Polyethyenimine-polyethylene glycol as a gene transfer vector for spiral ganglion cells in vitro

Chen Guan-gui; Xu Ya-li

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.21.012

Abstract：BACKGROUND:A new kind of polyethyenimine-polyethylene glycol (PEI-PEG) is apt to synthesis and modification, and has good stability, easily regulated structure and properties, which has been applied to a variety of diseases as gene transfer vectors. <br> OBJECTIVE:To study the feasibility and the characteristics of nanoparticles PEI-PEG as gene transfer vector for spiral ganglion cells of the inner ear of mice. <br> METHODS:Using PEI-PEG (experimental group) and lipofectamineTM 2000 (control group) as gene transfer vectors, with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as tracing protein, spiral ganglion cells were transfected in vitro, the transfection rate and mean fluorescence strength were detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Toxicity effects of each vector on spiral ganglion cells were determined by spectroscopic measurement of MTT method. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After transfection with two vectors, spiral ganglion cells had no changes in morphology. The transfection rate of PEI-PEG was statistical y higher than that of liposome (P<0.05). Also, the toxicity effects of PEI-PEG to spiral ganglion cells was lightly than that of liposome (P<0.05). As a new gene transfer vector, PEI-PEG has a higher transfection rate and lower toxicity effects to spiral ganglion cells compared to liposome, and can serve as gene transferring system into cochlear nervous system.