Systematic Study of a Library of PDMAEMA-Based, Superparamagnetic Nano-Stars for the Transfection of CHO-K1 Cells.

Title data

Stahlschmidt, Ullrich ; Jérôme, Valérie ; Majewski, Alexander P. ; Müller, Axel H. E. ; Freitag, Ruth:
Systematic Study of a Library of PDMAEMA-Based, Superparamagnetic Nano-Stars for the Transfection of CHO-K1 Cells.
In: Polymers. Vol. 9 (2017) Issue 5 . - 156.
ISSN 2073-4360
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9050156

Project information

Abstract in another language

The introduction of the DNA into mammalian cells remains a challenge in gene delivery, particularly in vivo. Viral vectors are unmatched in their efficiency for gene delivery, but may trigger immune responses and cause severe side-reactions. Non-viral vectors are much less efficient. Recently, our group has suggested that a star-shaped structure improves and even transforms the gene delivery
capability of synthetic polycations. In this contribution, this effect was systematically studied using a library of highly homogeneous, paramagnetic nano-star polycations with varied arm lengths and grafting densities. Gene delivery was conducted in CHO-K1 cells, using a plasmid encoding a green
fluorescent reporter protein. Transfection efficiencies and cytotoxicities varied systematically with the nano-star architecture. The arm density was particularly important, with values of approximately 0.06 arms/nm 2 yielding the best results. In addition, a certain fraction of the cells became magnetic during transfection. The gene delivery potential of a nano-star and its ability to render the cells
magnetic did not have any correlations. End-capping the polycation arms with di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PDEGMA) significantly improved serum compatibility under transfection conditions; such nano-stars are potential candidates for future in vivo testing.