r18-peptide and Melanoma

To solve the contradiction between the cell toxicity and transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine (PEI) derivate in non-viral gene therapy, a novel gene vector, P123-PEI-R18 was synthesized by using biodegradable PEI derivate conjugated with trifunctional peptide RGD-TAT-NLS. The particle size of P123-PEI-R18/DNA was around 100-250 nm. The gene vector could condense DNA at the weight ratio of 2 and protect plasmid DNA from being dissolved in the blood circulation. Importantly, the complexes exhibited lower cell toxicity and higher transfection efficiency contrasted with PEI 25 kDa in vitro. P123-PEI-R18 holds high potential as a safe and efficient gene vector.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Genetic Vectors; Humans; Imines; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Melanoma; Mice; Microscopy, Confocal; Molecular Imaging; Nanocapsules; Particle Size; Peptides; Plasmids; Poloxalene; Polyethylenes; Polymers; Transfection