Gene expression in synovial membrane cells after intraarticular delivery of plasmid-linked superparamagnetic iron oxide particles--a preliminary study in sheep.

This study evaluated in vivo gene delivery and subsequent gene expression within cells of the synovium in the presence of static and pulsating magnetic field application following intraarticular injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles linked to plasmids containing reporter genes encoding for fluorescent proteins. Plasmids encoding genes for either green fluorescent protein or red fluorescent protein were bound to superparamagnetic nanoparticles coated with polyethyleneimine. Larger (200-250 nm) and smaller (50 nm) nanoparticles were compared to evaluate the effects of size on transfection efficiency as well as any associated intraarticular reaction.

Enhancement of the efficiency of non-viral gene delivery by application of pulsed magnetic field.

New approaches to increase the efficiency of non-viral gene delivery are still required. Here we report a simple approach that enhances gene delivery using permanent and pulsating magnetic fields. DNA plasmids and novel DNA fragments (PCR products) containing sequence encoding for green fluorescent protein were coupled to polyethylenimine coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs).

Effect of the modulation of the membrane lipid composition on the localization and function of P-glycoprotein in MDR1-MDCK cells.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle in cancer therapy. It results from different mechanisms; among them is P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug efflux out of cells. The mechanism of action remains elusive.

Isolated rafts from adriamycin-resistant P388 cells contain functional ATPases and provide an easy test system for P-glycoprotein-related activities.

Purpose: P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a membrane ATPase expelling many structurally unrelated compounds out of cells, is one of the major contributors to multidrug resistance. It is enriched in cold TritonX-100 insoluble membrane domains (i.e.