• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국생물공학회 2003년도 생물공학의 동향(XII)
• /
• pp.582-586
• /
• 2003

There has been interest in developing gene therapy based on naked plasmid DNA for treating serum protein deficiencies and human erythropoietin (hEPO) is one of the candidate for gene therapy being Investigated most enthusiastically. We constructed novel plasmid DNA vectors pVAC-hEPOI/II/III which contain one, two, three hEPO gene(s) respectively for producing high level expression and secretion of hEPO in vitro and in vivo. NIH3T3 and COS7 cells were transfected transiently with these vectors and increase in hEPO expression in medium reached 2-5 fold in comparison with pSecTagB-hEPO. Intra muscular administrations of pVAC-hEPOI/II/III vectors into mice resulted in high level secretion of hEPO in the serum and corresponding increases in hematocrit level. In conclusion the transduction efficiency of naked plasmid vectors is one of the critical factors of a gene delivery system and these novel plasmid vectors will contribute to various gene therapy based on naked plasmid DNA.

• 한국독성학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국독성학회 2003년도 추계학술대회
• /
• pp.86-86
• /
• 2003

Gene therapy is a medical intervention based on modification of the genetic material of living cells. Gene transfer usually conducted using bacterial plasmid DNA and/or virus vector to express a specific protein. Gene transfer medicinal products classified as naked nucleic acid, complexed nucleic acid or non-viral vectors, viral vector, and genetically modified cells according to biological origin.(omitted)

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.67-71
• /
• 2000

It has been demonstrated that the injection of naked DNA expressing vascular endothelial growth factor 165(VEGFl165) to the affected area can provide significant therapeutic effects on peripherol artery occlusive diseases. Success with this type of gene therapy highly depends on the quality of the vector delivering the therapeutic gene, especially in terms of the level and duration of gene expression in the localized area. We have recently developed a vector expressing VEGF165(pCK-VEGF) for the treatment of peripheral artery occulsive diseases and demonstrated high level expression of VEGF165 in mouse skeletal muscle. This study was designed to assess the acute toxicity of intramuscularly injected pCK-VEGF in BALB/c mice and Sprague-Dawely rats. There was no evidence of any changes in clinical signs, body weights, or gross pathological signs. We estimate LD50 values of pCK-VEGF higher than 50mg/kg in mice and 20 mg/kg in rats by intramuscular injection.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회 2003년도 추계학술대회
• /
• pp.86-86
• /
• 2003

• 약학회지
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.108-115
• /
• 2001

We have recently reported the development of a high efficiency expression vector, pCK, which can drive a high level of gene expression in mouse skeletal muscle. In this study, we tested the therapeutic potential of pCK expressing human VEGF165, pCK-VEGF in the rabbit ischemic hind limb model. To determine the optimal dose of plasmid DNA, various concentrations of pCK-CAT were injected into the muscle of a rabbit hind limb and the levels of CAT activity were determined. It was found that the expression level of the exogenously added gene became stable between 250 and 1,000 $\mu$g. Based on this result, we tested whether intramuscular transfer of 500$\mu$g of pCK-VEGF could actually modulate collateral vessel development in a rabbit ischemic hind limb model. It was found that relative to the control group injected with the pCK lacking the VEGF sequence, single intramuscular doses (500$\mu$g) of pCK-VEGF produced statistically significant augmentation of collateral vessels as determined by the angiographic vessel count, maximal blood flow by Doppler flowmeter and the number of capillaries by histology. These results suggest that a single 500$\mu$g-delivery of pCK-VEGF is potent enough to induce sufficient angiogenic activity and achieve therapeutic benefit on this rabbit model.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권12호
• /
• pp.4915-4918
• /
• 2014

Background and Aims: Advances in the treatment of cervical cancer over the last decade have predominantly involved the development of genes directed at molecular targets. Gene therapy is recognized to be a novel method for the treatment of cervical cancer. Genes can be administered into target cells via nanocarriers. This study aimed to develop systemically administrable nano-vectors. Floate (Fa) containing gene loaded nanoparticles (NPs) could target HeLa human cervical cancer cells through combination with receptors on the cells to increase the nuclear uptake of genetic materials. Methods: Fa was linked onto Poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (D, L-lactide) (PEG-PLA) to form Fa-PEG-PLA, and the resulting material was used to load plasmids of enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP) to obtain gene loaded nanoparticles (Fa-NPs/DNA). Physical-chemical characteristics, in vitro release and cytotoxicity of Fa-NPs/DNA were evaluated. The in vitro transfection efficiency of Fa-NPs/DNA was evaluated in HeLa cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PEG-PLA without Fa was used to load pEGFP from NPs/DNA as a control. Results: Fa-NPs/DNA has a particle size of 183 nm and a gene loading quantity of 92%. After 72h of transfection, Fa-NPs/DNA displayed over 20% higher transfection efficiency than NPs/DNA and 40% higher than naked DNA in HeLa cells. However, in HUVECs, no significant difference appeared between Fa-NPs/DNA and NPs/DNA. Conclusions: Fa-PEG-PLA NPs could function as excellent materials for gene loading. This nano-approach could be used as tumor cell targeted medicine for the treatment of cervical cancer.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제27권9호
• /
• pp.1335-1340
• /
• 2006

It has been found that a number of diseases are associated with mutations in the mitochondrial DNA. Therapeutic gene delivery to mitochondria has been suggested as a clinical option for these diseases. In this study, we developed a gene carrier to mitochondria by the conjugation of mitochondrial leader peptide (LP) to polyethylenimine (PEI). Mitochondrial LP conjugated PEI (PEI-LP) was synthesized with low molecular weight PEI (2,000 Da, PEI2K). Gel retardation assay showed that PEI2K-LP formed complexes at a 1.0/1 weight ratio. In addition, PEI2K-LP protected DNA from the enzymatic degradation for at least 60 min, while naked DNA was completely degraded within 20 min. PEI2K-LP was compared with LP conjugated high molecular weight PEI (25,000 Da, PEI25K) in terms of toxicity and delivery efficiency. MTT assay showed that PEI2K-LP had much lower cytotoxicity than PEI25K-LP to 293 cells. In addition, cell-free DNA delivery assay showed that PEI2K-LP delivered more DNA to mitochondria at a 1.8/1 weight ratio than naked DNA or PEI. This result suggests that PEI2K-LP may be useful for the development of mitochondrial gene therapy system with lower cytotoxicity.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.54-59
• /
• 2005

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) is a divalent cation dependent endonuclease and thought to be a significant barrier to effective gene delivery. The only known DNase I-specific inhibitor is monomeric actin which acts by forming a 1:1 complex with DNase I. Its use, however, is restricted because of tendency to polymerize under certain conditions. We screened two random phage peptide libraries of complexity $10^8$ and $10^9$ for DNase I binders as candidates for DNase I inhibitors. A number of DNase I-binding peptide sequences were identified. When these peptides were expressed as fusion proteins with Escherichia coli maltose binding protein, they inhibited the actin-DNase I interaction ($IC_{50}=0.1-0.7{\mu}M$) and DNA degradation by DNase I ($IC_{50}=0.8-8{\mu}M$). Plasmid protection activity in the presence of DNase I was also observed with the fusion proteins. These peptides have the potential to be a useful adjuvant for gene therapy using naked DNA.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.859-869
• /
• 2007

Naked DNA and standard vectors have been previously used for gene delivery. Among these, PEI can efficiently condense DNA and has high intrinsic endosomal activities. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the cationic polycation PEI could increase the transfection efficiency of BMP expressing DNA using a vector-loaded collagen sponge model. BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 plasmid was constructed by subcloning human BMP-2 cDNA into the pcDNA3.1 plasmid vector. PEI/DNA complexes were prepared by mixing PEI and BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 and the constructed complexes were loaded into the collagen sponges. In vitro studies, BMSCs were transfected with the PEI/BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 complexes from collgen sponge. The level of secreted BMP-2 and alkaline phosphatase activities of transfected BMSCs were significantly higher in PEI/BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 group than in BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 group (p<0.05). Transfected BMSCs were cultured and mineralization was observed only in cells treated with PEI/BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 complexes. In vivo studies, PEI/BMP-2/pcDNA3.1/collagen, BMP-2/pcDNA3.1/collagen and blank collagen were grafted in skeletal muscle of nude mice. Ectopic bone formation was shown in PEI/BMP-2/pcDNA3.1/collagen grafted mouse 4 weeks postimplantation, while not in BMP-2/pcDNA3.1 grafted tissue. This study suggests that PEI-condensed DNA encoding for BMP-2 is capable of inducing bone formation in ectopic site and might increase the transfection rate of BMP-2/pcDNA3.1. As a non-viral vector, PEI offers the potential in gene therapy for bone engineering.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.261-265
• /
• 2003

Tumor necrosis facto-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a recently identified member of the tumor necrosis factor cytokine superfamily. TRAIL has been shown to induce apoptosis in a number of tumor cells whereas cells from most of normal tissues are highly resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These observations have raised considerable interest in the use of TRAIL in tumor therapy. In this study we report the biodistribution fates and serum expression pattern of plasmid DNA encoding TRAIL (pTRAIL) delivered in erythrocyte ghosts (EG). pTRAIL was loaded into EG by electroportion in a hypotonic medium The mRNA expression of pTRAIL was prolonged following delivery in EG-encapsulated forms. EG containing pTRAIL showed significant levels of mRNA expression in the blood over 9 days. The organ expression patterns of pTRAIL delivered via EG, however, did not significantly differ from those of naked pTRAIL, indicating that the expression-enhancing effect of EG containing pTRAIL was localized to the blood. These results suggest that pTRAIL-loaded EG might be of potential use in the treatment of hematological diseases such as TRAIL-sensitive leukemia.