Efficient transfection of blood-brain barrier endothelial cells by lipoplexes and polyplexes in the presence of nuclear targeting NLS-PEG-acridine conjugates.

ABSTRACT: Brain capillary endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are difficult targets for nonviral transfection even for the most potent transfection agents. Efficient protection and nuclear delivery of plasmid DNA are the key requirements for enhancing the transfection. We designed novel DNA intercalating conjugates of PEG-tris(acridine) with a short nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide and investigated the effect of their complexes with luciferase-encoded plasmid DNA on lipoplex- and polyplex-mediated transfection of murine brain capillary endothelial bEnd.3 cells. These intercalation complexes protected DNA from nucleolytic degradation forming a protective PEG layer around plasmid DNA and could be efficiently condensed by Lipofectamine2000 or Exgen500 into nanosized particles. C

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2744408 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature