ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of using polyethyleneimine(PEI) coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(polyMAG-1000) as gene vectors. Methods:The surface characteristies of the nanoparticles were observed with scan electronical microscope.The ability of the nanoparticles to combine and protect DNA were investigated at different PH after the polyMAG-1000 and DNA were combined at different ratio.The nanoparticles were tested as a gene vectors through transfection models in vitro. Results: Under scan electronical microscope, the diameter of the nanoparticles was about 100 nm. The nanoparticles could bind and condense DNA under acidic ,neutral and alkaline pH conditions. The nanoparticles could transfer gene into cell and express green fluorescent protein(GFP).The efficiency of transfection was the highest when the ratio of the nanoparticles and DNA was 1 ∶ 1(v ∶ w).The difference was marked in the transfection efficiency when magnetic field was added or not. Conclusion: The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PEI may be potentially used as gene vectors.