Bioengineered silk protein-based gene delivery systems

Abstract Silk proteins self-assemble into mechanically robust material structures that are also biodegradable and non-cytotoxic, suggesting utility for gene delivery. Since silk proteins can also be tailored in terms of chemistry, molecular weight and other design features via genetic engineering, f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomaterials 2009-10, Vol.30 (29), p.5775-5784
Main Authors: Numata, Keiji, Subramanian, Balajikarthick, Currie, Heather A, Kaplan, David L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advanced Basic Science
Bioengineering
Block copolymers
Cell Line
Delivery systems
Dentistry
DNA
DNA - administration & dosage
DNA - chemistry
DNA - pharmacokinetics
Drug Carriers - chemistry
Dynamical systems
Dynamics
Fibroins - chemistry
Gene therapy
Genes
Humans
Kidney - metabolism
Materials Testing
Nanoparticle
Proteins
Silk
Transfection - methods
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Summary:Abstract Silk proteins self-assemble into mechanically robust material structures that are also biodegradable and non-cytotoxic, suggesting utility for gene delivery. Since silk proteins can also be tailored in terms of chemistry, molecular weight and other design features via genetic engineering, further control of this system for gene delivery can be considered. In the present study, silk-based block copolymers were bioengineered with poly( l -lysine) domains for gene delivery. Ionic complexes of these silk-polylysine based block copolymers with plasmid DNA (pDNA) were prepared for gene delivery to human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. The material systems were characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The polymers self-assembled in solution and complexed plasmid DNA through ionic interactions. The pDNA complexes with 30 lysine residues prepared at a polymer/nucleotide ratio of 10 and with a solution diameter of 380 nm showed the highest efficiency for transfection. The pDNA complexes were also immobilized on silk films and demonstrated direct cell transfection from these surfaces. The results demonstrate the potential of bioengineered silk proteins as a new family of highly tailored gene delivery systems.
ISSN:0142-9612
1878-5905
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.06.028