Combination of poly(ethylenimine) and chitosan induces high gene transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity

Qing-Qing Zhao; Jin-Liang Chen; Min Han; Wen-Quan Liang; Yasuhiko Tabata; Jian-Qing Gao

doi:10.1263/jbb.105.65

Combination of poly(ethylenimine) and chitosan induces high gene transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity

J Biosci Bioeng. 2008 Jan;105(1):65-8. doi: 10.1263/jbb.105.65.

Authors

Qing-Qing Zhao¹, Jin-Liang Chen, Min Han, Wen-Quan Liang, Yasuhiko Tabata, Jian-Qing Gao

Affiliation

¹ College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

PMID: 18295723
DOI: 10.1263/jbb.105.65

Abstract

In this study, the cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of using chitosan/DNA complex combined with poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) were investigated. The combination of PEI with the chitosan/DNA complex markedly enhanced the gene expression of HeLa cells to 1000-fold of that induced by chitosan alone. PEI's cytotoxicity was considerably decreased upon combination with the chitosan/DNA complex. Furthermore, the PEI/chitosan/DNA could maintain the gene expression efficiency in the presence of serum.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Chitosan / chemistry*
DNA / chemistry
Humans
Polyethyleneimine / chemistry*
Transfection / methods*

Substances

Polyethyleneimine
DNA
Chitosan