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Preliminary Communication

A nonviral vector with transfection activity comparable with adenoviral transduction

    Jennifer Cheung

    Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

    ,
    Takahiro Chino

    Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

    ,
    Cynthia Co

    Dental Surgery Program, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

    ,
    Krystyna Konopka

    Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

    &
    Nejat Düzgünes

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: nduzgunes@pacific.edu

    Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.4155/tde-2016-0054

    Aim: Viral vectors are used commonly in gene therapy trials, but their potential toxic effects are a serious concern. Identification of highly efficient nonviral vectors may alleviate these effects. Results & methodology: We compared the abilities of TransfeX, TransIT-LT1 and adenovirus to deliver the firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein genes into HeLa cervical carcinoma, and HSC-3 and H357 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. TransfeX mediated fourfold higher gene expression in HeLa cells than adenovirus, even at the highest multiplicity of infection. Flow cytometry indicated that a population of transfected cells expresses higher levels of green fluorescent protein than transduced cells. Conclusion: TransfeX may be useful for gene therapy applications, particularly where the use of adenovirus is contraindicated.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest

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