Preparation of HA-His/PEI-His/DNA Nano-Complexes for Gene Transfection

Abstract:

To decrease the toxicity and improve the tumor cell selectivity of PEI，polyethyleneimine（PEI） and hyaluronic acid（HA） were modified with histidine（His） to obtain PEI-His and HA-His in this study. The HH/PH/DNA（HPD） complexes，used for gene transfection，were prepared via electrostatic interaction. The average particle size of the complexes was 108.5 nm determined by dynamic light scattering，as well as the ζ-potential was -15.4 mV. HPD could efficiently encapsulate DNA and protect it from the enzymatic degradation. In addition，the HH coating further prevented the adhesion of serum on the surface of HPD. Cellular experiments showed that the cytotoxicity of PEI was reduced via the modification of His. The gene transfection efficiency induced by HPD in tumor cells increased by 2-fold as compared with that in normal cells，showing good selectivity.