Transfection and structural properties of phytanyl substituted gemini surfactant-based vectors for gene delivery

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 15; no. 47; pp. 251 - 2516
• Main Authors: Wang, Haitang, Kaur, Tranum, Tavakoli, Naser, Joseph, Jamie, Wettig, Shawn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 21.12.2013
• Subjects: Cations - chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Diterpenes - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics; Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Particle Size; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Scattering, Small Angle; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Surface-Active Agents - toxicity; Transfection; X-Ray Diffraction; Correlation; Particle size; Gemini surfactant; Efficiency; Cationic surfactant; Electrokinetic potential; Surfactant; Small angle X ray scattering; Structure; Ionic surfactant
• ISSN: 1463-9076; 1463-9084
• DOI: 10.1039/c3cp52621f

In this study, the transfection ability and cytotoxicity of a series of phytanyl substituted gemini surfactants, rationally designed and synthesized in an attempt to create cationic surfactants that will improve transfection efficiencies of non-viral vectors was evaluated in OVCAR-3 cells at the charge ratios (N + /P − ) of 2 : 1, 5 : 1, and 10 : 1. Particle sizes, zeta potentials, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) profiles were also determined. For each gemini surfactant complex, the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity are observed to go through a more or less well-evidenced maximum, occurring at different values of the charge ratio (N + /P − ), depending on the surfactant structure. Considering both results of in vitro transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity, the optimal charge ratio to formulate the complexes containing phy-3- m was found to be 5 : 1. The particle size decreased, while zeta potential increased with increasing N + /P − . Comparing particle size and zeta potential with transfection efficiency, no correlation between size/zeta potential and transfection ability was observed. Analysis of SAXS profiles indicates that the ability of phy-3- m delivery system to adopt multiple phases correlated well with their higher transfection efficiency in OVCAR-3 cells. Higher transfection efficiency achieved with the phy-3- m -based delivery systems in OVCAR-3 cells appears correlated with their ability to adopt multiple phases.