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Gene Vectors (gene + vector)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Polymers and Materials Science	50%
Life Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

In vitro release of complexed pDNA from biodegradable polymer films

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008
Y. Ramgopal
Abstract The controlled delivery of low-molecular weight drugs and proteins from biodegradable polymers has received considerable attention. However, controlled release studies of pDNA from such polymers have not been reported to date. In this study, a plasmid DNA was complexed with the cationic polymer called polyethylenimine (PEI). This gene vector has been shown to be very effective in transfecting cells. The complexed DNA were then incorporated into different types of poly-lactic- co -glycolic acid (PLGA) film; PLGA 53/47 (Mw 90 kDa), 50/50 (Mw 11 kDa, end group is lauryl ester) and 75/25 (Mw 120 kDa). Their release profiles from a buffer solution were studied. An initial (small) burst release of PEI-DNA from film was observed in PLGA 53/47 and 50/50, followed by a plateau phase and finally a rapid erosion-controlled release. For PLGA 50/50, the rapid release started after 14 days; erosion-controlled release for PLGA 53/47 started after 9 days; for PLGA 75/25, the release rate was governed by an initial burst release (10%) followed by a slow release controlled by diffusion. No obvious erosion-controlled release rate was observed for this polymer up to 27 days. Thus, the controlled release of complexed DNA follows the general features exhibited by lower- Mw drugs. This is of significance in designing gene vector matrices that offer the promise of more lasting gene therapy compared with particulate formulations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source]

Functionalization of Chitosan via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Gene Delivery

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010
Yuan Ping
Abstract It is of crucial importance to modify chitosan-based polysaccharides in the designing of biomedical materials. In this work, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was employed to functionalize chitosan in a well-controlled manner. A series of new degradable cationic polymers (termed as PDCS) composed of biocompatible chitosan backbones and poly((2-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) (P(DMAEMA)) side chains of different length were designed as highly efficient gene vectors via ATRP. These vectors, termed as PDCS, exhibited good ability to condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) into nanoparticles with positive charge at nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) ratios of 4 or higher. All PDCS vectors could well protect the condensed DNA from enzymatic degradation by DNase I and they displayed high level of transfectivity in both COS7, HEK293 and HepG2 cell lines. Most importantly, in comparison with high-molecular-weight P(DMAEMA) and ,gold-standard' PEI (25 kDa), the PDCS vectors showed considerable buffering capacity in the pH range of 7.4 to 5, and were capable of mediating much more efficient gene transfection at low N/P ratios. At their own optimal N/P ratios for trasnsfection, the PDCS/pDNA complexes showed much lower cytotoxicity. All the PDCS vectors were readily to be degradable in the presence of lysozyme at physiological conditions in vitro. These well-defined PDCS polymers have great potentials as efficient gene vectors in future gene therapy. [source]

Single-dose lentiviral gene transfer for lifetime airway gene expression

THE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009
Alice G. Stocker
Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a defect in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity, often resulting in an incurable airway disease. Gene therapy into the conducting airway epithelium is a potential cure for CF; however, most gene vectors do not result in long-lived expression, and require re-dosing. Perversely, intrinsic host immune responses can then block renewed gene transfer. Methods To investigate whether persistent gene expression could be achieved after a single dosing event, thus avoiding the issue of blocking host responses, we used a gene transfer protocol that combined an airway pretreatment using lysophosphatidylcholine with a human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (vesicular stomatitis virus G pseudotype) derived lentiviral vector to test whether an integrating vector could produce gene expression able to last for a substantial part of the lifetime of the laboratory mouse. Results We found that a single dose of LV-LacZ produced immediate as well as lifetime mouse airway expression, confirming our hypothesis that use of an integrating vector extends transgene expression. Importantly, LV-CFTR dosing achieved at least 12 months of CFTR expression, representing partial functional correction of the CFTR defect in CF-null mice. Conclusions These findings validate the potential of this methodology for developing a gene transfer treatment for CF airway disease. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Recent trends in non-viral vector-mediated gene delivery

BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 11 2009
Atul Pathak
Abstract Nucleic acids-based next generation biopharmaceuticals (i.e., pDNA, oligonucleotides, short interfering RNA) are potential pioneering materials to cope with various incurable diseases. However, several biological barriers present a challenge for efficient gene delivery. On the other hand, developments in nanotechnology now offer numerous non-viral vectors that have been fabricated and found capable of transmitting the biopharmaceuticals into the cell and even into specific subcellular compartments like mitochondria. This overview illustrates cellular barriers and current status of non-viral gene vectors, i.e., lipoplexes, liposomes, polyplexes, and nanoparticles, to relocate therapeutic DNA-based nanomedicine into the target cell. Despite the awesome impact of physical methods (i.e., ultrasound, electroporation), chemical methods have been shown to accomplish high-level and safe transgene expression. Further comprehension of barriers and the mechanism of cellular uptake will facilitate development of nucleic acids-based nanotherapy for alleviation of various disorders. [source]