of flexibility and safety. The DNA-carrier complex acts as a protective package, and needs to be inert and stable while in circulation. Once the remote site has been reached the complex needs to efficiently transfect the targeted (tumor) cells. In order to improve overall transfection specificity and efficiency it is necessary to optimize intracellular trafficking of the DNA complex as well as the performance after systemic administration. Common principles and specific advantages or disadvantages of the individual synthetic gene delivery systems are discussed, and their interaction with tumor-specific and generic biological barriers are examined in order to identify potential strategies to overcome them.

Sugar-based tertiary amino gemini surfactants with a vesicle-to-micelle transition in the endosomal pH range mediate efficient transfection in vitro

Novel reduced sugar gemini amphiphiles linked through their tertiary amino head groups via alkyl spacers of 4 or 6 carbons, and with varying (unsaturated) alkyl tail lengths of 12--18, have been synthesized and tested for transfection in vitro in an adherent Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO-K1). Transfection efficiencies peaked at 2.7 times that of the commercial standard Lipofectamine Plus/2000 for pure solutions of the compound bearing unsaturated (oleyl) alkyl tails. For those compounds bearing saturated alkyl tails, transfection efficiency peaked at a tail length of 16, at a level similar to Lipofectamine Plus/2000. All of the amphiphiles formed bilayer vesicles at physiological pH. Some of the amino groups at the surface were protonated, and vesicles therefore bore a positive charge. Increased protonation with reduced pH resulted in greatly increased monomer solubility and a morphology change from vesicle to micelle at characteristic pH values, dependent on the tail length. For the compounds promoting high transfection efficiency, this characteristic pH was within the range found in the endosomal compartment (7.4--4.0). Formation of mixed micelles between gemini surfactant and membrane phospholipids at reduced pH may therefore provide a method of endosome rupture and subsequent escape of entrapped DNA, thus discarding the need for extra fusogenic or endosomolytic agents. The positive charge on the vesicles at physiological pH drives the colloidal association with DNA. Small angle X-ray scattering measurements indicate that lamellar aggregates are formed, which have a d spacing of 48--54 A. Preliminary differential scanning calorimetric measurements suggest that reduction of pH causes a disordering of the hydrocarbon region of the DNA-surfactant complex.

Polymer chemical structure is a key determinant of physicochemical and colloidal properties of polymer-DNA complexes for gene delivery

Polyplexes are now emerging as potentially useful vectors for gene therapy. To improve our understanding of how the chemical structure of the polymer affects the properties of these systems, a series of structurally related polymers, the linear poly(amidoamine)s (PAAs), have been examined for their abilities to form complexes with DNA. Structure-dependent differences in DNA binding are shown by gel electrophoretic retardation of DNA and thermal transition analyses. Two PAAs, NG28 and NG30, stand out as having high affinity DNA binding characteristics, similar to the model homopolypeptide, poly-L-lysine. In addition, differences in complex formation, particle size and surface charge are displayed for the different polymer-DNA systems. Electron microscopy studies showed that the polymers condensed DNA into similar unit structures but only complexes with NG30 did not undergo agglomeration. This was attributed to an excess of complexed polymer forming a shell of uncomplexed polymer chain segments around a condensed DNA-polymer core. The transfection activities of these polymer complexes differ greatly, and some of these differences can be explained in a multifactorial way by the physicochemical and colloidal properties. It is concluded that polymer chemical structure dictates the apparent affinity of DNA binding, and also several of the important colloidal characteristics of the resulting complexes.

Histidylated polylysine as a synthetic vector for gene transfer into immortalized cystic fibrosis airway surface and airway gland serous cells

BACKGROUND

We recently designed a cationic polymer called histidylated polylysine made of polylysine partially substituted with histidyl residues which become protonated at slightly acidic pH. This polymer is thought to induce the leakage of acidic vesicles containing plasmid/histidylated polylysine complexes.

METHODS

and results Here, we have analyzed the ability of histidylated polylysine to transfer reporter or CFTR genes into immortalized cystic fibrosis airway surface epithelial cells (sigmaCFTE29o- cells) and airway gland serous cells (CF-KM4 cells) which are both important targets for cystic fibrosis gene therapy. The luciferase reporter gene expression measured after gene transfer with histidylated polylysine into both cell lines was quite high and similar to that obtained with commercially available vectors. In addition, the level of expression was not dependent on the presence of a membrane disrupting agent such as chloroquine. Histidylated complexes were present in slightly acidic non-lysosomal cellular compartments as shown by a cytological approach using biotinylated plasmid, lysosome-specific antibodies and confocal microscopy. Histidylated complexes appeared to be of small size when prepared at low ionic strength and formed aggregates upon increasing the ionic strength. However, aggregate formation was prevented by the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum. Gene transfer efficiency varied with the size of the complexes and decreased when small particles were used.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that histidylated polylysine may be an efficient non-viral vector for gene transfer into cystic fibrosis airway surface epithelial cells and airway gland serous cells.

Vector unpacking as a potential barrier for receptor-mediated polyplex gene delivery

Ligand-conjugated polymer (polyplex) gene delivery vectors have strong potential as targeted, in vivo gene transfer vehicles; however, they are currently limited by low delivery efficiency. A number of barriers to polyplex-mediated delivery have been previously identified, including receptor binding, internalization, endosomal escape, and nuclear localization. However, based on understanding of viral gene delivery systems, yet another potential barrier may exist; a limited ability to unpackage the plasmid DNA cargo following localization to the nucleus. We have developed a model system that employs a cationic polymer linked to epidermal growth factor (EGF) as a ligand to target delivery of plasmid DNA encoding the green fluorescent protein to mouse fibroblasts bearing the EGF receptor. Using fluorescence microscopy to simultaneously trace both the plasmid and polymer during gene delivery in combination with an in vitro transcription assay, we provide evidence that plasmid unpackaging can indeed be a limiting step for gene expression for sufficiently large polymer constructs. Short-term expression is significantly enhanced by using short polycations that dissociate from DNA more rapidly both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we describe a thermodynamic model that supports these data by showing that shorter polycations can have a higher probability of dissociating from DNA. This work demonstrates that vector unpackaging should be added to the list of barriers to receptor-mediated polyplex gene delivery, thus providing an additional design principle for targeted synthetic delivery vehicles.

Cationic polymer based gene delivery systems

Gene transfer to humans requires carriers for the plasmid DNA which can efficiently and safely carry the gene into the nucleus of the desired cells. A series of chemically different cationic polymers are currently being investigated for these purposes. Although many cationic polymers indeed condense DNA spontaneously, which is a requirement for gene transfer in most types of cells, the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical behavior of the current generation of polyplexes severely limits an efficient gene transfer in vitro and especially in vivo. This paper summarizes recent physicochemical and biological information on polyplexes and aims to provide new insights with respect to this type of gene delivery system. Firstly, the chemical structure of frequently studied cationic polymers is represented. Secondly, the parameters influencing condensation of DNA by cationic polymers are described. Thirdly, the surface properties, solubility, aggregration behavior, degradation and dissociation of polyplexes are considered. The review ends by describing the in vitro and in vivo gene transfection behavior of polyplexes.

Efficient gene transfer into human normal and cystic fibrosis tracheal gland serous cells with synthetic vectors

Submucosal gland serous cells are believed to play a major role in the physiopathology of cystic fibrosis (CF) and may represent an important target for CF gene therapy. We have studied the efficiency of reporter gene transfer into immortalized normal (MM-39) and CF (CF-KM4) human airway epithelial gland serous cells using various synthetic vectors: glycosylated polylysines (glycofectins), polyethylenimine (PEI) (25 and 800 kD), lipofectin, and lipofectAMINE. In both cell lines, a high luciferase activity was achieved with various glycofectins, with PEI 25 kD, and with lipofectAMINE. After three transfections applied daily using alpha-glycosylated polylysine, 20% of the cells were transfected. At 24 h after CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene transfer into CF-KM4 cells using alpha-glycosylated polylysine, the immunolocalization of CFTR was analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy and the transgenic CFTR was detected by an intense labeling of the plasma membrane. The presence of membrane lectins, i. e., cell surface receptors binding oligosaccharides, was also examined on MM-39 and CF-KM4 cells by assessing the binding and uptake of fluorescein-labeled neoglycoproteins and fluorescein-labeled glycoplexes (glycofectins complexed to plasmid DNA). Among all the neoglycoproteins and glycoplexes tested, those bearing alpha-mannosylated derivatives were most efficiently taken up by both normal and CF gland serous cells. However, alpha-mannosylated polylysine was quite inefficient for gene transfer, indicating that the efficiency of gene transfer is determined both by the uptake of the complexes and also by their intracellular trafficking. Moreover, our results show that an efficient in vitro gene transfer was achieved in human airway gland serous cells with the same synthetic vectors described to efficiently transfect human airway surface epithelial cells.

Non-viral peptide-based approaches to gene delivery

To achieve effective non-viral gene therapy, the control of in vitro and in vivo stability, cellular access, intracellular trafficking and nuclear retention of plasmids must be achieved. Inefficient endosomal release, stability against cytosolic nucleases, cytoplasmic transport and nuclear entry of plasmids are amongst some of the key limiting factors in the use of plasmids for effective gene therapy. Synthetic peptide-based gene delivery systems can be designed for DNA compaction, serum stability, cell-specific targeting, endosomolysis, cytoplasmic stability and nuclear transport. The stability of compacted DNA under physiological conditions can be enhanced by the use of hydrophilic polymers, such as polyethylene glycol. The aims of this review are to (i) explore theoretical and experimental aspects of DNA compaction, (ii) describe approaches for stabilizing compacted DNA, (iii) assess techniques used for characterization of compacted DNA, and (iv) review possible use of peptides for efficient gene transfer.

Optimization of folate-conjugated liposomal vectors for folate receptor-mediated gene therapy

A folate-targeted transfection complex that is internalized by certain cancer cells and displays several properties reminiscent of enveloped viruses has been developed. These liposomal vectors are comprised of a polycation-condensed DNA plasmid associated with a mixture of neutral and anionic lipids supplemented with folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine for tumor cell-specific targeting. N-Citraconyl-dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine is also included for pH-dependent release of endosome-entrapped DNA into the cytoplasm, and a novel plasmid containing a 366-bp segment from SV40 DNA has been employed to facilitate transport of the plasmid into the nucleus. Because formation of the DNA core is an important step in the assembly of liposomal vectors, considerable effort was devoted to comparing the transfection efficiencies of various DNA condensing agents. It was found that complexation of plasmid DNA with high molecular weight polymers such as acylated-polylysine and cationic dendrimers leads to higher folate-mediated transfection efficiency than DNA complexed with unmodified polylysine. In contrast, compaction of plasmid DNA with small cationic molecules such as spermine, spermidine, or gramicidin S yields only weakly active folate-targeted liposomal vectors. Compared to analogous liposomal vector preparations lacking an optimally compacted DNA core, a cell-specific targeting ligand, a caged fusogenic lipid, and a nucleotide sequence that facilitates nuclear uptake, these modified liposomal vectors display greatly improved transfection efficiencies and target cell specificity.

Thermosensitive polymers as carriers for DNA delivery

Copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N-isopropylacryl amide (NIPAAm) of various monomer ratios and molecular weights were evaluated as carrier systems for DNA delivery. All copolymers, even with a low DMAEMA content of 15 mol%, were able to bind to DNA at 25 degrees C. Light-scattering measurements indicate that complexation is accompanied by precipitation of the (co)polymer in the complex caused by a drop of the lower critical solution temperature of the (co)polymer. The (co)polymer/plasmid ratio at which complexes with a size of around 200 nm were formed increased with increasing NIPAAm content of the copolymer and was independent of molecular weight of the (co)polymer. However, complexes containing (co)polymers of low molecular weight or high NIPAAm content prepared at 25 degrees C aggregated rapidly when the temperature was raised to 37 degrees C, whereas complexes containing (co)polymers of high molecular weight or lower NIPAAm content were relatively stable at 37 degrees C. The zeta potential of the complexes was also independent of molecular weight of the (co)polymer and increased with increasing (co)polymer/plasmid ratio until a plateau value was reached. The (co)polymer/plasmid ratio at which this plateau was reached increased with increasing NIPAAm content. The plateau values decreased from around 26 mV to around 13 mV when the NIPAAm content of the copolymer was increased from 0 to 85 mol%. The cytotoxicity of the complexes strongly decreased with increasing NIPAAm content and was independent of molecular weight of the (co)polymer. The transfection efficiency of complexes with poor stability was in general much lower than that of complexes with good stability. The transfection efficiency as a function of the (co)polymer/plasmid ratio showed a bell-shaped curve. The (co)polymer/plasmid ratio at which the transfection efficiency was maximal increased with increasing NIPAAm content, while the maximum transfection efficiency strongly decreased with increasing NIPAAm content of the copolymer. The results of this study show that the formation of stable (co)polymer/plasmid complexes with a size of around 200 nm is a prerequisite for efficient transfection. Furthermore, the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity strongly decreased with decreasing zeta potential. Therefore, besides the size, the zeta potential can also be used as a characteristic to predict the behavior of this type of (co)polymer/plasmid complexes in transfection. Copolymers of DMAEMA and NIPAAm provided with a homing device may be interesting carrier systems for gene targeting because these copolymers can condense DNA to small particles, and the resulting complexes show a low cytotoxicity and aspecific transfection.