Stabilizing of plasmid DNA in vivo by PEG-modified cationic gold nanoparticles and the gene expression assisted with electrical pulses

Takahito Kawano, Masato Yamagata, Hironobu Takahashi, Yasuro Niidome, Sunao Yamada, Yoshiki Katayama, Takuro Niidome

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

117 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the benefits of combining the use of PEG-modified cationic gold nanoparticles with electroporation for in vivo gene delivery. PEG-modified cationic gold nanoparticles were prepared by NaBH 4 reduction of HAuCl4 in the presence of 2-aminoethanethiol and mPEG-SH. Zeta-potential of the particles was nearly neutral (+ 0.1 mV). After forming complexes with plasmid DNA at a w/w ratio of 8.4, nanoparticle complexes were 90 nm for at least 60 min and showed a negative zeta-potential. After intravenous injection of DNA-nanoparticle complexes, 20% of gold were detected in blood at 120 min after injection and 5% of DNA were observed in blood after 5 min, suggesting that PEG-modified nanoparticles were stably circulating in the blood flow, but some of the DNA bound to particles degraded during circulation. When electroporation was applied to a lobe of the liver following injection of DNA-nanoparticle complexes, significant gene expression was specifically observed in the pulsed lobe. We concluded that PEG-modified nanoparticles maintained DNA more stably in the blood flow than in the case of naked DNA and electroporation assisted in restricted gene expression of circulating DNA in limited areas of the liver.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)382-389
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Controlled Release
Volume111
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 10 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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