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- Köping-Hoggard, M, et al.
(author)
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Relationship between the physical shape and the efficiency of oligomeric chitosan as a gene delivery system in vitro and in vivo
- 2003
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In: Journal of Gene Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1521-2254 .- 1099-498X. ; 5:2, s. 130-141
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Chitosans of high molecular weights have emerged as efficient. nonviral gene delivery systems, but the properties and efficiency of well-defined low molecular weight chitosans ((.) 5 kDa) have not been studied. We therefore characterized DNA complexes Of Such low molecular weight chitosans and related their physical shape and stability to their efficiency as gene delivery systems in vitro and in vivo.Methods Individual complexes between six different chitosan oligomers (6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14- and 24-mers) and fluorescence-labeled T4 DNA were visualized and classified into six physical shapes using video-enhanced fluorescence microscopy. The effects of chitosan chain length, charge ratio (+/-) and solvent properties (pH and ionic strength) on the stability and structure of the complexes were studied. Gene expression in vitro and in vivo were studied using a luciferas reporter gene.Results Free DNA appeared as extended coils. Chitosan complexes had, a variety of physical shapes depending on the experimental conditions. in general, the fraction of complexes that had nonaggregated, globular structures increased with increasing chain length of the chitosan oligomer, increasing charge ratio and reduction of pH (from 6.5 to 3.5). A further increase in charge ratio for globular complexes or a further reduction in pH (to 2.5) increased the fraction of aggregates, indicating a window where pharmaceutically desirable globules are obtained. Gene transfection efficiencies in vitro and in vivo were related to the physical shape and stability of the complexes. Only the 24-mer formed stable complexes that gave a high level of gene expression comparable to that of high molecular weight ultrapure chitosan (UPC) in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions Chitosan oligomers form complexes with DNA in a structure-dependent manner. We conclude that the 24-mer, which has more desirable physical prope ties than UPC, is more attractive as a gene delivery system than the conventional high molecular weight chitosans. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
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- Lindman, Björn, et al.
(author)
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DNA-lipid systems. An amphiphile self-assembly and polymer-surfactant perspective
- 2002
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In: Lipid and Polymer-Lipid Systems. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg. - 0340-255X .- 1437-8027. - 9783540430018 ; 120, s. 52-63
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The interaction between DNA and oppositely charged surfactants has been investigated by several techniques, like fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, phase diagram determination, and ellipsometry. The phase behaviour is more strongly associative than that in previously studied systems. A precipitate is formed for very low amounts of surfactant and DNA. DNA compaction is a general phenomenon in the presence of multivalent ions and positively charged surfaces; because of the high charge density there are strong attractive ion correlation effects. The interaction between DNA and catanionic mixtures (i.e., mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants) was also investigated. We observed that DNA compacts and adsorbs onto the surface of positively charged vesicles and that the addition of anionic surfactant can release free DNA back into solution from a compact globular complex between DNA and cationic surfactant. Finally, we investigated DNA interactions with polycations, chitosans with different chain lengths, by fluorescence microscopy, in vivo transfections assays and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The general conclusion is that a chitosan effective in promoting compaction is also efficient in transfection.
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