›› 2013, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 131-.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2013.02.001

• Original article (Basic research) •     Next Articles

Toxicity and transfection efficiency of novel low molecular weight polyethylenimine conjugates (PEI-Bu) on rat primary mesenchymal stem cells

XIANG Sheng-nan1, SU Jing2, TONG Wen-xue1, WANG Chuan-dong1, ZHANG Ning1, DAI Ke-rong1,3, ZHANG Xiao-ling1   

  1. 1.Laboratory of Orthopedic Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine &|Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200025, China;2.School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China; 3.Department of Orthopaedics, the Ninth People´s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
  • Online:2013-02-28 Published:2013-03-07
  • Supported by:

    Foundation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, 2011DFA30790; Shanghai Education Committee Foundation, 10SG22, J50206; Shanghai Jiaotong University Foundation, YG2010MS48

Abstract:

Objective To construct the novel low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI) conjugates, and evaluate its toxicity and transfection efficiency on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods Low molecular weight PEI derivative non-viral nano vector was developed by conjugation of PEI of 800 in molecular weight and degradable carbamate linkage, and was named as PEI-Bu. The DNA condensation capability, in vitro degradation efficiency as well as toxicity and transfection efficiency on primary BMSCs of PEI-Bu were investigated. Results PEI-Bu efficiently condensed plasmid DNA, and stable polyplexes were formed, with the size of polyplexes being about 50 nm. Compared with commercialized PEI 25 000 (PEI of 25 000 in molecular weight) commonly used in laboratories, PEI-Bu had lower toxicity and higher transfection efficiency on rat primary BMSCs. Conclusion As a novel non-viral nano vector, PEI-Bu can efficiently transfect BMSCs with favorable safety, which has a potential value for further development.

Key words: non-viral nano vector, polyethylenimine, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, gene transfection efficiency