Enhancement of the polycation-mediated DNA uptake and cell transfection with Pluronic P85 block copolymer.

Polyelectrolyte complexes formed between DNA and poly(N-ethyl4-vinylpyridinium) cations were shown to effectively transfect mammalian cells [7]. This work suggests that the polycation-mediated uptake of the plasmid 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, Pluronic P85. The uptake studies were performed using radioactively labeled pRSV CAT plasmid on NIH 3T3, MDCK, and Jurkat cell lines. The transfection was investigated by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay using 3T3 cells as a model. The effects reported may be useful for the enhancement of the polycation-mediated cell transfection.