Real-time gene delivery vector tracking in the endo-lysosomal pathway of live cells.

ABSTRACT: Using live-cell confocal microscopy and particle tracking technology, the simultaneous transport of intracellular vesicles of the endo-lysosomal pathway and nonviral polyethylenimine (PEI)/DNA nanocomplexes was investigated. Due to potential problems associated with the use of acid-sensitive probes in combination with a gene vector that is hypothesized to buffer the pH of intracellular vesicles, the biological location of PEI/DNA gene vectors was revealed by probing their trafficking in cells expressing fluorescent versions of either early endosome antigen 1, a protein that localizes to early endosomes, or Niemann Pick C1, a protein that localizes to late endosomes and lysosomes. Studies directly show that PEI/DNA nanoparticles are actively transported within both early and late endosomes,

SUBMITTER: Suh J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3305830 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature