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Effect of Varying Magnetic Fields on Targeted Gene Delivery of Nucleic Acid-Based Molecules

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Abstract

Several physical methods have been developed to introduce nucleic acid expression vectors into mammalian cells. Magnetic transfection (magnetofection) is one such transfection method, and it involves binding of nucleic acids such as DNA, RNA or siRNA to magnetic nanoparticles followed by subsequent exposure to external magnetic fields. However, the challenge between high efficiency of nucleic acid uptake by cells and toxicity was not totally resolved. Delivery of nucleic acids and their transport to the target cells require carefully designed and controlled systems. In this study, we introduced a novel magnetic system design providing varying magnet turn speeds and magnetic field directions. The system was tested in the magnetofection of human breast (MCF-7), prostate (DU-145, PC-3) and bladder (RT-4) cancer cell lines using green fluorescent protein DNA as a reporter. Polyethylenimine coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were used as nucleic acid carriers. Adsorption of PEI on SPION improved the cytocompatibility dramatically. Application of external magnetic field increased intracellular uptake of nanoparticles and transfection efficiency without any additional cytotoxicity. We introduce our novel magnetism-based method as a promising tool for enhanced nucleic acid delivery into mammalian cells.

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Abbreviations

SPION:

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

PEI:

Polyethylenimine

GFP:

Green fluorescent protein

MCF-7:

Human breast cancer

DU-145:

Human prostate cancer

PC-3:

Human prostate cancer

RT-4:

Human bladder cancer

PEG:

Polyethylene glycol

DMEM:

Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) and Koc University Surface Science and Technology Center (KUYTAM) for the continued equipment and characterization support. This work was supported by Turkish Scientific Council (TUBITAK), grant number: 112M875, Sabanci University and Turkish Academy of Sciences. Graduate student support provided by the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences of Sabanci University is greatly appreciated. D.G. is a recipient of EMBO-SDIG Award. A.K. received TUBITAK Incentive Award. D.G. and A.K. are recipients of Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA-GEBIP) Award. H.Y.A received National L`Oreal Women in Science Reward in Materials Science.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Sabanci University, Orhanli, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozlem Oral

  2. Mechatronics Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orhanli, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey

    Taha Cıkım, Merve Zuvin & Ali Koşar

  3. Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orhanli, Istanbul, Turkey

    Devrim Gozuacik

  4. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Koc University, Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozlem Unal & Havva Yagci-Acar

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  1. Ozlem Oral
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  2. Taha Cıkım
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Correspondence to Ali Koşar.

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Associate Editor Mona Kamal Marei oversaw the review of this article.

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Oral, O., Cıkım, T., Zuvin, M. et al. Effect of Varying Magnetic Fields on Targeted Gene Delivery of Nucleic Acid-Based Molecules. Ann Biomed Eng 43, 2816–2826 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-015-1331-6

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