ENHANCEMENT OF THE POLYCATION-MEDIATED DNA UPTAKE AND CELL TRANSFECTION WITH PLURONIC P85 BLOCK-COPOLYMER

Polyelectrolyte complexes formed between DNA and poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylp yridinium) cations were shown to effectively transfect mammalian cells [7]. This work suggests that the polycation-mediated uptake of the pl asmid DNA and cell transfection are significantly enhanced when these complexes are administered simultaneously with a poly(ethylene oxide)- block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer, Plur onic P85. The uptake studies were performed using radioactively labele d pRSV CAT plasmid on MH 3T3, MDCK, and Jurkat cell lines, The transfe ction was investigated by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay usin g 3T3 cells as a model, The effects reported may be useful for the enh ancement of the polycation-mediated cell transfection.