scholarly journals Lower-Molecular-Weight Chitosan-Treated Polyethyleneimine: a Practical Strategy For Gene Delivery to Mesenchymal Stem Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1255-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minchen Liu ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Qingqing Zhao ◽  
Xinchi Jiang ◽  
Luyao Wu ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Genetic modification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an essential requirement for their use as a delivery vehicle. To achieve higher transfection efficiency and better reproducibility than previously synthesized chitosan (100 kDa)-polyethylenimine (PEI; 1200 Da), we synthesized a low molecular weight PEI (1200 Da)-grafted chitosan (50 kDa) (CP). Methods: Safety of CP/DNA or PEI (25 kDa)/DNA was evaluated by an MTT assay using A549 cells or MSCs and a zebrafish embryo model. Effects of CP/DNA on the characteristics of MSCs were evaluated using flow cytometry. Additionally, a pGL3 plasmid was used to investigate the transfection efficiency of PEI (25 kDa), chitosan (100 kDa)-PEI (1200 Da), and CP with different N/P mass ratios on A549 cells and MSCs. Furthermore, CP/pGL3 was used to investigate the effect of serum on transfection, and intracellular transport was assessed by observing the intracellular location of DNA using laser scanning confocal microscopy. In addition, the effect of endocytosis on transfection efficiency was evaluated using A549 cells pre-treated with different inhibitors. Investigations related to analysis of transfection efficiency were all performed using the BCA protein assay to standardize the data. Furthermore, TGF-β1-and CXCR4-expressing plasmids were applied to evaluate the gene transfer efficiency of CP, including its effects on the osteogenic differentiation and migratory ability of MSCs. Results: The safety evaluation demonstrated that CP/DNA had significantly lower toxicity than PEI (25 kDa)/DNA. Additionally, DNA entered MSCs transfected by CP without changing their properties, while the examination of intracellular transport demonstrated that CP/pGL3 was internalized rapidly into MSCs. Furthermore, studies of the internalization mechanism showed that CP/pGL3 complexes entered the cells through caveolae-mediated endocytosis, thereby suggesting that the CP coating helped DNA enter A549 cells without the requirement for receptors. Compared to PEI (25 kDa), the interference of serum on transfection was reduced significantly with the use of CP in both A549 cells and MSCs. To evaluate the effects of gene delivery using the constructed CP complex and the possibility of obtaining gene-engineered MSCs, TGF-β1- and CXCR4-expressing plasmids were successfully delivered into MSCs, confirming their ability to induce osteogenesis and change the migratory ability of MSCs, respectively. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that CP could be used to deliver genes into MSCs and could potentially be used in gene therapy based on MSCs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1170-1176
Author(s):  
Minchen Liu ◽  
Yulan Hu ◽  
Yi Feng

This study aimed to examine the transfection ability of polyethylenimine (PEI) (1800 Da)-grafted chitosan (10 kDa) (CP), a newly synthesized PEI derivative, in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The safety evaluation of the complex/DNA was studied in vitro and in vivo. In addition, CP/pGL3 was applied to investigate the effects of transfection efficiency. In this study, CP/DNA can be formed with compatible physicochemical characteristics for gene delivery. CP cytotoxicity decreased in A549 cells. Moreover, a zebrafish embryo model was used for evaluating the safety in vivo. Compared to the PEI (25 kDa) group, the zebrafish hatching rate increased and the mortality rate decreased in the CP/DNA group, which provided an indication of the safety of CP. In comparison with chitosan (100 kDa)-PEI (1200 Da), CP's transfection efficiency was higher in both A549 cells and MSCs. This study aimed to lay the foundation for further applications of CP in gene delivery. Therefore, further gene therapy investigations of CP by using MSCs need to be performed.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 696
Author(s):  
Yerai Vado ◽  
Gustavo Puras ◽  
Melania Rosique ◽  
Cesar Martin ◽  
Jose Luis Pedraz ◽  
...  

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stem cells present in adult tissues. They can be cultured, have great growth capacity, and can differentiate into several cell types. The isolation of urine-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUSCs) was recently described. hUSCs present additional benefits in the fact that they can be easily obtained noninvasively. Regarding gene delivery, nonviral vectors based on cationic niosomes have been used and are more stable and have lower immunogenicity than viral vectors. However, their transfection efficiency is low and in need of improvement. Methods: We isolated hUSCs from urine, and the cell culture was tested and characterized. Different cationic niosomes were elaborated using reverse-phase evaporation, and they were physicochemically characterized. Then, they were screened into hUSCs for transfection efficiency, and their internalization was evaluated. Results: GPxT-CQ at a lipid/DNA ratio of 5:1 (w/w) had the best transfection efficiency. Intracellular localization studies confirmed that nioplexes entered mainly via caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Conclusions: In conclusion, we established a protocol for hUSC isolation and their transfection with cationic niosomes, which could have relevant clinical applications such as in gene therapy. This methodology could also be used for creating cellular models for studying and validating pathogenic genetic variants, and even for performing functional studies. Our study increases knowledge about the internalization of tested cationic niosomes in these previously unexplored cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-284
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Gharbavi ◽  
Ali Sharafi ◽  
Saeed Ghanbarzadeh

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new tool for therapeutic gene delivery in clinics have attracted much attention. Their advantages cover longer lifespan, better isolation, and higher transfection efficiency and proliferation rate. MSCs are the preferred approach for cell-based therapies because of their in vitro self-renewal capacity, migrating especially to tumor tissues, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, they have considerable efficiency in genetic engineering for future clinical applications in cancer gene therapy and other diseases. For improving therapeutic efficiency, targeted therapy of cancers can be achieved through the sustained release of therapeutic agents and functional gene expression induction to the intended tissues. The development of a new vector in gene therapy can improve the durability of a transgene expression. Also, the safety of the vector, if administered systemically, may resolve several problems, such as durability of expression and the host immune response. Currently, MSCs are prominent candidates as cell vehicles for both preclinical and clinical trials due to the secretion of therapeutic agents in several cancers. In the present study, we discuss the status of gene therapy in both viral and non-viral vectors along with their limitations. Throughout this study, the use of several nano-carriers for gene therapy is also investigated. Finally, we critically discuss the promising advantages of MSCs in targeted gene delivery, tumor inhibition and their utilization as the gene carriers in clinical situations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 785-791
Author(s):  
Ji-Eun Kim ◽  
Hye-Jin Seo ◽  
SuJin Lee ◽  
Jun-Hyeog Jang

Background: Laminin, a member of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM), is a glycoprotein that is used as a factor that affects cell adhesion, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Of these, five globular domains (LG domains) of the alpha chain play an important role in influencing the cell by binding to the integrin. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of globular domains 1-3 of laminin alpha2 (rhLAMA2LG1-3) in maintaining the pluripotency of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs), which are widely used in regenerative medicine. Methods: hMSCs were grown in the medium supplemented with rhLAMA2LG1-3, then the effect of the protein on hMSCs were confirmed through cell adhesion assay, proliferation assay and RTPCR. Results: rhLAMA2LG1-3 expressed in Escherichia coli has a molecular weight of 70 kDa, at 1 µg/ml concentration of rhLAMA2LG1-3, the attachment and proliferation of hMSCs were approximately 3.18-fold and 1.67-fold, respectively, more efficient than those of untreated controls. In addition, the undifferentiated state and degree of stemness of hMSCs were measured, on the basis of CD90 and CD105 levels. In the rhLAMA2LG1-3-treated hMSCs, the expression levels of CD90 and CD105 increased by 2.83-fold and 1.62-fold, respectively, compared to those in untreated controls. Conclusion: rhLAMA2LG1-3 can be potentially used in stem cell therapy to improve the viability and maintain the undifferentiated state of hMSCs.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-601
Author(s):  
Haibin Song ◽  
Heng Zhang ◽  
Lei Li

Deriving from bone marrow, the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) possess multipolar chemotaxis, proliferation potential, along with the capability to differentiate into various types of cells. Moreover, the hypoxic stimulation can effectively induce BMSCs differentiation. This study intends to explore the impediment of BMSCs on malignant behaviors of lung cancer stem cells under hypoxia. A co-culture system of BMSCs with A549 cells was established and then assigned into normoxia group, hypoxia group (50, 100, and 200 nmol/L) followed by analysis of cell viability by CCK-8 assay and miR-145 expression by qRT-PCR. In addition, A549 cells were grouped into NC group, miR-145-mimics group, and miR-145-inhibitors group followed by analysis of cell invasion and levels of miR-145 and Oct4. Hypoxia group exhibited a reduced cell viability and higher miR-145 expression (146.01±21.23%) compared to normoxia group (P < 0.05). Transfection of miR-145-mimic significantly upregulated miR-145 and decreased cell invasion (7.49±1.43%) compared with miR-145-inhibitors group or NC group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, Oct4 level in miR-145-mimics group (0.934±2.98) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, under hypoxia condition, the co-culture with BMSCs can upregulated miR-145 level, effectively reduce the viability of lung cancer stem cells and restrain proliferation capability.


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