Related Articles Modified pectin-based carrier for gene delivery: Cellular barriers in gene delivery course. J Control Release. 2008 Jun 7; Authors: Katav T, Liu L, Traitel T, Goldbart R, Wolfson M, Kost J The use of polysaccharides as DNA carriers has high potential for gene therapy applications. Pectin is a structural plant polysaccharide heterogeneous with respect to its chemical structure. It contains branches rich in galactose residues which serve as potential ligands for membrane receptors interaction. In order to make the anionic pectin applicable for DNA complexation, it was modified with three different amine groups (cationic). Pectin-NH(2) was prepared by modifying the galacturonic acids carboxyl groups with primary amine groups and further modified to generate pectin-T (TN(+)H(CH(3))(2)) and pectin-NH(2)-Q (QN(+)(CH(3))(3)). All three modified pectins formed complexes with plasmid DNA as indicated by gel electrophoresis analysis. The size and morphology of pectin-NH(2)/DNA complexes were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Transfection experiments were carried out with human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK293), using plasmid DNA encoding for green fluorescence protein (GFP). Transfection efficiency was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis, using FACS. Pectin-NH(2)-Q was the most efficient carrier. Addition of chloroquine ("lysosomotropic" agent) to transfection medium substantially enhanced the HEK293 transfe ...
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