Safety profile of dextran-spermine gene delivery vector in mouse lungs

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2014 May;14(5):3328-36. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2014.8073.

Abstract

A nano-sized polymer, dextran-spermine (D-SPM), was shown to have the capacity to deliver gene to the lung of mouse via intranasal route. In this study, assessments on the safety profile of D-SPM were performed to complement the gene expression results. African green monkey kidney fibroblast (COS-7) and human adenocarcinoma breast (MCF-7) cells transfected with D-SPM/pDNA showed massive reduction in the number of viable cells. As for in vivo study, elevated level of neutrophils was observed, despite the minimal level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-12, IFN-gamma) detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice treated with the D-SPM/pDNA complexes. Histology profile examinations of the lungs showed mild inflammatory responses, with inflamed areas overlap with healthy areas. Although reduction of mice weight was seen at day 1 post administration, the mice did not show any sign of abnormal behavior or physical appearance. Biodistribution study was performed to determine the ability of the D-SPM/pDNA complexes to infiltrate to other non-intended organs. The result showed that the D-SPM/pDNA complexes were only localized at the lung and no gene expression was detected in other organs or blood. In short, these results indicate that the D-SPM/pDNA exhibited mild toxicity in the mouse lungs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dextrins / administration & dosage*
  • Dextrins / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors / adverse effects*
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plasmids
  • Spermine / administration & dosage*
  • Spermine / pharmacokinetics
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Dextrins
  • Spermine