Promoter, transgene, and cell line effects in the transfection of mammalian cells using PDMAEMA-based nano-stars.

Non-viral transfection protocols are typically optimized using standard cells and reporter proteins, potentially underestimating cellular or transgene effects. Here such effects were studied for two human (Jurkat, HEK-293) and two rodent (CHO-K1, L929) cell lines and three fluorescent reporter proteins. Expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was studied under the control of the human elongation factor 1 alpha promoter and three viral promoters (SV40, SV40/enhancer, CMV), that of ZsYellow1 (yellow fluorescence) and mCherry (red fluorescence) for the CMV promoter.

Compaction and Transmembrane Delivery of pDNA: Differences between l-PEI and Two Types of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers.

Polycations are popular agents for nonviral delivery of DNA to mammalian cells. Adding hydrophobic, biodegradable, or cell-penetrating functions could help to improve their performance, which at present is below that of viral agents. A crucial first step in gene delivery is the complexation of the DNA.

Influence of Polyplex Formation on the Performance of Star-Shaped Polycationic Transfection Agents for Mammalian Cells.

Genetic modification ("transfection") of mammalian cells using non-viral, synthetic agents such as polycations, is still a challenge. Polyplex formation between the DNA and the polycation is a decisive step in such experiments. Star-shaped polycations have been proposed as superior transfection agents, yet have never before been compared side-by-side, e.