Abstract

An amphiphilic polymer, alkylated branched polyethylenimine (N-Alkyl-PEI), is synthesized and used for stabilization of hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanocrystals in aqueous phase. Such composite particles are monodisperse without aggregation in physiological buffer as verified by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanocomposite system is capable of binding and delivering plasmid DNA for gene transfection while maintaining magnetic properties and biocompatibility. Transfection of cells showed that N-Alkyl-PEI2k stabilized magnetite nanoparticles were most effective in gene transfection comparing to unmodified PEI2k and PEI25k agents. Obvious MR signal darkening of transfected cells was observed under a clinical 3T MRI scanner. This multifunctional nanocomposite system provides a safe and efficient method for gene delivery with non-invasive imaging monitoring capability.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Wang Z, Liu G, Sun J, Gong Q, Song B, Ai H, Gu Z

Institution

National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.

Source

Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology 12:2 2012 Feb pg 879-86

MeSH

Cell Line
Ferric Compounds
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Metal Nanoparticles
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Polyethyleneimine
Transfection

Pub Type(s)

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

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22629868