How to screen non-viral gene delivery systems in vitro?

• Published in: Journal of controlled release Vol. 154; no. 3; pp. 218 - 232
• Main Authors: van Gaal, Ethlinn V.B., van Eijk, Roel, Oosting, Ronald S., Kok, Robbert Jan, Hennink, Wim E., Crommelin, Daan J.A., Mastrobattista, Enrico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 25.09.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Controlled release; DNA; DNA - administration & dosage; Gene delivery; gene expression; Gene transfer; General pharmacology; genes; Genetic Vectors - chemistry; Genetic Vectors - genetics; Humans; Language; Medical sciences; Nanoparticles; Particle size; pEI; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plasmids - chemistry; Plasmids - genetics; Polyethyleneimine - metabolism; screening; Standardization; Toxicity; Transfection; Transgenes; Nanoparticles; Gene delivery; Particle size; Transfection; pEI; DNA; Delivery system; Pharmaceutical technology; Nanoparticle; In vitro; Genetic transfer; Polyelectrolyte; Microparticle; Gene therapy; Nucleic acid
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.05.001

Screening of new gene delivery candidates regarding transfection efficiency and toxicity is usually performed by reading out transgene expression levels relative to a reference formulation after in vitro transfection. However, over the years and among different laboratories, this screening has been performed in a variety of cell lines, using a variety of conditions and read-out systems, and by comparison to a variety of reference formulations. This makes a direct comparison of results difficult, if not impossible. Reaching a consensus would enable placing new results into context of previous findings and estimate the overall contribution to the improvement of non-viral gene delivery. In this paper we illustrate the sensitivity of transfection outcomes on testing conditions chosen, and propose a screening protocol with the aim of standardization within the field. [Display omitted]