Abstract
Nonviral vectors might represent a safe alternative to adenovirus for gene therapy of lung disorders, in particular cystic fibrosis (CF). Cationic lipids have been shown to correct the CF defect both in vitro and in vivo, but more efficient vectors are needed to improve the low gene transfer efficiency. Here, we show that the cationic polymer ExGen 500, a linear polyethylenimine derivative, is more efficient than cationic lipids in transferring reporter genes to lung epithelial cells in vitro. In vivo ExGen 500 was able to mediate gene transfer into both newborn and adult rabbit lungs with comparable efficiencies. The best levels of transfection were obtained using neutral complexes. Under such conditions, luciferase activities corresponding to about 103 RLU/10 s/mg of protein were reproducibly obtained 2 days after transfection throughout the four lung lobes of newborn and adult rabbits. A nlslacZ reporter gene showed transfected cells around the lumen of large and small bronchi. No signs of acute toxicity (inflammation, cellular infiltration etc) were detected by direct histopathological analysis. Within 1 week after instillation, transgene expression decreased by two orders of magnitude.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ferrari, S., Moro, E., Pettenazzo, A. et al. ExGen 500 is an efficient vector for gene delivery to lung epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Gene Ther 4, 1100–1106 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3300503
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3300503
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Versatile functionalization of amylopectin for effective biomedical applications
Science China Chemistry (2015)
-
Catalytic properties of polymer-colloid complexes based on polyethyleneimines and mono- and diquaternized 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives in the hydrolysis of phosphorus acids esters
Russian Chemical Bulletin (2015)
-
Optimizing the transient transfection process of HEK-293 suspension cells for protein production by nucleotide ratio monitoring
Cytotechnology (2014)
-
Generation of a tumor- and tissue-specific episomal non-viral vector system
BMC Biotechnology (2013)
-
Nanoparticle-Based Vectors for Gene Delivery
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences (2012)